Edited By
Sarah O'Neil

In an unexpected turn of events, ChatGPT continues to dismiss the hit series "Landman" as a non-existent entity. This comes after a user engaged the AI about a pivotal scene in Season 1, only for it to mistake an official YouTube clip for a fan-made creation.
On November 28, 2025, a user requested an explanation of the big oil deal scene from Season 1, Episode 7—where Monty drops $300 million in cash, bypassing banks. Despite clearly stating the episode's details, ChatGPT responded:
"I can’t find any evidence that a series called Landman exists ¯_(ツ)_/¯ maybe you mean the oil industry term ‘landman’?"
This initial confusion escalated when the user provided a verified link to the official Paramount+ channel, which has millions of views. ChatGPT's follow-up remark flabbergasted fans:
"Sorry, I couldn’t load the video… it might be a fan-made trailer, a mock-up, a concept, or completely unrelated content."
"Landman," created by Taylor Sheridan, is a neo-Western drama centered on the Texas oil boom. The series, starring Billy Bob Thornton, explores the lives of those navigating wealth and risk in the oil industry, juggling themes of masculinity and corporate power.
Since its premiere on November 17, 2024, critics have generally found the series engaging, holding a score in the high 70% range on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers appreciate Thornton’s performance even while debating the show’s portrayal of women and politics. One comment from a fan noted:
"It’s like Yellowstone meets Succession, but in the Permian Basin."
Fans have reacted with a mix of amusement and frustration. Some even touted similar experiences with the AI, highlighting a broader issue of AI accuracy. Key comments reveal contrasting experiences:
One user remarked about their own Spanish input yielding the same confusion.
Another shared a more detailed summary of the show’s critical elements that should have clarified ChatGPT’s oversight.
▽ ChatGPT insisted the show "Landman" might not exist despite official evidence.
🏆 The series has been met with favorable criticism since its launch.
📈 "Landman" dives deep into the socio-economic impacts of the oil industry.
What does this incident reveal about the limitations and inconsistencies in AI understanding? As technology progresses, so too must our expectations of its comprehension.
There's a strong chance that incidents like this one will keep happening as AI systems grapple with the complexities of public discourse and culture. Experts estimate that companies will invest more in training AI to understand contemporary media content accurately. This could lead to significant improvements within the next year or two. Improved algorithms may enhance context recognition, but this won’t happen overnight. Until then, people will continue to witness AI confusion, likely leading to more online discussions about AI capabilities and limitations.
This situation is reminiscent of how early telephone systems struggled to connect users across towns, often leading to bizarre conversations. Just as those early adopters faced frustration when technology failed them, today’s users are left rolling their eyes at AI misunderstanding its cultural references. The miscommunication—whether across wires or in code—illustrates the ongoing challenge of bridging the gap between human experience and artificial understanding. It reminds us that technology must continuously evolve to meet our ever-changing narratives.