‘Yellowstone’s 6666 Product Placement is Annoying Fans

As a long-time admirer of quality storytelling and character development, I must admit that I find myself quite disheartened by the recent turn of events in Yellowstone Season 5. After years of captivating audiences with its gripping narrative and compelling characters, the show seems to have succumbed to the lure of excessive product placement, which has become a significant distraction for many viewers like myself.


Season 5 of arrived with a bang on Paramount+, opening with the death of Kevin Coster’s John Dutton following 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.

In numerous TV shows and films, you’ll often find an array of well-known brands subtly integrated into the scenes. This could be anything from a sleek Audi cruising into view just as the main character halts his vehicle dramatically, to a villain using a Mac computer while pursuing their nefarious activities. Product placement has been a significant aspect of the entertainment industry for several decades, dating back to the 1950s when entire TV segments were designed around them.

In a show such as “Yellowstone”, it’s crucial for viewers to concentrate on the characters, their feelings, and the overall ambiance. Unfortunately, when the spotlight is taken over by an unrelated branded product, it disrupts the viewing experience for many, as pointed out by numerous 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 bar a 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:

Is it just me who’s finding this timeline perplexing? Actually, it seems like they’re prioritizing excessive product placements (around 6,666) over maintaining the original charm of the series.

It appears someone mentioned that the current season of #Yellowstone has an excessive number of product placements, primarily from Taylor Sheridan’s brands. This integration seems overly obvious and contrived to them.

‘Yellowstone’s New Season Threatens the Legacy of the Franchise

Currently, Yellowstone stands as one of TV’s most prominent franchises, boasting numerous successful spin-offs and rumors of additional installments. Yet, disputes surrounding Kevin Costner’s exit from the show and harsher critiques for recent episodes compared to past seasons have made it challenging for Season 5B to gain momentum as it approaches its series end (for now).

As more recognizable brands like Apple, Dell, and Sheridan’s in-house labels are being integrated into the series, some fans see this as yet another motive for them to criticize or dislike the show. Given its immense popularity and profitability, it’s clear that there’s a business aspect to the production of these last episodes.

As the shooting for these latest episodes wraps up, expect this issue to persist throughout Season 5. Whether it’ll be resolved in any of Sheridan’s upcoming series, such as The Madison, remains uncertain and probably boils down to how influential financial aspects are. In the grand scheme of things, viewers might grumble about frequent advertising intrusions, but it’s unlikely to drive them away from this or any future show within Sheridan’s fictional realms.

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2024-11-19 18:36