What are we watching these days?

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Nothing like Dallas. Dallas was a soap opera for the evening...affairs, scandals, sleazy business dealings, family infighting, etc.

Yellowstone is a lot like 1923, just in a modern setting. Same ranch, same house, same issues (everyone wants their land), trying to hold on to what their ancestors fought and died for. The entire plot series from 1883 to 1923 to present Yellowstone is about keeping the family land and keeping their lifestyle choice. But there is always someone conniving to get it and to save it requires a bit of killing and operating outside the law

I rewatched the pilot episode of Yellowstone last night and have to rescind my previous comments. There actually is a similar story line to Dallas. There is family infighting, the daughter (Beth Dutton) is a little like J.R. Ewing in her business dealings. But it's different in that everything is about keeping the land their ancestors honed out of barren Montana country and the Dutton's strong connection to Native American Indians that starts in the 1883 and 1923 series. And it's far more "western" than Dallas ever was. The Ewing's wore cowboy hats, but  that is as close as they ever got to cowboy life - they weren't cowboys at all, just Texans who didn't ride horses or deal with indigenous people they replaced. In Yellowstone, these are "real" cowboys who ride horses, sleep under the stars, have to raise cattle, deal with political issues concerning cattle, work hand in hand with Native American Indians, kill bad guys (quite regularly I might add), and deal with conniving, unsavory wealthy people who want their land for their own purposes and are willing to sabotage and kill people to get it

[Sem]

I mentioned a while back that I've been watching reruns of an old TV series called Tales of Tomorrow, which ran from 1951-1953. It's really low budget, generally only three or four actors in each episode. But the show often features episodes based on stories from noted authors which includes H.G. Wells and Arthur C. Clarke. One of the coolest things about watching this is picking out actors I recognize, which honestly isn't too many. However one I recently watched, titled Ice From Space,  starred Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale from Beverly Hillbillies), and a young Paul Newman in just his second IMDB-documented acting role.

[LennG]

I rewatched the pilot episode of Yellowstone last night and have to rescind my previous comments. There actually is a similar story line to Dallas. There is family infighting, the daughter (Beth Dutton) is a little like J.R. Ewing in her business dealings. But it's different in that everything is about keeping the land their ancestors honed out of barren Montana country and the Dutton's strong connection to Native American Indians that starts in the 1883 and 1923 series. And it's far more "western" than Dallas ever was. The Ewing's wore cowboy hats, but  that is as close as they ever got to cowboy life - they weren't cowboys at all, just Texans who didn't ride horses or deal with indigenous people they replaced. In Yellowstone, these are "real" cowboys who ride horses, sleep under the stars, have to raise cattle, deal with political issues concerning cattle, work hand in hand with Native American Indians, kill bad guys (quite regularly I might add), and deal with conniving, unsavory wealthy people who want their land for their own purposes and are willing to sabotage and kill people to get it

Thanks for the comparison. I wasn't really talking plot lines, like western opposed to modern day, but more like the storyline. We were huge fans of Dallas when it was 'it' TV (you know, who shot JR). It was a way they were always wheeling and dealing and their ranch, South Fork, and their oil business was always the main points, along with said family members always out to outdo the others, particularly JR. I felt Yellowstone, in a way was similar to that in Yellowstone, the land and home were main points, and in Dallas, though they had other issues, family, and business were always the root of ever ything.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Thanks for the comparison. I wasn't really talking plot lines, like western opposed to modern day, but more like the storyline. We were huge fans of Dallas when it was 'it' TV (you know, who shot JR). It was a way they were always wheeling and dealing and their ranch, South Fork, and their oil business was always the main points, along with said family members always out to outdo the others, particularly JR. I felt Yellowstone, in a way was similar to that in Yellowstone, the land and home were main points, and in Dallas, though they had other issues, family, and business were always the root of everything.

I was in college when Dallas was running on TV so I didn't get to follow it that closely. I remember having the hots for Lucy (my kind of gal...LOL). And J.R. (Larry Hagman) should've gotten an Emmy for his performances

If you watch Yellowstone, I think you can only get it on Peacock (NBC bought the rights I believe); however, they don't carry the last season (yet). Interestingly I purchased Peacock for 4.99 a month. After a month of suffering through commercials during shows I got an email asking me if I wanted to "upgrade" to commercial free and the cost was 5.00 a month...LOL. One friggin penny a month to get rid of commercials!

If you watch Yellowstone with your wife, there's not a lot of gory killing (although there is a lot of killing), but there is sex and some shocking nude scenes when Beth decides to stroll around the ranch completely naked. The horses are worth watching as they are ridiculously well-trained. Here's a scene of some of the horses "reining" (about halfway through)

And then there's fights like you won't see in Dallas (my favorite is releasing a bull in a bar). Once the Duttons start letting girls in the bunk house, it gets pretty wild

Might be some similarities to Dallas, but it ain't Dallas

[LennG]

Ha, my wife loves those nude scenes (any guys there?)        

We have Peacock, not sure for how long, but right now we are trying to watch as much as we can on Paramount+ as we only have that for free for a couple of months. We will definitely get to Yellowstone before long. I don't know if the wife will enjoy it, but I know I should. I have always liked Costner as an actor.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Ha, my wife loves those nude scenes (any guys there?)        

We have Peacock, not sure for how long, but right now we are trying to watch as much as we can on Paramount+ as we only have that for free for a couple of months. We will definitely get to Yellowstone before long. I don't know if the wife will enjoy it, but I know I should. I have always liked Costner as an actor.

Sorry to tell you Lenn...or more like your wife...no naked men. Beth Dutton does some pretty risky scenes like walking around the ranch naked and taking a bath in the horse watering trough. You can google it. I won't share it on here, LOL

[LennG]

Sorry to tell you Lenn...or more like your wife...no naked men. Beth Dutton does some pretty risky scenes like walking around the ranch naked and taking a bath in the horse watering trough. You can google it. I won't share it on here, LOL

Thanks but I'll wait with eager anticipation.        

[LennG]

I just finished '1923' and I liked it a lot. Overall it was extremely well done, with enough action and subplots to really hold your interest and just watching the main stars was worth the price of admission alone.
My only qualm is the way the darn thing ended. I can understand one cliffhanger, even 2 but they basically let you stew with the entire show with nothing resolved.


Stay tuned.

[LennG]

So now that 1923 is in the book, I have moved on to '1883', the next chapter, or should I say, the first chapter in the Yellowstone sage. This one is really in my wheelhouse as I have said countless times, give me a good western and I am happy. This one fits perfectly and, add to that Sam Elliott as a star, Whammo, I love it. Sam Elliott has probably been in more westerns than John Wayne and he is just perfect for any part in any western.
I am 3 episodes in and I can't wait to continue with this saga.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

So now that 1923 is in the book, I have moved on to '1883', the next chapter, or should I say, the first chapter in the Yellowstone sage. This one is really in my wheelhouse as I have said countless times, give me a good western and I am happy. This one fits perfectly and, add to that Sam Elliott as a star, Whammo, I love it. Sam Elliott has probably been in more westerns than John Wayne and he is just perfect for any part in any western.
I am 3 episodes in and I can't wait to continue with this saga.

I think I mentioned about 50 posts back that if God designed a man to play the part of a western man, he would have designed Sam Elliott...LOL

Heads up - don't get too attached to any of the characters 

[Jolly Blue Giant]

I wonder Lenn...do you recognize Margaret Dutton in 1883? Or maybe you know the father of James Dutton

Maybe this will refresh your memory as this repeat performance by Margaret Dutton that went on for a decade or so, LOL

I don't know how much you listen to country music or realize Tug McGraw (yep, a great Met pitcher at one time) who had a son who is playing James Dutton and is married in real life to the woman playing Margaret Dutton

[T200]

The wife and I started watching 'Your Honor' with Bryan Cranston. It's about a judge who gets caught in a predicament involving his only son and an untenable web is weaved, much of his own doing, that he must navigate. The second season is showing now on Showtime (and I believe Paramount+).

It has some Ozark feel too it but not as good, but still entertaining.

Season 2 is actually better than the first! If you haven't seen it yet, give it a look. Only downside to this season is that it's currently airing so we have to wait a week for the next episode 

[Ed Vette]

I think they pull it off quite well. Season 3 is the trippy one though, especially the ending.

It's a great series that doesn't get enough hype or attention, IMHO.

I saw the entire series. Linda bailed mid 4th. She thought it started to get ridiculous with the murders. Looks like they left the door open for a season 5. It looks like they had two endings. One where he died and the other where he survived.

[T200]

I saw the entire series. Linda bailed mid 4th. She thought it started to get ridiculous with the murders. Looks like they left the door open for a season 5. It looks like they had two endings. One where he died and the other where he survived.

I think some of the murders and cleanup were very sketchy but it didn't take away from the show IMO.

Have you checked out "Your Honor"?

Season 2 finale is next Sunday. It airs on Showtime and Paramount+.

[Ed Vette]

I think some of the murders and cleanup were very sketchy but it didn't take away from the show IMO.

Have you checked out "Your Honor"?

Season 2 finale is next Sunday. It airs on Showtime and Paramount+.

No, we're watching Manifest and haven't finished the Witches yet. I'll check it out for the queue.