Cast

Main

• Ashton Kutcher as Colt Bennett, a high school college football star who returns to his hometown after a fifteen-year absence for a tryout, ultimately assists his father and older brother on their family ranch. Colt is often the butt of jokes from his father and brother, especially when it comes to his ranching skills (or lack thereof). He is a heavy drinker and has a penchant for not using common sense, but he has a heart of gold and tries to do right by others.
• Danny Masterson as Jameson “Rooster” Bennett, Colt’s older brother. He has lived and worked on the ranch since Colt left his career career. Despite living in Colt’s shadow he is far more competent on the ranch as well as a more level headed thinker. He has just been irresponsible as Colt, drinking too much and sleeping around.
• Debra Winger as Margaret “Maggie” Bennett, owner of Maggie’s, and Colt and Rooster’s mother. Maggie is divorced from Beautiful and lives in a trailer behind the bar she owns. Much more lighthearted and caring than Beau, her company and advice is often sought out by the boys on how to deal with problems, especially those about their father. Maggie is something of a hippie and is an avid marijuana grower.
• Elisha Cuthbert as Abigail “Abby” Phillips, a Garrison High School history teacher and Colt’s high school and current girlfriend. Abby was in a five-year relationship with Kenny and was briefly engaged to him, but ultimately she broke it off and hooked back up with Colt. (Recurring, season 1, main cast, season 2)
• Sam Elliott as Beau Bennett, Maggie’s ex-husband, and Colt and Rooster’s father. A Vietnam War veteran, he has worked the ranch since returning from the war and taking it over after his father died. Beautiful is difficult to get along with, perpetually annoyed with everyone and everything. He detests many modern amenities and is easily angered by his sons’ antics. Beautiful Appears to be a Republican with a special affinity for Ronald Reagan purpose at times Seems To despise all politicians Regardless of affiliation.

Recurring

• Barry Corbin as Dale Rivers, a hearing-impaired veterinarian and close friend of Beau’s
• Grady Lee Richmond as Hank, a regular Maggie’s boss
• Bret Harrison as Kenneth “Kenny” Ballard, a Courtyard by Marriott manager and Abby’s ex-fiancé
• Megyn Price as Mary Roth, a Cracker Barrel waitress and Rooster’s older girlfriend
• Kelli Goss as Heather Roth, Mary’s younger daughter and Colt’s ex-girlfriend, pregnant with their child.
• Molly McCook as Darlene Roth, Mary’s older daughter
• Kathy Baker as Joanne, a Cracker Barrel waitress, Mary’s friend, and potential new love interest for Beautiful
• Ethan Suplee as “Beer Pong Billy” Tompkins, police officer and high school friend of Colt and Rooster’s
• Aimee Teegarden as Nikki, Heather’s friend and Billy’s fiancee
• Chasty Ballesteros as Tanya Showers, sexy weather reporter and Kenny’s current girlfriend
• Laura Vallejo as Maria, a Maggie’s waitress
• Sharon Lawrence as Brenda Sanders, a widowed hairdresser who befriended Beautiful when he and Maggie separated

Special Guests

• Jon Cryer as Bill Jensen, a loan officer and high school football referee
• Wilmer Valderrama as Umberto, Former Iron River ranch hand, now working for Neumann’s Hill at the Little Pony Ranch. He is Rooster and Colt’s friend.
• Martin Mull as Jerry, Maggie’s sometimes acid-tripping attorney
• John Amos as Ed Bishop, a longtime family friend of the Bennetts and a Neumann’s Hill employee
• Thomas F. Wilson as Coach Fitzgerald, the Garrison High School head coach
• Debra Jo Rupp as Janice Phillips, Abby’s mother
• Jim Beaver as Chuck Phillips, Abby’s father, who like Janice is disdainful of Abby’s relationship with Colt
• Conchata Ferrell as Shirley
• Lou Diamond Phillips as Clint, a traveling musician attracted to Maggie

Cameos

• Joe Firstman
• Pearl Charles
• Kurt Neumann
• Bukka Allen
• Sam Hawksley

Episodes

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2017)

Reception

The Ranch has been put together with reviews from critics. The review aggregator website The Rotten Tomatoes gives the series an approval rating of 56% based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 5.1 / 10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “A formulaic set-up and predictable plotting are elevated by The Ranch’s surprising sensitivity and strong performance.” ^[10] Metacritic gave the series a score of 56 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews”. ^[11]

Writing for Slate in a Positive Review, Television Critic Willa Paskin wrote about the show, ” The Ranch is 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. ” ^[12] Los Angeles Times wrote: “[Elliott and Winger’s scenes together, as restrained as they are, are the most emotionally resonant show. ^[13]

References