Don't Go Comparing The Sopranos to Yellowstone - Fans Think It's an Insult
The Sopranos was one of the biggest TV shows of the 2000s. The HBO series ran for six incredibly successful seasons before calling it quits in 2007. Since then, The Sopranos has inspired numerous shows, many of which utilize a similar blueprint to what made the crime drama about Italian mobsters so iconic.
Needless to say, Tony Soprano has heard it all. He's seen multiple shows arrive and attempt to steal its glory.
He's even heard the most recent gossip that Yellowstone is compared to The Sopranos in many ways. And, let's just say, fans of the latter are not pleased with the comparisons.
Sure, Yellowstone co-stars like Luke Grimes may hint at a connection between the neo-western and the crime drama, especially the similarities between family patriarchs John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini).
Furthermore, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan may even invite the references because it's good for business. In the past, he hasn't shielded from a Sopranos connection, and it even appears Sheridan is a fan of the show himself.
However, when it comes to the opinions of Redditors, most agree that comparing Yellowstone to The Sopranos is senseless. Yes, the similarities between Tony Soprano and John Dutton may be obvious, but that doesn't exactly make Yellowstone deserving of the same lofty recognition as The Sopranos.
Both John and Tony are cruel, ruthless individuals that are willing to do whatever it takes to protect a family and its assets. Nonetheless, the overall quality of the program fails to meet the high, artsy standards established by The Sopranos. Yellowstone is a "soap opera in a cowboy hat," as one Redditor described in their assessment.
The truth is Yellowstone is more similar to other TV classics, like Dallas. Whereas another Taylor Sheridan series, Tulsa King, is more deserving of comparisons to The Sopranos.
Sheridan has always been fascinated by the network and its herald lineup of shows. He reportedly pitched the pilot of Yellowstone to HBO (only to get turned down) and has always been drawn to its content.
In fact, Sheridan partnered with Terence Winter, the showrunner of The Sopranos, in bringing Tulsa King to Paramount+. Thus, many find those comparisons more fitting on Reddit.
Tulsa King, which is Sylvester Stallone's first major TV role as mobster Dwight Manfredi, has a few similarities with The Sopranos.
The character also has roots in the NY mob after being exiled to Oklahoma following release from a lengthy prison sentence. Therefore, it's more appropriate to compare Tulsa King to The Sopranos, than Yellowstone.