Question: Thanks as always for talking to TV fans. Why no love for Netflix’s The Ranch? I am amazed at how good this show is. Ashton Kutcher and Sam Elliot are killing it as a real father/son relationship. This isn’t something that smacks of perfect father/son on other shows (I’m looking at you, This Is Us). This is real and heartbreaking. Kutcher consistently rises to Elliot’s level of greatness. So, I guess I’m asking why no award/Emmy love for these performances? And how are the ratings? —Dana
Matt Roush: Watching Sam Elliott on the Golden Globes, I was reminded of how great this veteran actor still is—not just on A Star Is Born, which should earn him a supporting Oscar nomination, but in The Ranch as well. His scenes with Ashton Kutcher are the heart and soul of the show, and in another time, they probably could have risen to the level of awards-show nominations—especially for Elliott, given his long career. But as I note just about every time I’m asked this question about any show, there are just a staggering number of shows and performances to choose from these days, and when even the brilliant Rita Moreno of Netflix’s One Day at a Time can get overlooked, countless others are going to be left out of the race. As for ratings: Who knows? Netflix is beyond secretive about such matters, but they seem pleased enough to extend The Ranch into a fourth season.
To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to: tvinsider.com