Rhea Seehorn Counters Quentin Tarantino's Controversial TV Remarks
Rhea Seehorn, the acclaimed star of Better Call Saul and Pluribus, has publicly responded to director Quentin Tarantino's dismissive comments about television as a "forgettable" medium. In a recent interview at the SXSW film festival, Seehorn expressed her strong disagreement with Tarantino's assessment, which he made during a 2024 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Tarantino's Original Comments Spark Debate
During his podcast appearance, the Oscar-winning filmmaker argued that films hold a more lasting impact than television shows. "I'll see a good western movie, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life," Tarantino stated, implying that television lacks this enduring quality. This viewpoint has ignited discussions across the entertainment industry about the relative merits of different storytelling formats.
Seehorn's Defense of Television Storytelling
Seehorn, a veteran television actor, countered Tarantino's perspective by emphasizing that memorable content transcends format. "I mean, there's forgettable films just like there's forgettable television and then there's ones that stick with you," she told Rolling Stone's Brian Hiatt. The actress highlighted specific TV series that have left a lasting impression on her, including The Leftovers and Six Feet Under.
"Our shows, if I didn't have the great fortune of being in them, really stick with me. I'm still thinking about Leftovers. I'm still thinking about Six Feet Under. The storytelling is what sticks with you," Seehorn elaborated, underscoring that narrative depth, not medium, determines longevity in audience memory.
Vince Gilligan Weighs In on the Discussion
Seehorn was joined by her collaborator Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, who added his perspective. While acknowledging he barely knows Tarantino, Gilligan suggested the director's view might be personal. "I met him once for 10 seconds, I don't know Quentin Tarantino, but I betcha he's telling the truth for him," Gilligan remarked.
Gilligan also listed classic television shows that have remained memorable for him, such as The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show, M*A*S*H, and WKRP in Cincinnati. This reinforced the argument that television can indeed create enduring cultural touchstones.
Context of Tarantino's Divisive Statements
This is not the first instance where Tarantino's comments have stirred controversy. In late 2025, he faced backlash for criticizing actor Paul Dano's performance in There Will Be Blood, calling him a "weak, weak, uninteresting guy" and "the weakest f***ing actor in SAG" on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. Several high-profile actors, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Ben Stiller, publicly defended Dano, with Stiller praising him as "f***ing brilliant" on social media.
Seehorn's Current Projects and Accolades
Seehorn currently stars in Gilligan's sci-fi series Pluribus on Apple TV+, which premiered in November 2025. The show features Seehorn as Carol, a romance novelist tasked with saving humanity from a virus that turns people into a hive mind. Co-starring Karolina Wydra and Carlos Manuel Vesga, this marks Seehorn and Gilligan's second major collaboration following Better Call Saul.
Her performance in Pluribus has already earned her the Golden Globe for Best Female Actor in a Television Series Drama at the 2026 ceremony. Industry experts anticipate an Emmy nomination later this year, further cementing her status as a powerhouse in television.
The debate between Seehorn and Tarantino highlights broader conversations about artistic value in entertainment. While Tarantino champions film's legacy, Seehorn and Gilligan advocate for television's capacity to deliver profound, unforgettable narratives that resonate across generations.
