It’s every journalist’s nightmare: an interview with a star that goes horribly wrong. In an interview Wednesday morning in Toronto, Canada, on the CBC radio show Studio Q, Billy Bob Thornton refused to answer questions posed to him by the show’s host, Jian Ghomeshi, and then, when confronted by Ghomeshi, lectured the host on how to do his job. Thornton — on tour with his band The Boxmasters promoting their third album this year, Mod Billy — took offense that Ghomeshi mentioned Thornton’s film career during the introduction for the show. It’s unclear why this was such a terrible transgression, but from that point on, Thornton evaded or ignored Ghomeshi’s questions. When asked about his band being together for only two years, Thornton responded: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And then, when asked the question more directly, he said, “I don’t know what you mean.” It went downhill from there. The band is currently on tour with Willie Nelson, but when Ghomeshi asked Thornton, “What do you learn from Willie Nelson?” Thornton responded: “I’ve never met him.” The tension built to a confrontation, with Thornton telling Ghomeshi that the host was “instructed not to discuss” Thornton’s film career. Ghomeshi respectfully tried to resolve the situation and move on, but to little effect. At the end of the segment, when the band was supposed to play a track from their album, Thornton said the band would be performing without him because he didn’t bring his drums. He soon afterward stood up and walked out of the studio.
What’s particularly odd about this incident is that Thornton, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for Sling Blade and was once married to Angelina Jolie, is typically one the best interviews around — funny, engaging, a born storyteller and willing to psychoanalyze himself (and his costars) on the record. Given that, there’s already speculation floating around the web that Thornton was under the influence for this interview. His spokesman, Arnold Robinson, says that is flatly untrue. “Billy Bob clearly just had an issue with the guy,” Robinson says. Robinson confirms that while it’s true Thornton does not like to be asked about his movie career while he’s out promoting his band, Ghomeshi was never “instructed” to avoid the topic. “Bottom line: We don’t tell people what questions they can or cannot ask,” Robinson says. Apparently, Thornton just wasn’t in the best mood this morning, but he doesn’t seem to have had a change of heart in the hours since. When asked if there were any apologies or group hugs after the segment, Robinson laughs. “I don’t think so, no.” See the entire interview below, and read more on EW’s Music Mix.
Comments (1-30) of 174 Add your comment
Billy Bob is an idiot. CBC Radio is highly respected here in Canada, and for Q to give them such airtime was quite a feat. But BBT showed how ungrateful he was. Even worse, he embarrassed his band members.
I would love to know what Billy Bob’s bandmates thought of his little temper tantrum. What a horror show. I hope he gets booed off the stage in Toronto.
WHAT AN IDIOT!!!
What the heck??? To the rest of the band’s credit, they kept going. If Thornton only wanted the interview to be about the music, he only succeeded roundly in making the whole thing about him. It seemed perfectly reasonable to mention to the audience that a member of the band was a well-known actor, and the interviewer seemed to know his stuff. Incredibly, I still managed to glean enough from the interview that I am interested in listening to the band’s music.
I think there would be quite the argument among the band afterwards. They looked humiliated, angry, awkward, and tried to fill in for him for a little while – then just let Jiad and Billy Bob get to the meat of the problem. I doubt he was drunk – maybe cracked out – but mainly just an arrogant SOB who also insulted Canadians, Willie Nelson, and every other artist out there other than their band.
I listened to the live interview this morning. What a tool. My sincere condolences go out to his bandmates. I hope his Toronto audience gives him all of the thrown objects he’s asked for and more — that is, if anyone shows up at all. My respect for host Jian Ghomeshi just shot up by an order of magnitude or two.
Billy Bob, First of all he should grow up. After that he should remember to keep his day job. (acting ) I have heard his band on a T.V.show. What a laugh! Congrats to the radio host for keeping his cool. Potatoes are better without loud mouthed gravy.
Looks like Billy Bob is either an idiot, high, or this was a promotional stunt.
How about all the above?
A buzzed out idiot doing a promo for his band. Seems to have worked because I’ve never paid attention to the boxcars..or who ever they are, until now.
I definitely think he’s under the influence. He looks less annoyed by the questions and more genuinely clueless.
A prime example of a man letting his ego and self-involvement hurt those around him – and apparently not caring at all. He should be ashamed of his behavior.
he was so drunk or on drugs. his eyes look bloodshot and he just looks wasted.
A total jerk. Did MEGA damage to his “group”. Hope those other boys have another gig lined up, without “Mr. I’m Wonderful, And the Rest Of The World Doesn’t Get It”. Billy Boy (and I stress BOY) needs to get on the couch with Farah, Joaquin and the rest of the weirdos from Glitter Gulch.
he was such a jerk!!
never heard of this idiot before. obviously he thinks he is something special. i didn’t see it. if his act was not influenced by some kind of drugs…i think people should just not bother with his types. was he such a bad actor that he doesn’t want it mentioned? as i said…had never heard of him before and i wished i had never watched that u tube clip. feel sorry for his pals who tried their best to make up for this idiots arrogance.
I can’t think of a more overrated career than Billy Boobs. Promo stunt or not I would be happy to never see or hear about or from that plastic Hollywood abortion. If his band underlings had any integrity they wouldve told him to lighten up for their sake. I love Willie Nelson so I just wouldn’t see the opening act. Better yet I’d love to give Mr.T some mashed taters express. Good gravy!
What an absolute tool Thornton is.
He should be happy that his Oscar was mentioned, because he hasn’t done a heck of a lot of Oscar worthy stuff since that first win. Jian is an excellent interviewer and a very accomplished musician in his own right. He showed what real class is by keeping it together.
We don’t need Thornton’s band touring in Canada. I feel for his bandmates. And for the record, I saw him perform up here with another band years ago (I think we went because my boss thought it would be funny) and to put it eloquently, he SUCKED.
What an absolute tool Thornton is.
He should be happy that his Oscar was mentioned, because he hasn’t done a heck of a lot of Oscar worthy stuff since that first win. Jian is an excellent interviewer and a very accomplished musician in his own right. He showed what real class is by keeping it together.
We don’t need Thornton’s band touring in Canada. I feel for his bandmates. And for the record, I saw him perform up here with another band years ago (I think we went because my boss thought it would be funny) and to put it eloquently, he SUCKED.
Jian Ghomeshi really braved Billy Bob’s bluster in this interview. It’s a shame that some celebs seem to think their fame gives them a license to act like asses. Billy Bob should know that Leonard Cohen chose Ghomeshi for the exclusive interview for his world tour, no doubt because Jian is second to none. What a wasted opportunity for B-B. Hopefully, all the media attention B-B’s gong show is drawing south of the 49th won’t result in an American network poaching Jian from our beloved CBC!
I hope the crowd in Toronto tonight gives him his wish and starts throwing things…maybe a big pot of gravy…at HIM.
What a painful interview. Everyone would have been better served if the host had cut it short and gone to commercial. BB acted like a spoiled child from the beginning and his endless diatribe about the “monster” magazine he subscribed to as a kid was just ridiculous. By the end of it, the others in the band appeared extremely uncomfortable. The Boxmasters are the opening act for Willie Nelson on this tour, so I think he should tuck his highly inflated ego away for awhile. They obviously aren’t an established band or their position on the ticket would be different. And how good are they if their audiences prefer to throw things around rather than listen to them perform.
He thinks we’re mash potatoes without gravy and he’s complaining that we don’t throw things at him. Okay, why don’t we throw some gravy at him while he’s on stage.
In response to Cheyenne, CBC is public radio and therefore doesn’t have commercials.
In response to Cheyenne, CBC is public radio and therefore doesn’t have commercials.
Have the Boxmasters thought of another drummer/vocalist? Or maybe just leave BBT at home when they do interviews and promotional tours and take a CD to play their music!
Billy should take his bonny, addict, old and ugly butt back to the same hill that he came from. He got such a good life and it got to his head. Just an old, ugly, untalented bitter man.
Billy Bob’s reaction to a simple conversation that included the fact that he IS an actor sure changed my opinion of him. Was he trying to take the spotlight off of himself and allow the band to get equal credit for their success. If so, he sure played the wrong hand. And why instruct the producer on what can and can’t be asked or talked about? If you agree to do an interview, be prepared for whatever questions come up. Kudos to the band members who sat there biting their lips wondering why he was acting the part of a FOOL!
Boxcutters: dump Billy Bob, and I’ll listen to your otherwise excellent music. I thoroughly enjoyed the instrumental, and look forward to more BBT-free performances. You’ll be far better off without the human trainwreck that is your current front-man, and he brings nothing to the group that you can’t go further and faster without. Drop the anvil, he’s nothing to be remembered fondly or otherwise.
Great job, BB–you couldn’t have embarrassed yourself more than if you had just peed all over yourself in public. I feel sorry for your band members who not only had their interview ruined by you but they’ll also have to put up with your future temper tantrums. You have such an inflated ego that may partly be the result of your miniscule d—.
there’s a part of the human body where a lot of wind comes out that is Big Boy Billy Bob’s twin – and a better half for sure. What a jerk! And I’m not speaking as a Candadian, Baby Billy Boy, just a real man.
We have excellent psychiatric facilities up here in mashed potato land. Billy Bob should take advantage of them while he’s here.