Ranking The Righteous Gemstones: Who’s the Most Likable of the Bunch?

In a humorous and biting take on religious hypocrisy and megachurch wealth, Danny McBride has delivered HBO one of its funniest productions yet with “The Righteous Gemstones“. This series offers a glimpse into the ultra-capitalist realm of the Gemstone family, a renowned, affluent televangelist clan. Heading this family is Eli Gemstone, portrayed by John Goodman, a widowed patriarch. The story unfolds around Eli and his children Jesse (McBride), Judy (Patterson), and Kelvin (DeVine), who are known for their mischief and entitlement as adults. Noteworthy characters include Uncle Baby Billy Freeman (Goggins), BJ Barnes, Judy’s husband (Baltz), and Keefe Chambers, Kelvin’s friend-turned-lover (Cavalero).

These eccentric personalities, without intending to, are inadvertently amusing due to their over-the-top seriousness. This formula seems to click, making viewers laugh uproariously at their absurd antics which are far from what one might consider virtuous. Yet, it’s clear that their questionable morals and ethics are a key part of the show’s appeal. While fans may have their preferred characters, it’s undeniable that some would be rather annoying and exasperating in real life. Here’s a ranking from least to most endearing:

1. The least likable character…
2. …and so on, up to the most likable character.

10
Least Likable: Baby Billy Freeman

Played by Walton Goggins

It’s not surprising that Baby Billy, brilliantly portrayed by Walton Goggins, is a beloved character among viewers. He stands out as one of the most captivating characters in the show, with an unmatched screen presence and charm. Despite fans being drawn to his unpredictable behavior and charming Southern accent, his cunning and deceitful persona places him at the bottom of this list in terms of likeability.

Always Looking Out for Himself

In the real world, people would find him quite disgraceful. The character of Baby Billy is a selfish, deceitful individual who consistently puts himself first, even if it means causing harm to others. From what I can gather, he has hurt, deceived, or betrayed everyone in his circle. He doesn’t shy away from manipulating pregnant women, as seen with his sister Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles) and Tiffany (Valyn Hall). He abandoned the latter and then tried to blame her when he felt self-righteous. However, it should be noted that he does show some growth by returning to raise Baby Lionel and learning from his past mistakes with his first son, Harmon (Macaulay Culkin).

9
Amber Gemstone

Played by Cassidy Freeman

During Season 1, Amber Gemstone, who is married to Jesse, comes across as quite dislikable due to her excessive flaunting of their wealth and her snobbish behavior towards her friends. She frequently delivers cutting remarks and condescending comments, acting as the dominant figure in her social circle. Her constant reinforcement of her husband’s ego, submissive attitude, and need for his approval on various occasions are particularly grating, as they perpetuate outdated gender roles.

Saved by Character Development

Towards the finale of the first season, Amber gradually earns viewer admiration as she learns about Jesse’s wrongdoings in Atlanta. Her act of shooting him, albeit in the buttocks, gains her significant respect. As the series progresses, she demonstrates increased strength and autonomy. She bravely rescues both herself and Jesse from the “Cycle Ninjas,” and becomes more assertive in Season 2. When her relationship program, The System, experiences immense success later in the show, Amber truly begins to stand out and shows that she’s not just a spouse but a powerful figure in her own right.

8
Jesse Gemstone

Played by Danny McBride

Jesse considers himself a Christian, yet he displays an unchecked pride. In his self-image, he’s a shining star, destined to succeed his father. Among his siblings, he’s the one who mirrors the behavior of real-life megachurch leaders the most. Jesse presents a facade of the ideal family man in public, but in reality, particularly during Season 1, he was dishonest with his wife and put his siblings and friends at risk by concealing his wrongdoings. This is due to Jesse’s inability to weigh the consequences or consider anyone other than himself.

Maybe a Man Can Change

Yet, it’s undeniable that Jesse exudes an irresistible charm and humor. As the series unfolds, we see Jesse evolve, notably in his interactions with his wife and son, Gideon (Skyler Gisondo). Moreover, there are instances where he shows signs of self-awareness, such as when he advises his middle child, Pontius (Kelton DuMont), against growing up entitled like him and encourages him to strive for something he truly deserves.

7
Judy Gemstone

Played by Edi Patterson

The second sibling in the Gemstone family, known for her zany and volatile nature, might provoke laughter from the audience, yet it’s clear she’s not the most virtuous individual. She exhibits an alarming level of self-centeredness and immaturity, nearly causing a rift with BJ. Her main flaw is a lack of self-awareness, which paradoxically contributes to her being one of the most amusing characters in The RIghteous Gemstones. Although many of her statements are off-the-wall and make those around her squirm, viewers can’t seem to get enough of her outrageous behavior and colorful language.

A Little Girl at Her Core

Unveiling additional aspects of Judy’s character as layers are removed, it becomes clear that she behaves in the manner she does due to an intense longing for acceptance, particularly from her father. Her actions aimed at drawing attention originate from a desire to feel validated. The third season episode, titled “Interlude III,” humanizes Judy further by revealing tender moments from her past, revealing a sensitive side hidden behind her tough exterior.

6
Kelvin Gemstone

Played by Adam DeVine

As the “accidental” or “unexpected” member of the family, Kelvin frequently encounters teasing from his older brother and sister, yet he’s seldom excluded from their adventurous antics. This is due to him being the most unselfish Gemstone sibling, always standing by Jesse and Judy, even when it involves potential danger and trouble. Like them, he yearns for his father’s approval, but it’s also the love and respect of his siblings that he craves. Kelvin’s vibrant, exuberant character is a reflection of this constant desire to win over his family, which motivates most of his unconventional actions, such as creating his muscular man God Squad.

More Than a Gym Bro

Beyond his humorous antics and daring adventures, Kelvin shows a tender and caring side, particularly towards Keefe. This hidden aspect of his character demonstrates that beneath his tough exterior, Kelvin has a soft heart and genuinely cares for the young people he guides in the youth group. It’s fascinating to witness his transformation from enforcing decency to openly embracing himself in the ongoing fourth season. His openness about his sexuality serves as an inspiring example, conveying that Jesus embraces everyone without prejudice.

5
Tiffany Freeman

Played by Valyn Hall

In the realm of television critiquing, I must say, the charming Aunt Tiffany in “The Righteous Gemstones” is often overlooked yet delivers a delightful dose of humor with each appearance. Unlike the flamboyant characters surrounding her, Tiffany’s humor isn’t derived from grand gestures but rather her innocent, unintentional wit – a trait that often leaves viewers in stitches as she fails to grasp the complexity of situations around her. Her childlike innocence and sweet disposition add an endearing quality to this doe-eyed redhead, making her a captivating character on the screen.

A Gentle Soul

Tiffany is known for having a kind and generous spirit. Amongst all family members, she possesses the most pure heart and selfless intentions. This unique trait allows her to perceive goodness in others, even when they mistreat or wrong her. Time and time again, she has shown forgiveness towards her husband, Baby Billy, despite his abandonment during her pregnancy. It’s possible that Tiffany may be the only hope for Baby Billy’s redemption. Even someone as critical as Judy eventually develops a deep affection for Tiffany.

4
Eli Gemstone

Played by John Goodman

Indeed, the creator of Gemstone Ministries embodies many common traits found in televangelist megachurch pastors: he’s known for being both avaricious and power-seeking, holds the belief that their family wealth is divinely ordained, frequently manipulates and defrauds his followers, and often acts counter to Jesus’ teachings. However, despite these shortcomings, admirers find themselves captivated by this straight-talking elder man. In contrast to his offspring, Dr. Elijah Gemstone demonstrates a remarkable level of self-awareness, recognizing both their flaws and his own.

A Flawed But Lovable Man

Underneath Eli’s tough facade resides a gentle soul filled with love and affection. His tender, emotional nature emerges vividly through his deep love and longing for his late spouse. Memories of their shared moments reveal the depth of their bond. Family is at the core of who he is; he would move mountains to bring joy to his children and grandchildren and fulfill their heartfelt wishes. Although his methods may not always adhere to strict moral guidelines, every action stems from a desire to ensure the well-being of his family.

3
Aimee-Leigh Gemstone

Played by Jennifer Nettles

In a different phrasing, Aimee-Leigh Gemstone is depicted as appearing in flashbacks and as a benevolent, ethereal spirit who looks after her cherished kin. While often portrayed as a saintly figure by her family, investigative journalist Thaniel Block (played by Jason Schwartzman) suggests that she could be quite demanding and controlling towards her staff. Yet, the audience has only witnessed her kind and nurturing persona thus far.

The Heart of the Family

In my perspective as a cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: During her lifetime, Aimee-Leigh was an unwavering wife, mother, and sister, whose love knew no bounds. She stood by Baby Billy, even when he didn’t earn it. Patiently dealing with her challenging offspring, she consistently employed kindness to guide them towards the right path. Eli often attests that she was instrumental in his transformation, yet it appears her influence extended both ways, especially regarding greed. The weight of the family’s swindling ways, particularly after the Y2K fiasco, eventually became too much for Aimee-Leigh to bear. She was the only one among them who acknowledged that they were duping people in the Gemstones scheme.

2
BJ Barnes

Played by Tim Baltz

Initially in “The Righteous Gemstones,” Benjamin “BJ” Barnes appeared as a submissive, gentle man who allowed Judy to dominate him. Despite Judy’s challenging personality, BJ’s affection for her ran deep, causing him to endure the difficult woman for as long as he could. However, one day, he reached his limit. The sight of strong-willed, kind-hearted BJ standing up for himself left fans rooting for him. To be honest, Judy wasn’t deserving of BJ at that point in time, and it was inspiring to see him value his own worth.

A Show-Stealing Character

Apart from being deeply committed to Judy, he also cares for her entire family, showcasing his exceptional qualities as a partner. Beyond this, BJ is adored for being another charming character who often underestimates his humor. From a distinctive piercing in one ear to rollerblading and his quest to “stay swole,” his unfortunate fashion sense, and his attempts at pole-dancing, he consistently brings laughter to the screen, leaving viewers with aching faces from laughing so hard.

1
Most Likable: Keefe Chambers

Played by Tony Cavalero

Initially appearing in Season 1 sans shirt and displaying a “666” tattoo, the ex-Satanist makes a surprising entry into Kelvin’s home. In that moment, he utters one of the show’s most indelible lines: “I spent a night in your room, but it felt strange, so I slept on the couch for the rest of my stay without a top sheet.” With a seemingly endless stream of remarks like this, his character’s discomfort becomes a source of great humor, despite his being completely oblivious to the foolish impression he might be making.

Strange But Sweet

The youngest Gemstone transformed Keefe from a life of wickedness, and since then, Keefe has stood faithfully by his side. But Keefe’s charm isn’t just about loyalty; he’s as lovable as a playful puppy. He’s friendly, gentle, and soft-spoken. There’s something pure and endearing about him that makes it hard not to adore him. It’s clear why Kelvin grew fond of him.

2025-03-22 01:03

10 Least Likable: Baby Billy Freeman