Danny McBride returns to HBO in a new comedy that satires the Christian evangelical culture of the south. Those white suits you often see on public access television on a mission to save souls whether they want to be or not. Created by McBride, The Righteous Gemstones pulls back a curtain on an imaginary family of the church with a cast of characters in perfect harmony.

McBride plays Jessie Gemstone, the son of famous preacher Eli Gemstone (John Goodman). Once again we’re treated to another over the top dense and crude character by McBride. Jessie has the non-filter comedy similar to his Kenny Powers from East Bound & Down.

The Gemstone family which includes youngest son Kelvin (Adam Devine), and daughter Judy (Edi Patterson) are living the lavish life of worship. We even see each family member having their own mansion on a compound that has its own theme park. The show doesn’t give them a major disfunction to overcome, they’re simply over-indulgent and gotti in some sense. Season one’s overarching plotlines revolve around the Gemstone expansion starting a marketing fight with the small towns they’re building worship centers on. We’ll see comedic talent such as Walton Goggins play a rival minister this season trying to dethrone Eli and his family. The shows major intrigue comes from Jesse’s turmoil as McBride’s character is blackmailed by a mysterious figure with a video containing a wild cocaine fueled party. It’s the type of scandal material our social media society loves and Righteous Gemstones has sharp commentary about these things.

The Righteous Gemstones strength is in its ensemble performance. John Goodman is simply hypnotizing as patriarch Eli Gemstone. You’d believe anything he’s selling. The chemistry between Devine, McBride, and Patterson is gold. Somehow they can each exist on their own in an engaging way then come together magically in scenes like the post-church dinner argument.

Personally, having grown up in a catholic family, I’ve had more than my share of judgment religion. Walking into a Christian church a few times, I can see the level of embellishment written into the show. It’s like adding fireworks to something from TBN. There’s this balance the show tows well. It never quite feels mean spirited towards the Christian church but I still feel that inch of Catholic guilt the best shows revolving around religion give me. It’s the same tingle I get watching AMC’s Preacher but here I’m laughing ten times more and you will too if you give it a shot.