The final bell rings, and the tumultuous symphony of ambition, rivalry, and unexpected alliances concludes in the Vice Principals finale, leaving viewers with a bittersweet lesson on the unpredictable nature of power.
Vice Principals Ending Explained
In the end of Vice Principals, Russell and Gamby realize they could’ve been happy if they hadn’t been so obsessed with becoming the principal. They found happiness in their friendship, and if they had admitted it sooner, they might have seen that the sadness they were trying to escape by getting the principal job could actually be fixed by their bond.
In the final scene, both of them seem happy in their new roles, showing that being the principal of North Jackson wasn’t the key to their happiness. It’s their friendship and understanding of how much they need each other that truly makes Gamby and Russell feel complete.
Vice Principals
“Vice Principals” is a funny TV show from the United States. It stars actors like Danny McBride, Walton Goggins, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Dale Dickey, Georgia King, Sheaun McKinney, Busy Philipps, and Shea Whigham. The show’s creators are Danny McBride and Jody Hill.
HBO, the TV network, decided to make the show in May 2014 and planned to have 18 episodes. They split the series into two seasons, meaning it had a planned ending. The filming started in 2015 and finished in the middle of 2016. The first season started on July 17, 2016.
The second and last season began on September 17, 2017, and the final episode aired on November 12, 2017. So, it had a limited time on TV with a specific number of episodes.
Vice Principals Release Date
Vice Principals premiered on July 17, 2016, marking the beginning of its comedic journey. The series unfolded on HBO, bringing to life the misadventures and antics of vice principals Neal Gamby and Lee Russell at North Jackson High School. With its release date in the summer of 2016, Vice Principals quickly engaged audiences with its dark humor, unexpected plot twists, and memorable performances by the cast. The show continued its run, concluding on November 12, 2017, leaving viewers with a unique and humor-filled portrayal of the challenges and absurdities of school leadership.
Vice Principals Cast
| Cast | Character |
| Danny McBride | Neal Gamby |
| Walton Goggins | Lee Russell |
| Kimberly Hébert Gregory | Dr. Belinda Brown |
| Busy Philipps | Gale Liptrapp |
| Georgia King | Amanda Snodgrass |
| Sheaun McKinney | Dayshawn |
| Shea Whigham | Ray Liptrapp |
| Dale Dickey | Nash (season 2) |
Vice Principals Plot
“Vice Principals” is about Neal Gamby, who is the grumpy and not-so-liked vice principal at North Jackson High School. He really wants to become the principal when the current principal, played by Bill Murray, leaves. But when the principal retires, he doesn’t trust Neal Gamby or the other vice principal, Lee Russell, who is a bit of a schemer.
Surprisingly, the principal recommends someone else, Dr. Belinda Brown, to be the new principal. This makes Neal Gamby upset, and he tries to get the school staff to say no to Dr. Brown. But it doesn’t work because she impresses everyone with her goals and friendliness.
In his frustration, Gamby teams up with Russell to find a way to ruin Dr. Brown’s reputation so that Gamby can become the principal. However, their plans end up causing more problems for themselves as their own flaws and unpleasant personalities make them lose the support of their colleagues, including Dr. Brown. The show follows their funny and misguided attempts to get what they want.
Vice Principals Summary
“Vice Principals” is a dark comedy TV series that follows the story of two ambitious vice principals, Neal Gamby (played by Danny McBride) and Lee Russell (played by Walton Goggins), at North Jackson High School. Both are determined to become the school’s principal, but when their plans are foiled by the appointment of Dr. Belinda Brown (played by Kimberly Hébert Gregory), they join forces to sabotage her. The show explores their misguided schemes, personal flaws, and the unexpected twists that unfold as they navigate the complex world of high school administration. Filled with humor, unexpected alliances, and lessons on friendship, “Vice Principals” is a unique and entertaining take on the pursuit of power and recognition.
“The Principal” episode of Vice Principals got mixed reviews from critics. Kyle Fowle from The A.V. Club gave it a “B” grade. He mentioned that, like many first episodes, it struggled a bit to set up the story while trying to maintain a humorous vibe. Fowle felt that while the episode had some exposition, it hinted that the show had a lot more to offer in the future.
Andrew Lapin of Vulture wasn’t as impressed, giving the episode a 2-star rating out of 5. Lapin thought the first episode wasn’t as funny or subversive as its predecessor, stating that it had potential if it could focus better.
Nick Harley of Den of Geek gave it a 3.5-star rating out of 5, acknowledging that the premiere had its funny moments, particularly with Danny McBride’s character calling students ‘savages’ and describing the horrors of in-school suspension. However, he felt the episode was a bit short and overly focused on setting up the uneasy alliance between Gamby and Russell.
Nick Hogan of TV Overmind saw the premiere as solid, expressing hope for more antics and ridiculousness in the future. He believed that Vice Principals had the potential for humor, anticipating more in the upcoming episodes.
Vice Principals Where to Watch
Right now, you can watch Vice Principals on streaming services like MAX through Hulu and Prime Video. If you prefer, you can also buy and own the show on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, VUDU, and YouTube.
Vice Principals Ending Explained – FAQs
- How does Vice Principals end? The ending suggests that the pursuit of power doesn’t lead to true happiness. Russell and Gamby find fulfillment in their friendship rather than achieving their goal of becoming the principal.
- When was Vice Principals released? The series premiered on July 17, 2016, and concluded on November 12, 2017.
- Who are the main cast members of Vice Principals? The main cast includes Danny McBride as Neal Gamby, Walton Goggins as Lee Russell, Kimberly Hébert Gregory as Dr. Belinda Brown, Georgia King as Amanda Snodgrass, Sheaun McKinney as Dayshawn, Busy Philipps as Gale Liptrapp, Shea Whigham as Ray Liptrapp, and Dale Dickey as Nash (season 2).
- What is the main plot of Vice Principals? The series follows two vice principals, Gamby and Russell, who initially vie for the position of principal. When an outsider is chosen, they unite to undermine her, leading to unexpected and self-destructive consequences.
- How was Vice Principals received by critics? The series received positive reviews for its dark humor, unique storyline, and strong performances, particularly from Danny McBride and Walton Goggins.
