# Billy Bob Thornton is a sad, little man **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 9, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458 "2009-04-09T00:12:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/61 "2009-04-11T15:25:14Z")
He’s sick of something alright… ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/62 "2009-04-11T15:39:45Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > He’s just acting. You were instructed not to talk about his acting. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/63 "2009-04-11T15:41:22Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > He’s sick of something alright… The gravy in Quebec poutine. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/64 "2009-04-12T00:35:35Z")
[Short clip](http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=883a9723-09ea-4bc0-ad2a-8021d76bc754)of him denying anything went wrong on his part in the interview. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/65 "2009-04-12T02:26:39Z")
It’s difficult to watch the interview and conclude that there ISN’T some underlying psychological problem. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/66 "2009-04-12T02:34:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s difficult to watch the interview and conclude that there ISN’T some underlying psychological problem. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I didn’t see someone who was high or mentally disturbed, I saw an out and out narcissistic asshole who was deliberately trying to make the interviewer squirm with stupid answers and inane ramblings. While I’ve certainly heard other things that make me question his mental makeup, the interview I saw was that of a petulant egotist and not a drugged up mentally unstable freak. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/67 "2009-04-12T02:35:13Z")
I’d like to thank this thread for reminding me that it’s been ages since I’ve listened to Moxy Früvous. Great. Now I think I need to go buy a CD or something. Oh, and, of course, Billy Bob is an ass. What a pathetic attempt to teach the interviewer a lesson. Dear God, if you’re going to act that precious, you can only get away with it if you’re right. “You were instructed” is such patent bullshit, it’s amazing that Ghomeshi and the rest of Billy Bob’s band put up with it so well. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/68 "2009-04-12T04:27:20Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > the interview I saw was that of a petulant egotist and not a drugged up mentally unstable freak. When it comes to Mr. Potato Head, they are not mutually exclusive. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/69 "2009-04-12T05:48:51Z")
I just logged onto iTunes and checked out a few Boxmasters songs. Thornton is not one of the great vocalists of our time. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/70 "2009-04-12T05:55:04Z")
The best part was at the end of the interview when the time came for the “band” to perform and the host seemed incredulous that serious musician Billy Bob Thornton would not be joining them. Mr. T was dismissive of the idea that they would have brought drums with them (even though many bands have somehow managed this awesome feat), but did not explain why he had chosen an _instrumental_ instead of a song that would have allowed him to demonstrate his role as lead vocalist. One would have thought that someone to whom music was so important would not have chosen to remain on the sidelines. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/71 "2009-04-12T06:04:34Z")
“Q” is what got me through interminible afternoons of hoeing canola plants last summer, so I already loved Ghomeshi. I love him more, now. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/72 "2009-04-12T06:35:35Z")
The use of the phrase “you were instructed” is enough in and of itself to discredit anything Thornton said afterwards. Not “you were asked” or “we requested” but more “you had your orders, serf… now lick my toes and I’ll consider mercy”. The hypocrisy of this is just mind-boggling to me. If he were any other “Willie Nelson’s Opening Act” it’d be fucking unthinkable that he’d have enough star power to call the shots in an interview show. Most bands that have been together for the length of time his has would allow an interviewer to ask questions about the size of their wife’s nipples if it gets them airtime and exposure. Thornton _clearly_ doesn’t mind using his star status to make _demands_ (again, just fucking unthinkable- can you imagine any band of similar background telling a very famous DJ at the top of his game (at least in Canada- and I think if he’s not bigger here it’s by choice because he has the background and the skills) “You will NOT mention A, B, or C” when AB&C are extremely relevant to the discussion… AND in my opinion and I think the opinion of most reasonable people Ghomeshi complied, completely and graciously, other than getting the elephant out of the room one time for a few seconds, then proceeding to ask 1- intelligent questions 2- insightful questions (probably the result of having a musical background himself) 3- questions that have exactly jackshit to do with Thornton’s acting career- he doesn’t mention it at all after the intro I watched part of a repeat of Larry King tonight on which Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy were discussing the (controversial and hypothetical) autism/vaccine relationship. Carrey is not known for being a shrinking violet in terms of ego and can be quite masturbatory (remember that weirdass [Jim Morrison thing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JyRschsL7A) he did at the MTV Movie Awards?), but he was completely and totally professional on King; his career was mentioned, the fact he has no medical background and had no interest in autism before dating Jenny McCarthy (whose son is autistic) was mentioned, and he responds with actually intelligent and thoughtful answers, even to those with far more qualifications to speak on the subject who’ve said he’s wrong. I’m not informed enough on the literature in the autism/vaccine connection to have an opinion worth giving, but I actually gained some respect for Carrey (who I don’t usually like) for playing it completely straight and taking any criticism in stride. Thornton would probably have plunged a fork into someone’s chest- I lost any respect I had for him as a person after that interview. Thornton was _worse_ than Joaquin Phoenix, who’s batshit crazy but at least not belligerant. (Phoenix I can’t enjoy watching even for the schadenfreude value; I feel really sorry for him [hopefully if he stops making millions as an actor to pursue the new career it’ll prompt his keepers to get him help {in their own interest, but help nonetheless}.) Thornton was even worse that Cruise, who stupid as his worldview is and nutty as he is was at least defending his faith as much as his own ego (plus I’ll admit he redeemed himself a bit with Les Grossman, his best performance in decades and one in which he laughs at pomposity a bit). Thornton was COMPLETELY self serving (he wasn’t defending the band or the music or anything but his own tompettiness) and he can clearly control his actions to a degree, and his bandmates just look like the way I’ve seen several people look over the years when they’re with friends or family who are being complete assholes (the “let’s just let him ride it out and then give the waitress a ridiculous tip and never come here again” looks). He actually _hurt_ their careers since now as long as there in that band they’ll be thought of in connection to the asshole. And then Thornton’s defense of his actions in the concert and in the paparazzi piece- unbelievable, and then the “Cancelled on account of _flu_ bullshit”- motherfucker! Willie Nelson would probably perform if he had double pneumonia and a bullet in his left testicle. I wonder if his not performing was Thornton skulking off in a hissy fit or if Willie essentially fired him. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/73 "2009-04-12T13:36:35Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > but did not explain why he had chosen an _instrumental_ instead of a song that would have allowed him to demonstrate his role as lead vocalist. My WAG is that this “decision” was made on the spot. They had planned for Billy Bob to sing, but he decided he didn’t want to and announced that the band would be playing an instrumental version. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/74 "2009-04-12T14:51:54Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > He actually _hurt_ their careers since now as long as there in that band they’ll be thought of in connection to the asshole. I’ve got nothing to say about BBT that hasn’t already been said many times over, but I was thinking about this the other day: It would be an AWESOME publicity move if the rest of the band just kicked BBT out and announced auditions for a new singer/drummer. Strike while the iron is hot and turn this to their own advantage. They’d get rid of a negative asset and potentially pick up a real live musician in the process. Win-win. Heck, I’d bet they could get back on Q again with their new lineup. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/75 "2009-04-12T15:25:35Z")
Well he did do" Bad Santa". ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/76 "2009-04-12T16:04:18Z")
I just don’t get why people are lavishing praise on Ghomeshi for this, saying “I like him even more now” or whatever. It’s not like he really called Thornton out; in fact, he totally let him get away with his rude behavior and didn’t hold his feet to the fire at all. It was a far cry from the epic [Jeremy Schapp/Bobby Fischer confrontation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px2PoGr0AkE) - that there is a real example of someone not putting up with any bullshit. Ghomeshi was being nice, professional, etc, but I would have rather liked to see him really tell Billy Bob what time it was. ETA - it’s impossible to find a single Youtube video about Bobby Fischer that doesn’t have nine thousand comments from anti-Semites justifying Fischer’s behavior and saying how smart and great he is. For God’s sake, why can’t these people at least find a hero who is actually an anti-Semite for ideological reasons and not because he is INSANE (and a Jew himself?) ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/77 "2009-04-12T16:07:19Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I just don’t get why people are lavishing praise on Ghomeshi for this, saying “I like him even more now” or whatever. It’s not like he really called Thornton out; in fact, he totally let him get away with his rude behavior and didn’t hold his feet to the fire at all. It was a far cry from the epic [Jeremy Schapp/Bobby Fischer confrontation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px2PoGr0AkE) - that there is a real example of someone not putting up with any bullshit. Ghomeshi was being nice, professional, etc, but I would have rather liked to see him really tell Billy Bob what time it was. > > ETA - it’s impossible to find a single Youtube video about Bobby Fischer that doesn’t have nine thousand comments from anti-Semites justifying Fischer’s behavior and saying how smart and great he is. For God’s sake, why can’t these people at least find a hero who is actually an anti-Semite for ideological reasons and not because he is INSANE (and a Jew himself?) My opinion was improved because he _didn’t_ give in and start a confrontation. Some people are calmer than I am, but I know that it’s a much greater feat for me to keep my temper in the face of jerks than it is to confront them. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/78 "2009-04-12T16:15:51Z")
In a brief skim of the thread, I have not seen [THIS](http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0410092billybob1.html). It is a tour rider requiring them to be billed as Billy Bob Thornton and special guests the Boxmaster. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/79 "2009-04-12T19:23:24Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The thing about monster model kits is just… call to find some bed space for him. That didn’t seem odd to me. Billy Bob Thornton was trying to make some kind of commentary about the host’s introduction in which the host said that music was not just a hobby. So when asked about his childhood BBT mentioned a childhood hobby. I’m not saying that BBT handled the interview well, if he wanted to talk about the music he should just blow off the introduction and talk about his music. The host was a great interviewer, talked only of the music after mentioning the main singer-songwriter’s background in the intro, and did a pretty good job of getting the interview back on track. I haven’t heard anything by the Boxmasters so I can’t judge their work. But like everyone else I assume that the media attention they are getting is mostly due to the fact that they have an Academy-Award winning actor (yes I know that the Oscar he won was not for acting) in the band. BBT needs to learn to handle it better when people mention that he was first known as an actor before becoming a musician. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458/80 "2009-04-12T19:32:00Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I just don’t get why people are lavishing praise on Ghomeshi for this, saying “I like him even more now” or whatever. It’s not like he really called Thornton out; in fact, he totally let him get away with his rude behavior and didn’t hold his feet to the fire at all. And that’s what’s great about Mr. Ghomeshi. Maybe it’s because I’m old, but I don’t tune in to the radio to listen to Don Imus or Howard Stern-type screamfests. In a music show, I would expect to hear about music, and the host was right in declaring a “truce” and turning the interview back to its proper subject. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-bob-thornton-is-a-sad-little-man/492458.md?page=5)