The debate between Piers Morgan and Quentin Tarantino over Yellowstone brings two strong personalities into a conversation about modern television. Tarantino, during his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, stirred the pot by calling Yellowstone little more than a “soap opera.” While he acknowledged enjoying the first season and praised Kevin Costner’s performance, his critique focused on the lack of lasting emotional impact, claiming the show doesn’t have the same soul-sticking resonance as a great Western film.
Tarantino’s perspective highlights his broader concerns with television as a medium. Unlike films, which are constrained to a few hours and often pack a more concise emotional punch, TV series sprawl over multiple seasons. This extended format can lead to narrative “fluff” or storylines that are harder to recall after a time. For Tarantino, this structural difference is what makes shows like Yellowstone entertaining in the moment but less memorable in the long run.
Piers Morgan, ever the provocateur, responded sharply on X, dismissing Tarantino’s critique with a single word: “Nonsense.” His defense of Yellowstone reflects the passion of many fans who see the show as more than a Western-themed soap opera. Yellowstone offers intricate power struggles, stunning Montana vistas, and intense character dynamics that many viewers feel elevate it above standard melodrama.
The debate ignited reactions from fans across the spectrum. Some sided with Morgan, emphasizing the show’s addictive storytelling and thematic depth. Others, like user @AntSpeaks, acknowledged both sides, agreeing with Tarantino’s point about the serialized nature of TV while expressing disappointment in how Yellowstone handled Kevin Costner’s departure.
Tarantino’s critique isn’t about dismissing Yellowstone outright—it’s about what defines greatness. For him, a truly great Western, like his own Django Unchained or classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, leaves an indelible mark. By contrast, even the best TV series, with their episodic pacing and often sprawling plots, struggle to achieve the same level of permanence.
Yet, Morgan’s retort, along with the fervent fanbase’s support, highlights the other side of the coin: TV’s strength lies in its ability to immerse audiences over time. While it may not always leave a lasting “tattoo on the soul,” the shared experience and emotional highs it provides—season after season—are a form of greatness in their own right.
Whether Yellowstone is a modern-day soap opera or a deeply entertaining epic may depend on how you measure storytelling’s impact: is it about unforgettable resonance or sheer, momentary escapism? Either way, the fact that the series sparked such a heated debate between two outspoken figures like Tarantino and Morgan proves that Yellowstone has carved out its place in the cultural landscape—soap opera or not.