Billy Bob Thornton, the star of the hit Paramount+ series Landman, says he believes politics are the main reason why the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, is often left out of award show conversations. This comment comes after the recent second season finale of Landman, a show about the oil industry in West Texas.
Despite creating some of the most popular and talked-about television shows in recent years, Taylor Sheridan’s work has seen very little recognition from major awards bodies like the Emmy Awards. Shows like Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Landman attract huge audiences but have mostly been snubbed during awards season. Thornton, who plays oil executive Tommy Norris, shared his views in a new interview.
Billy Bob Thornton Explains His Political Bias Theory
In a recent interview with Variety, Billy Bob Thornton was direct about why he thinks Taylor Sheridan’s shows do not get awards attention.
“I think a lot of it’s political. I really do. I think some people assume Taylor is some sort of right-wing guy or something, and he’s really not.”
Thornton explained that this assumption affects how people view Sheridan’s shows, including Landman, which is set in the oil business. He stressed that Sheridan is not using his shows to push a political message or cheer for the oil industry.
“Even with this show being about the oil business, he just shows you what it’s like. He’s not saying ‘Rah, rah, rah for oil.’ It’s just the people who work in this business or who are affected by this business… this is what happens. These are the kinds of problems and joys and triumphs and whatever happens in this world. It’s a world of gambling, and you never know what’s going to happen. But I think people got the wrong idea about that.”
The actor also shared his personal philosophy on awards, suggesting that true validation comes from the work itself.
“If you put your heart and soul into something you love, and you’re satisfied with your work, and it works in the thing, there’s the award. I look at it that way. I’m too damn old now to worry about stuff like that.”
The Award Show Record for Taylor Sheridan Shows
The numbers show a clear gap between popularity and awards for Taylor Sheridan’s television empire. His flagship show, Yellowstone, became the most-watched cable show (excluding sports) since The Walking Dead was at its peak. However, over its entire five-season run, it received only one Primetime Emmy nomination in 2021, for Outstanding Production Design.
The pattern continues with Sheridan’s other projects. The prequels 1883 and 1923, along with series like Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King, have also been largely overlooked by major awards. Landman itself, which features a star-studded cast including Ali Larter, Sam Elliott, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm, has so far received two wins and fifteen nominations from various groups, including a Golden Globe nod for Thornton. Yet, it was completely shut out of the most recent Emmy nominations.
This year, all six of Sheridan’s eligible dramas were snubbed in major Emmy categories. Only a few received minor nominations in technical areas like stunts or production design.
Taylor Sheridan and Cast Members Dispute the “Conservative Show” Label
The idea that Taylor Sheridan creates shows for a conservative audience is not new. The New York Times once called Yellowstone “the most red-state show on television”. Audiences and critics often point to themes of rugged individualism, gun rights, and a distrust of government in his work.
However, Sheridan and his actors have repeatedly pushed back against this simple label. In a 2022 interview with The Atlantic, Sheridan expressed frustration with the characterization.
“They refer to it as ‘the conservative show’ or ‘the Republican show’ or ‘the red-state Game of Thrones.’ And I just sit back laughing. I’m like, ‘Really?’ The show’s talking about the displacement of Native Americans and the way Native American women were treated and about corporate greed and the gentrification of the West, and land-grabbing. That’s a red-state show?”
Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone, also disagreed with the political reading in a 2024 interview. He suggested that people see cowboy hats and horses and make assumptions.
“I think a lot of people see a cowboy hat and a horse and they think, ‘Oh, that’s not for me, those people believe differently.’ And it’s almost like they take these flawed characters in the show and chalk it up to some sort of weird belief that they’ve put on them.”
Other Reasons for the Award Show Snubs
While Thornton focused on politics, industry analysis points to a mix of other possible reasons for the consistent snubs. One theory is about the streaming platform. Paramount+ is still seen as a newcomer in the awards arena compared to established players like HBO or Netflix. This can affect how voters perceive its content.
Another factor might be Sheridan’s own profile in Hollywood. He is known for being independent-minded, having left Los Angeles to live and work on his ranch in Texas. He does not typically participate in the campaign events and “politicking” that are common during awards season, which could put his shows at a disadvantage.
There is also a noted divide between the types of shows that appeal to coastal industry voters and Sheridan’s stories, which are often set in and resonate with America’s heartland.
Fan Reactions to the Awards Debate
On social media, many fans agree with Billy Bob Thornton’s perspective. Reactions on platforms like Facebook show strong support for Sheridan and a dismissal of award shows.
One fan commented, “Sheridan doesn’t need an award to show how good he is. His shows do that by the ratings.” Another added, “The real accolades come from the fans and Taylor Sheridan keeps delivering great effing entertainment.”
The sentiment is that commercial success and fan loyalty are more meaningful measures of achievement than industry trophies. This view aligns with Thornton’s own comments about finding the award in the work itself.
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What’s Next for Landman and Taylor Sheridan
Despite the awards disconnect, Taylor Sheridan’s creative output shows no signs of slowing down. Production for the third season of Landman is scheduled to begin in April or May of this year. The series continues to be a major hit for Paramount+.
Sheridan’s overall deal with Paramount Global ensures that his universe of shows will keep expanding. For now, it seems the millions of viewers who tune in every week are the award that matters most. As one fan put it, the shows succeed by telling honest stories about lives and places that are often overlooked on screen.
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