[ad_1]
The creator of the Paramount smash hit Yellowstone hit back liberal media critics of the series, who he feels has painted it as a ‘red state show’, arguing that anyone who thinks that ‘probably never watched it.’
Taylor Sheridan, who is not only readying the series’ fifth season but is also working on multiple star-studded spinoffs, spoke about the perception of the show in an interview.
Yellowstone was the most-watched show outside of the National Football League last year with viewers under the age of 50, topping all broadcast network series despite airing on the Paramount Network.
The series – which has been dubbed ‘anti-woke’ by some critics – was finally recognized by the SAG Awards earlier this year, but remains completely unloved by the Emmys, with some suggesting it’s due to the perception of the show as conservative.
Sheridan rebuked that, telling the The Atlantic: ‘They refer to it as ‘the conservative show’ or ‘the Republican show’ or ‘the red-state Game of Thrones and I just sit back laughing.
‘I’m like, ‘Really?’ The show’s talking about the displacement of Native Americans and the way Native American women were treated and about corporate greed and the gentrification of the West, and land-grabbing. That’s a red-state show?’
The creator of the Paramount smash hit Yellowstone (left) hit back liberal media critics of the series, which he feels has painted it as a ‘red state show’ or conservative, arguing that anyone who thinks that ‘probably never watched it’
Taylor Sheridan (pictured left), who is not only readying the series’ fifth season set to premiere on Sunday but multiple star-studded spinoffs, spoke about the perception of the show in an interview
Yellowstone was the most-watched show outside of the National Football League last year with viewers under the age of 50, topping all broadcast network series despite airing on the Paramount Network
The New York Times referred to the show as ‘a conservative fantasy liberals should watch’ and a negative review from The Guardian called it ‘Game of Thrones set on a ranch.’
It’s a far cry from when, just six years ago, the New York Post dubbed the Sheridan-written Jeff Bridges film Hell or High Water as being ‘almost undone by its leftist leanings.’
Writer Kyle Smith then dubbed that film, which saw Sheridan nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe: ‘A desperado drama wrapped around a Bernie Sanders campaign speech.’
He told the New York Times, however, that: ‘People perceive all my stuff as ‘red state,’ and it’s the most ridiculous thing. If you truly look at this show or Sicario or Wind River, these are pretty wildly progressive notions.’
Sheridan said that his main aim is ‘responsible storytelling.’
‘I wanted there to be real consequences. I wanted to never, ever shy away from, “This was the price.”‘
He added later on that his politics – in particular, critiques in the past of both former President Donald Trump and the concept of white privilege – are more complex.
Sheridan told The Atlantic his main aim is ‘responsible storytelling.’ ‘I wanted there to be real consequences. I wanted to never, ever shy away from, This was the price’
He added later on that his politics – in particular, critiques in the past of both former President Donald Trump and the concept of white privilege – are more complex
Kevin Costner as John Dutton in a promo photo for Paramount’s ‘Yellowstone’
Sheridan said: ‘You should be mindful of not berating the subject you are trying to educate, and find a way for them to digest your point of view without turning them off to it.’
His gamble appears to have paid off in multitudes, as he was reportedly given a $200million development deal with Paramount in 2021 as executives admit they are ‘doubling, tripling down’ on Sheridan.
Not only does he produce the series ‘1883’ and ‘Mayor of Kingstown,’ he’s got two more series coming to Paramount in the coming months, including the Sylvester Stallone-starring ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘1923,’ which is co-headlined by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
All told, Sheridan is currently working on eight different shows, including the flagship Yellowstone.
Members of the cast have brushed off the repeated snubs and claimed that the recognition they receive from the show’s ever-growing fan base is the true accolade.
Sheridan poses with Sam Elliott in a promo for the Paramount series ‘1883’
Sheridan said: ‘You should be mindful of not berating the subject you are trying to educate, and find a way for them to digest your point of view without turning them off to it’
Speaking to DailyMail.com at the season five premiere, Wes Bentley, who plays Jamie Dutton, stated: ‘I personally don’t think awards validate anything.
‘It’s an honor, as they say, but as far as it saying whether we are doing something good or not, that’s not what that is.’
He continued: ‘Many many shows don’t get that recognition that deserve it and many do get it that don’t deserve it. It’s just the matter of opinion of each particular academy.
‘I know we are a success because the people are watching it. The conversation I have with fans are so much deeper than the usual.’
His co-star Gil Birmingham, who plays Tribal Chairman Thomas Rainwater, agreed as he added: ‘Hollywood is a fickle beast. I think that it’s more important that we have captured the hearts and minds of the audience and our fans.
Brush it off: The cast of Yellowstone have shared their true feelings about being snubbed by Hollywood award shows. (Left to right – Wes Bentley, from left, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham and Cole Hauser)
Family business: Pictured left to right – Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly), John Dutton (Kevin Costner), Monica Long (Kelsey Asbille) and Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). Front row – Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser)
Though the show failed to come away with the prize, Kelsey Asbille (who plays Monica Dutton) revealed that it was great to be there alongside their peers in the industry.
‘Being at the SAG awards altogether was so meaningful but awards are definitely not what it’s all about,’ she stated. ‘This is a dream job and we’re just happy to be here.’
Meanwhile, Jefferson White (who stars as Jimmy Hurdstrom) stated that he would like to see the tide change for the show with season five.
He explained: ‘I hope this season does get awards because I love these actors and I think they are doing amazing work.
‘I hope that other people recognize that but also it really is true that the fan’s response to it is the recognition that these actors deserve, and we are so lucky to have that.’
The fifth season will showcase John Dutton (Kevin Costner) being sworn in as Governor of Montana, and shows the chaos, enemies and ‘war’ that immediately follow.
The fifth season of Yellowstone will be split into two installments of seven episodes each.
[ad_2]
Source link
