Alright comedy fans get ready for some bittersweet news. Danny McBride's hilarious HBO show The Righteous Gemstones is wrapping up after its fourth season . Yeah we know sad face. But don't worry because McBride and the cast are going out with a bang. Think surprise cameos behind-the-scenes stories and maybe even a live Gemstones experience in the future. Let's dive into all the juicy details!
Bradley Cooper Joins the Gemstone Family?! How Danny McBride Convinced the Star for a Guest Role
So get this Bradley Cooper is actually in the final season of The Righteous Gemstones ! Yep the Bradley Cooper. Danny McBride who created the show and stars as Jesse Gemstone shared how he got Cooper to join the wild world of televangelists. Apparently it wasn't too hard. McBride sent Cooper the script and Cooper was in pretty quickly.
Funny thing is Cooper had never even seen The Righteous Gemstones before. He actually waited until after filming his part to watch it because he didn't want it to influence his performance. McBride appreciated that approach. This is not the first time McBride and Cooper have worked together they were in the movie Aloha together years back. Cooper's role in the first episode of season 4 is a total surprise and sets the stage for what McBride calls an "unexpected intensity" for this final run.
Danny McBride Reflects on Writing the Final Chapter and What He'll Miss Most About Gemstones
McBride mentioned that as he was writing season 4 it just felt like the story was naturally heading towards a conclusion. He felt like they were telling stories about "conclusion and about growth and moving forward." So season 4 will be the end of the road for the Gemstone family on TV at least for now. But McBride is super proud of what they created.
He said working with the cast has been amazing because they brought so much more to the characters than he ever imagined. For McBride part of writing the show was steering it in his vision but also letting the talented actors influence where it went. He is especially amazed by how much "humanity" the cast brought to characters who are kind of "despicable". What will he miss most? Just seeing everyone's faces every day. He calls the job "beautiful" and says he made "great friends" on the show especially during those fun "church lunch" days.
Walton Goggins' Baby Billy Freeman: Prepare for "Teenjus" and Peak Baby Billy Hilarity
Let's talk about Baby Billy Freeman played by the one and only Walton Goggins. critics and fans agree Goggins as Uncle Baby Billy is a comedic masterpiece . This final season seems to be unleashing even more Baby Billy madness. Slate even calls it a "glorious showcase" and says the writers have "fully taken the reins off both Goggins and Baby Billy." Get ready.
This season features a hilarious subplot about Baby Billy's latest passion project: "Teenjus" a teen drama TV show about a brooding teenage Jesus. Yes you read that right. Goggins is fully committed to this insane storyline and it sounds like comedy gold. Slate even compares Goggins' performance this season to Steve Little's iconic role as Stevie Janowski in McBride's earlier show Eastbound & Down which is high praise.
The Righteous Gemstones: More Than Just Jokes There's Heart (and Maybe a Live Show?)
Even though The Righteous Gemstones is ridiculously funny at its core it's a show with heart. Slate points out that it's about "basically decent people who are trying their hardest to be terrible and failing at it." The Gemstone kids are flawed and messy but they also love each other and stumble into empathy even when they don't mean to. The show manages to be optimistic and heartwarming without being cheesy even while making fun of serious stuff like faith capitalism and media.
And about that live show idea Danny McBride floated the idea of a "traveling Gemstones tent revival" live show. Edi Patterson who plays Judy Gemstone is totally on board saying she'd "love to do a live show." Adam DeVine joked about ending their careers doing live shows at Universal Studios. Walton Goggins even mused "Why not? Bring religion to everybody. The religion of Danny McBride." Could a live Righteous Gemstones experience actually happen? Fingers crossed!
Key Things to Know About The Righteous Gemstones Final Season:
- Final Season: Season 4 is confirmed to be the last for The Righteous Gemstones on HBO.
- Bradley Cooper Guest Star: Bradley Cooper appears in the first episode in a surprise role.
- "Teenjus" Subplot: Walton Goggins' Baby Billy Freeman has a hilarious storyline about a teen Jesus TV show.
- Emotional Ending: Danny McBride hints at a conclusive and emotional ending focused on character growth.
- Possible Live Show: McBride and cast members are interested in a live "tent revival" version of the show.
- Series Finale Air Date: Season 4 premiered on HBO on March 9th with episodes airing weekly. The series finale will air in May 2025.
Don't Miss the Gemstones Goodbye: Tune in for the Final Season and Who Knows Maybe a Revival Later?
So while it's sad to see The Righteous Gemstones end after season 4 it sounds like it will be a memorable final ride. With Bradley Cooper joining the cast Walton Goggins going full Baby Billy and Danny McBride reflecting on the journey it is sure to be hilarious heartwarming and maybe even a little bit profound. And hey keep your fingers crossed for that live Gemstones tent revival. You never know what might happen in the world of the Gemstone family! Make sure to catch the final season on HBO and soak in all the glorious Gemstone madness one last time.