I Watched 53 TV Shows This Year, And Streamed My Two Clear Favorites On HBO Max (But They Couldn’t Be More Different)

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I definitely got my money’s worth with HBO Max this year. I watched 53 TV shows – mostly from the 2025 season – and a lot of them as they originally aired on HBO or HBO Max. It’s not surprising that my top two shows came from that platform, considering HBO’s reputation for quality. What was surprising, though, was how different those two shows were from each other.

I have to say, 2025 was an amazing year for television, and two shows really stood out for me: the hilarious and over-the-top comedy The Righteous Gemstones, and the intense, gripping medical drama The Pitt. Those were definitely my favorites!

The Righteous Gemstones Was Hands Down The Funniest And Most Outrageous Show I Watched This Year

My friend and I randomly decided to check out The Righteous Gemstones. I’d seen a funny clip from the song “Misbehavin’” on TikTok, and the latest season was on TV, so we started watching from the very beginning. We quickly got hooked on the show’s world of over-the-top Southern megachurches and the eccentric Gemstone family.

What really makes this show work is its willingness to embrace how completely ridiculous everything is. The characters – Jesse, played by McBride, Judy by Patterson, and Kelvin by DeVine – are all over the top. But thanks to the actors’ incredible comedic talent, I found myself laughing hysterically at some truly outrageous lines.

Tony Cavalero and Tim Baltz, as Keefe and BJ, were incredibly funny with their physical comedy – whenever they reacted to something happening on screen, I couldn’t help but laugh. And Walton Goggins’ character, Uncle Baby Billy, had me in tears with how hilarious he was.

The entire cast of Gemstones completely understood what was expected of them and consistently delivered their best performance.

The show’s final season, which came out in 2025, was a standout. It delivered the familiar, irreverent Gemstone comedy fans enjoyed, but also surprised everyone with an entire episode set during the Civil War, featuring Bradley Cooper. This, along with another unique mid-season episode, really highlighted the rich backstory and compelling history built into the show’s world.

Honestly, I think The Righteous Gemstones is just phenomenal because it’s so fresh and different. I’ve never seen anything like it on TV – the humor is shocking, brilliantly silly, and it was genuinely one of the most fun shows I watched all year. It really stood out to me!

HBO Max subscriptions begin at $10.99 per month. You can stream popular shows like The Righteous Gemstones, The Pitt, The Gilded Age, and The White Lotus on HBO Max, making a subscription worthwhile. See the current deal here.

The Pitt Is The Heaviest And Most Grounded Series Of 2025

If you dislike The Righteous Gemstones and want something completely different, check out The Pitt. While Gemstones is a funny, over-the-top comedy, The Pitt is a serious drama. Instead of offering a wild and humorous view of life, it presents a realistic and sobering look at the current state of healthcare.

Each episode of The Pitt covers one hour of a 15-episode shift, unfolding over a single day. The show makes you feel like you’re working alongside Dr. Robby (played by Noah Wyle), charge nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa), and the rest of the dedicated doctors and nurses who keep the emergency room running smoothly.

I was completely captivated by this show. Each episode was so intense, I found myself anxiously watching, hoping things would turn out okay for the staff and patients. It was almost too much to handle, yet I couldn’t stop watching! My friend and I were so hooked that we binged the last four episodes – which take place after a major disaster – all in a single sitting.

The show is captivating because even though the medical cases are frightening, it beautifully portrays the patients’ stories and the dedication of the doctors treating them. This creates a rich and layered depiction of the emergency room, making you deeply invested in everyone involved, and ultimately, unable to stop watching.

Overall, The Pitt expertly combines touching stories with realistic medical cases. It’s a show that’s both raw and beautiful in its portrayal of humanity, and I’m completely hooked. I’ll definitely be watching when Season 2 arrives!

One Common Reason Why I Loved Both These Shows

Although The Pitt and The Righteous Gemstones are very different shows, I’ve noticed they have one thing in common that I really appreciate: both shows excel at using small details to create a believable and captivating world.

Danny McBride and his team created a wonderfully over-the-top world for The Righteous Gemstones, focusing on a wealthy and devout family. The show’s sets were incredibly detailed and often funny, from the epic Civil War flashback episode showing the origins of the Gemstone family’s fortune, to the extravagant megachurch itself. Combined with vibrant costumes, quirky character designs, and excellent performances, the show delivers a completely captivating television experience.

“The Pitt” is remarkably immersive. It portrays medical procedures with such accuracy that healthcare professionals have commended the show. The show’s format allows viewers to experience every moment of a shift alongside the workers, making it feel like you’re actually working in the emergency room.

Although The Pitt and The Righteous Gemstones offer very different viewing experiences, they both completely draw you in, and that’s what I loved about them. They were my favorite shows this year because they truly transported me to their settings and made me feel connected to the characters.

You can now stream popular HBO shows like The Righteous Gemstones (all four seasons) and the first season of The Pitt on HBO Max. Season 2 of The Pitt will premiere on January 8th.

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2025-12-26 16:11