Taylor Sheridan isn’t holding back when it comes to Los Angeles.

During a recent appearance on the Rodeo Time podcast, the 56-year-old showrunner didn’t mince words. He called the city an “awful place” and went on to explain exactly why he’s been able to build a Hollywood empire from his home base in Granbury, Texas — without ever setting foot in the city for seven years.

“I’m the biggest content creator in Hollywood, and I haven’t been to that sorry son of a b—– in seven years,” Sheridan said.

That’s not just a casual jab. It’s a statement of principle.

Sheridan has spent the last decade turning his Texas studio into one of the most successful production companies in the business. His home, known as Bosque Ranch, sits in North Texas, and his SGS Studios — complete with sound stages and constructed sets — is located in Fort Worth. From there, he’s created some of television’s biggest hits: Yellowstone, Landman, Tulsa King, The Madison, Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, and the expanding Dutton Ranch universe. All of it, he says, is possible because he refuses to live in Los Angeles.

The Real Reason He Calls LA an “Awful Place”

Sheridan’s frustration with Los Angeles runs much deeper than a few bad memories of the city. He opened up about growing up in the entertainment industry, watching how most directors operate.

“I watch these directors, most of them yell at everybody, yell at their crew, yell at people,” he explained. “It’s a leadership by frustration. It’s a terrible way to lead, and it creates an atmosphere that nobody wants to be a part of.”

Sheridan saw it all as an actor in Los Angeles. He saw how quickly people could turn toxic when power and ego took over. That experience taught him something important: without the camera operators, the costume designers, the production designers, and every single person on set, nothing gets made. So he decided to treat his crew with real respect — to lead with appreciation instead of frustration.

“I watch these directors… It’s a terrible way to lead,” he said. “So unless I’m willing to do it, I better be real nice when I ask someone to do it, and I better be real appreciative when they do.”

That philosophy has become his signature leadership style. And it’s one of the reasons so many of his stars have spoken so highly of working with him.

What the Cast Actually Thinks of Taylor Sheridan

His approach has clearly paid off. Michael Kelly, who stars in Lioness, gave one of the most glowing tributes yet.

“Bro, anything you ever want me to do, I’ll do. I love being in Texas. I love saying your words,” Kelly said earlier this month. “I think he’s truly a standalone talent. There’s nobody who’s doing or has ever done what he’s doing. It’s incredible what he does. And he’s just one of the smartest dudes you’ll ever meet. He’s fricking brilliant, man. Brilliant. And just one of the greatest storytellers.”

Zoe Saldaña echoed the sentiment, praising Sheridan for writing complex, “wholesome” female characters. “If there’s one thing that I love the most, it’s men that really see women and know how to write women,” she told CBS Mornings. “They may not be perfect, but then again, human beings weren’t made to be perfect.”

Why Taylor Sheridan Chose Texas Over Los Angeles

Sheridan’s choice to stay in Texas isn’t just about the weather or the lower cost of living. It’s about control. In Texas, he has full creative control. He can write stories the way he wants. He can cast people he trusts. He can film on his own land and in his own studio. And he can avoid the endless drama and toxic culture that has plagued Los Angeles for decades.

“I’ve done it from Granbury, Texas,” he said. “I’ve been able to do it from my own studio in Fort Worth.”

That freedom has allowed him to build a massive empire without ever having to move to the city he now calls “awful.”

The Legacy Taylor Sheridan Is Leaving Behind

Taylor Sheridan has become one of the most influential figures in modern television. His shows have dominated ratings, broken cultural moments, and earned countless awards. But more importantly, he’s done it with a different approach — one that respects people, values work, and puts the story first.

Whether it’s the raw emotion of Yellowstone, the intense crime drama of Landman, or the action-packed Tulsa King, Sheridan’s vision is unmistakable. And now he’s proving that you don’t need Los Angeles to succeed in Hollywood.

He just needed Texas. He just needed respect. He just needed to say no to being “awful.”

And the rest of us are all the better for it.