Slate Daily Feed Culture Gabfest: The Biggest Show on Paramount Is Big Oil Propaganda Edition
Dec 17, 2025
This week features Rebecca Onion, a Slate senior writer with a keen eye for television criticism. She joins the hosts to dive into Taylor Sheridan's Landman, exploring Billy Bob Thornton's captivating performance and the show's intriguing take on masculinity. The conversation shifts to HBO's Heated Rivalry, tackling its steamy portrayal of gay hockey romance and the debate over its focus on romance versus sport. Finally, they pay tribute to Rob Reiner, sharing unforgettable moments from his iconic films and celebrating his extraordinary impact on cinema.
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Episode notes
Charismatic Fixer Anchors The Show
- Landman centers on a charismatic, hyper-competent male fixer whose expertise anchors the show.
- The series seduces viewers into sympathy for a fossil-fuel world by immersive worldbuilding and performance, especially Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Norris.
Oil Industry Portrayed As Essential But Fleeting
- Landman both romanticizes and acknowledges the oil industry's centrality to modern life.
- The show hints that fossil fortunes will be transient and suggests building alternate inheritances for future generations.
Gender Dynamics Skew Toward Male Bonding
- Landman often presents gender dynamics through a nostalgic, patriarchal lens that rewards male bonding scenes.
- Female characters frequently register as caricatures, creating a reverse Bechdel dynamic critics notice.