Billy Bob Thornton was all smiles on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, yukking it up about life on the road with his band the Boxmasters and telling a “funny” anecdote about eating a big steak. It was a huge contrast from his widely-viewed interview with a Canadian DJ earlier this month, when Thornton turned into a grim avenger of hostile absurdism.
Did you watch that much YouTube-hit video? Then you, according to Thornton last night, are a “humpback geek,” as he described anyone who thought his rude behavior was fascinatingly appalling. If you want to be an object of Billy Bob’s contempt again, here’s the offending Canadian interview:
Kimmel began the interview promisingly, asking Thornton with mock-deference whether it was alright to refer to him as an actor, since mention of his primary profession was what caused the Canadian trouble. But disappointingly, Kimmel let Thornton off the hook. When the actor explained why he wielded his movie-star power to humiliate a modest disc jockey — or as Thornton called DJ Jian Ghomeshi, “some guy who lied to me” — he said vaguely, “a deal is a deal.”
Yet as the original video shows, the DJ explained that no such “deal” (i.e., not mentioning that Thornton has a career outside of his band the Boxmasters) was made with Ghomeshi. That guy was the victim of a star using his power to do his best to humiliate. But all Kimmel said was, “I understand. It’s rude.” Oh, Jimmy, you’re usually on the side of the little guy. You really think that Canadian host was “rude” to merely mention that Thornton is an award-winning actor and screenwriter?
Oh yeah, the Boxmasters performed a song on Kimmel last night. Thornton, the humble drummer, was front and center as lead singer. The song was nothing special.
EARLIER:
Apparently Thorton is quite willing to be charming, provided everyone does what he says. As if the band would be on the show at all if it wasn’t for his movie stardom.
So is the mystery flu that caused the band to be fired, ooops, make that ‘drop out’ of Willie Nelson’s tour all cleared up then? B Bob is a tool.
BBT is quite the liar. There are no “deals” made with celebrities on the CBC (which is a government funded network). Perhaps he was mistaking the show for one of those promotional infotainment shows like Entertainment Tonight? He’s just a talentless schmuck – and a jack*ss to boot.
I was mad and surprised that Jimmy Kimmel sucked up to him. And why could Jimmy mention that BBT was a star with an Oscar but the other interviewer could not? BBT is a freak and the song was awful.
If you’ve lived in Canada for even a little while, you’d realize how polite BB was actually being. The dj was exhibiting the worst ever Canadian characteristic, passive-agressive provocation, which is easy to dismiss as mere ditziness unless you’ve had experience with it. Believe me, most self-described impotent Canadians would badmouth Americans any chance they get, don’t be so surprised this one was being disrespectful on air. If anything, it was the dj who was abusing his “power” on air.
If you’ve lived in Canada for even a little while, you’d realize how polite BB was actually being. The dj was exhibiting the worst ever Canadian characteristic, passive-agressive provocation, which is easy to dismiss as mere ditziness unless you’ve had experience with it. Believe me, most self-described impotent Canadians would badmouth Americans any chance they get, don’t be so surprised this one was being disrespectful on air. If anything, it was the dj who was abusing his “power” on air.
What an egotistical jackass. Alienating an entire country from his music/band and possibly even his “acting” career (dare I say it … maybe he’ll come after me now for mentioning it) certainly wasn’t the smartest thing he’s ever done. I, for one, will NEVER watch a movie he’s in ever again, nor would I waste my time or money on seeing a Boxmaster “concert”.
So if BillyBob is so serious about his music, why are none of his other bandmates participating in the interview? And why is Jimmy allowed to comment on BillyBob’s acting career and awards in the intro? When the same intro was used for the radio interview, BillyBob had a hissy fit… Maybe he knows that he can’t get away with that one twice… or knows that he won’t be able to tour anywhere if he pulls it again…
Sad Jimmy…sad! He should of nailed him.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/22/tv-tonight-wednesday-april-22nd-2009/
Maybe he’s just a bit of a xenophobe. His description of Canadians as ‘potatoes with no gravy’ who ‘just kinda sit there’ at his gigs (though you wonder if that’s just because they’re rubbish) and his gleeful description of his rudeness to a German DJ, while he is perfectly polite to Kimmel does make you wonder. I don’t want to overreact, but given that immoronto thinks that Ghomeshi was displaying the worst Canadian characteristics by staying calm and standing his ground in the interview, Thornton would appear to be doing a much better job of confirming people’s worse suspicions about Americans being brash and insensitive.
Thanks for letting us know that Billy Bob had resurfaced! Do you need our help to bury him again?
I’ve never really cared for his acting but now I pretty much hate the guy! The Boxmasters played my hometown a while back. Salina, KS. Yeah never heard of it huh? That’s because it’s the butt hole of the US. His music sucks and so does he…
I lost alot of respect for him. Simply say you made a mistake and move on. He chose to take the low road.
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/
chuck
chuck
Come on, we all know Billy Bob is a nut. Why are we surprised that he lost it over something stupid? Watched “Sling Blade” again the other day. Still awesome.
I already lost respect for BBT with that DJ interview. Now…I lost respect for Jimmy Kimmel for kissing up to BBT. What the heck? What a tool Kimmel was.