Five Shows To Watch If You Like The Righteous Gemstones

So, you’ve stumbled into the glorious, messy, and utterly hilarious world of The Righteous Gemstones. Maybe you’re drawn to the sheer audacity of the televangelist family, their extravagant lifestyles, and the constant barrage of familial dysfunction. Or perhaps it's the surprisingly human moments buried beneath all the gold chains and prosperity gospel. Whatever it is, you’re hooked, and you’re probably wondering, “Okay, now what?” Don’t you worry your sweet little head. If you’re craving more of that delightful blend of outrageous comedy, flawed characters you can’t help but root for, and maybe a tiny bit of spiritual questioning (or just pure mockery of it), I’ve got you covered. Think of me as your personal streaming consigliere, handing out recommendations like free samples at Costco, but way more enjoyable.

Let’s dive into five shows that’ll scratch that Gemstones itch, making you laugh, cringe, and possibly even shed a tear or two. Because, let’s be honest, life – and TV – is better when it’s a little bit wild and wonderfully real.

Shows That Will Make You Say, "Bless Their Corrupt Little Hearts!"

Veep

Alright, picture this: you’re at a family reunion. You love your family, you really do, but let’s just say there are… quirks. Now imagine that family reunion is the political arena, and everyone is desperately trying to get ahead, tripping over their own feet and each other in the process. That, my friends, is Veep. If you love the Gemstones’ bumbling incompetence and the way they constantly create their own disasters, you’ll adore Selina Meyer and her merry band of utterly incompetent aides.

Selina, the Vice President (and later President) of the United States, is a woman who means well, sort of, but has the communication skills of a startled badger. Her staff are a symphony of backstabbing, sycophancy, and sheer panic. They’re constantly navigating political minefields, making everything ten times worse with every utterance. It’s the same kind of chaotic energy you see when Eli Gemstone tries to smooth-talk a situation, only with more policy jargon and fewer miracles. The dialogue is razor-sharp, the insults are brutal, and the sheer, unadulterated stress of it all is what makes it so incredibly funny. You’ll find yourself yelling at the TV, “Just say the thing, Selina! For the love of all that is holy, just say the thing!” It’s the perfect antidote to overly earnest dramas, and a fantastic reminder that sometimes, the most powerful people are also the most clueless.

Succession

Now, this one might seem a little more serious on the surface, but trust me, the underlying currents of familial greed, backstabbing, and absurd wealth are very familiar territory if you’re a fan of the Gemstones. Succession is about the Roy family, who own a global media conglomerate. The patriarch, Logan Roy, is a terrifying titan, and his children are all vying for his approval and his empire. Think of them as the Gemstones, but with a whole lot more stock options and a lot less tambourine playing.

The genius of Succession lies in its incredible writing and its ability to make you both despise and empathize with these characters. They are undeniably awful people – entitled, narcissistic, and deeply insecure. Yet, you can’t help but watch them unravel. Their family dinners are like a high-stakes game of emotional chess, where every polite word is laced with poison. You’ll recognize the same desperate need for parental validation that plagues the Gemstone children, the same sibling rivalries played out on a much grander, and more financially devastating, scale. It’s a masterclass in portraying toxic family dynamics, and it’s so darkly funny you’ll feel guilty for enjoying it so much. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion, but the car is a multi-billion dollar corporation and the driver is wearing a Gucci suit.

Eastbound & Down

If you enjoy the over-the-top ego and the sheer, unadulterated smugness of Danny McBride's characters, then Eastbound & Down is an absolute must-watch. Danny McBride plays Kenny Powers, a disgraced former MLB pitcher who returns to his hometown to teach physical education at his old middle school. Sounds wholesome, right? Wrong. Kenny Powers is a walking, talking disaster area of inflated self-importance, questionable life choices, and a truly spectacular inability to learn from his mistakes.

Kenny is like Kelvin Gemstone’s id unleashed. He’s loud, he’s obnoxious, and he genuinely believes he’s a gifted athlete and a ladies' man, despite all evidence to the contrary. His journey is a hilarious and often pathetic descent into self-delusion. You’ll cringe at his every interaction, wince at his unfiltered pronouncements, and yet, you’ll find yourself strangely compelled by his unwavering belief in himself, however misguided. It’s the kind of show that reminds you that sometimes, the most entertaining people are the ones who are completely oblivious to how ridiculous they are. It’s pure, unadulterated McBride, and if you love his brand of humor, this is your jam.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Okay, hear me out. This might seem like a curveball, but stick with me. If you appreciate the Gemstones' flair for the dramatic, their grand pronouncements, and their ability to command a room (even if it's through sheer force of personality), then you'll likely fall for Midge Maisel. Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Midge is a New York City housewife who discovers she has a knack for stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her. She’s sharp, she’s witty, and she’s determined to make her mark in a male-dominated world.

What connects Midge to the Gemstones? It’s the sheer chutzpah. Midge, much like the Gemstone family in their own unique way, is unafraid to be loud, to be noticed, and to challenge the status quo. Her performances are energetic, her observations are often cutting, and her family (who are, let's just say, opinionated) provide a rich source of comedic conflict, not unlike the constant squabbles within the Gemstone clan. Plus, the costumes are stunning. If you like seeing a larger-than-life personality navigate a world that doesn't quite know what to do with them, and you enjoy a good laugh delivered with style, then Midge is your gal. It’s a more polished kind of chaos, but chaos nonetheless.

Arrested Development

This is the OG of dysfunctional, wealthy families on TV, and if you haven't seen it, you're missing out. Arrested Development follows the Bluth family, who lost their fortune and are forced to live together in… well, less than ideal circumstances. Think of them as the Gemstones' slightly more financially strapped, but equally inept, cousins. The humor here is incredibly layered, relying on running gags, callbacks, and a meta-narrative that makes you feel like you’re in on the joke.

The characters are all deeply flawed, self-absorbed, and prone to making the absolute worst decisions imaginable. Michael Bluth, the only sane one, constantly tries to hold the family together, much like Jesse Gemstone attempts (and often fails) to be the moral compass of his family. The Bluths are masters of accidentally incriminating themselves and creating elaborate, poorly executed schemes. It’s the kind of show where you’ll rewatch episodes just to catch all the little jokes you missed the first time. If the idea of a family constantly tripping over their own entitlement and creating hilarious chaos appeals to you, then Arrested Development is the gold standard.

So there you have it! Five shows that offer a delightful mix of humor, flawed characters, and situations that are both absurdly funny and, dare I say, strangely relatable. Go forth, my friends, and stream responsibly. May your laughs be plentiful and your cringes be only mild.