Season 5 ofYellowstonearrived with a bang on Paramount+, opening withthe death of Kevin Coster’s John Duttonfollowing the actor’s public and controversial departure from the series. However, that has not been the biggest complaint from viewers, who have some very specific backlash for the show’s divisive return. Fans have taken to social media to air their grievances over Taylor Sheridan’s flagship series’increasingly forced use of product placement in the newest episode.
There are very few TV shows and movies that do not come with a big list of financially lucrative brands appearing on screen. Whether this is the four rings of an Audi pulling right up the camera as the protagonist screeches his vehicle to a halt, or someone tracking the bad guys on their Mac, product placement has been a big part of the industry for many decades – even going back to the 1950s when they had whole TV sketches built around them. However,Yellowstone’s heavy-handed approach to ensuring branded items get the required screen time has annoyed many, who have called it out as a distraction during tense and crucial moments in the show.
For a series likeYellowstone, the focus of audiences needs to remain on the characters, emotions, and atmosphere. However, the forefront being dominated by a random branded item has caused many to lose the moment, as was noted by many users on X/Twitter.
One moment that hammered home the issues for many was when Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) takes Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) to a hotel and in the bara bottle of 6666’s Four Sixes Vodka seems to take a long time to leave the screen.With Sheridan being the owner of the 6666 Ranch and the drinks company 6666 Grit & Glory, which distributes vodka cocktails and beer, it has come across as incredibly self-serving. One X/Twitter user said:
“Am I the only one confused on this timeline??? Nope they are just pushing 6666 product placement and destroying a beautiful show.”
Someone else noted:“So far, this season of #Yellowstone has a ridiculous amount of product placement, mostly Taylor Sheridan’s brands. It’s way too noticeable and forced.”
‘Yellowstone’s New Season Threatens the Legacy of the Franchise
Yellowstonehas become one of the biggest franchises on TV right now, with several successful spinoffs ongoing, and more reportedly on the way. However, controversies around Kevin Costner’s departure from the show, andreviews for the new episodes being much more criticalthan previous seasons, have made it a struggle for Season 5B to really fire up its engines as it heads towards the series finale (for now).
For some fans, the increasing number of well-known brands such as Apple, Dell, and Sheridan’s own brands being forced into shot is just another reason to shoot down the show that has become a hugely popular, and therefore profitable, franchise.While the viewership of the series remains high, there is clearly a commercial side to the production of the show that is out to get the most out of these final episodes.
Yellowstone Stars Kelly Reilly & Cole Hauser on a Possible Season 6 and Dutton Danger
Kelly Reilly & Cole Hauser star in Yellowstone as the married couple Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler and together addressed rumors of a surprise Season 6.
Naturally, with filming complete on these new episodes, this is a complaint that is likely to continue throughout the rest of Season 5. Whether it will be addressed in any of Sheridan’s new shows, including the upcoming spinoff,The Madison, will likely depend on how much the money talks. In the end, fans may complain about having branding thrust in their faces at every given opportunity, but, despite being an annoyance, it is not likely to force them to stop watching this or any future show set in one of Sheridan’s universes.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.
