Those who worship the Family Gemstone will be happy to hear the good news: they are back at the pulpit again. Donning their best, sparkliest apparel — and, from the looks of the trailer, some feathered angel wings to boot! — the snazzy, southern televangelists return for one final installment of their HBO comedy series as spring arrives. Season 4 of “The Righteous Gemstones” premieres Sunday, March 9, on HBO and Max.
A dark, religion-centered comedy, “The Righteous Gemstones” was conceived by Danny McBride and his industry friends when they moved back to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2017. An American actor and filmmaker best known for the baseball comedy series “Eastbound & Down,” the so-called “stoner comedy” “Your Highness” (2011) and most recently for contributing to John Carpenter’s Halloween franchise as a writer, McBride was born in Statesboro, Georgia, and grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. And although televangelists existed in his periphery as a child, the multi-talented actor says the intricacies and illegalities surrounding much of that world only became apparent to him in adulthood.
“I grew up going to church every Sunday, so I’d been to church for years and years of my life,” McBride told CNN near “The Righteous Gemstones’” Season 2 release in 2022. “I know the Bible, I know all the apostles and I know all the
stories, and it was a big part of my childhood growing up. ... And when I moved back to Charleston, I saw all the churches here and it just really kind of got me thinking about church again.”
The series follows the Gemstones, a family who has gained wealth, status and (possible) salvation by way of their world-famous megachurch in the southern United States. Dedicating their lives to swindling, scamming and preaching the Lord’s word in all manner of ridiculous ways, the Gemstones are quite contrarian in their approach: greedy but charitable, cutthroat but kindhearted.
At the head of the Gemstone family dynasty is Dr. Eli Gemstone, played by Primetime Emmy-winning actor John Goodman (“Rosanne”). The founding father and former head pastor of Gemstone Ministries, Eli is expected to spend much of the series’ fourth and final season aboard his boat as he tries to find the best way forward following the events of Season 3.
“We meet [Eli] in a much, much different place than we’ve ever seen him in seasons past,” McBride told GQ in a January 2025 interview. “He’s definitely going through some things in his life and trying to figure out how to take the next steps into whatever lays ahead for him, but because he’s a Gemstone and because his kids are psychopaths, that will not be as easy as it should be.”
Speaking of his psychopath children, Jesse, Kelvin and Judy are played by McBride, Adam Devine (“Workaholics”) and Edi Patterson (“Knives Out,” 2019), respectively. While Jesse, the eldest of Eli’s adult children, has taken on the bulk of the pastoral duties at Gemstones Ministries, his temper and foul mouth have yet to be impacted by his preaching.
Of course, other familiar faces will be returning in for the series’ last season, including Walton Goggins (“Justified”) as Baby Billy Freeman, who this season is launching his own TV venture called “TeenJus,” a young adult show about a teenaged Jesus Christ; Tony Cavalero (“School of Rock”) as Keefe Chambers, who has a closer bond than ever with Kelvin in Season 4; Tim Baltz (“Shrink”) as Judy’s husband, BJ; and Cassidy Freeman (“Smallville”) as Amber, Jesse’s faithful wife and mother to his three sons: Gideon (Skyler Gisondo, “The Resort”), Pontius (Kelton DuMont, “Logan,” 2017) and Abraham (Gavin Munn, “Raising Dion”).
Greg Alan Williams (“Greenleaf”), Jennifer Nettles (“The Exorcist: Believer,” 2023), James DuMont (“Jarassic World,” 2015), Jody Hill (“Vice Principals”), Troy Hogan (“Friday Night Lights”) and Valyn Hall (“The Internship,” 2013) also return, while Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”), Seann William Scott (“Shifting Gears”) and Arden Myrin (“Insatiable”) join the cast as the Milsap family.
Horoscopes
The
ARIES
You’ll
New Streaming Movies & Shows
TAURUS
It’s
GEMINI
You’ll
CANCER
You’re
horizons. However, you must keep an eye on your finances.
VIRGO
Make sure you get enough rest to start your week off right. Take full advantage of your beauty sleep to improve your performance and achieve your goals.
LIBRA
As an artist, you’ll draw inspiration from the diverse cultures around you to enrich your work. If you’re feeling tired, consider taking a vacation to recharge your batteries and give you a change of scenery.
SCORPIO
You’ll start building a remarkably loyal clientele at work. You’ll be working on various tasks this week, strengthening your financial stability and motivating you to pursue interesting projects.
SAGITTARIUS
You may plan a spontaneous trip this week. You may also explore opportunities to work in a different area that will offer new and rewarding experiences.
Taking a course could also provide valuable insights.
CAPRICORN
Embrace the call of change and let your inner voice guide you to live life to the fullest!
You’ll broaden your horizons and let yourself be carried from one discovery to the next.
AQUARIUS
Life will present you with challenges that align with your aspirations. You’ll surprise yourself with your enthusiasm and joy. Your boldness will lead you toward fulfilling your destiny.
PISCES
You’ll need to negotiate at work to reach an agreement following a disagreement.
You’ll likely take an active role in trade unions or community activities.
“Thomas Muller – Einer wie keiner” (Available Now)
Providing insight into the professional and private life of one of Germany’s greatest footballers of all time, Thomas Muller, this documentary looks from beginnings in rural Bavaria and his start at FC Bayern Munich, to his breakthrough on the national and international stage. As well as the sporting highs and lows that have marked his professional career, viewers follow Muller through a dramatic season, right up to his tearful farewell to the national team at the European Championships.
Word Search
“New Life” (March 11)
Jess (Hayley Erin) is a woman on the run, desperate to cross the Canadian border to escape her past. On her tail is Elsa (Sonya Walger), a resourceful agent whose recent lifealtering diagnosis leaves her one step behind. As their chase narrows to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, holes in Elsa’s investigation begin to fill with fresh bodies.
Where all the top choices can be found in one place!
“Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney” (March 12)
Known for his performances in everything from stand-up comedy specials such as “John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch” (2019), to voice acting in “Big Mouth,” to dramas such as “Dickinson” and “The Bear,” John Mulaney’s talents have taken him to every corner of the entertainment world. Now, he takes on the talk show realm, promising to provide side-splitting laughs, special celebrity guests and fun musical performances, all held together with Mulaney’s signature sense of humor.
BY JAY BOBBIN
“Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again” - Season 1, New Episode (March 11) Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.
Q:How long has Kenan Thompson been on “Saturday Night Live”?
A: After gaining fame on the Nickelodeon series “All That” and “Kenan & Kel,” he joined the ensemble cast of NBC’s late-night staple “SNL” in 2003. He actually continued his work on “All That” until 2005, and he also had become known from such movies as “D2: The Mighty (1994), “Heavyweights” (1995), “D3: The Mighty Ducks” (1996) and “Good Burger” (1997).
Thompson holds the record for being the longest-running “SNL” regular, and he has said that he only intended to stay with the show until he got another job. As it has happened, he has stayed and earned five Primetime Emmy Award nominations (winning once) for his work on the program. He even has been the star of his own series, NBC’s 2021-22 sitcom “Kenan,” while continuing on “SNL” (though some had speculated that he might leave the latter show when he landed “Kenan”).
8. Common 9. Friend in France 10. Tanning lotion letters 11. Language suffix 17. O’Neill’s “___ Christie” 19. Legend on the ice 22. “Around The Horn” host 23. “Shake a leg!” 24. Tennis’s Mandlikova 25. It’s
26. “La Dolce Vita” setting 31. Country singer Milsap 32. One of the “South Park” kids 33. Fin. adviser 34. Kept close to 36. Eye sores 38. “Gossip ___” 39. Start of many addresses 40. Nasdaq rival 41. Milk source 42. Racing car product 43. ___ Beta Kappa 44. Writer Fleming
Mark Wahlberg starts an ‘Instant Family’
BY JAY BOBBIN
It’s always nice to get what’s known as a “feelgood movie,” and “Instant Family” certainly is that. Its plot may have you thinking you’ll know exactly what’s coming, and you will, but it’s still very agreeable.
The 2018 movie — which FX shows Monday, March 10 — casts Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a house-flipping couple who fear they’ve waited too long to become parents. They try to catch up fast by adopting not one child but three, siblings (portrayed by Isabella Moner, Gustavo Quiroz and Julianna Gamiz) who are old enough to be set in their ways, giving their new mom and dad big challenges in trying to put their own stamp on raising the kids.
“Instant Family” was directed and co-written by Sean Anders, who also worked with Wahlberg on the “Daddy’s Home” comedies. (Both were among the producers here as well.) Anders is an adoptive parent himself, and the film does indeed feel like it comes from someone who knows what he’s talking about, certainly in the scenes that feature Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as adoption-agency operators.
There’s also a sense of authenticity in the moments at home, as the adults and the youngsters alike try to figure out their place with each other. They’re savvy
Best STANLEY KUBRICK MOVIES
BY JAY BOBBIN
“Paths of Glory” (1957): A World War I commander (Kirk Douglas) defends his troops against a general who accuses them of dishonorable conduct in the movie that put director Stanley Kubrick on the map with many critics.
“Spartacus” (1960): Title star Kirk Douglas — who also produced the film — reunited with Kubrick by hiring him to direct this Roman-gladiator epic, on which Douglas famously also took a stand by giving blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo full credit for his work.
The picture’s four Oscar wins included one for co-star Peter Ustinov.
“Lolita” (1962): The ads acknowledged that many people thought a movie never could be made of Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel about an older man’s obsession with a young girl, with James Mason and Sue Lyon in those roles, but Kubrick managed to do it (with Nabokov writing the screenplay). Shelley Winters and Peter Sellers also star.
“Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964): One of the most legendary of all movie satires, this dark comedy puts the fate of the world in the hands of some questionable leaders... with nuclear war an imminent threat. Peter Sellers plays multiple roles, but one of the film’s most unforgettable images belongs to veteran character actor Slim Pickens. Turner Classic Movies shows the picture Friday, March 14.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968): A movie so singular and famous that Kubrick’s name immediately comes to mind when it’s mentioned, this sci-fi milestone examines the battle of wills between two astronauts (Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood) and the computer that runs the spaceship they’re aboard. The juxtaposition of futuristic sights and classical music is ingenious..
in their own ways, but when they’re in juxtaposition, they’re fish out of water. Where “Instant Family” is smart is in not depicting the Wahlberg and Byrne characters as sitcom-like bumblers; yes, they make missteps, but they’re still real and relatable.
That works particularly well for Wahlberg, who’s intentionally been all over the map with his screen work, playing serious parts as well as virtual caricatures. Here, he hits somewhere in the middle of that range, leaning toward the more grounded end. Byrne has had a similar performance path over the course of her roles, and she proves a good match for him.
It’s also hard to complain about a picture that makes solid use of the gifts of Margo Martindale (“The Americans”) and Julie Hagerty (“Airplane!”), both cast as in-laws. Michael O’Keefe and Joan Cusack are among other familiar and welcome faces in the supporting cast.
The film does take some predictable turns — for instance, the kids’ biological mother isn’t completely out of the picture — but it’s so generally enjoyable in its approach and its performances, “Instant Family” is like a newly met relative you hit it off with right away. And that’s a good thing.
“A Clockwork Orange” (1971): Kubrick went back to the future in a much different way with this memorable adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel, with Malcolm McDowell as Alex, a gang leader who undergoes a brutal rehabilitation to cure him of his penchant for “the old ultra-violence.”
“The Shining” (1980): Kubrick brought the Stephen King best seller to the screen, with a perfectly eerie Jack Nicholson as the new caretaker of a snowed-in inn where he terrorizes his wife (Shelley Duvall) while their young son (Danny Lloyd) displays clairvoyant tendencies.
“Full Metal Jacket” (1987): The notable cast of Kubrick’s Vietnam War saga includes actual Marine Corps veteran R. Lee Ermey, quite unforgettable as the extremely demanding commander of new recruits.
Long shadow of the past: Darkness encroaches in new season of ‘The Wheel of Time’
BY DANA SIMPSON
He’s got the whole world in his hands. In the much-anticipated third season of the expansive fantasy series, “The Wheel of Time,” premiering Thursday, March 13, on Prime Video, the Dragon Reborn contends with dark threats against the light as the last battle looms on the path ahead.
Once simply a shepherd from the village of Emond’s Field, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski, “Gran Turismo,” 2023) has proven himself to be the prophesied Dragon Reborn, a powerful figure with the ability to either save the world from the Dark One or break it again.
Rand was discovered by Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike, “Saltburn,” 2023), an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, a matriarchal order committed to protect humanity and heal it from the devastation brought on by the last Dark One. This season, Moiraine and Rand, tragically tethered in every timeline that lies ahead of them, must face an agonizing reality.
“I have seen a thousand thousand futures. In every future where I lived, Rand dies,” Moiraine
narrates over a montage of possible ends in the official teaser trailer for the upcoming season. “The only way he lives is if I don’t,” she makes very clear.
The future of humanity rests on Rand’s survival and the choice he must make between darkness and light. As he grows stronger, the darkness begins to turn his head away from the light and his allies, Moiraine and Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden, “Pine Gap”). Per Prime Video, “these powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark...no matter the cost.”
Also starring in “The Wheel of Time” are Daniel Henney (“Criminal Minds”) as al’Lan Mandragoran; Zoe Robins (“Black Christmas,” 2019) as Nynaeve al’Meara; Marcus Rutherford (“Funny Woman”) as Perrin Aybara; Donal Finn (“Rogue Heroes”) as Mat Cauthon; Ceara Coveney (“Young Wallander”) as Elayne Trakand; Kate Fleetwood (“Scoop,” 2024) as Liandrin Guirale; Natasha O’Keeffe (“Peaky Blinders”) as Lanfear; Ayoola Smart (“Juliet, Naked,” 2018) as Aviendha; and Kae Alexander (“Collateral”) as Min Farshaw.
View from the Couch
“FRASIER: SEASON TWO”
Though it hasn’t been renewed beyond this (at least as of this writing), the Paramount+ revival of the Kelsey Grammer-starring sitcom did get a sophomore season, continuing to detail the title psychiatrist’s life and career after his return to Boston. Patricia Heaton – who also worked with Grammer in the 2007-08 Fox comedy series “Back to You” — joined this round in the recurring role of a bartender who intrigues Frasier. Peri Gilpin, Dan Butler and Harriet Sansom Harris also resurface from the original show, with Jack Cutmore-Scott back as Frasier’s son Freddy, who doesn’t have the easiest of relationships with his dad. Grammer
Underwood on Idol: Newlyminted judge Carrie Underwood speaks on ‘American Idol’ return
BY CAROLINE COLLACUTT
Television’s most widely recognized music competition series (per ABC), “American Idol,” returns with a two-hour premiere Sunday, March 9, on ABC, and streams the next day on Hulu. This season, the series sees the return of country superstar Carrie Underwood (“Before He Cheats”) as a judge.
Joining current judges Luke Bryan (“Country Girl”) and Lionel Richie (“All Night Long”), alongside longtime host Ryan Seacrest (“Wheel of Fortune”), Underwood will watch on as hopefuls audition to become the next American Idol, sharing her plentiful insight with those hoping to make waves in the music industry.
proach this next role, as the first-ever “Idol” alum to return as a judge.
“I like to think that I am versatile, and, hopefully, when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on,” Underwood claimed, before continuing to say: “I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind. And I think that’s the whole point, ’cause people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams. And you’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on. So I think it’s important to be honest, but I think it’s also very important to be kind, so, hopefully, I can marry all of those together and be a good judge.”
Joining the cast this season are Isabella Bucceri (“Finally Me,” 2023) as Faile Bashere, a Saldaean relic hunter; Nukaka Coster-Waldau (“Agent”) as Bair, a wise elder member of the Taardad Aiel; Salome Gunnarsdottir (“Pennyworth”) as Melaine, a Wise One of the Taardad Aiel with mystical powers; Bjorn Landberg (“Unter uns”) as Taardad Aiel clan chief Rhuarc; and Synnove Macody Lund (“Ragnarok”) as Melindhra, a Malkieri raised by the Taardad Aiel.
“The Wheel of Time” is an adaptation of the book series of the same name by authors Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. The series includes 14 installments, a prequel and three companion books, and its popularity has inspired comics; card, video and role playing games; and even a soundtrack.
BY JAY BOBBIN
(whose daughter Greer is among the guest stars here) also directed several of the episodes, as did TV-comedy legend James Burrows. *** (Not rated: AS, P)
“THIEF”
Then a few years away from enhancing series television with “Miami Vice,” writer-director Michael Mann made a big mark with this 1981 drama, now part of the Criterion Collection in a 4K Ultra HD edition. James Caan had one of his best roles as a Chicago ex-convict who secretly continues a life of crime while projecting the image of a successful businessman, with things getting complicated for him when a powerful jewel fence (Robert Prosky) wants his services. The thief says he’ll do just one job for that interested party, but it may not work out that way, particularly with the safety of the crook’s new love (Tuesday Weld) under threat. Musc icon Willie Nelson, James Belushi and cops-turned-performers Dennis Farina and Chuck Adamson also are in the excellent cast. Tangerine Dream composed and performed the distinctive score. **** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on DVD and Blu-ray)
“MASTERPIECE: ALL
CREATURES
GREAT & SMALL — SEASON
5”
and much-beloved drama series inspired
by James Herriot’s novels beings its latest episodes shown on PBS to home video. World War II is under way as the saga resumes in 1941, and with veterinarian James (still played by Nicholas Ralph) away on Royal Air Force duty, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) is continuing to shoulder the load in treating animal patients at Skeldale House. Mrs. Hall (Anna Madeley) also gets involved in military-related matters, and Herriot’s wife Helen (Rachel Shenton) — who now has an infant son to be concerned with — tries to help a longtime acquaintance. Callum Woodhouse is a returnee to the cast after being absent for Season 4; this won’t be the last of the program, since a sixth season already has been ordered. *** (Not rated: AS)
“DAYLIGHT”
Though it came long after the disaster-movie craze, this 1996 adventure (making its 4K Ultra HD debut) is a respectable contribution to the genre ... and a solid vehicle for Sylvester Stallone, who makes ample use of his brawn as a disgraced former emergency-services worker who tries to rescue those trapped underground after an explosion in a New York traffic tunnel. Officials oppose his informed efforts to help, which naturally doesn’t stop hm as he finds a kindred spirit in an aspiring playwright (Amy Brenneman) once he reaches the victims. Viggo
As a past “American Idol” winner herself (Season 4), Underwood previously experienced the highs and lows of performing in front of a national audience, having sung for judges Paula Abdul (“Straight Up”), Simon Cowell (“America’s Got Talent”) and Randy Jackson (“Don’t Stop Believin’”) on her way to the final episode, where she out-sang 2005’s runner-up, Bo Bice (“U Make Me Better”). Since then, Underwood has gone on to become a global superstar, with eight Grammys, 16 ACM Awards and 25 CMT Music Awards to her name.
During an interview with Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard, the singer shared just how she plans to ap-
Mortensen, Jay O. Sanders, Karen Young, Claire Bloom and Stan Shaw play others left stranded by the crisis; Barry Newman, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Rosemary Forsyth also appear. Interestingly, despite the story’s setting, director Rob Cohen made most of the picture in Rome. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V)
“QUACKSER FORTUNE HAS A COUSIN IN THE BRONX”
After his successes in “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Producers” gave him solid screen debuts, Gene Wilder had one of his first major roles in this 1970 comedy, now getting a Blu-ray release. He plays the title Irishman, whose family isn’t thrilled with his choice of career, which involves selling a certain ingredient to make gardens grow. He starts to get a new outlook on life when he crosses paths with an American exchange student (Margot Kidder, whose film career also was young at the time); the movie was directed by Waris Hussein, who had helped to launch the iconic “Doctor Who” series earlier. ***
(PG: AS, N, P) (Also on DVD)
“WOMEN WHO RUN HOLLYWOOD”
As the title of this collection of documentaries by filmmaking sisters Clara Kuperberg and Julia Kuperberg indicates, female talents who made relatively early marks on the entertainment industry are profiled.
Craig Erwich, president of the Disney Television Group, later added: “This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on ‘Idol’ and launched her successful multi-Grammy Award-winning career. As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television. This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”
Produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, “American Idol” returns Sunday, March 9, on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu.
One program that has the title “The Women Who Run Hollywood” recalls some of the first women to become directors and screenwriters, while other offerings here focus individually on certain talents: Mary Pickford, the silent-screen star who became one of the founders of United Artists; Dorothy Arzner, who was determined to stay very much her own person within the boundaries of the studio system; and Ida Lupino, the actress-director who courted controversy by tackling sensitive subjects in her films. ***
