Open Cloze: Yellowstone and the New American Western

Yellowstone has become one of the most talked-about television series on contemporary television. Filmed largely location on a vast Montana ranch, it follows the Dutton family as they struggle to protect their land from developers, politicians and rival ranchers. The series appeals viewers who enjoy both family drama and old-fashioned western action. Despite being set in modern times, the show draws its inspiration the conventions of classic cowboy films, which have shaped the genre for decades. It also differs sharply typical television dramas because of its focus on horseback riding, cattle branding and the daily grind of ranch work. The cowgirls, who appear throughout the series, are just as tough and capable the cowboys, breaking away from old stereotypes. Thanks its huge popularity, Yellowstone has inspired several spin-off shows exploring different corners of the same fictional world. The producers, had once doubted the appeal of a modern western, were amazed by quickly the series came to dominate popular culture.