mestberg

I was excited when the series was announced, the two reasons being that it was a Taylor Sheridan production (just like Yellowstone) and the announced cast. However, there were problems with both those things.

If you think you're getting an oil version of Yellowstone, think again. This is a very low-brow show with loads of TNA thrown in for no purpose. It is nowhere near the level of Yellowstone or Lioness. I think Sheridan is stretching himself too thin because each additional new Sheridan series declines in its storytelling and enjoyment. Every show that has his name attached to it does well, even when it probably shouldn't. The cast in Landman deserves much better.

On paper, the cast is fantastic. Billy Bob Thornton is always good and different in every production he stars in. The commercials led you to believe that Jon Hamm and Demi Moore were also leads; however, Hamm is lucky to have 5 minutes of screen time each episode, and Moore is left with one or two lines maximum. My husband even stated he could not understand why she would take this role. Ali Larter and Michelle Randolph are strictly there to run around in skimpy bathing suits or skin-tight clothes. Larter's written so over the top that she becomes unlikable. Randolph is supposed to be playing a teenage minor which leaves for some very uncomfortable moments when she's bending over and scantily dancing in front of her father's coworkers who are three times her age.

This could've been so much better, but there is very little story except for what revolves around violence and sex. If this is supposed to be in any way realistic, oil production in our country is extremely dangerous and should be shut down.

If you're a fan of Big Brother, as I am, you might find a little joy here. But outside of that, it's a very weak show. First of all, there weren't enough contestants to make it interesting (they could've dragged it out for a couple more weeks); they are not living in the house which takes away a lot of the drama, and the cast members were seriously lacking. It's like they just pulled out their most recent Rolodex, and chose the same ones that they use over and over again. Other than hoping that maybe Cameron or Danielle would win, I couldn't care less about any of the rest. I asked, my friend said, too, instead of rooting for someone, I guess we should just root for who we DON'T want to win... such as Taylor and Xavier (whose egos have grown ginormous since the show), Britney, who does nothing but pout and act like a spoiled brat, and Frankie who's always bouncing off the walls. They should've come up with some other well-liked names from the past. What about Marcellas, Bunky, Jun Song, Jace, Jessie, Paul (!), Memphis, Vanessa, Kevin Campbell, and Hayden Moss to name a few. There were so many better choices, and that's what brought down the show. You need contestants who are not as familiar with each other and don't have a history, just like with the regular show.

What I can't understand is why they would hire an actor who's 6'5" to play Elvis, when, in reality, he was 6 feet tall. Then they hire an actress who is 5'1" to portray a living person who is 5'4" tall. They look ridiculous next to each other! It's hard to equate that to our perception of Elvis and Priscilla. All I can think of is the casting was to assist with the portrayal of Elvis as an adult man and Priscilla being a young girl. The difference in their heights is distracting from what could've been a good story. Sofia Coppola is a talented director, but I think she missed the boat here. I'm disappointing because both my husband and I are huge Elvis fans.