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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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chuck
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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.
no one else but kimmel would book him…
Thorton should be glad this blew up , he hasn’t so much publicity ….in a looooong time…He cancelled all his tour dates in Canada after they boooed him at length at a gig or two.
LAter B-B …waiting for an Oscar worthy follow-up if you think you can do it.
It is unfortunate that BBT does not realize that the CBC is a radio/television network that does not pander to ego-driven actors, had BBT been a singer with a no name band he would not have been a guest on “Q” with the host – not “DJ” also they do not submit questions to guests prior to interviews or approval of the introduction script.
I could understand him being angry if the DJ peppered him with questions about his movies. But the guy just mentioned it as biographical information. The DJ was a lot nicer than I would have been. I would have ejected him from the studio and continued the interview with his bandmates. They were very professional and seemed embarrassed at BB’s behavior.
I’d much rather be a “humpback geek” than a egotistical, talentless loser.
@intoronto: what are you talking about? Canadians are “ditzy”? The DJ was being “disrespectful”? BBT was being “polite”? Huh??? Either you haven’t watched the interview or you’re BBT using an alias…
When regular folk have a “getting old” crisis, they might go out and buy a sportscar or have an affair with a much younger person. BB Thornton starts a rock band in his fifties (he looks like he’s in his sixties). His so-called band ought to be named the Lizard Kings, but that’s already taken. The songs totally suck and BBT can’t sing anyway. Stick with what you’re good at BB, and while you’re also good at being a rude pompous jerk, you can drop that anytime. Besides hating being a geezer, what’s your real problem? Is Angelina too damn happy?
As for Kimmel, he is a total ass-kissing tool because he is jealous of his guests.
I would have given a modicum of respect back if he at least owned up to his part in the controversy and admitted he was being an ass. But he is still sure in his mind that the way he acted was justifiable. Get bent.
God, I’m a humpback geek AND a Canadian. Might as well go jump off a bridge, according to BBT. Hate.
I’ve lost all respect for Jimmy Kimmel. Looks like he was the ONLY talk-show host willing to stick to BBT’s script. Pity – I used to watch his show. Won’t make that mistake again.
arrogant twit
Everyone needs to relax. I’m Canadian and I could care less what BBT said? Billy Bob had a right to be annoyed, he shouldn’t have lashed out at all Canadian Audiences “Mashed Potatoes without the Gravy”, but he has every right to throw the interview if he wants. People are so damn touchy anymore… to never watch Kimmel again because of this interview? That is just way overboard. People need to RELAX!! When did society lose the ability to laugh and move on.
What Angelina Jolie saw in Thornton, I’ll never know. He totally grosses me out. And that song was embarrassingly bad! And Kimmel came across as a total fanboy not asking any of the questions his audience would have loved to have answered.
The really annoying thing is that, as ticked off as I am with his behaviour, it won’t stop me watching his movies because he makes very good movies. I mean, Bette Davies and Joan Crawford were both completely nuts but they made some great films. What can you do?
Although I have no interest in listening to anything more by the Boxmasters. They are tediously average. If Thornton thinks they could be doing as well as they are without his fame kicking them along the road, he is kidding himself big time.
Really the only satisfying thing would be if every interviewer gave him a hard time until he acknowledged that he was acting like a dick, but if Kimmel’s interview is anything to go by, fat chance of that.
Thorton has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which means that he walks around with an undeserved sense of entitlement and he is not able to understand that his behavior, not others, is the cause of the problems in his life.
Being annoyed is one thing being a gerk is another. This guy keeps insulting people, I think it must be his way of coping with a ego that’s much bigger then he can handle. Frankly I think the incident in Toronto had nothing to do Jian Ghomeshi but eveerything to do with the fact that BBT couldent smoke where he wanted to.
Jimmy Kimmel is being a suck. No other talk show host
would have rolled over like that. He should be embarrassed. If I had ever watched his show I would certainly stop after this Also Billy Bob, isn’t a drummer being a musician kind of like a podiatrist being a doctor??