The Ranch

This article is about the American television sitcom. For other uses, seeRanch (disambiguation).

The Ranch
Genre	Sitcom Comedy drama
Created by	Don Reo Jim Patterson
Directed by	David Trainer
Starring	Ashton Kutcher Danny Masterson Debra Winger Sam Elliott Elisha Cuthbert
Opening theme	"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys"byLukas NelsonandShooter Jennings
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No.of seasons	4 (8 parts)
No.of episodes	80(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Don Reo Jim Patterson Ashton Kutcher Danny Masterson Jane Wiseman Blair Fetter Andy Weil Jerry Anglin
Producers	Jamie Rhonheimer Steve Tompkins Sam Elliott
Cinematography	Donald A. Morgan
Editor	Michael Karlich
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	25–35 minutes
Production company	Ranch Hand Productions
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	April 1, 2016(2016-04-01)– January 24, 2020(2020-01-24)

The Ranchis an Americansitcomseries. It starredAshton KutcherandDanny Masterson(who previously co-starred onThat '70s Show) as brothers Colt and Rooster Bennett, respectively; who help run theColoradocattle ranch owned by their father Beau (Sam Elliott). It also starredDebra Wingeras their mother Maggie, a local bar owner, andElisha Cuthbertas Colt's love interest Abby, a local schoolteacher. Other cast members fromThat 70s Showwho had recurring roles includedWilmer Valderrama,Kurtwood SmithandDebra Jo Rupp.It debuted in 2016 onNetflixand ran for four seasons in eight parts.

Each season consists of 20 episodes broken up into two parts, each containing 10 episodes, which are approximately 30 minutes in length. All episodes are named after Americancountry musicsongs.

Premise

The show takes place on Iron River Ranch, near the fictitious small town of Garrison, Colorado (population 512, as displayed on a sign in the opening credits). Dialogue places the town in southwestern Colorado (near the real town of Ouray, Colorado), about a six hour drive fromDenver.The series details the life of the Bennetts, a dysfunctional family consisting of brothers Colt and Rooster, their father Beau, and their mother Maggie who owns the local bar.

Cast

Main

• Ashton Kutcheras Colt Reagan Bennett, a former star quarterback for his high school football team who returns to his hometown after a fifteen-year absence to help his father and older brother on their family ranch while waiting for a tryout with a new semi-pro team in Denver. In the first episode, Colt reveals that he was the third-string quarterback for theFlorida Stateteam that won theNational Championshipin 1999. He pursued a professional career with little success, never finding regular playing time or stardom even on semi-pro teams, but hanging on in backup roles and onpractice squads.Colt is frequently the butt of jokes, particularly when it comes to his lack of ranching skills, sub-par intelligence, and unsuccessful pro football career. He is aheavy drinkerand has a habit of not using common sense, often acting before he thinks, but he is friendly and cares about other people deep down. Based on his various T-shirts and dialogue, it's implied Colt has played for theBarcelona Dragons,San Jose SaberCats,Spokane Shock,Orlando Predators,Nebraska Danger,Sioux City Bandits,Iowa Barnstormers,Green Bay Blizzard,Minnesota Axemen,Portland Forest DragonsandPhiladelphia Soul.Dialogue and team gear also indicate that he was a member of teams inCanada,notably theOttawa Redblacksand fictionalSaskatoonCold ( "Like theMiami Heat... only cold "). He has also played on teams inAlaskaand was a member of theBuffalo Billspractice squad. He later marries Abby, his high school sweetheart, and they become the parents of a daughter they name Peyton.
• Danny Mastersonas Jameson "Rooster" Ford Bennett (seasons 1–3), Colt's older brother. He has lived and worked on the ranch since Colt left to follow his football career, at times showing a bitter attitude for accepting the responsibility while Colt pursued his dream. Despite living in Colt's shadow, he is far more competent on the ranch and a more rational thinker. He has, however, been just as immature as Colt, drinking too much and slacking off. In the first half of part 5, Rooster gets into a rivalry with his ex-girlfriend Mary's intimidating boyfriend Nick, and in the second episode of Part 6, it is discovered that Rooster's motorcycle went off the side of a dangerous road; he is missing and presumed dead.
• Debra Wingeras Maggie Bennett, owner of Maggie's bar, and Colt and Rooster's mother. Maggie is at firstseparatedand laterdivorcedfrom Beau and lives in a trailer behind the bar she owns. Maggie is a free-thinker, an environmentalist, and an avidmarijuanasmoker. Much more patient and laid-back than Beau, Colt and Rooster often seek her company and advice on how to deal with problems, especially those concerning Beau.
• Sam Elliottas Beau Roosevelt Bennett, Maggie's ex-husband, and Colt and Rooster's father. AVietnam Warveteran, he has worked the ranch since returning from the war and taking it over after his father died. He is a curmudgeon, constantly annoyed with everyone and everything. He has a strained relationship with Rooster and Colt. He hates modern amenities and is easily angered by Colt and Rooster's antics. Beau appears to be aRepublicanwith a soft-spot forRonald Reaganbut at times seems to despise all politicians regardless of affiliation.
• Elisha Cuthbertas Abby Phillips-Bennett (seasons 2–4; recurring, season 1), a Garrison High School history teacher and Colt's high school sweetheart. As the series begins, Abby has been in a five-year relationship with Kenny Ballard and briefly becomes engaged to him. As the series progresses, she breaks off her engagement to Kenny to reconnect with Colt, ultimately marrying Colt and having a baby girl, Peyton, with him.

Recurring

• Barry Corbinas Dale Rivers, a hearing-impaired veterinarian and close friend of Beau's
• Grady Lee Richmond as Hank McGinty, a regular Maggie's patron; also brother to Father McGinty
• Bret Harrisonas Kenny Ballard, aCourtyard by Marriottmanager, former classmate of Colt and Abby, and Abby's ex-fiancé
• Megyn Priceas Mary Roth, aCracker Barrelwaitress and Rooster's love interest; she later has a relationship with Luke after Rooster disappears
• Kelli Gossas Heather Roth, Mary's younger daughter and Colt's brief love interest
• Molly McCookas Darlene Roth, Mary's older daughter
• Kathy Bakeras Joanne, Beau's girlfriend following his divorce, and Mary's coworker at the Cracker Barrel
• Ethan Supleeas "Beer Pong" Billy Tompkins, a Sheriff's Deputy, and high school friend of Colt and Rooster's
• Justin Mooney as Deputy Wilkerson, a former schoolmate of Colt and Rooster's with whom Colt has an antagonistic rapport
• Aimee Teegardenas Nikki, Heather's friend and Billy's fiancée
• Chasty Ballesterosas Tanya Showers, a weather reporter and Kenny's girlfriend following his breakup with Abby
• Laura Vallejo as Maria, a Maggie's waitress
• Sharon Lawrenceas Brenda Sanders, a widowed hairdresser who befriended Beau when he and Maggie separated
• Dawan Owens as Rich, a Neumann's Hill employee who is briefly Rooster's supervisor
• Maggie Lawsonas Jen, an engineer who wants to build a pipeline underneath the Bennett Ranch and Rooster's brief love interest
• Wendie Malickas Lisa Neumann, owner of the Neumann's Hill ranching corporation
• Dax Shepardas Luke Matthews, the son of Beau's late brother Greg who arrives after Rooster's disappearance
• Stephen Sauxas Mike, a motel manager, first seen at the Thomas Rhett concert
• Van Epperson as Father McGinty, a Priest who performs the wedding ceremony for Beau and Joanne and Peyton's baptism; also brother to Hank McGinty
• Travis Case as Toby Henderson, Colt's high school classmate, who runs the neighboring Henderson Ranch
• Josh Burrow as Nick, Mary's abusive ex-husband
• Casey Sanderas Roger Hollister, Colt's neighboring rancher

Special guests

• Jon Cryeras Bill Jensen (seasons 1–2), a loan officer and former high school football referee
• Wilmer Valderramaas Umberto (seasons 1–2), a former Iron River ranch hand
• Martin Mullas Jerry, Maggie's sometimes acid-tripping attorney
• John Amosas Ed Bishop (seasons 1–2), a longtime family friend of the Bennetts and a Neumann's Hill employee
• Thomas F. Wilsonas Coach Fitzgerald (season 1), the Garrison High School head football coach
• Debra Jo Ruppas Janice Phillips (seasons 2–4), Abby's mother
• Jim Beaveras Chuck Phillips (seasons 2–4), Abby's father
• Conchata Ferrellas Shirley (season 2)
• Lou Diamond Phillipsas Clint (season 2), a traveling musician attracted to Maggie
• Kurtwood Smithas Sam Peterson (seasons 2–4), neighbor of the Iron River Ranch who sells his ranch to Colt and Rooster
• Nancy Travisas Karen (season 3), Maggie's estranged sister
• Joe Firstman,Pearl Charles,Kurt Neumann,Bukka Allen, Sam Hawksley andThomas Rhettall make cameo appearances

Valderrama, Rupp and Smith had all previously worked together onThat 70's Show,alongside Kutcher and Masterson.

Cryer, Ferrell and Lawson had all previously worked together onTwo and a Half Men,alongside Kutcher.

Episodes

Main article:List of The Ranch episodes

Part	Season	Episodes		Originally released
1	1	10		April 1, 2016(2016-04-01)
2		10		October 7, 2016(2016-10-07)
3	2	10		June 16, 2017(2017-06-16)
4		10		December 15, 2017(2017-12-15)
5	3	10		June 15, 2018(2018-06-15)
6		10		December 7, 2018(2018-12-07)
7	4	10		September 13, 2019(2019-09-13)
8		10		January 24, 2020(2020-01-24)

Release

The first ten episodes premiered on April 1, 2016,the second batch of ten episodes premiered on October 7, 2016. In April 2016, Netflix renewedThe Ranchfor a second season of 20 episodes,the first half of which premiered on June 16, 2017,and the second half was released on December 15, 2017.

On July 4, 2017, Netflix announced through its officialThe RanchTwitter account that the show had been renewed for a third season of 20 episodes, the first ten of which aired on June 15, 2018.In December 2017, it was announced that Masterson had been written out of the show following multiple sexual assault allegations made against him, and appeared in only the first 10 episodes of the third season.

On October 31, 2018, Netflix renewed the series for a fourth and final season with the series to conclude in 2020.On August 21, 2019, it was announced that the first part of the final season (Part 7) was set to premiere on September 13, 2019.On December 9, 2019, it was reported that the second part of the final season (part 8) was set to be released on January 24, 2020.

Reception

Critical response

The Ranchhas earned mixed to positive reviews from critics. Thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoesgives the series an average approval rating of 63% (60% for season 1, 67% for season 2) based on 141 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A formulaic set-up and predictable plotting are elevated byThe Ranch's surprising sensitivity and strong performances. "Metacriticgave the series a score of 56 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Writing forSlatein a positive review, television critic Willa Paskin wrote of the show, "The Ranchis a red-state sitcom, though it takes place in the swing state of Colorado, and is good enough to be watched by people of any political affiliation "and" The goodness sneaks up on you. "Los Angeles Timeswrote: "[Elliott and Winger's] scenes together, as restrained as they are, are the show's most emotionally resonant. You will want to check them out."

Accolades

Award	Year	Category	Recipients	Episode	Result	Ref.
Primetime Emmy Awards	2017	Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series	Donald A. Morgan	"Easy Come, Easy Go"	Won
	2018			"Do What You Gotta Do"	Nominated
	2019			"Reckless"	Won
	2020			"It Ain't My Fault"	Won
		Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-hour) and Animation	Laura L. King, Bob La Masney, Kathy Oldham, and Ryan Kennedy	"Fadeaway"	Nominated

Filming locations

The Ranchwas filmed on asound stagein front of a live audience at Warner Brothers Studio stage 19 inBurbank, California.The opening sequence shows scenes fromNorwood,andOuray,Colorado, and the surrounding Ouray, and San Miguel Counties.

Exterior shots of Maggie's bar is the 141 Saloon (now a marijuana dispensary) located at 138 E. Main St. inNaturita, Colorado,a former uranium mining town.

External links

• The RanchatIMDb