Sam Elliott Slams Popular Western Series Despite Starring in Spinoff
The legendary western actor delivered harsh criticism of a major TV hit, comparing it to an 80s soap opera while working on its prequel series.
Sam Elliott's gravelly voice and signature mustache have made him one of Hollywood's most recognizable western stars. From gunslinger roles to his memorable turn as The Stranger in The Big Lebowski, Elliott embodies the rugged cowboy archetype that audiences love.
His latest project, 1883, brought Elliott back to familiar territory. Playing a Civil War veteran leading settlers from Tennessee to western territories, Elliott delivered what many consider his finest television performance. The role earned him a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.
Unexpected Criticism of Parent Show
1883 serves as a prequel to Yellowstone, the Kevin Costner-led drama that has dominated television ratings. Tim McGraw portrays James Dillard Dutton, the ancestor of Costner's character. You'd expect Elliott to praise the show that spawned his successful series.
Instead, Elliott delivered a blunt assessment to Taste of Country. "I'm not a Yellowstone fan," he stated. "I don't watch Yellowstone. 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 like fucking Dallas or something for me."
Western Authenticity Debate
Elliott's comparison to Dallas stings. The 1980s prime-time soap about wealthy Texas oil barons represented everything critics dislike about melodramatic television. Some viewers have labeled Yellowstone a "soap opera," criticizing its reliance on family drama over authentic western storytelling.
This isn't Elliott's first controversial take on western entertainment. He previously attacked Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog, questioning whether the New Zealand director had authority to explore American West themes. He later apologized for those comments.
The Cowboy Persona Problem
Elliott positions himself as a western purist, but his credentials deserve scrutiny. Despite playing countless cowboys and having Civil War ancestry, he grew up in Portland, Oregon. His connection to the Old West comes through acting roles, not lived experience.
The irony runs deep. Elliott criticizes a show that helped fund his career resurgence while positioning himself as more authentic than other actors. His track record of controversial western-related comments undermines his credibility as a genre authority.
Elliott may see himself as a real cowboy, but he's ultimately another actor in costume. His harsh words about Yellowstone reveal more about his own insecurities than the show's quality.