'Ozark': Lake Folks Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Netflix Series About Their Hometown

The new TV series "Ozark" hit Netflix in July, and there's been plenty of time for eager binge-watchers to get their fix. Here's what Lake of the Ozarks residents had to say about the show and how it depicts their stomping grounds...

What Do YOU Think?

Do you think the Netflix 'Ozark' series will be good or bad for Lake of the Ozarks?

QUESTION: What do you think about the Netflix Series “Ozark”?

I think it is a horrible representation of the Ozarks. The show depicts crime and corruption in a region that heavily depends on tourism. Not only that, it is filmed in Georgia, not Lake of the Ozarks like people think. Not only is it damaging the image of the Lake and the Ozarks, it is providing a minimum to the economy...

Randy Smith, Lake Ozark

My husband and I loved the show! It was funny and intense all at the same time. We binge watched it in short amounts of time, and we cannot wait for next season!

Tarrah Vaughn

It's always exciting to see our little bit of paradise get national attention. I'm on episode 4, so far so good. My only complaint is I think the radio at the Lake is better than they portray, but that's just one DJ's opinion.

Jeff Karr, Lake Ozark

Netflix Ozark is fairly accurate with how corrupt this area is, but it isn't the financial advisors, it's the local government.

James Gohagen, Camdenton

The characters were well-developed and the story moved quickly. As for how the lake area is portrayed, well...that depends on what part of the lake you want to compare it to. The main characters interact with some unsavory types, and...I hate to say it, but it's not entirely inaccurate...I've seen some pretty shady areas around the lake...and I'm not talking about the lovely tree-cover. The story isn't about the tourists and 2nd home kinda folks, so even though some of those people are portrayed, they are not the focus. Overall, I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing season 2!

Shawna Martin, Eldon/Olean

From what I watched, as I had to fast forward thru several parts because of the pornography and graphic violence was...I found it demeans the people of the Lake of the Ozarks by portraying them as stupid backwoods hillbillies, that are prone to nothing but look-the-other-way politico and clueless religion, and businesses that have a "scratch my back, and I’ll scratch your back" modus operandi.... shall I go on?

Julie Wideman, Osage Beach

I was appalled and could not watch it. They should be apologizing to the wonderful people that live at the lake. It truly hurt my heart.

Laura Greenleaf, Camdenton/Illinois

I thought it was a great show. I know some people think it paints the lake in a bad light, but I disagree. Everyone knows it's a work of fiction. All of the characters have incredible depth.

Ina Howe Burns, Sunrise Beach

Beautiful storyline. Anybody that has studied organized crime knows that KC is the central meeting point for the East and West Coast families. Lake of the Ozarks was built on corruption, (I have literature) it's a mafia playground where meetings are made, hands are shaken, and money is exchanged. Then it's back home. Herein lies the problem; the Ozark story lie, the actors, and the concept are Sopranos level - minus the Sopranos backdrop. In my mind, along with many other minds, it's not the unfair portraying of rednecks or hillbillies. The only reason it's not getting Soprano accolades is because they FAKED IT. Somebody told them about Shooters 21, someone told them about how the lake transformed in the 70s to the 90s and party cove. Someone told them how all the number of offshore powerboats blew up in two decades. Unfortunately, Netflix chose to go the cheap route and film a lake in GA then they portrayed it as Lake of the Ozarks in the 60s, rather than the deciduous forest covered Miami like shoreline that it really is during the summer. Sopranos was filmed in the heart of the city where everything went down. They are portraying a near real-life story on a fishing lake in Georgia. Honestly, I feel like Missouri should've stepped up to make sure that every piece of film that went to the public promoted Lake of the Ozarks as it really is, CORRUPT. That's really my only disappointment, but I can assure you I will watch every episode and I'm intrigued. I mean Jason Bateman. Hell yea.

Nathan Tramal, Camdenton/California