Taylor Sheridan rips studio execs and admits he rage-baits critics
Taylor Sheridan rips studio executives for knowing "nothing" about storytelling and says he deliberately rage-baits TV critics who pan his hits. The Yellowstone and Landman creator told Variety he built a massive audience without chasing Emmys, and he is fine telling Paramount bosses and reviewers to back off.
Sheridan has built one of the most-watched television empires on the planet, and he wants everyone to know he did it without chasing trophies. His blunt comments land as Paramount+ pushes Landman and his broader catalog keeps dominating streaming conversation. For more on what is moving the dial in TV, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Sheridan says Hollywood executives overseeing his work know "nothing" about story.
- He admits he sometimes rage-baits critics on purpose, including with Demi Moore's Landman arc.
- His Paramount deal rejects committee oversight; he says he is not trying to win Emmys.
- Sheridan frames his goal as reaching everyday viewers on the couch, not impressing the industry.
Why Did Taylor Sheridan Rip Studio Executives?
Sheridan, who lives outside Fort Worth, Texas, and keeps a place in Wyoming, saved his harshest words for the executives overseeing his work. He said they know "nothing" about story.
It is a dynamic Sheridan said he refused when he signed his deal with Paramount. "This is not a democracy. There's no committee," he told Variety. "You're going to pay me and you're going to give me a bunch of money and I'm going to deliver you these shows."
He positioned himself as a storyteller for mainstream America. "I'm pretty common and I'm going to tell stories that common people are going to understand. That's most of America," he said.
How Does Sheridan Use 'Rage-Bait' Against TV Critics?
Sheridan got specific about criticism he anticipated for Landman, the Paramount+ drama in which Demi Moore spent most of the first season near a swimming pool. He admitted Moore was told up front she would essentially be an extra in Season 1 before moving into a central role in Season 2.
He knew exactly how that would play out. "The critics are going to come after me. I'm underutilizing [Moore], can't write for women, all this nonsense," he said. "Then I'm going to kill your husband and you're going to have to run the oil company."
Sheridan was equally blunt about reviewers. "The critics and me — I don't care what they think, and it annoys the shit out of them that I don't care," he said. "I'll be the first to tell you that there are things that I do that rage-bait them a bit, and this is one of them. Fuck 'em, honestly."
Does Sheridan Care About Winning Emmy Awards?
Despite his shows' massive popularity, Sheridan made clear awards are not the point. "You're not going to win no Emmys with me, but I'm not trying to win Emmys. That's not my goal," he said.
His benchmark is emotional impact at home. "My goal is to sit somebody on their couch and move them, make them think, make them laugh, scare the shit out of them, excite them," he said. "That's what I want to do, because that's what I want from a show."
That philosophy helps explain why Taylor Sheridan rips studio gatekeepers and critics alike while his franchises keep pulling huge audiences. Whether Landman Season 2 delivers on his Moore payoff remains the next test for viewers, not trophy voters.