HBO Comedy Chief Spills on ‘Righteous Gemstones’ Future!

Closure and Moving On

Danny McBride, the mastermind behind the HBO comedy series The Righteous Gemstones, recently shared his thoughts on why the show is wrapping up after its fourth season. McBride revealed that the themes of closure and moving on were prevalent throughout the show’s narrative, ultimately guiding him to conclude that it was the right time to bring the story to an end.

In an interview, McBride explained, “When we started writing the show, a lot of the themes and stuff that were coming to our brains were about closure and about moving on.” He emphasized his intention to keep an open mind during the production process, allowing for potential changes if the narrative didn’t feel complete. However, as the season progressed, it became evident that the story was nearing its natural conclusion.

McBride also extended his gratitude to the “fans on the inside” at HBO, acknowledging their support in allowing the show to complete its story arc. “I wanted to keep an open mind as we shot, just in case it didn’t feel like that, or if we tanked it, we have a chance to redo it. But as we moved through the season, it became apparent to me that we were completing what we had set out to do,” McBride said.

Larry David’s Possible Comeback

The Incident

Larry David, the renowned comedian and creator of Seinfeld, recently made headlines with an unexpected and controversial moment on Today. During an appearance, David walked onto the set and physically intervened to silence Elmo, the beloved character from Sesame Street, after the furry red icon delivered a speech about mental health.

The incident, which involved David literally throttling Elmo, quickly went viral and sparked widespread discussion and debate. David’s actions raised eyebrows and led to a mix of reactions from the public and media outlets.

His Side of the Story

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, David was pressed to explain his actions. Initially hesitant to discuss the incident, David eventually opened up about his decision to intervene. “Elmo was, he was going on about mental health and I had to listen to every word. And I was going, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, I don’t think I can take another second of this!’ And so I got off my chair and I approached him and I throttled him!” David said, mimicking Elmo’s high-pitched voice as he recounted the event.

David’s explanation provided some context for his impulsive action, highlighting his struggle with Elmo’s treacly sentiments. “I couldn’t take it!” he exclaimed, emphasizing his frustration with the character’s speech.

No Regrets

In a surprising turn, David took back his previous apology for the incident. When asked if he would do it again, he responded with a definitive “Yes,” stating, “And you know what? I would do it again!”

This bold declaration has sparked further discussion about the boundaries between comedy and inappropriate behavior, as well as the potential backlash David might face from both fans and critics.

Industry Implications

Comedy’s Tough Year

The comedy landscape has faced significant challenges in recent years, with a notable decline in comedy output from various networks and platforms. Amazon Freevee’s shutdown, following the departure of Comedy Central, TBS, TruTV, and IFC from the live-action scripted comedy business, has contributed to this downturn. Even the broadcast networks, which were once stalwarts of comedy programming, now produce a fraction of the comedy content they did a decade ago.

Streaming services, too, have shifted their focus away from comedies, prioritizing noisy dramas in pursuit of subscriber acquisition and retention. This trend has left comedians and comedy writers grappling with a tough year, with few buys and even fewer greenlights for comedy projects.

HBO’s Comedy Strategy

Amid this challenging landscape, HBO has emerged as a beacon of hope for comedy enthusiasts. The network has spent the past year rebuilding its comedy slate, which had been impacted by the departure of stalwarts like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Barry. In 2024, HBO ordered two comedy pilots from writer-performers, Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company and an untitled Rachel Sennott half-hour, both of which were picked up to series. Additionally, the network has given straight-to-series orders to Bill Lawrence’s college comedy starring Steve Carell and Kaley Cuoco’s Kansas City Star, from the creators of Hacks. Most recently, HBO picked up a series created by and starring Sharon Horgan.

With the return of Danny McBride’s The Righteous Gemstones for its fourth and final season, and the upcoming Season 2 of Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal in April, HBO’s comedy slate is larger than that of any broadcast network or streamer except for Netflix.

Unionjournalism spoke with Amy Gravitt, HBO and Max Content CEO, about the network’s comedy buildup amid the genre’s downturn. “I personally need to stay in the comedy business,” Gravitt said, adding, “Casey [Bloys] is a comedy executive, so I am lucky in that regard, and in our long history of working together, he obviously trusts my taste. So I have full support inside the company to continue to keep the HBO comedy brand thriving.”

Comedy’s Place in the Industry

Despite the challenges, comedy remains a vital part of the entertainment industry. HBO’s focus on comedy is a strategic move to differentiate itself from other streaming services and networks. As Gravitt noted, “We are always in such constant dialog [with creators] from the beginning of a pilot to the end of a series, that it isn’t necessarily a decision between one or the other, but something that we talk about together.”

This collaborative approach ensures that shows like The Righteous Gemstones and The Rehearsal are allowed to complete their story arcs, providing a sense of closure for both creators and audiences. While comedy may not be the priority for some networks and platforms, HBO’s commitment to the genre underscores its enduring appeal and importance in the entertainment landscape.