Mashed Potatoes Without Gravy

Here is an excellent example of a "star" who is a major jerk when things don't go his way. This is an interview on Canadian radio, the CBC, of Billy Bob Thornton and his band. Thornton throws a hissy-fit because the interviewer, Gian Gomeshi, prefaces his interview with comments about Billy Bob Thornton's acting and screenwriting career.

For me, the best bit in this interview is at 11:25 into it when Thornton complains about reserved Canadians are just too bland, they are like "mashed potatoes with no gravy" (at 12:00). Thornton complains because Canadians just sit in their seats and listen to the music at the concert. Apparantly his idea of a "good" audience is one that is throwing chairs and beating each other to a pulp to show their "affection" for the music. Bizarre.

This has got to be the most painful interview ever held. Notice how Jian Ghomesi shows his Canadian colours by working very hard to soothe Thornton's "outrage" and works hard to keep the interview on track:



Updated 2009apr22: Billy Bob Thornton continues to stick his foot in his mouth and insult an ever-widening group of people. Here's an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live:

Billy Bob Thornton says he's shocked that his recent blow-up on CBC Radio made international headlines, adding that the incident gave "humpbacked geeks" something to do.

Thornton made the comments Tuesday on the U.S. late-night TV talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live.

"The fact that that was news was astounding to me," Thornton told Kimmel. "But it gave humpbacked geeks all over the world something to do for a couple of days."

The actor has kept a low profile since his bizarre CBC appearance earlier this month alongside his band, the Boxmasters.

During that interview, he was at turns belligerent and cryptic, apparently upset that host Jian Ghomeshi made mention of his acting career. Thornton says CBC had been asked to stay away from the topic.