Sincetaylor sheridandirected western dramayellow stonePremiering on the Paramount Network in the summer of 2018, the series rose to fame relatively quickly. ignoring theinitial hello of mixed to negative reviewsafter its launch, the series, which featureskevin costneras its main star, it was a success with the public and in its third season wasone of the most watched programs in the United States. Everyone who has ever heardyellow stonehas its own opinions on the show, but love it or hate it, there's no denying that Sheridan's sudden takeover as one of Hollywood's most sought-after creators was largely filled with a desire for more. .
If we could say something about Taylor Sheridan, perhaps the best known beforeyellow stoneas the scribe behindassassin,Against all odds, youriver of wind, is that the cowboy-turned-actor-turned-filmmaker seems to know what he's doing. If this wave of Western and prestige blue-collar dramas really is a limited run, then Sheridan is getting her money's worth before time runs out.yellow stoneprequelas1883y1923instantly received rave reviews when they returned to their traditional western format (the latter beingParamount+'s Biggest Series Debut), while Sheridan's other projects,Lordship of Kingstownyrei de tulsa, who starredJeremy RennerySilvestre Stallonerespectively, they made waves themselves, winning season two almost immediately. It goes without saying that people love what Sheridan brings to the table, and for good reason.
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yellow stoneitself takes place primarily in Paradise Valley, Montana, a beautiful, lush mountain landscape that seems as endless as the show's eternal summer. As someone who has spent most of her adult life in Bozeman, Montana (another main setting for the Paramount series), it's easy to tell the difference between fact and fiction inyellow stoneIt's from "Last Best Place," but regardless of the minor inconsistencies (which are in everything, since most screenwriters hail from Hollywood), that doesn't stop one from suspending disbelief long enough to engage in the rocky and often violent Sheridan. . world. like himmost watched series on cable tv(exceeding evenThe undeadbefore ending his eleven-year career),yellow stoneHe's made a name for himself, but what does his popularity say about America?
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The Appeal of 'Yellowstone''s Western Roots
To understand the appeal ofyellow stoneis to understand the American myth of the West. In this country, there is an ongoing tradition of post-Civil War myths being retold over and over again, even in contemporary times. In fact, other genres,including science fiction, are often riddled with Western tropes; it is ingrained in American society and, by extension, in modern cinema as a whole.yellow stone, himself a neo-Western, is naturally no exception. In fact, his popularity seems to prove the point pretty well. In the past, Hollywood made Western history, producing more per year than any other genre combined. movies likeDiligence,the seekers,true grain, and many more remain beloved today and influential in nearly every place movies are made. It is not surprising that Australian, Italian and Indian cinema, among others, has often adapted these western legends.
There's something about the west that always looks appealing. Basic human ideas of freedom, freedom, family, revenge and justice flow through the genre like rivulets; you really can't tell the myth without it. Sheridan clearly understands this asyellow stoneand its prequels are no different, except perhaps for the fact that the dysfunctional Duttons tend to avoid paying their debts year after year. Other Western themes such as the mistreatment and struggles of Native Americans, the harsh realities of cowboy life, the consequences of violence and land theft, and the battle against progress are also clearly represented inyellow stone, which only helped open the door for more stories like these to be told in the future. It's no wonder that a more traditional western like1883it was so popular.
Clear,yellow stonehe also has one of the most recognizable faces in the nameless genre.John WayneoClint Eastwoodat least in a modern context. Kevin Costner,known for his westerns dancing with wolves,open band, youWyatt Earpto name a few, gained new popularity throughyellow stonewhile playing ranch magnate John Dutton. Dutton is on the road to not only protect his family's long-standing way of life, but the entire state of Montana as well (ironic, given that the show's popularity has skyrocketed).pitting lifelong Montanans against the very people the Duttons are fighting). Naturally, Costner's presence and experience with the genre was, ahem, key to the show's success, appealing to those who might otherwise never have heard of the neo-western series.
People are undoubtedly hungry for westerns again, as evidenced by the genre's recent resurgence. Granted, it never completely disappeared and may never be as prolific as it once was, but it's certainly more popular again than it was in years likeyellow stone(and other similar shows) allow for further romanticization of the way of life in the West. Sure, there's something slow and deep and especially beautiful about the American West, but people there often live rough lives. Thankfully, Sheridan and company aren't holding anything back, giving us beefy characters like cowboy Rip Wheeler (cole hauser) e Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith) to chew.
Audiences are drawn to working-class stories
There is a slow building movement in Hollywood that is opening the door for different types of stories to be told. After decades of shows set in major cities on both coasts (especially Los Angeles or New York), audiences across the Midwest have grown tired of these characters and settings with which they have little or nothing in common. Instead, they prefer to stick with stories about ordinary people living in ordinary places (ie, not big cities). shows howFriday night lights,Longmire,last man standing, and even a show likebob's burgersrepeatedly proving that the audience for this sort of working-class, and often rural, misadventure is out there and will show up for something they feel is their money's worth. Interestingly, HBOSuccession, set in New York, shares many parallels withyellow stone, though the latter show's vast landscapes and Western aesthetic set it apart as a little more interesting.
yellow stoneitself relies heavily on the management of the Dutton Ranch in Yellowstone, which borders Paradise Valley, the fictional Broken Rock Indian Reservation, and America's first national park. Inside this ranch is a group of hardworking cowboys who spend their days on horseback and their nights playing poker in the shed or dancing at a local bar. Although not everything inyellow stonehe is a blue collar workerWes Bentley's Jamie is a skeezy lawyer and the ever-controversial Beth Dutton (kelly reilly) is a private financier: the overall message of the series emanates from working-class rhetoric. As few shows tackle cowboy life, it's certainly refreshing to see one that does, especially considering Sheridan's own life experience as a real-life Texan cowboy.
The slow rise of blue-collar stories highlighting the working class of farmers, ranchers, factory workers, shopkeepers, rural police and members of the armed forces is understandably appealing to those who feel their voice is rarely heard by the mainstream. media. by Adrian HortonThe GuardianHe noted that "[yellow stone] performed particularly well in smaller cities whose agricultural underpinnings resonate with the program's basic livestock sequences and focus on property disputes." He goes on to list smaller cities in Texas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and, naturally, Montana , Whereyellow stonealways play well. This shouldn't come as a surprise, given the show's focus on small-town issues and attitude toward wealthy coastal elites. It's clear that America's backbone is going to flaunt something that promotes its grueling lifestyle, even if it often skimps on its morale.
Of course, there are a good portion of movie buffs and TV insiders who can rightfully recognize that Hollywood often seems out of touch with its blue-collar audience. The number of high-budget box office bombs and one-off TV seasons prove this to be fact, and not some kind of politically charged fiction. Although,yellow stoneThe show's ever-increasing ratings, along with the show's presence on the Paramount Network and Peacock streaming service, have turned this once-maligned series into a powerhouse drama that brings unprecedented numbers for a series of its caliber. Fortunately, it seems to be inspiring other networks and studios to look to reach the same demographic.
Yep, 'Yellowstone' Is a Bit Political (No Matter What Taylor Sheridan Says)
Montana is one of those places that once you're there, you really don't want to leave. There's something about "Big Sky Country" that appeals to your inner desire to examine creation, get your hands dirty, and live off the land. Of course, for many this is not a reality, nor could it be. Therefore,yellow stoneis something thatLos New York Timesauthor Tressie McMillan Cottom calls it "conservative fantasy," but that's not exactly a bad thing. For most, that just means the desire to own a home and land, fight for their family and legacy, and ultimately maintain what they've worked so hard to build.
Conservatives rarely get their comeuppance in Hollywood, and shows that accurately highlight conservative talking points are even more obscure.yellow stoneHowever, he isn't afraid to tell it like it is, which is part of the appeal. John Dutton and his ilk don't mince words, especially with those who encroach on their livelihood. While some may see this type of dialogue as "absent", others see it as realistic. The series sheds light on real, pressing issues facing people in Montana and places like it, issues that speak to conservative audiences because they live them day in and day out. The whole storyline of the series is that the Duttons are fighting to literallyguardtheir way of life, highlighting their attitude of "defending their own power" as they work against the "progress" that threatens to reshape their land. The ideology is clear.
by amazonlist of terminals, another "conservative" program led bychris pratt, also received mixed reviews upon the release of its first season, although it was a success with audiences. In response, the authorJack Carr, who wrote the original novel, saidthe hollywood reporterthat, "[list of terminals] 95 percent... audience, makes it all worth it. We didn't do it for the critics. We made it for those in the arena." The most popularyellow stonestays, these right-wing stories are more likely to be told in the future. In an ever-growing world filled with content providers and streaming services, there's certainly room for everyone.
It's true thatSheridan regrediuon the "conservative" label, no doubt to avoid alienating other audiences, but that doesn't stop those in the American countryside from watching every week, nor does it cut the show's ties to a more conservative culture. In fact, in any case,yellow stoneserved as a gateway for other stories of the same merit to be told. Whether it's westerns, crime dramas or just more "traditional" right-wing stories, theyellow stonethe effect was clear.list of terminalsIt's just one example, but there are others too, like Amazon Primeouter band, AMCdark winds, and the original spectrumJoe Pickett.
So what does he doyellow stoneWhat does popularity say about America? Well, it says what we already know: that the dreams of the West are not dead, that the working class has finally been heard, and that left-wing politics is only one side of the equation. who knows how longyellow stonewill continue, but with all of the Taylor Sheridan programs currently in development, and many moreYellowstone-hopefuls out there, there's no doubt that Paramount's flagship series will survive its time on the air.
FAQs
What is the message of Yellowstone? ›
To its Middle American fans, even those far from mountain springs and horse corrals, “Yellowstone” has a message: You are enviable. You, right where you are, have something everyone else wants. This makes you richer than them, and more real.
Why is Yellowstone popular now? ›“Yellowstone” is one of the most appointment viewing-friendly shows on television now, in part because it appeals to an older audience more used to watching TV in a traditional way, said Josef Adalian, West Coast editor of New York magazine's Vulture.com.
What do critics think of Yellowstone? ›Yellowstone Season 1 – 55% critics, 83% audiences. Yellowstone Season 2 – 88% critics, 91% audiences. Yellowstone Season 3 – 100% critics, 85% audiences. Yellowstone Season 4 – 90% critics, 79% audiences.
Is Yellowstone an accurate depiction of ranch life? ›As an outdoor brand whose headquarters are in the great state of Montana, we, at Jelt, have been inundated with questions about whether the Paramount TV series Yellowstone is an accurate depiction of life in Montana. Well, I am here to set the record straight. It is NOT.
How do Native Americans feel about Yellowstone? ›The successful television series Yellowstone, which recently concluded its fourth season on the Paramount+ network, promised to be "an authentic portrayal of Native life in America." Some Native Americans say the show didn't go far enough in its mission, while others say it went too far.
What demographic watches Yellowstone? ›According to Nielsen Fast National Ratings, Young Adults led the way, with a 52% increase of 18–34-year-olds tuning in to watch the first episode on Paramount, with 2.53 million watching Live + Same Day as opposed to the 1.67 million who tuned in for Season 4's premiere.
Is Yellowstone the most popular show ever? ›Its performance on the Paramount Network also earned the distinction of being the most watched show across all of TV in 2022 and the most watched cable premiere since 2017's The Walking Dead.
Is Yellowstone the most popular show right now? ›The second is how many times bigger Yellowstone was than the second most watched cable scripted series of 2022, The Walking Dead (1.57 million same-day viewers for its 16 episodes). Yellowstone has yet to reach the peak that TWD did in its biggest seasons, but its dominance over the cable landscape is similar.
Is Yellowstone the most watched show on TV? ›The fifth-season premiere of “Yellowstone” drew the largest audience of any non-sports cable or broadcast program in the 8-week-old 2022-23 prime-time television season, and its second episode, which immediately followed, drew the second-largest.
What is the controversy with Yellowstone? ›Controversy erupted over the casting of actress Kelsey Asbille in the role of Monica Long Dutton, a Native American woman and the wife of one of the Dutton sons. Asbille had previously claimed to be of Chinese and Cherokee descent; Schön!
How is Yellowstone doing in the ratings? ›
All in all, the series grew an impressive 53 percent among viewers 18-34, 25 percent among ages 18-49 and 15 percent among ages 25-54. For reference, the season 4 finale brought in 9.3 million in live-plus-same-day viewers and climbed to more than 11 million viewers with the addition of simulcast airings.
Does Yellowstone have high ratings? ›According to Samba TV, the ratings make Yellowstone the top scripted series premiere of 2022. The series was also up double digits in all demos, including growing 52 percent among adults 18-34 and delivering a cumulative 5.6 rating among adults 18-49.
Do ranches like Yellowstone still exist? ›Surprisingly, The Yellowstone Ranch, with its massive white barns and big "Y" decals, is a real place that you can visit. Nestled some five hours away from Yellowstone National Park, the Chief Joseph Ranch—a functioning cattle ranch in Darby, Montana—is the official location for the Dutton family home.
Do people in Montana watch Yellowstone? ›The show "Yellowstone" has caused a surge in tourism and permanent residents in Missoula, Montana, but some residents aren't happy with it. Yellowstone, the hit starring Kevin Costner set new ratings records with its season four finale, and it seems many fans can't get enough of the show — or its setting.
Who is John Dutton based on? ›Are the Duttons a real family? The answer is no. However, while the Duttons aren't based on a specific family, Horsey Hooves reported that the family's patriarch, John Dutton, could be inspired by famous rangers like W.T. Waggoner and Bill Galt.
Is Yellowstone sacred to Native Americans? ›Indigenous people lived in Yellowstone more than 10,000 years ago, Shoulderblade said. A total of 26 tribes have ancestral connections to Yellowstone National Park, which still is considered sacred land.
What country owns Yellowstone National Park? ›Yellowstone National Park, the oldest, one of the largest, and probably the best-known national park in the United States. It is situated principally in northwestern Wyoming and partly in southern Montana and eastern Idaho and includes the greatest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world.
Do Native Americans still live in Yellowstone? ›No authentic, standing wickiups are known to remain in the park. Greater Yellowstone's location at the convergence of the Great Plains, Great Basin, and Plateau Indian cultures means that many tribes have a traditional connection to the land and its resources.
Is the show Yellowstone popular in the UK? ›With the show winning over legions of new fans in the UK and with a host of exciting new series and storylines on the way, now's the perfect time to catch up on all four seasons of Yellowstone on Paramount+.
Why is Yellowstone for mature audiences? ›Depictions of sexuality include simulated sex acts and partial nudity (partial breasts, buttocks). Like the classic Westerns it's influenced by, this series also has lots of cursing, drinking, and smoking, and lots of corrupt behavior.
Who are the BLM in Yellowstone? ›
Aaron McReary is a BLM agent in Montana who was investigating the deaths during the cattle dispute between the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch and the Broken Rock Reservation. He is known to be a religious man, so John Dutton asked Father Bob to convince him to recant his statements from the clash near the reservation.
What is the most-watched TV series in America 2022? ›The sci-fi series climbed to that top, recording 52 billion minutes of viewing in 2022, the most since 2020 when audiences watched 57.1 billion minutes of NBC's The Office due to COVID-19 restrictions. At the same time, the Duffer brothers' Stranger Things has only 34 episodes compared to 192 episodes of The Office.
Whats so great about the show Yellowstone? ›The show has been praised for its three-dimensional representations of Native Americans in story (if not necessarily in casting). There's plenty of room in the Dutton version of Montana for Black cowboys and both good and evil Native Americans. Racial diversity is not a threat in the Montana of Yellowstone.
What is the most-watched show in the US 2022? ›Popular on Variety
The Upside Down took the No. 1 position on Nielsen's 2022 streaming chart: Netflix's blockbuster “Stranger Things,” led by the release of the fourth season, was the most-streamed TV show — and overall program — in the U.S. last year.
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One of Netflix's biggest shows ever is, not surprisingly, the most streamed series of 2022. Stranger Things is a runaway No. 1 in Nielsen's year-end streaming rankings.
Most watched broadcasts of all time
The following is the list of the all-time most watched single-network television broadcasts in the United States by average viewership, according to Nielsen. Of the 32 most-watched broadcasts, 30 are Super Bowls. Super Bowl XLIX, with 114.4 million viewers, is number one.
“When it comes to episodic scripted TV, only 24 episodes made it to the list of the year's most-watched primetime telecasts. Leading the pack: Yellowstone, and its Season 4 finale on January 2, 2022. That episode, 'Grass on the Streets and Weeds on the Rooftops,' averaged 13.1 million viewers.
Is Yellowstone a success? ›While “Yellowstone” is a huge success for Paramount, the company is also making money for a corporate rival. Streaming rights for previous seasons of the series are owned by Comcast's Peacock service, because the Paramount+ streaming outlet did not exist when they were up for grabs.
Is Kevin Costner's daughter in Yellowstone? ›Kevin Costner
Why did Paramount remove Yellowstone? ›Paramount+ addressed the question in the "help" section of their website: "Yellowstone is not available on Paramount+ due to streaming rights."
Why was Yellowstone taken off Paramount? ›
Yellowstone's absence from Paramount Plus is a confusing quirk stemming from a licensing deal the company struck with NBCUniversal's Peacock in 2020, more than a year before Paramount Plus launched.
Is Yellowstone filmed on Kevin Costner's ranch? ›Believe it or not, the stunning scenery portrayed as the Dutton family ranch is the real-life Chief Joseph Ranch. That's right! Yellowstone is filmed at the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana.
How does everyone watch Yellowstone? ›Where Is “Yellowstone” Streaming? The easiest answer is that “Yellowstone” is streaming on Peacock. The first four seasons are currently streaming on Peacock Premium, while only the first season is available on the free version of Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $4.99 a month with ads and $9.99 a month without ads.
What are the chances of Yellowstone going off? ›ANSWER: Although it is possible, scientists are not convinced that there will ever be another catastrophic eruption at Yellowstone. Given Yellowstone's past history, the yearly probability of another caldera-forming eruption can be approximated as 1 in 730,000 or 0.00014%.
Who is the most popular on Yellowstone? ›1. Rip Wheeler. Easily one of the most popular characters of Yellowstone is none other than Rip Wheeler. Loyal, tough, and lovable, he is a ranch hand that is married to Beth.
How much does Kevin Costner make per episode of Yellowstone? ›Yellowstone and Costner have certainly solidified this, too. As a result, Kevin Costner's Yellowstone salary is now an astounding $1.3 million per episode for Season 5. And with 14 episodes coming in this season alone, the actor is set to make a cool $18.2 million total, according to Variety's verified sources.
Is John Dutton a real person? ›While John Dutton isn't based on a real-life person, the show's creator Taylor Sheridan has previously revealed that the drama is inspired by changes he's seen in the mountain West in states such as Montana and Wyoming.
What is the largest ranch in US? ›King Ranch, largest ranch in the United States, composed of a group of four tracts of land in southeastern Texas, totaling approximately 825,000 acres (333,800 hectares). The King Ranch was established by Richard King, a steamboat captain born in 1825 in Orange county, New York.
How big is John Dutton ranch? ›How much might John Dutton's Yellowstone Ranch be worth? Let's take a look 👇 In an early episode, Chief Thomas Rainwater from the Broken Rock Reservation tells John that he owns “a ranch the size of Rhode Island," which suggests the family ranch is more than 776,000 acres.
Are people moving to Montana because of Yellowstone show? ›Production spent $72 million in the state, with businesses getting a whopping $85 million economic boost. But that also means rich people are moving to Montana, trying to get a shot of that fictitious ranch life. Trying to channel their inner John Dutton.
Why are rich people moving to Montana? ›
“Homes in the mountains serve as sanctuaries of privacy and security for newcomers and second homeowners,” says Philip White, CEO of Sotheby's International Realty. “The clean air and space are also a big draw.”
Why did Yellowstone stop filming in Montana? ›According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the upcoming season was filmed almost exclusively in Montana. The decision to stop any production in Utah was largely financial, because the state's "limited tax incentive program will not provide [the show] with the same rebates" they previously received.
How accurate is Yellowstone on ranch life? ›As an outdoor brand whose headquarters are in the great state of Montana, we, at Jelt, have been inundated with questions about whether the Paramount TV series Yellowstone is an accurate depiction of life in Montana. Well, I am here to set the record straight. It is NOT.
What nationality is John Dutton? ›John Dutton (trade unionist) (1907/8-1985), British trade union leader. Sir John Dutton, 2nd Baronet (1684–1743), of the Dutton baronets, MP for Gloucestershire. John Dutton, 2nd Baron Sherborne (1779–1862), a British peer.
Is there a real Dutton ranch in Montana? ›As Town & Country reported, the real Dutton Ranch is located in Darby, Montana, and it's just as glorious as you'd expect. It also happens to have cabins available for rental.
What are they fighting about in Yellowstone? ›In the series premiere of Yellowstone, John Dutton, patriarch of a Mountain ranching family and owner of the largest ranch in the US, fights to defend his land and his family from the modern-day forces that threaten his way of life: land developers, an Indian reservation and America's first National Park.