If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching TV westerns. As a family, we’d sit down together every Sunday evening to catch the latest episode of Bonanza. My brother’s favorite shows were F Troop and The Wild, Wild West — which, while not exactly accurate portrayals of life in the old west, were highly entertaining. For me, I loved the afternoon reruns of Big Valley and High Chaparral (which was filmed in my home state of Arizona). And Grandpa, he never missed Gunsmoke if he could help it.
It seemed for a long while, westerns disappeared from television, or at least became few and far between. Yes, there were some notable excellent offerings, like the Lonesome Dove miniseries, Justified, Hell on Wheels, and Longmire. But viewing trends change, and most western TV shows didn’t last long or gain huge fan bases like the classics. Until recently, that is.
Whether you like him and his show or not, Taylor Sheridan has had a tremendous impact on popularizing modern western shows — be they set in historical times or present day. His cornerstone show Yellowstone has launched numerous spinoffs, such as 1883, 1923, Marshals, as well as the upcoming Dutton Ranch, 6666, and 1944. Not to mention his western-ish shows like The Madison and Landman.
It doesn’t stop there. As a romance writer and reader, I really enjoyed the Netflix series Ransom Canyon, which I’m happy to say is returning for season two. If I’m in the mood for something grittier, I watch Dark Winds, which takes place in the 1970s, is also set him my home state of Arizona, and blends Navajo culture, crime fighting, and mild supernatural elements. Along those lines are American Primeval and The Abandons. While well written and boasting incredible casts, these shows can be hard to watch at times because of the level of violence. If you’re looking for something gentler and more family-oriented, there’s always the very long-running and popular Heartland. Full disclosure, this is a Canadian series and not set in the American west. Still, it’s enjoyable to watch.
What about you? Are you a fan of current Western TV shows and which one is your favorite? Is there one you like that I’ve missed? Or do you prefer the classics?
Whichever the case, I’m glad to see Western TV shows making a comeback even if not all of them are my cup of tea.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I’ve been watching Jeartland from the start and read the book series it is based on. I love cowboys and watching all the westerns available to me on regular television
I watched the first couple of seasons of Heartland then, for some reason, I stopped. I need to go back and start watching it again 🙂
I like most westerns. I like the ones you named, but also really like The Virginian.
I remember that one, too. Didn’t he always wear black or am I thinking of someone else?
I grew up on the old westerns. Today’s westerns are pretty good, EXCEPT Yellowstone was riddled with foul language and in my opinion, didn’t add value to the storyline. I realize people do talk like that, but I prefer to not hear it. I’m glad The Madison was different.
I don’t disagree with you, Karen. I love Kevin Costner, but I always had a love/hate relationship with Yellowstone because of certain things I didn’t like.
I enjoyed yellowstone and the prequels 1883 and 1923. They will be doing 2 more one during WW2 or a little after and 2024.
I think I heard about those. I really liked 1883, though it was hard to watch at times and had a sad ending. Then again, it was probably realistic.
I like the classics. I have not really watched any of the new ones.
I still watch the classics, Debra, now and again. They take me back.
The classics are what I grew up with. Sitting down as a family to watch Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, The Virginian, Bonanza were much anticipated events. The new westerns hold no appeal nor do I have the desire to watch them.
I can understand that, Carol. Some of them are really gritty, and they lack the charm of the classics.
We haven’t watched the more modern Westerns. Thinking back to childhood, my favorite was “F Troop.”
As one of a large family, mom often purchased less expensive house brands (as opposed to name brands that had TV ads). One western (I don’t recall which or if more than one sponsored this product) had ads for the pasta “Wagon Wheels” during the show. We had those as the occasional treat.
Oh, my gosh. I remember wagon wheel shape pasta. I wonder if they still make it. Thanks for the memory, Mary 🙂
I REALLY loved Heartland until the newer seasons. It’s not as good without one certain person (I won’t post who so I don’t spoil it for anyone). I love Lonesome Dove and a lot of the older Westerns. I haven’t watched Yellowstone or any of the spin-offs but everyone keeps telling me I need to.
I, too, love Lonesome Dove and the sequel Return to Lonesome Dove. I have a copy of the book Lonesome Dove signed by Larry McMurtry, which I treasure.
I loved watching these also. I also enjoyed John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Clint Eastwood
Oh, Clint Eastwood. I forgot about him in Rawhide. He was so young and handsome 🙂
I love When Calls the Heart.
You know, I’ve never watched that one. I should add it to my list 🙂
I like the classics. I have watched a few of the new ones but am not a fan because of the violence and language.
I agree, Linda. The classics also had a lot of violence, when you think about it. But nowadays, it’s much grittier and gorier.
I like the classics. One of my favorites is Walker, although it’s not a classic.
Oh, I don’t know. I think you can call Chuck Norris a classic. At least in my book 🙂
I liked Longmire until they killed off Brant….he was my favorite. I love Dark Winds, just have to wait for season 4 to show up on one of my streaming services. I’m really enjoying Marshalls. I tried Yellowstone but it was too unrealistic with all the crap the Duttons got by with that I quit and I couldn’t stand Beth or Monica. I liked American Primeval and am currently watching The Abandons, unfortunately the level of violence in them is probably pretty accurate for what actually happened during that time period. I grew up on Gunsmoke, my parents were older, both born in the 1920’s so I watched a lot of older series. My favorite TV western is Laramie, Slim Sherman is the ultimate cowboy/hero. The Magnificent Seven TV show with Michael Biehn was a favorite and The Young Riders.
Naomi, you mentioned some good ones like Laramie I’d forgotten about. I also love Dark Winds and enjoyed American Primeval. Although it was hard to watch at times, the acting was amazing and the storyline riveting.
I rarely watch TV.
Bridgette, you are probably wise to limit your watching. I could be accused of having the TV on too much 🙂
Interesting question. I’m not sure I’ll ever find anything on today that I will love the way I love Lonesome Dove. I tried 1923, but it was too tragic for me. I did love Centennial (I’m showing my age here!) when it was on as a miniseries back in the seventies. The episode with the cattle drive was so cool! Nowadays, we don’t watch much TV, so my exposure is pretty limited.
Oh, my gosh! I remember watching Centennial as a family when I was young, and I loved it! Thanks, Nan, for the reminding me of a good memory 🙂
Cathy, I’m a die-hard western fan and like you, grew up watching the old westerns–TV and the movies. Some of the new are good but they’re few and far between. I loved Hell on Wheels and Lonesome Dove. I’ve also become a fan of Dark Winds. Love the different elements Dark Winds bring. I was turned off by Yellowstone. One that you didn’t mention is Desperado with Alex McArthur as Duel McCall. It was a 5-episode series on TV in the 1980s. I really, really loved that. I not a fan of Taylor Sheridan. Don’t like his take on westerns. There’s a kind of violence I don’t care for. I’m praying some day someone will come along and release some great westerns with heroes we can root for.
Hey Linda. I don’t recall Desperado, so I’ll have to check that one out. It’s probably streaming somewhere 🙂 And I don’t think you can get better than Lonesome Dove for the best epic Western of all time. In my opinion 🙂
We love watching the old Westerns with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart. My favorite is Rio Bravo. We also love F Troop.
So funny that lots of people here watched F Troop. I’m getting nostalgic and thinking I have to see it it’s online anywhere 🙂
Here in Finland we don’t seem to have any Western TV shows available at moment, current or otherwise, unless you’re willing to pay for any of the streaming services. Haven’t come across one yet that I’d want buy as DVDs. Instead I’ve been binging on good old Due South DVDs -still love that show- and waiting to Lucifer box set to arrive. I happened to come across it on YouTube and it looked like a lot fun.
“Due South” Theme
https :// www. youtube. com /watch?v =PINmb qb4Z18&li st=RDPINmbqb4Z18&start_radio=1
Due South – The Mountie Song Revisited
https: // www .youtube .com / watch?v=VQk ql4dHniE&list=RD VQkql4dHniE&start_radio=1
Hi, Minna. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve heard of Due South, now I’m going to check it out. My father was French Canadian, so I like anything having to do with the Mounties!
I, too, have a love-hate relationship with Yellowstone. I hope that no real people get away with some of the violent things that fictitious family has not been held accountable for. I do love the photography and the music and appreciate that it has shown some of the issues those of us who live in the rural west have to deal with. One of them is people thinking because there are no buildings they have a right to do whatever they please on that land even though it is privately owned.
Glad to hear Ransom Canyon has been renewed. I had a hard time watching it when it was first on because it strayed so far from the books. I watched it again this winter and appreciated it more by continually telling myself the names are the same it’s a different story. I do the same with Dark Winds except I have to mentally separate it from the PBS productions as well as the books.
Linda Broday mentioned Desparado. I loved that show, too, and had forgotten about it. My daughter recently found a dvd of Yellow Rose, the short lived modern western starring Sam Elliot, Cybill Shepherd, David Soul, and several other well known actors. From 1983-84, it was a lot less violent than some of the newer shows. We are having fun watching it and reminiscing about watching the show when it was new.
Hi Alice. I never read the books that Ransom Canyon and Dark Winds are based on, which I think is why I’m able to enjoy the shows so much. Now that you mention it, I remember something about Yellow Rose. As a huge Sam Elliot fan, I will need to check it out 🙂
I Love all the old westerns I Love Lonesome Dove!
You are in good company here, Sarah 🙂 Many of us are fans.
Hi, I loved all the old westerns and I really like Yellowstone and I loved 1883. Have a great day and a great weekend.
Hi Alicia. I did think 1883 was the best Yellowstone spin off so far. Such a good story.
I prefer the old Westerns. To me, some of the new ones are often more like soap operas, and all of them seem more risque.
Well, I won’t argue that point with you, Janice. They are more risque 🙂
I don’t watch any of the new ones, as they aren’t on channels I get. However, I LOVE watching GRIT, and MeTV has some old westerns on, too. So, I get my fix watching the ones I grew up watching!
I’ve never watched GRIT TV. Is that an oldies but goodies station? We used to get MeTV but no longer where we are now. We just get TV Land and Cozi which do have some old western shows and movies.
What a unique blend of styles! Have you noticed any recent shows that really capture that Western vibe well?