Yellowstone, Heartland and the Resurgence of the Modern Western

In the 1950s through about the early 1970s, Westerns on both the movie screen and network television where a total hit and a mainstay in programming. They made stars out of actors like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. The theme songs became ingrained in our culture. Theses show even inspired phrases and lines that have stuck with us through generations. But then for the next several decades, they largely faded away.

Now, Western-themed shows and movies have seemed to have a massive resurgence. And while I certainly enjoy several of them, one might ask “why the renewed interest”? I would guess that the answer to that question is more than one element. They can be very complex in nature and cover a number of deep topics. And the scenery is often simply stunning. In addition to the beautiful landscapes and wildlife featured in these stories, my guess is that some of the following concepts pay a big role in why this genre has won over so many.

A Simpler Life and Time

Whether or not the show or film takes place in the past like the old west, or in our modern world, there is something about the period or lifestyle that appeals to people.

For example “Walker: Independence” on the CW, which is a spinoff of “Walker” which is sort of a reboot of “Walker: Texas Ranger,” goes back to the 1800s and takes place in a dusty little town called Independence. This show includes all the classic elements of the old west folklore from saloon card games to outlaws. They didn’t have all of our modern luxuries or amenities, the Internet or in some cases even indoor plumbing. It was a simpler time.

As for modern day options like the Spectrum Original “Joe Pickett”, or the series “Longmire”, both about lawmen in small towns in the West, they focus on old-school policing and detective work along with the daily on goings of life outside big cities like New York or Los Angeles.

The Importance of Hard Work

While these shows and movies do focus on simpler life or times, that is not to be confused with having lives and times that are or where simple. In many case, the characters have daily lives that are quite difficult and even dangerous. The show “1883” which is origin story of “Yellowstone” on the Paramount Network is a great example of the struggles of people in a bygone age. On the other hand, “Yellowstone” itself, which takes place today, makes a point out of showing all the labor and drudgery that is part of working on a ranch. The notion put working with your hands, going manual labor and putting in a hard day’s work really seems to appeal to a wide range of viewers.

Value Systems

Then there is the side of these stories that touches upon deeply held values. One show that really comes to mind here is “Heartland,” which is actually based in Alberta, Canada. While it isn’t in the United States, it still very much fits the theme. This show is the longest running network television show in the history of the Canadian Broadcasting Company and for good reason.

It is a modern story focusing on a family owned and operated ranch and the relationships and challenges faced by the family members. It is extremely wholesome yet still engaging and deals with so many things that families everywhere deal with on a regular basis.

While this is just a small sampling of the options available for those seeking this genre, it hopefully gives you an idea of the incredible rebound Westerns have had in our society. And, at least some idea of why this might be the case.