Taylor Sheridan, the prolific and press-shy writer-producer, made waves by giving a rare interview in which he aired many of his feelings about the modern entertainment industry, including the executives who run it and the awards they campaign for.
Appearing on The Bill Simmons Podcast to promote the book he co-authored with Tom Nelson, How Not to Die in Prison, Sheridan called out entertainment executives (“know nothing”), Marvel movies (“information dumps”), and critics (“f–k ’em, honestly”).
It’s Sheridan’s comments about his target audience, however, that could have some major implications in the coming weeks.
“I’m pretty common and I’m going to tell stories that common people are going to understand,” Sheridan said. “That’s most of America. You’re not going to win no Emmys with me, but I’m not trying to win Emmys. That’s not my goal. 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. That’s what I want to do, because that’s what I want from a show.”
Sheridan’s comments come a critical juncture for Landman and The Madison, two shows vying for Emmys that count him as their creator and sole writer. The series, both of which stream on Paramount+ — where Sheridan had an overall deal before departing for NBCUniversal — have been seen as the creator’s best shot at nominations in years. Shows from the creator have been nominated before, but with big-name stars like Michelle Pfeiffer and Billy Bob Thornton delivering nod-worthy work, the slate has been seen as a potential breakthrough moment for Sheridan series into top categories.
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Part of what’s fueling this perception is the observable work being put into the campaigns by the casts, crews, and network behind the series. Both Landman and CBS’ Yellowstone spin-off Marshals hosted All Guild For Your Consideration events in Los Angeles with cast and creator panels during April. The Madison did the same at the end of May, while Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown held virtual events.
But the campaigns for the Sheridan-verse went beyond the traditional FYC event, hosting a swanky toast in the Hollywood Hills for the stars of Landman and The Madison. In New York, Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña from another Sheridan series, Lioness, sat for a panel alongside Ali Larter and Michelle Randolph from Landman and Beau Garrett from The Madison.
And while panel discussion are run-of-the-mill fare for FYC season, the campaigners pushing The Madison went event more above and beyond, hosting three separate meals with “talent and creators,” “featuring a curated farm-to-table menu inspired by the spirit of The Madison.”
And for industry guests with more of a taste for the outdoors, there was a “hands-on fly fishing experience” held in Pasadena, also with cast on-hand.
While Sheridan may not see a huge amount of value in winning the approval of the Television Academy, there are still the realities of what the Emmys can mean for the careers of everyone working to bring his scripts to life — the actors and crew members, working in service of his stories, who could receive life-changing career bump from an Emmy nomination.
