Sam Elliott Has Harsh Words for 'Yellowstone' (2024)

Sam Elliotthad previouslyhinted that he eyes Yellowstone suspiciously, butduring a new interview, the 1883 actor flat-out admits he doesn't care for it.

Elliott also reveals he's not a fan of one of the all-time great Western actors.

The issue, Elliott tells Marc Maron on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast, is that Yellowstone is too much like a soap opera. Specifically, it's too much like one dominant '80s soap opera.

"I’m not a Yellowstone fan. I don’t watch Yellowstone," Elliott says at the end of the interview. "I love Costner, there’s a lot of good people on the cast, a few of them I’ve worked with before — nothing against any of them — but it’s just too much likef---ingDallas or something for me.”

Dallas — starring Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Charlene Tilton and more — was a CBS mainstay for over a decade, and Elliott is hardly the first person to compare Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone to this series.

While the modern-day show is set on a working cattle ranch in Montana, it relies heavily on the kind of interpersonal drama and violence that marked the older show. To end Season 3, Dallas left fans with a "Who shot J.R.?" mystery. Season 3 of Yellowstone left fans with a "Who shot J.D.?" mystery.

Elliott's interview with Maronwas released on Feb. 28, but the two men refer to events in 1883 as iftheir conversation happened many weeks earlier. This isn't the first time that the veteran actor has been less thandeferential to his boss's first successful show. During a press tour prior to the start of 1883, he told Taste of Country and select media he wasn't a fan of the comparisons between his show and the modern-day Western drama. He praised Sheridan as a director and an advocate for horses, but added:

"Yellowstone is all over (1883), we're tainted by Yellowstone, which on some level I can't stand. Because I think 1883 stands alone and will. Once it comes out, people are gonna say, 'Oh, yeah. The only connection there is that it got John Dutton to Montana.'"

Later episodes of the 10-part series tie the two programs a little closer than that, but we won't reveal spoilers here. The video below is packed with them, however:

More recently, Elliott appeared on the Official Yellowstone Podcast andrevealed that he was offered a role on Yellowstonebut turned it down. Those conversations led to him being cast as Shea Brennan, however.

The Marc Maron interview is also making headlines for Elliott's remarks about the 2021 film The Power of the Dog. The Oscar-nominated film wasshot in Australia and features scenes with shirtless cowboys in chaps, something Elliottdoesn't care for. The film's director Jane Campionsaid Elliott "hit the trifecta of misogyny and xenophobia and hom*ophobia" with his remarks.

She also reminded Elliott that he's an actor, not a cowboy. "I consider myself a creator, and I think he sees me as a woman or something lesser first,"Campion said, "and I don't appreciate that."

Another fanbase that may not be happy with Elliott? John Wayne fans. During the final, eventful minutes of the interview, hesays that he's not a huge fan of the late Western legend.

Instead, "Gary Cooper was my guy,"Elliott adds.

PICTURES: See Inside Kevin Costner's Spectacular Colorado Ranch

Yellowstone star Kevin Costner lives the ranch life when he's off the set of the hit show, too. The Oscar-winning actor owns a 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colo., that's a spectacular getaway, complete with a main residence, a lake house and a river house.

The luxury retreat also features a baseball field, a sledding hill, an ice rink, multiple hot tubs and views of the Continental Divide. The ranch property comfortably sleeps 27 people, and it's currently available to rent for 36,000 a night.

Yellowstone: How Is James Dutton Related to John Dutton?

The relationship between John Dutton on Yellowstone and James Dutton on 1883 was mostly a bar argument until a very pivotal line of dialogue from Ep. 10 of the Tim McGraw show. Suddenly fans wanted to know who the seventh generation Dutton is. We've illustrated the relationships below and found the fact that is tripping people up in the quest to make sense of this family tree.

As an enthusiast deeply knowledgeable about the topic at hand, I'd like to provide insights into the article discussing Sam Elliott's opinions on the TV show Yellowstone and his preferences in Western entertainment. Sam Elliott, a seasoned actor with a notable career in the genre, shares his candid thoughts on Yellowstone and draws comparisons to the '80s soap opera Dallas. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:

  1. Sam Elliott's Critique of Yellowstone:

    • Sam Elliott, known for his role in the 1883 series, openly expresses his disinterest in Yellowstone during an interview on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast.
    • His primary criticism is that Yellowstone resembles a soap opera, particularly drawing parallels with the '80s show Dallas.
    • Elliott appreciates the talent involved in Yellowstone, including Kevin Costner and the cast, but finds the show's style reminiscent of a soap opera, which doesn't align with his preferences.
  2. Comparison to Dallas:

    • Dallas, a CBS mainstay for over a decade, is cited as a reference point for Elliott's criticism of Yellowstone.
    • Both shows, despite their different settings (Yellowstone on a cattle ranch in Montana, Dallas in a more urban context), are noted for their reliance on interpersonal drama and violence.
  3. 1883 and Yellowstone Connection:

    • Sam Elliott emphasizes that he doesn't appreciate the comparisons between 1883 and Yellowstone, expressing the belief that 1883 stands alone as a series.
    • Despite his initial reservations, Elliott later became a part of 1883, contributing to the show's connection with Yellowstone.
  4. Offered Role on Yellowstone:

    • The article mentions that Sam Elliott turned down a role on Yellowstone but later accepted a different role in 1883, showcasing his initial reluctance to be associated with the show.
  5. Comments on The Power of the Dog:

    • The article touches on Elliott's remarks about the 2021 film The Power of the Dog, expressing his dislike for scenes featuring shirtless cowboys in chaps.
    • The film's director, Jane Campion, responds to Elliott's comments, accusing him of misogyny, xenophobia, and hom*ophobia.
  6. Preference for Gary Cooper over John Wayne:

    • Sam Elliott reveals his preference for Gary Cooper over the late Western legend John Wayne during the interview.
  7. Yellowstone Star Kevin Costner:

    • The article briefly mentions Kevin Costner's ranch in Aspen, providing details about the luxurious property and its features.
  8. Yellowstone Family Tree:

    • The article includes a reference to the relationship between characters John Dutton on Yellowstone and James Dutton on 1883, highlighting the intrigue among fans regarding the family tree.

In summary, Sam Elliott's candid remarks, his comparisons between shows, and his preferences in Western entertainment contribute to a nuanced discussion about his views on Yellowstone and the broader Western genre. The article also touches on his interactions with other aspects of the industry, including his role in 1883 and his comments on The Power of the Dog.

Sam Elliott Has Harsh Words for 'Yellowstone' (2024)

FAQs

Sam Elliott Has Harsh Words for 'Yellowstone'? ›

There's a lot of good people on the cast, a few of them I've worked with before. Nothing against any of them, but it's just too much like f---ing 'Dallas' or something, for me.” “Too much of that for me,” Elliott continued, comparing “Yellowstone” to the long-running 80's soap opera.

Did Sam Elliot audition for Yellowstone? ›

Sam Elliott Trashed 'Yellowstone'

Taylor Sheridan wanted Sam Elliott to play a part on Yellowstone but he said “No.” Those conversations eventually led to the role of Shea Brennan on 1883, but … Elliott kind of hates Yellowstone. Talking to Marc Maron he compared it unfavorably to the 80s drama Dallas.

What happened to Sam Elliot's character in 1883? ›

After surviving harsh weather conditions and various opposing threats during their journey, 1883 saw Shea take his own life in the series finale, though this may not be the end for the character. During a recent interview with Variety, Sam Elliott reflected on his time working on Paramount+'s 1883.

Who is Sam Elliott's wife in real life? ›

Personal life

Elliott married actress Katharine Ross in 1984, becoming her fifth husband. They have a daughter, Cleo, who is a musician in Malibu, California. Ross and Elliott live on a seaside ranch in Malibu, which they purchased in the 1970s.

What does Montana think of Yellowstone series? ›

The Washington Post reported not all Montana residents were pleased with "Yellowstone." A Bozeman rancher told the publication that "the show has given our ranchers a bad name." That's because the ranching family on the show often resort to violence to solve their problems.

What does Tom Hanks have to do with Yellowstone? ›

Tom Hanks is an American actor who portrayed General George Meade on the Paramount+ Series A Yellowstone Origin Story.

Did Sam Elliott turn down a role on Yellowstone? ›

Before Elliott got his 1883 role, franchise creator Taylor Sheridan actually offered him a part in Yellowstone, which he promptly turned down. “I passed on it, but during that time that he made that offer to me, we started talking,” Elliott said on The Official Yellowstone Podcast.

Who auditioned for John Dutton? ›

Kevin Costner's casting as John Dutton in Yellowstone played a significant role in the show's success. Robert Redford was originally considered for the role but ultimately did not join the series.

How old was Sam Elliot when he filmed 1883? ›

Elliott's current role in the Paramount + series 1883 — a Yellowstone prequel — as Shea Brennan has earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award. The series details the Dutton family's tragic cross-country journey on The Oregon Trail. The 78-year-old has said filming the tragic character of Brennan was not easy.

Is Elsa's grave in Yellowstone? ›

The site Elsa chose to be buried was a valley called “Paradise” which ended up becoming the Yellowstone Ranch.

Why didn t Elsa stay with Sam in 1883? ›

Elsa was also planning to split from the group to stay with Sam, but after many goodbyes, everyone decided they were going to Oregon anyway. Even Elsa decided to leave her boyfriend so she could find out where Oregon was, while planning to return to the plains in June to reunite with him.

What happened to Shaes' wife and daughter in 1883? ›

He met and fell in love with a woman named Helen where together they had a young daughter. Tragically they both contracted small pox and perished.

Is Sam Elliott a vegetarian? ›

Sam Elliott is not a vegetarian; he even said in an interview that he enjoys eating meat and doesn't follow a specific diet. Sam has also played several characters who are heavy meat consumers, such as a hunter, a cowboy and a rancher.

How much older is Sam Elliott than his wife? ›

Five years older than Elliott, Ross was married to her fourth husband at the time, while he had never been married before. In 1979 she divorced her then spouse and married Elliott in 1984. That same year the two had their daughter, Cleo Rose.

What did Jimmy break his word about on Yellowstone? ›

Folks will remember hearing about the West Texas Four Sixes Ranch, a.k.a. 6666, in Yellowstone season 4. After Jimmy breaks his promise to John (Kevin Costner) to not rodeo ever again, he's sent over to the Sixes to become a real cowboy. There, he meets Emily and the two quickly fall in love.

Who was the old cowboy Jimmy was talking to on Yellowstone? ›

Jimmy had been kicked off the Yellowstone Ranch and sent to the famous 6666 Ranch in Texas to learn the cowboy ropes right. Near the end of the episode, he wakes up from a nap to a conversation between senior ranch hand Ross, played by Barry Corbin, and an old cowboy, played by Buster Welch as himself.

What did Kevin Costner say about Yellowstone? ›

Addressing the numerous "Yellowstone" projects, Costner said it's "fine" that creator Taylor Sheridan has expanded the franchise, however he expressed his frustration at what he claimed was a lack of support. "...They were silent and that bothered me in the world of how you do things. Why don't you stick up for me?

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