The Righteous Gemstones is a bitingly sarcastic series that portrays the foibles and failings of a renowned family of televangelists. Though at times the characters can be frustrating in their foolishness and abilities to get themselves into trouble, it is also true that they all, to one degree or another, show just how remarkably funny they are.
What makes them especially hilarious to watch is the fact that they all, almost without exception, take themselves very seriously and often don’t realize just how ridiculous their ludicrous actions make them appear to others.
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Amber Gemstone
Television is full of wives who support their husbands, even when they don’t deserve it, and Amber Gemstone is definitely loyal to Jesse despite his failings. She shows time and again that she will stand beside him and, ultimately, forgive him no matter what he does.
In that sense, she is something of a moral grounding for the series as a whole, and her character, while laudable, ultimately doesn’t emerge as being especially funny (even if she is very likable).
Gideon Gemstone
Gideon Gemstone is another player in the series who serves as something of a “straight man.” In particular, he is the black sheep of the family, since he left his father’s house to pursue a career in Hollywood.
While he may not get many of the funniest lines, he does play a major part in the show’s plot, particularly in the first season when his effort to blackmail his father backfires in spectacular fashion and causes all sorts of mayhem and, ultimately, murder.
Eli Gemstone
John Goodman has appeared in many iconic roles, and it seems certain that Eli Gemstone will be seen as one of them.
Like Gideon, he is something of the straight man in the family, which helps to explain why he is so often frustrated and befuddled by the scrapes that his children somehow manage to get into, even though he has gone out of his way to make sure that they are given everything that they could want or desire. He may not have the funniest lines, but he is an essential character.
BJ Barnes
BJ is another of those characters in this series who don’t seem to realize just how silly they are. In large part, this stems from the fact that he is so radically different from the Gemstones, despite the fact that he wants so badly to be a part of their family.
There is, nevertheless, a fake seriousness about his persona that makes it more than a little difficult to actually take him seriously. It’s this dynamic that also makes his interactions with Judy all the more hilarious to witness.
Tiffany
Tiffany, the young wife of Baby Billy, is a bit of a stereotype of the redneck, with her bad teeth and her bad grammar.
However, it also has to be said that she is one of the series’ funniest characters, in part because she is so willing to go along with whatever Baby Billy says that they happen to be doing, even if she has to know on some level that he isn’t the most balanced person or the one most capable of making adult decisions.
Keefe Chambers
Keefe is one of those characters who is hilarious precisely because he doesn’t exactly realize how much of a fool he often appears to others. As a reformed Satanist, he makes no secret of the fact that he looks at Kelvin as a spiritual leader and someone who can lead him out of the wilderness.
However, his vacant looks and the fact that he stumbles through life, and that he so obviously worships Kelvin, make him a gut-busting character to watch, even if his actions sometimes don’t make sense.
Baby Billy Freeman
Baby Billy is one of the most outlandish characters to appear in this series–with his wild head of white hair, his gleaming teeth, and his exaggerated mannerisms–and for this reason, he is also one of its funniest.
What’s more, he’s one of those people who takes themselves very seriously and believes that they should be worshiped and adored, despite the fact that they are absolutely ridiculous. Nevertheless, he is still sure to be seen as one of Walton Goggins’ best roles.
Kelvin Gemstone
Kelvin Gemstone is sure to be seen as one of Adam Devine’s most hilarious roles. He takes his role as the youth minister very seriously, and he is desperate to attain his father’s blessing and approval. However, it’s precisely these traits that lead him to engage in some questionable behavior, and he often comes across as far more desperate than competent.
It’s precisely his desperate attempts to impress his father and outmatch his siblings that allow him to be such a funny character, even if he doesn’t seem to see himself that way.
Judy Gemstone
Like her siblings, Judy is desperate to prove herself to her family, particularly to her father. However, she is even more bizarre in her behavior than either Jesse or Kelvin, and there are many times when her antics not only undermine her efforts but also provide some of the series’ funniest moments.
Specifically, her willingness to blurt out whatever happens to be in her mind (no matter how inappropriate or disturbing) and tendency to make a public spectacle of herself gives rise to very funny moments.
Jesse Gemstone
There’s no question that Jesse Gemstone is one of Danny McBride’s most outlandish characters, with his exuberant facial hair, the tendency to fly off the handle, and his desperate attempts to establish his own identity separate from his father. At the same time, there’s no question that he is also one of the series’ funniest characters.
In particular, the way that he, like Judy, tends to say whatever is on his mind, even if it is not entirely appropriate in a given situation, makes him the butt of many jokes.