Kevin Costner gets testy with Gayle King’s relentless ‘Yellowstone’ questions: ‘This isn’t therapy’

Kevin Costner faced probing questions from Gayle King on his official “Yellowstone” departure — and he wasn’t happy.

Speculation has swirled of friction between Costner and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, since rumors of the actor’s exit surfaced in May 2023. A year later, Costner officially confirmed on June 21 that he wasn’t returning to the Paramount+ series.

On the June 27 episode of CBS Mornings, King, 69, pushed the Oscar-winning actor to his limit, questioning if he and Sheridan are “playing a game of ‘whose [ego] is bigger?’” in an awkward exchange.

“[People] say because of ‘Horizon,’ it caused problems for you on ‘Yellowstone,’” she said. “People say this about the two of you: both big egos, both very powerful, both at the top of their game, and that right now, maybe you two are playing a game of whose is bigger? Do you see it that way? Whose is bigger, Kevin?”

Costner, 69, responded, “I love the show.”

“I loved the show before anybody. It was Taylor and myself. The truth never changes – that love was really strong. The idea of going back – I would do that in a second if I felt that it was … If it was something that I could do, wanted to do, I would make it fit,” he added.

Despite Costner’s clear avoidance of the question, the veteran journalist pushed more on why he and Sheridan haven’t been “able to work it out.”

“But the characterization of you isn’t necessarily flattering,” King told him. “You made demands, you want to have a certain schedule, you want to shoot at a certain time, you want certain money.”
King added: “If it’s not that hard, why can’t the two of you be able to work it out? People would love to see that.”

This isn’t therapy, Gayle, I mean we’re not gonna discuss this on the show,” Costner replied.

King then insisted that she’s “a good therapist,” but Costner reiterated everything he’s previously said about the series. He noted he has conducted his life “in a pretty straightforward way” and has “never missed any obligations” throughout his whole career.