Walton Goggins as Uncle Baby Billy

HBO’s series “The Righteous Gemstones” showcases an ensemble cast committed to pushing the boundaries of comedy. Among these is Walton Goggins, who masterfully portrays the outlandish character Uncle Baby Billy. Goggins embraces the absurdity of his role, providing viewers with a consistent stream of hilarity through his antics.

A Memorable Opening Scene

The latest episode drew attention with an unforgettable opening scene featuring Goggins waterskiing while clad only in a life vest. This visually humorous moment effectively balanced the comedic and serene aspects of the shot, demonstrating Goggins’ fearless approach to his performance. However, this scene sparked curiosity regarding the authenticity of Goggins’ nudity on screen.

Behind the Scenes: The Stunt Penis Controversy

In a recent discussion on the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, showrunner Danny McBride clarified the situation regarding Goggins’ nudity. According to McBride, “It was not Walton Goggins’ Goggins. It was not his penis. It was a stunt penis, and it was cast.” He revealed that this comedic choice was not new for the character, as Goggins has consistently opted for a double during his time on the show.

Interestingly, McBride mentioned that each instance of male nudity featured a different “stunt penis,” with the amusing stipulation that the double must possess the ability to waterski. The visual effects team used CGI to integrate Goggins’ face during these shots, which may lead to subtle continuity discrepancies as different doubles appear in various episodes.

The Embrace of Male Nudity

Throughout its run, “The Righteous Gemstones” has garnered attention for its bold use of male frontal nudity, often employed as a comedic device. McBride shared anecdotes from the set, illustrating the banter and surprise among the directors and cast regarding these choices.

“I would show up on set and be like, ‘Why is the intimacy coordinator here?’, and they’re like ‘David has got the guy in the background pantsless,’” McBride said, laughing at the unexpected antics that ensued during filming. He noted, “Inherently, I just find it funny. There’s something shocking about somebody running around with their penis hanging out.”

Where to Watch

Episodes of “The Righteous Gemstones” are available Sunday nights on HBO and can be streamed on Max. For fans interested in behind-the-scenes insights, the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast featuring Danny McBride is also available on platforms like Apple and Spotify.