Things That Go Pop!

Billy Bob, at the very least, has a money-making film career to fall back on, despite his best efforts to pretend Bad Santa never happened. The Boxmasters? They got nothing. I'm sure the music is fine, but they wouldn't be touring with Willie Nelson, nor would they be getting much of any press at all if Billy Bob weren't the diva-tastic singer.

I was listening to the interview with Biily Bob
Thorton and I was appalled. I felt so bad for the interviewer. I will never watch another movie with him in it or listen to his music.
We're just "mashed potatoes without the gravy"
in his eyes anyways. I don't care who he thinks he is. He's an ass.

BBT doesn't have an email address available for a reason it seems. It makes it easy to hide. In my reserved opinion, he is an a**hole.
BTW,you can contact him through his agent(google him) who would love to hear from everybody.

What a total D-bag! I guess if I were him I would be embarrassed by my acting as well. He is not the great artist he thinks he is. Anyone remember the song, "Angelina?' I mean, come on! Get over yourself.

Good on you Billy Bob, it's time someone stood up to the Prince of Pompous.

Billy Bob still on the "powder" maybe??

Kudos to Ghomeshi! I am not an avid listener, but I plan to start unplugging the iPod and listening to Q after watching him carefully dance around, yet not apologize to, Billy Bob.
What a shame that BB took all that attention away from the band, who I still have no idea what they sound like thanks to BB.

He is the definition of a$$hole. What a pretentious loser.

Sounds like Billy Bob shouldn't quit his day job. Kudos to Jian for keeping his cool.

wow, not even sure where to start. first of all, the most important point is made by Ry-Tron, which is that the Boxmasters wouldn't be on any radio show or any tour if it weren't for BBT's celebrity. If he wants the respect he feels he's being denied, he should try starting a band as an anonymous broke musician and see how much fun that can be and then he'll understand why there are different standards for Tom Petty (who did just that),than for himself.

why do some actors feel that because they can be taken seriously in Hollywood with no talent, that they can play real music without paying dues. this shows a staggering arrogance and betrays a decided contempt for craft. i guess this should come as no surprise when you consider that they pretend for a living...

After listening to this BIZZAR interview, I think that Billy Bob was higher than a kite..and that is why he made 0% sense... his eyes..his mannerism..and his answers all make me beleive he was stoned on something..

As far as the interviewer..good job buddy! you get my 2 thumbs up.you pulled a crappy and wierd interview together

Billy Bob the actor..you werent very good at that either...

Sick? Stupid? Stoned? Sad? A nasty piece of work in any case. Bravo Jian for handling the creep with diplomacy and integrity. I squirmed in my seat in solidarity with the other band members. Best thing they could do would be to say 'adios' to His Lordship.

If Ghomeshi is the Prince of Pompous, "Anonymous", then Billy Bob is like the Darth Vader, nay, the EMPEROR of a$$holes. He was either on drugs or lamely trying to create some kind of weak "rock star" persona. He didn't put anyone in their place; he simply succeeded in letting Q listeners know that his acting in "Slingblade" was not such a stretch from reality.

I feel badly for the other members of the band. These guys are trying to make a go of it and are getting some publicity and here they have to deal with such a pissy attitude from Thornton. It is so awkward and uncomfortable to watch.

What an ass! I feel sorry for both the interviewer and his bandmates, what an embarrassing infantile reaction. Seems like his best performance is acting like an assh****

After listening to this BIZZAR interview, I think that Billy Bob was higher than a kite..and that is why he made 0% sense... his eyes..his mannerism..and his answers all make me beleive he was stoned on something..

As far as the interviewer..good job buddy! you get my 2 thumbs up.you pulled a crappy and wierd interview together

Billy Bob the actor..you werent very good at that either...

Thornton obviously thought that some previously negotiated terms for the interview, regarding references to his non-musical credits, were being violated. Something was going wrong between him and JG before the excerpt started. I've never been impressed with the effusive JG, and apparently Thornton wasn't, either.

BBT is a known ecentric..remember the thing about him and the thing about his ex ..stealing Jennifer Anniston from her boyfriend BP?? Seriously..all these people are screwed up//otherwise we wouldn't hear abou them

What an IDIOT!

Boxmasters, if you're reading this: if you dump BBT, I'll buy TEN copies of you next CD and I don't even CARE what kind of music it is. Promise!

what a dink

I think the Boxmasters should start looking for a new drummer. What an embarrassment for the band. I guess that early in the morning BBT, hadn't had his bran cereal yet. Cudos to Ghomeshi for holding it together.

what an idiot. If I were his band mates, I'd drop him like a hot "potato". He basically said Canadian audiences are boring to play for, on a radio programme promoting his band/album/concerts in Canada. The boxmasters should get rid of this loser.

No one seems to be addressing the question, well, was Ghomeshi specifically asked not to talk about that or not?
If Billy Bob is already so famous, the host wouldn't need to REadvise the general public of his Hollywood career, we already get it. Hey watching BB in public interviews & hearing about his colourful past,his string of relationships,etc.--I always thought he looked rather jerk-like.
It was awkward painful hilarious listening to Ghomeshi trying to save the interview, but it was also very funny listening to Ghomeshi trying to save himself on air by explaining to a grown up brat why he was justified in "breaking the rules" that were already set up beforehand.
How is it unlike poking a grumpy bear with a pointy stick when you were pre-warned not to go there? ;-)

Awwwwkkkkwaaaard!

But Jian held it together - Kudos! It must be incredibly frustrating to interview a person who acts like a prissy mouthed, narrow-minded, foolish, bad spirited, spoiled prima donna.

I felt worse for the rest of the Boxmasters. It must be frustrating dealing with such a sucky baby like Billy Bob, music historian or no music historian as he claims.

Personally, I think it was more than just Jian giving us Thornton's actor background that miffed him. Jian's vocabulary probably wound up BB even more as BB prefers to speak in assorted sniffles, grunts, and misplaced bon mots.

Good luck, Boxmasters. You're going to need it!

LOL - Surprise....Billy Bob acting like a sulky celebrity....what else is new...perhaps hes feeling the downward spiral of his career as it plunges down the toilet...

FLUSH...

I was listening to the interview with Biily Bob Thorton and I was appalled and felt he was speaking with someone drunk or on drugs. I felt so bad for the interviewer. I think Jian did a great job to "try" and "rescue" the interview. In the end I had to just turn the channel until the interview was finished. Keep up the good work Jian!!

i don't even know what to say about BBT
but i am definitely impressed by Ghomeshi!

What a cool guy!
what i loved about this interview was that Ghomeshi decided to inquire about the acting -- but at the same time show respect!

Hey Jian! How would it feel to be constantly asked about Moxy Fruvous?

Seriously, I've never been a fan of Gomeshi's, but I think I turned a corner today after watching how well he handled himself.

Yes. Billy was being mean. His apparent pig-headed southern-american racist roots (and probably pro-gun roots too)showed and it was obvious. Well I guess his fellow southern-american friends can take comfort in the fact that Billy done-them proud. Jian Ghomeshi is a pro, and it showed. Did somebody forget to tell Billy he's promoting his band, a tour, and a record??, and that their band was appearing on a Arts and Entertainment radio show? His agent/manager is not very good at what he does, because if he was he would know not to let Billy on the air with Jian under any circumstances, just say that he's out of town and let the rest of the band do all the talking like other bands do when they know that there might be some friction with the host. The rest them were polite and professional and were obviously more that capable of handling the interview. I could list a whole list of names who are equally good or better than Jian Ghomeshi, would Billy treat them the same way? makes you wonder,, so I guess it's safe to assume Billy is not a fan of Barak Obama either.

Even if Ghomeshi had been "instructed" by Billy Bob's handlers to not to refer to Thornton's career as a movie actor and director, the listeners were unaware of it. Had Billy Bob ignored that brief reference in Ghomeshi's intro he could have used the interview as an opportunity to promote Boxmaster and their music to Canadians. Instead, he chose to alienate and embarass his fellow band-members while thoroughly making an ass of himself during his failed attempt to rebuke Ghomeshi for his supposed misstep. We should all reward Hillbilly Bob for his behaviour by boycotting him.

What a baby and passive aggressive person Billy was in that interview.
I don't know why the rest of the band puts up with it. Oh.....wait, yes I do.
For the exposure and touring $$$$$$$$$$$.

Jian Ghomeshi , master of the smooth recovery, way to go, you patient man. Had it been be, I would have used my mic to make BBT look far worse than he made himself look. Or maybe just klunked him on the head with it - who knows. Somehow you got your point across, got him to (sorta) answer some questions and let him preserve his dignity. Much class, man. Rare indeed.

I think BBT had an understanding with CBC producers to not, not even once, mention the word acting, and BBT's past, and CBC, quite obviously renegaded on, perhaps, a said agreement...

...on a side note... Canadian audience's are very reserved, tame, and lack "gravy".

I don't think tobacco is what's being smoked at concerts...

Just look at the name Billy Bob, thats got to show how intelligent his parents were.What an idiot!

Wow! I didn't think egos could get that big but that is something else! I can't believe he would continue to sit there and hurt his name and his band with such childish behavior. And, not to mention insult Canadian audiences with referring to us as mashed potatoes without the gravy. What an a**!

I'll certainly never listen to his music.

amazing finesse by mr ghomeshi! sign that man up to the the u.n. or nato!

billy bob... how unfortunate. guess that's what happens when you have publicists sucking you for so long.

horrible show thanks to the big baby, but q is otherwise outstanding. keep up the excellent work!

This is hilarious stuff. Billy Bob is no different than many of the other celebrity "prima dona" types. Out of this world ego's and looking in to a world of mirrors, where the only images thay see are themselves. Having said that...we need their type. They set the bar with which we can compare our relative sanity.

Dear Billy Bob,

Grow up and stop being such a douche bag

Sincerely,

A former fan

I was working away and listening at the same time- now it takes a bit to break my concentration- but Billie Bob was embarrassing and then he degenerated into an idiot. Hope he recovers he was juvenile and idiotic.

what a total idiot. I won't watch another film of his. Great job by the interviewer!

What a f***ing a$$hole.I will not watch a movie or listen to his music ever again . His nothing but a fry tomato.Come down of your high horse you A**HOLE.

I feel terrible for his band. What an ass**** to take that time away from his band so he could sulk in the corner. Go play banjo in a trailer park and finish the rest of the crack you must have done before the interview. That is a band that I would potentially have gone to see before seeing that display.

So, Billy Bob had a hissy fit. Jian merely gave a context before launching into an interview that he would conduct with any musician.He did not ask a single question about acting. BB's touchiness seems to bespeak an anticipation of not being taken seriously. Maybe he should listen to the question before running off half-cocked in all directions. Simply put, he's a childish boor. He'll not get two cents of my entertainment dollar. Jian handled it very elegantly without stooping to BB's level. My condolences to his band who probably walk on eggshells.

Watching the video, even his band seems embarrassed by his cringe-inducing attitude. Hahaha. What an idiot.

Why can't he just be polite and give a nice interview? Why all this drama? Then he won't even get off his butt and perform? C'mon!

Why can't folks just grow up and at least act like decent people? He is, in fact, an actor...

Thank you Q for being the adult during an entirely childish breakdown.
It would have been so simple for BBT to let his beliefs known and moved on without the 3 year old meltdown.
Mr. Ghomesh I don't always like all your interviews or interviwees (sic) but I do appreciate the way they are conducted. Your show today showed a journalistic restraint that will keep me tuning in.
And didn't the band seem uncomfortable BBT owes the a huge apology.
S

Who cares? This is not important.

What the heck?!

I'm going to be honest with you, I assumed he was pretentious but I never would have imagined that he would act like that on a national radio show? It seems as though he has no connection with reality at all.

Look for the Boxmasters to open for Tom Petty on his next tour. They'll be the four guys holding open the door for you and taking your tickets.

Nice job, Jian. I don't think you did anything wrong in the interview. In fact, I thought you handled Billy Bob very well. I can understand that he wants to make a fresh career through the band, but it's normal to introduce someone based on their background. Like you said, Jian, to put it in context...

Jian Ghomeshi demonstrated nothing but class with this interview.

This guy is a huge loser. All of his movies are sub-par. I would have told this guy to get off my show if you continue acting like a spoiled child. Canada should ship this wanker back to the US in a garbage can. Good on the interviewer for not losing his cool and showing what a true tool this idiot is.

I believe Ghomeshi did an amazing job of that interview. I was listening, but did not catch on for the first bit that Billy Bob was upset. I thought he must be drunk or high. Ghomeshi deserves an award for how he handled that. Billy made a complete ass of himself. I'm not sure why as I have not followed his career either in film or music, but I had the impression he was a down to earth kind of guy. Some people should just never leave the house.

I heard that interview today and was very proud of JG. BBT was intentionally being difficult and Jian was up to the challenge.He was able to salvage some of the timeslot, maintained his dignity and even gave the listener some of the stupid band - do they think Billie Bob is HELPING them? If i hadn't been so curious about how it was all going to end I would have turned the station in protest. Take Billie Bob off the airwaves - he's polluting. And BTW, here's to Albert Schulz for putting everything in perspective in the next interview.

More than likely he's just trying to rustle up some PR for his band by trying to play Dylan in some half-baked, poorly thought-out way. I felt bad for the other guys - the fella in black on the right seemed like he was near tears.
Oh well - I hope Billy's reward is six half-full auditoriums of jeering drunks as he tours across Canada. After he torpedoes this leg of the tour, we'll see what Mr. Nelson thinks of him.

Willeeee!!

You done brought a cuckoo-bird and his band north to sing with you. Why didn't you check first? We've got lots of great opening acts up here without the crazed 'tude we see on ol' BB.... Bands who are good, enjoy talking about all kinds of things on t.v. and leave their egos at home.

Wow - I also liked Ghomesi as an interviewer, and he sure earned his pay on this day.

Why do we put up with these divas? I just wish enough people would turn their backs on stars who act this way. Without fans they would be nothing and they would disappear into obscurity where they belong.

I listen to studio Q daily and have always admired and respected Gomeshi. This interview just proves further why he is the best journalist on air. As far as BBT is concerned, he's a mediocre talent and should be happy that people are interested in his career. But this on air sulking makes him look so lame, it's sad really... how many people care about his music anyway?

What's all this comparison to Tom Petty? That's like a karokie singer comparing themselves to Elvis. I think Billy boy oughta re-evaluate just how much he would be known in the music world had we have NOT known who he was via his film career...and you can guarantee he would be existing on food stamps right now if that were the case.

Congratulations to Jian Ghomeshi for his display of cool professionalism. That's the CBC at its best.

billy, might wanna cut back to one hand full of shrooms before interviews

Ghomeshi is a pretty good interviewer and must of caught Billy Bob at a bad time of day. Have to laugh even though I think I would of told him where to go and ended the interview.

Thats what happens when you go on the radio high. His bandmates looked mortified. What a nutters!

Jian did a great job - didn't get suckered in by the childishness and stayed professional even while Billy Bob drifted into outer space. What an embarrassment for the rest of the band members.

you have to be gullible to believe this interview its obviously fake. Hes a good actor

Pffft. Two divas clash on air - typical power struggle. Looks good on both of them - Billy Bob is, at best, a Class C anything, and Jian needed someone to knock him off his cool act, at least once. Chalk it all up to experience.

Why would any decent musician want to be in a band with an attention seeking missile like BB? His tantrum completely derailed the interview and insured that he, not his band or band mates, was the complete focus. What a complete dick-head.

what an idiot.

At first I thought he was really really stoned but wow, he was actually sulking because you referred to the only reason that he would actually make it on your show! As you mentioned, they're a really new band with a whole whack of albums but barely anybody has ever heard of them except for the fact of BBT's acting career. The interviewer should be commended on handling this interview so well and for refusing to ignore and be controlled by BBT's control-freak handlers! I would love to see Willie Nelson in concert but not if BBT's band as an opening act.

Hey Billy Bob, you do have some obligations as a member of a band you know, like showing other band members some respect. That is, of course, unless you think your other career achievements give you all the power and influence.

Oh, and you sir are no Tom Petty.

I think you hit the nail right on the head miss Sarah Liss! Points to you for taking the words right out of my head! Petulance, kindergarten bully, meltdown, antagonistic, nonsensical, loose cannon, snapped, angry, tense, terse, uncomforatble, interviewer played pseudo-therapist, pouty, refused. There was something for that man to be proud of today, and he dropped the ball. He needs retirement, that should be an option for him at this point.

Wow - Jian deserves some serious kudos for putting up with that diva's epic meltdown. I was really impressed with how he handled the spoiled brat.

I listened to the interview today. Cheers to Jian for putting up with that arrogant, ignorant, sack of shit. To put himself in the same class as Tom Petty was quite a stretch. T.P. has class and good manners. The band was good but they'd do well to dump old Billy Bob. I'll never buy a Boxer tune if BB is on it.
Jim

Jian Ghomeshi is a pro, wow, don't envy him that interview. Good for him for thinking on his feet and calling a spade a spade, then reeling it back in. Would have been hard to believe if not caught on tape. Hope Mr. Thorton gets the kind of professional help he needs.

I have worked with hundreds of professional actors and musicians in the last 30 years. I have also worked with comics, hypnotists and impersonators, but I have never seen anyone offer such a perfect impersonation of an asshole as BBT does here. How's that for "mash potatoes without gravey you p***k?

Wow! Someone's a bit of a Diva!! I love that BBT was petulantly refusing to answer questions about his music because he only wanted to be asked questions about his music. Hey! here's a though Billy Bob - if you want to be seen as a legitimate musician act like one. Hats off to Ghomesi for keeping his cool and exposing BBT for what he really is - A Giant Idiot who seriously needs to get over himself!!

Oh, he's an actor all right, and knows there is no bad publicity.

Big, BIG kudos to Ghomeshi for maintaining a professional demeanor and keeping his cool with what must be the worst interviewee ever. Great job, Jian!

He is obviously under the influence of something. I cant put my finger on it, but he seems to be on some kind of drug....heroin maybe??? Embarrassing to watch. Good on Ghomeshi for being able to power through that!!

I have a feeling that BBT was just trying to get some badly needed publicity. He's no different than a lot of other talentless actors and pseudo musicians. Has anyone actually heard any of his music? Really, really awful. Even the stuff Lanois helped him out on. Kind of a sad man.

Whereas Prince became known as a symbol (or even as "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince"... to provide "context") because of contract problems and as a form of protest against the commercial priorities and an overpowering music industry, Bill Bob seems to prefer that his other career be represented by a nameless symbol, and primarily because he's a self-absorbed ass. I felt sorry for his band-mates while watching his little tantrum, and can only imagine the freak-out he probably pulled once he left the studio. I'm quite certain he's completely oblivious to the fact that Jian is very familiar with the music industry, which makes his behaviour even more ridiculous. "Would you ask Tom Petty that?" - what a dick.

I CANNOT believe he compared himself to Tom Petty. Ghomeshi maintained his composure perfectly and should be commended for having to deal with such a diva.

Billy Bob, what a moron. I have no time for people who are so high on themselves.

I thought the interviewer handled that really professionally. Billy Bob has to get off his high horse, I've heard his music and he is far from a genius.

Thornton is a conservative, of course he's not going to talk to silly CBC liberals.
Good for him!
I'm surprised he even agreed to do an interview with CBC.

This interview is pure genius. Following the theory of pathos(4) its clear Billy wants and has the situation completely in his hands. Its a play on human psych and he has it mastered. I'm getting this on DVD, he's genius and could probably pass a lie detector. This is psychology in it's most fantastic form.

Appalling... a total train wreck.
All I could do was feel bad for his band ‘mates’ - They at least knew his little meltdown was coming.
No class, the definition of pompous.
Elevated for absolutely no reason, a spoiled child refusing to play.
We already knew he was an actor - it’s clear what he’s become.
As for the mashed potatoes fans in Canada, given the chance I would have loved to thrown something.

WOW!THIS GUY MUST BE TRIPPING ON SOMETHING. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN GIVE YOU CLASS. I FEEL FOR THE GUYS THAT ARE IN YOUR BAND. REMEMBER TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR SOMETIMES BUDDY. IN A COUPLE OF YEAR I HOPE THAT PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU WITH CLASS INSTEAD OF A PETULANT ASS...

Should have just sent him home and quietly forgot the whole affair including the Canadian tour. Beverly hills has a good supply of shrinks per capita - quite a dilemma to crave anonymity and fame at the same time. Kudo's Jian. Sorry Mystery guest, not interested anymore.

Billy bob is a method actor and he is playing a musician now and if you hear him sing he will not be winning an oscar for this one. He should form a band with russel crowe, keanu, bruce willis, if they were all in the same band they couldn't embarass real musicians band mates like he did today.

Canadians have class, and Mr.Ghomeshi, you make me proud to support the CBC. You are eloquent, tactful, patient and kind. In conducting yourself in such a professional manner you serve as an example for anyone who may be in a hostile situation with an old, irrational, washed-up hack.

BBTs band mates must be really mad because they just lost many, many, many Canadian fans.

Thanks again Mr.Ghomeshi. I'll make a point of listening to Q more often.

What a jackass. I feel sorry for his band-mates who must deal with his childish attitude. Jian, you had a lot more patience with this clown that I ever would have given him.

I have always hated the music that CBC Radio insists on playing. Jian Ghomeshi, although I feel he's getting far too much airtime lately compared with the interesting topics that used to pepper the CBC Radio daily shows, has given me more of a reason to listen to some of the music. I still don't like any of it, but I respect the way Jian presents it and I also like the way in which he respectfully speaks even when in the company of trailer trash. Billy Bob is obviously a Hick who prefers the company of other hicks who likely throw beer bottles at the stage, to a sophisticated and reserved Canadian audience. "This time we didn't forget the gravy"

I agree the BBT was very difficult but then he is the GUEST and Jian was the HOST.
J. Ghomeshi should pay attention to the wishes of interviewees and comply with them.

What would happen if a boxmaster gave a concert and no one came.. go home and watch a movie billy

Cuto's to Jian for standing his ground and staying cool and professional.

Billy-Bob grow up

Perplexing to say the least. There could be a myriad of reasons for Billy Bob Thornton's conduct. I'll refrain from derogatory comments. This much is fact, when in the public spot light you must possess at least three percent p/r skills and have a willingness to “share” a little piece of what makes you, you. There is, after all cafes’ that are low-keyed where people need only background music for their conversation, and at the same time he can indulge his “writing” desires, a win-win situation for all. His band-mates obviously looked very uncomfortable with his “ether” dialogue. I give Jian 99% for composure, and 100% for not laughing in Billy Bob’s face. Kind of reminiscent of Tom Cruise bounding around Oprah, without the empty stare.

There's no such thing as bad publicity.

I've already watched this video twice. I got my wife to watch it and I've Googled Billy's name about a dozen different ways to get different angles on this story.

Great little piece of media pornography.

Boycott Billy Bob.

Jian,

Well done on interviewing that boring pretentious piece of installation art called Billy Bob. Just watched the You Tube piece and I wonder if he's on the same party favors as Joaquin Phoenix.

I always thought artists would come on your show to promote their sound, but this really didn't do much to promote the band. Rather ironic really that for someone who does not want mention of his film accolades, he and his ego, wouldn't even be on your show without them.

I think Billy Bob is very boring. No one would care about his music if he wasn't once married to Angelina. Why do Canadians feel they have to bow down in any way to American movies stars? I mean really! Interviewing a bag lady from Moose Jaw would be more interesting than listening to that dried up old turd.

Seems to me Billy Bob may want to go on the bands merits rather than resting on his acting career. Of course people will try listening to his music because they know him through acting. Still have to wonder. If that agreement was really made, then Ghomeshi should have stuck to it! As a Canadian I don't appreciate it if he did go back on his word. Don't you ever just get tired of people not keeping up their end of the bargain. Imagine how much this type of thing would happen to a celebrity like BB. People would make agreements with them and go back on their word, basically USE them. Maybe BB was just plain fed up with it! Maybe it was just one of those days where enough was enough!

What a complete idiot.

I missed the beginning of the interview so I didn't know who he was. I thought, what a whining, snivelling, childish little A-hole. Jian is worth a thousand of this twerp.

Why don't these actors/musicians shut up and accept the noterity for which they get paid.

I don't listen to Q, but I don't think Jian has anything to apologize for, being the only professional in the room.

If it were me, I would have spent the whole time talking about being naked with Haley Berry!

Lucky whacked out dude.

What a waste of Rations Billy Bob appears to be.Instead of dealing with his hurt little feelings he decides to pout in the corner and not share his toys(thoughts)with the audience who had tuned in,perhaps to hear what he had to say....kinda makes you want to go to his show.....................NOT

Poor Billy-Bob. So insecure.

If Tom Petty had managed a high-profile film career while making music, chances are at least a mention of his film achievements would come up in most music-related interviews.

Embrace your unique career arch, Billy-B, and let your music speak for itself -- you know, when you have your drums.

His name is Billy Bob. Give him a break.

Before I watched this interview, I had faint thought that it would have something to do with Billy Bob not getting his nicotine fix in a warm lounge or were ever he pleased. We know how nasty Sean Penn got when he couldn't smoke were ever he pleased in Toronto. Billy Bob get over yourself, and Jian Ghomeshi, good on ya.

Huh. I almost went to see Willie Nelson at Massey Hall cos I want to see him before I die. I love Willie. And I am sure had I bought the tickets I would have not turned up given what a prick Billy whatshisname turned out to be on our sweet show Q. Hey buddy! You are on our soil and don't call us mashed potatoes (especially when it is apparent you don't use it endearingly!) especially when we allow you to play your (drumless) band at the venerable Massey Hall you ignorant oaf! Ghomeshi that was a really cool cross examination you carried out on him -- fully exposed them -- veri veri naice!!! Your mom should be so proud that you did not throw the laptop at him. Huh. Five CDs or whatever!!!! Will check in to see what your Friday media girl says! hahahaha. YOu brightened out my dark night.
weird. very creepy. Huge hug and chocolates and bottle of wine and the best home cooked meal to our Ghomeshi. Your mommy must be really proud (yeah I know I said it again!). Hahahaha. Whatever!

kudos to the Mr. Ghomeshi, he handled the situation very professionally and didn't give that Jack*&* what he was after, power to control everything.

As a former journalist, I never had an interview subject turn on me like BBT did to Jian. But then again, never was I forced to suffer such a narcissistic, obnoxious personality. Rather than express his displeasure honestly and up front, BBT chose instead to sabotage the interview and the show in the most cowardly and abusive way possible, and really the only victims were his bandmates who were forced to take what must surely have been a humiliating back seat to his pride. My hat's off to Jian for taking it on the chin and staying on his feet with grace and professionalism. Frankly, he and the producers can hardly be faulted for making the reference to BBT's entertainment career in the lead-in, and to Jian's credit he kept the focus squarely on the music, as requested - until BBT knocked it off the rails. What is it about fame that makes people like this so drunk with power?

BOO-HOO poor BB. Who does this guy think he is? His acting is ok at best, not superb and his music isn't the next best thing either. What a suck! I hope this interview travels far and wide and people everywhere can see what a loser this guy is. If his music career tanks I just hope he tries for a movie comeback and people remember this moment and throw it back in his face and it reminds him who butters his bread. Real musicians know the scene in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada so BB's words were simply laughable. I mean really, just do the interview, give your fans and potential fans the deal on your music and your vibe and please spare us the "i'm-too-cool-for-this" act, ya i said it, ACT, because FYI BB, nobody cares dude. No seriously, nobody...

Billy Bob may be musically inclined but that doesn't excuse his poor manerisms and totally disrespect for the host, the Country he's in and frankly even towards showing some love for his fellow band by actually doing any decent promotion for it. He may want to avoid anyone mentioning his acting career but news flash Billy Bob; you're a drama queen, the interview is perfect evidence and your known as an actor first and foremost so too bad if they had to mention it; even if it was only for context.

Way to go Jian for pulling that blown tire of an interview over to the side of the road before anyone else got hurt. That took composure and mad interviewer skills. Bravo.
Hey, Pouty Bob Thornton, have your record company send out a media release when you get over yourself. Until then, why DON'T we forget that you were ever an actor? Oh ... wait ... we already have.

I wouldn't put it past Billy Bob to demonstrate any sort of courtesy to someone merely trying to do their job. He is far too bitter due to all fame and publicity, and too old to take anyone seriously because his ass has been kissed for decades... i also wouldn't put it past myself to act the same. fame takes its toll.

With two small children and a busy life, I look forward to the couple of minutes I can listen to Q (smart and culture, yum). However, this morning, when I heard that Billy Bob Thorton was going to be on, I turned the radio off. I chose to enjoy the silence on a beautiful day rather than listen to a self-inflated egotistical ass. Subsequent reports indicate that I made a good choice.

I wouldn't put it past Billy Bob to demonstrate any sort of courtesy to someone merely trying to do their job. He is far too bitter due to all fame and publicity, and too old to take anyone seriously because his ass has been kissed for decades... i also wouldn't put it past myself to act the same. fame takes its toll.

Honestly he should have been tossed out of the studio for being so rude and difficult.
Primadonas like him are not worth the effort to try and work with.

He is nobody. Musician..pfft...he beats a drum..and they cash in on his name and perceived fame. Needless to say he just made it easy to thin out my DVD collection. Everything with that putz must go.

I always thought Angelina was the nut...but I guess they both had the vials of blood around their necks didn't they.

The man is a tool pure and simple.
Kudos to the interviewer...but a toss out would have been far more proper and was certainly earned by Billy Bob. And if for a moment you think his band members were happy..look at them closely (and yes I know they look like the three brothers from Slapshot). How long before they are talking amongst them selves and saying..."is this clown really doing us any good?"

Pretentious, difficult, arrogant, loser, pretender. Nice multitasking you talentless ponce.

Put a santa suit on him and it could have been a scene out of Bad Santa. Complete A hole.

When I listened to Billy Bob I thought what a jerk, then I laughed my head off! He made a complete fool of himself! What a moron! Good publicity by insulting the entire country you are touring. By the way Billy your right, I prefer sour cream on my potatoes. Do you know what that is?

what a loser. the reason no one seems riled up at his shows is because his music is generic drivel. He really has an awfully high opinion of himself. billy bob, no one likes a princess and you have not done nearly enough with your career or life to be able to behave that way. You're not Bono, or Springsteen, or Tina Turner. You're not Chomsky, or Hawking. You're not Pearson or Arbour. You're a washed up actor with no musical talent who doesn't have nearly enough perspective. Q is giving YOU publicity, not the other way around.

Good for you, Jian, for standing up to the prick and not letting him hijak the Q

If he wants to be treated like any other "regular" struggling new band out there.... I challenge him to find a young, 2 yr old band that wouldn't suck one off for the publicity of a national radio interview. I BET that Tom Petty was so grateful in year 2 for any exposure his struggling band could get.
Having the luxury to snub the CBC PROVES he is a diva. Hypocrite.

I tuned into the interview today after they announced it was BBT, and all i could think was, 'why is this idiot on the radio....he's either stoned, or - stoned.' Long pauses, big intakes of breath, non-answers, and honestly I couldn't figure out who it was or why in gods name the band, who at apparently the last minute, played some lame instrumental, were even on the show. It wasn't til I watched tonights national that i realized it was Billy bob. Totally rude and horrible. But entertaining, must one admit.
Good job by the Q host. He held his own for sure.

Well, for the most part I liked this guy in movies but after listening to him on 'Q' I can assure you, I won't watch or purchase anything he does. Who the hell is he anyway? It's easy to see why he's been divorced so many times. I feel sorry for the boxmasters.

I liked BBT's comment about how his brand of 'cosmic cowboy' music hasn't been played for the last 30 years. I guess he hasn't heard Neko Case, or the Sadies or Blue Rodeo or Corb Lund, or Harold Nix, or -- and this is going back a bit but still within the 30 year window -- Lone Justice, or we could add some hip hop to the sound and call it Mazzy Star, speed it up and you have Jason and the Scorchers... Yeah Billy, what you are doing hasn't been done at all by just about every singer with jumbo Gibson guitar and a pair of cowboy boots...

Jian, this is a classic control freak who is totally ignorant of your reputaion as an honorable host and person. Reacting to you for MENTIONING his acting, BY ACTING...he tried to put you in a double bind. As a member of your loyal listening community, I am offended by BBR's lack of integrity.
Say Good Night Jim-Bob.

One shiny loonie and a bowl of gravy-filled mash for the first Canadian to crank this d-bag with a beer bottle. Apparently, he's used to it.

Is it just me, or did it seem like Billy Bob was on something?

I have to say that was one of the funniest interviews I've watched in a long time. As a Canadian I am not insulted in the slightest about the mash potatoes comment, he was just looking for gravy in all the wrong places. The playoffs are almost underway so perhaps he should attend an NHL game, we'll even let him bring his drums.

Dont worry Billy bob we have a nice 4x8 padded room just for you.
If I was in his band and he acted like that he'd get a guitare in the head!!

I listen to Q everyday but missed a part of the intro. I didnt know who the idiot was, at first, and thought it was a joke. My wife and I were laughing for most of the interview, until we realised that the person wasn't joking. At the very end, when we realized that the idiot was BBT, we felt that the behaviour was inexcusable. He must have been high. Well done Jian, you handled him masterfully.

My sincere admiration and congratulations to Jian. What a stellar job--his composure and class astound me. Many would have crumbled or angered. Promote this man!!!

Well done Jian. Now you've had your trial by fire and handled it beautifully. It can't be easy dealing with such a Hollywood Princess who has no respect for those who made him a rich man. (well, not me personally, but in general). I've admired your interviewing abilities for a long time, but this 13 minutes puts you up there with Gzowski in my opinion. Congrats.

Hey, you might not like JG, but he is a pro at least. He held it together well against the BBT weirdness.

I'm thinking maybe BBT was mentally channelling Angelina Jolie's further plans to adopt more kids, and it threw his brain into psycho Octo-Mom overdrive.

Kudos to Jian for talking through BB's tantrum. I feel bad for the rest of the band who seemed (from this short clip, anyway) to be cool guys who are really into the music, and not self-designated "music historians" with a point to prove. Good music is still about the people behind the rhythmn and melodies. BB has lost me as a potential fan, but I am not painting his bandmates with the same brush. They should fire his country fanny.

This Billy Bob Thornton guy is either on heavy meds or just plain crazy.I would advise any of his friends to keep sharp objects away from him before getting him into rehab or a good phycastrist !He was an obvious embarrassment to his band mates as well !This guy is scary dangerous. Hope he doesn't own a gun !

Boy! Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed or what? Could Billy Bob Thornton have been anymore of a jerk than he was in the interview? Hats off to Mr. Ghomesi for staying true and professional during a difficult interview. Iv'e never been much of a Billy Bob Thornton fan, but after this debacle of his, I will never watch anything he's in ever again! BBT, YOU'RE A DICK!!!!

you do know that Joaquin Phoenix's "meltdown" is all part of a publicity stunt for an upcoming biopic he's doing, right? Before you jump to conclusions about who's falling apart, read upp please.

Even with the current economic woes of the CBC, somebody give Mr Ghomeshi a healthy bonus cheque! Jian's handling of an openly hostile and evasive guest was exemplary! He has given us all an outstanding example of how keeping your cool under extreme provocation commands respect, and triumphs over any opponent.

And is it not ironic that the oh so easily bruised Mr Thornton would prefer the company of those who would throw things at each other!?

Yes, Billy Bob was a jerk on this interview, but he didn't want this interview to be about him and his acting. I can understand how he wants his band, the Boxmasters, to be different from his acting career, Billy Bob Thornton. He probably feels embarassed when the interviewer only asks about his past life, when the whole band is to be interviewed.

P.s. Gravy without the mash potatoes...it is clever, and a little true. I went to a few concerts in theatres...and no one moves! For example, I saw Paul Brandt in Hamilton about 7 years ago in a theatre....no one left their seat, let alone stood up. The music was amazing, the crowd was like day old, lumpy mashed potatoes.

What a way to promote a band! Not only did Billy Bob make himself look like an childish idiot with a massive ego complex, Billy Bob shamed his band and Willie Nelson (who he is opening for infront of Canadian audiences). He said he didn't want to make the interveiw about his acting career, but he made the interveiw about him and his past career by having his little fit. So selfish and stupid!
The interveiwer was amazing! Good job! I would not have been able to handle Billy Bob's male diva attitude. You earned your gravy for your mashed potatoes!

The interview belongs in a Woody Allen film with its awkward exchange of words and erratic artist behaviour. Woody Allen was more honest when he performed in concert as a musician, playing the clarinet, saying "If I weren't famous, nobody would come to my concerts." Admitting fame was the only way he was able to become a successful musician. Get over yourself Billy Bob.

Can the producers of Q take a lesson from this to book real musicians on their show and ignore spoiled celebrity rockstar wannabees? There's plenty of fish in the sea who actually have some talent, would love the free publicity, and might even agree to play their song instead of having a temper tantrum in slow motion.

Gad I f*cking hate prima donnas. He even tried to compare himself to Tom Petty, what a joke! I felt sorry for the rest of the band, maybe they'd have more success if they drop him and replace him with Don Johnson, or Eddie Murphy, or William Shatner.

Fact: the host was asked to not talk about "the stuff". Yet, he did. He broke a trust or agreement. It was avoidable! It could have been different. It could have been better. Many people are now knocking BBT. How would you feel if someone did not respect you and your clear request to not talk about "the stuff"? The host made a huge mistake. I am not saying what BBT was right or good; just highlighting the fact that BBT's request was not respected, trust was broken, and we all lost. Lesson learned?

What astonished me was that Ghomeshi didn't once really say just sorry he had misunderstood his guest's request not just to not talk about Thornton's movie career but not to mention it at all.

I am entirely sympathetic to Thornton in this. I have always held Jian in very high regard. I am disappointed.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Takes a no name band and turns it into a youtube search special, at least for a little while.

The guy has 30 years in the biz, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Smart. LOL

Do you think the Bustmasters would be doing anything outside of a how down in jack squat Tennessee if Billy Bob wasn't an actor? Music historian? Like the rest of us! My opinion of the man just went down to about 10%. A snide comment I can live with. This was the entire interview. What an egomaniac. Go back across the border where tall poppy syndrome doesn't exist.

Until this morning I'd never heard of this clown.

At least now whenever I hear his name I can change the channel, or not rent the movie, or not buy the album.

Another name for my very lengthy "ignore list".

I don't believe the interviewer handled this very professionally unless it was his point to perpetuate the drama and tension. TV hosts are supposed to be trained to adapt to or diffuse these situations. Instead of moving on to something agreeable to discuss, he hammered the issue with a blunt object.

He looked a little high on somenthing.
I don't know alot about the BB, but towards the end of the interview he seemed to pull it together and had some very interesting things to say, I may actually have my son find some of his music, so I can have a listen.
I think the radio announcer would make a great therapist he seemed to be able to break through BB defences and he did it in a way that was respectful.
Too bad we have to make bad press about it, but I bought it, came straight here from the 10 o'clock news to see the uncut version.

I agree with billy

What a D*ck.

Oh if only we could get Billy Bob to interview Ghomeshi. He might learn something like civility and humility attributes he obviously lacks now

This guy is an illusionist, only the illusion is that he is someone special. just another dumb ass american hick who thinks he's all that and a bag of chips, what a fucking loser....

If the intent of BBT instruction to not mentioned his more well know career was to help focus the interview on the band and their music his behaviour got everyone focus on anything but the band.

If the saying holds true that any publicity is good publicity then he did an amazing job. People will be talking about this one for a while.

I still don't know if he can play the drums or sing.

It seems as though Billy Bob, Fox TV & Nancy Grace all seem to feel they can voice their antipathy towards Canada.

God Bless their green eyed cotton socks, what goes around comes around, every Empire rises & falls & we now see the venom of their wreckage.

Wow, kudos to Gian for continuing to extend a hand time after time only to have it slapped away again and again. If it were me, I'd have asked what his prob was and then just spent the whole rest of the interview asking him about Bad Santa, Slingblade and Tin Men.

There are SO MANY eager and talented musicians out there who would think they'd died & gone to heaven to be interviewed on Q. Those in the industry with clout should take note of this dilettante's attitude and ignore him from here on in. His bandmates must be thinking, "So this is what they call paying your dues."

What an idiot. This is easy, forget any more press for these guys! Make their whole band suffer for this fools behavior.

I watched incredulously as some actor come drummer, Billy Bob Thornton was ego-tripping with a friendly host. The man has just started a career in music, thanks largely to the fact that people know him as an actor, and he's whining at a slight oversight?

My next question would have been "If you didn't want the careers to crossover, why didn't you just used an assumed name? It worked for the Traveling Wilburys and even Klaatu!"

If his musical talent is as varied and interesting as his acting ability, we can expect to see him doing a rather mediocre endless repetition of one song.

I have no idea how you suppressed the urge to kick this bunch of ass-clowns out of your studio.

The deal should be that if you are on the radio trying to promote your sh@tty band's tour, nothing should be off limits. Ghomeshi said one little thing about acting and gets a reaction like this... unbelievable.

Let's rewind and go over the bit where he compares his musical credentials to Tom Petty. I don't even like Tom Petty but Billy Bob hasn't got a clue.

Ironically, it was not Jian's cursory reference to Thornton's' acting career that made this career the focus of the interview, but rather Thornton's pseudo-psychotic behaviour throughout the interview. Indeed, his 'best' answers only came when attention was focused back on this topic at end of interview. The band is doomed because at its core, Billy wants it to be all about Billy while pretending otherwise.

Classic!!!

Kudos for Jian rising above and showing some professionalism unlike the guest.

I felt somewhat bad for his bandmates but i get the feeling this is common for them to deal with.

I respect B.B.T for bring something new to the music scene and showing a different side to what he's about. But being a dick is not cool...shame!

Bring on the mash and gravy!

BBT, what a loser.
My advice to him would be "Get over it, pal", and continue the interview instead of coming off as a pompous ass and mumbling some crap about comic books. He's only served to take the spotlight further away from his band and music, but then maybe that was his intention as a hyper-inflated egotistical Hollywood big-shot.
The line about usually playing gigs where people throw stuff and hoot/holler is a laugh, obviously he's put off by Canadian audiences that expect some kind of reasonable intelligence in their performance. Maybe the American south is where he should be looking for gigs. Not only that, but I can well imagine people paying to see Willy Nelson don't exactly give a rat's rear for the Boxcutters.
Top marks to Jian for taking it to the end, I imagine 95% of us would have burned him royally or just have his mic shut off.
Canada says goodbye, Billy, don't let the border hit you in the rear on your way out.

Seriously, what a pompous arse! Needs a reality check. What a bloody moron!

What a horse's ass!! Jian asked a very simple question - when did the band form and Thorton's answer is " I don't know what you mean" Is he that stupid or is he as stoned as he looks???

Congratulations Jian.... you've shown us what a professional you truly are and what a jerk BBT is.

........ and BBT, for the record, YES, I WOULD say that to you!

RoseeC
(ya know, one of the "mash potatoes without gravy"?)

Right after he says the part about his first love being Lisa Cohen his whole face twitches as if the demon is shifting within him to Thornton's surprise.

Billy Bob did always strike me as a baby name so I guess that's why he's acting like that...

I like Billy Bob's approach. Why are we so critical of him when he did something similar to we expect of our politicians of business executives? One has to watch yesterday's interview by Peter Mandsbridge with the president of GM to realize that the latter only said what he wanted to say and did not answer the questions at all. Heck, all he was doing was glorifying the crap that comes out of his archaic assembly plant! Billy Bob is an artist of a rare talent. He excels at whatever he does. He will stay in our memories with his creative work; from Sling Blade to The Man Who wasn't There to his music. I'm glad that finally an artist has lost his passivity in front of a mike! Keep on rocking Billy Bob!

Way to go Bob !.... You just proved my point that most Hollywood types like you are idiots... Go back to the U.S.

Wow, BBT must still be hooked on some sort of drug athat makes him thinks it gives him some sort of power to be a childish moron. He should probably go back to his acting (oops, I said it) roots before the entire musical fanbase they may have acquired abandons the "band" because of his lack of respect and decency. Good jod Ghomeshi, for sure! Also, good for tolerating his crap bandmates.

Hi my name is Billy Bob, I am a red-neck and I have two first names.

i would like to congratulate jian on how he handled the interview. while being totally frustrated he kept his composure and as tempting as it would be, he did not stoop to bbt's level. i love the show and have a new respect for the host/musician,if its ok to mention that he also is a musician.

Put this guy back into the hole he came out of. Don't go to his concerts. Willie what were you thinking?

Its funny listening to a no talent red neck complain about how reserved Canadians are. Perhaps he should show us what balls he has by enlisting instead of hiding in a sea of nose powder

Jian Ghomeshi was told ahead of the interview to stick to the music, I guess he decided that the rules didn't really apply to him. What do you expect, everyone knows Billy Bob is a time bomb. Stick to the rules Jian. On the other hand Billy Bob takes himself way too seriously. When it was suggested to him that film and music are dual passions he replied "Would you say that to Tom Petty?" Billy Bob is no Tom Petty. Jian and Billy Bob deserve each other.

The only time I've seen Billy Bob seem natural was playing Slingblade. Best fit I guess. What is his problem with "no gravy" anyways? He has plenty between his ears in my opinion. To be honest, I felt bad for his band mates. They seemed to be interested in presenting an interview about the band and the music, but Billy Bob was more interested in playing the spoiled starlet than being real or honest. His rant that he has 8 records to his credit was more of the self deluded nonsense. If they were worth the vinyl they were printed on, he wouldn't need to tell anyone about them, we would already know! His reference to Tom Petty was more narcissistic nonsense. Tom Petty is a great musician with hits spanning decades! Someone tell me what hits Mr. Thorton has?..... STILL WAITING.... If this was an effort by Mr. Thorton to draw attention to his music, I'd have to say it was a failed effort. Insulting Canadian audiences who are open to all music styles, and who might have been interested is not a good thing. Canadians are too intelligent to entertain such boorish behaviour Billy Bob! Congrats to everyone else at the interview for not putting that geriatric adolescent in the corner for a time out!

BB is the perfect candidate for the next movie requiring a village idiot that cannot act or sing.

I was so amused by this interview.

Clearly Mr Thornton set the rules for the interview and CBC producers ignored them.

I felt Mr Thornton was trying to get across that his music is about his music, not about the fact he is a famous movie star, and a darn good one at that. He had every reason to sabotage the interview when he was so disrespected.

I felt that Mr Ghomeshi handled himself very well in this interview, because he was the "deer in the headlights" because of the stupidity of his producers.

I am reminded of interviews that Pierre Trudeau gave to media in his time: pity the reporter who was not prepared for the truculent respondent!

Good job, Mr Ghomeshi: you earned your chops with me for handling that interview with such delicacy. And good for you, Mr Thornton, for defending the integrity of your music!

Now let's see the video where Mr Ghomeshi dressed down his incompetent producers! LOLOL

George Keith Young
Montreal

Stop feeding trolls.
He wasn't high.
He wasn't losing it. It was pure alpha male pride. He knows he's a hobby musician, so he won't talk about it. Someone dared to challenge im, so he essentially took a whiz all over the interview to mark his territory.
Now he's all over the 'net and TV. Wow. It's almost like he played a role to get maximum coverage for a his minor (at best) band.
Stop.

Forget about these Hollywood jerks - I never understood people's fascination for these American knuckle-dragging slack-jawed monosyllabic DOLTS! Male & female.

What a creep! Ghomeshi should get a big raise for putting up with that crap so calmly.I feel sorry for the rest of BBT's band that has to put up with that.

Full credit to you Ghomeshi for you handling of the situation first. You could have simply ignored him but you perfectly got through this bringing to light the pompous ass inside.
A calculated ass indeed BB was. Truthfully I would have never heard or watched this interview had it not been headlined with BB blowup and I think that he (bb) did this to capture a audience that normally would not be interested in this band. Now I just feel played in giving him exactly what he wanted.

A perfect example of an ACTOR, now that I have lots of money I can do what ever I want and expect that people will follow me because I am great. Well he's not great and any notion he has of this started with him ACTING!!!

It's highly unlikely that I'd ever buy a car from a mature adult named Billy Bob and even less likely that I'd consider him a serious anything but a waste of good space. Go Q!

What a pompous little asshole! His band mates looked mortified by his behaviour.
Ghomeshi handled the situation remarkably well.

I think BBT is a smart man. He's using what he does best and you are all talking about his performance on that show. You all buy into it like little puppets. Way to go Billy.

The band, at the very least, had to be embarrassed by BB the ass jack. Total douche...

Wow. Any sort of respect I had for BBT has been smashed into a million pieces. I've seen adults throw tantrums before, but this was just absolutely ludicrous! Jian handled himself well, not to mention kept his cool (quite a challenge I think, after having heard the interview...).

A masterpiece give BB another awared for method acting. Billy Bob managed to take an average mid-day interview and turn it into an international media event. Q was being played from the get go. BB couldn't have bought this much media coverage. As for him being stoned, it seem to me he wasn't but he was "in character" and this may well have been one of his best preformance.
If your music BB is a good and creative as your acting I my become a fan.

What a cry baby. Way to make people want to come see your show Billy Bob...

Gomeshi was asked not to mention Thornton's acting career and he did it anyway. Not smart although I'm sure Thornton's response was most likely anticipated. Interviewer's are always looking to push the envelope.

I remember Jian telling Warren Kinsella about his interview with Johnny Lydon I guess he was being a nasty insult box (Mr. Lydons full time job). At the commercial breaks Mr. Lydon would ask Jian if he was giving good interview material - sounded to me that Lydon liked Jian and wanted to help out a young journalist. The redneck that Q had on the show yesterday didn't like Jian, the CBC or even Canada. BBT did, unintentionally, make Jian look good - he showed us what a professional he is and the world just paid notice to it.
Good on you Jian.

Billy Bob Thorton needs some reality. If you don't want your past accomplishments brought up, change your friggin name. He acted like a spoiled child, and showed open disdain for Canada and Canadians. I bet his show keeps people away in droves.

I think this would be a really good time for the other guys in the band to start looking for a new singer. He did not do them any favors with his temper tantrum. Bet you he's really fun to work with - NOT!

That was painful and jaw-dropping.
BBT - What a baby! The description of his music sounds interesting, but unfortunately, he has made a boycotter out of me. His bandmates should really drop him.
Jian was amazing. He delicately walked through that minefield, coming out unscathed and definitely looking like the better man.

It's really too bad that Billy Bob had to take a hissy fit. Jian Ghomeshi did a fantastic job of keeping things under control. And he was absolutely correct in pointing out that any publicity the Boxmasters have generated is mainly because of Thorton. Grow up Billy Bob, and if you prefer performing in venues where people are throwing things vs. "just sitting there", then keep your band and your attitude South of the border. Don't be surprised if you get booed off the stage here in the Great White North. We don't pamper our musicians here...we let them earn our respect.

Does Billy Bob think that his acting in no way has had an effect on his musical career? I mean, I am sure that Willie has thousands of bands eager to play as an opening band for Willie.
I am sure many are just as good if not better than Boxmaster, but surely the name Billy Bob Thornton had nothing to do with Willie even giving the band a second glance.
With that kind of defence mechanism, can you image playing in band with this? Whoa, temper, his like a time bomb about to off, but when?! Did he rake his band over the coals for talking to Ghomeshi when out of the building? Turn over could be high for this band, for every one except the drummer...

I'll bet The Boxmasters don't last long after this. I used to be a performing musician and if my drummer toasted me like this on the air (I'm talking about the two bandmates forced to mop up after Billy Bob) our working days would be numbered.

The other band members were looking very uncomfortable, trying to talk about the music they obviously love. I'm sure BBT has given them a good start as a band due to his 'connections'- now they should find another drummer - fast!

I've always enjoyed listening to Gian Ghomeshi's interviews but until today I thought he had one of the easier jobs on radio i.e. talking with interesting people for a living. He was absolutely incredible today. I would have quit. I really thought that any second we listeners would have heard canned music or dead air. Well done Gian.

I just think he was being mysterious in a weird way, going from I dont know to actually talking. He didnt like getting up at 6am. Looked tired and uninterested. Really doesnt like the focus on him. Big deal.

Billy Bob a.k.a. Big Baby!!! Grow up and get a hold of yourself BB. Enough said...

What an arrogant person. BBT doesn't appear to have much respect for us Canucks My hat goes off to Mr. Ghomeshi for working through that mess of an interview and making it work in the end. He definately has a lot more patience than I have.

I feel sorry for the rest of the band! Because of Billy Bob's complete foolishness, they fail to get their message out as true musicians. Instead, they come off as a sideshow to a lunatic with major identity issues.

The questions were pretty standard. The same types of things that most musical acts are asked. Maybe Mr. Thornton is so self-absorbed he's never bothered to watch an interview with any other artist.

He's so high on himself his brain can't function.

By the way, Mr. Thornton, you are NO Tom Petty. Not even close. Talk about delusional.

Jian was very impressive in dealing with that fool. I would have lost my cool after a few minutes with that a$$hole, but Jian hung in there and didn't back down once. Excellent work Mr. Ghomeshi!

Someone please give this man a raise; that situation could have gone so badly if the host wasn`t so calm and collected. The CBC should give him a raise, and continue broadcasting Bob`s subpar interview performance. Professional is that last thing that came to mind when I saw Bob throw down the gauntlet of petulance. In any case, excellent work, and I will certainly be tuning into Q more often after this well-handled spectacle.

Rude,ignorant, arrogant, poumpous, and should be never ever invited to this great country again to preform in his mickey mouse band. Hope he never walks to red carpet here..Angelia, what the hell were you thinking girl??

Maybe whoever might attend his Canadian gigs should bring a few potatoes? Is there anyone really attending his performances in Canada after this?? Gheez!

I too listened to that interview....while squirming in my seat...I was embarassed for Jian but disgusted with the obvious self-centered childishness (no insult to children intended) that Red Neck Bob displayed. I was so disgusted that I made a point of watching the interview on-line afterwards and felt bad for the rest of his band, even though I was unsure if they were in his camp or not. I also tried to send a e-mail to the idiot (in retrospect I'm ticked at myself that I wasted that much time on the graceless wonder)but apparently, HE's too important to read e-mails according to his official website (who knew?!). Go back to Texas where you apparently enjoy playing behind chicken wire while fellow red-necks lob articles at you...all while filing your face with potatoes AND gravy no doubt. We Canadians don't need your kind anyway.

watching the video, i felt so bad for his band members. they all looked somewhere between sheepish and terrified. clearly this isn't the first time bibbob's behaviour has turned dark... at one point the dark haired guy is just nervously playing with his mic cord, and i really felt for him.

i can't imagine any better way of handling this than the way Jian did. personally, after the first couple minutes i would have kicked bibbob's butt right out the studio door.

wooooooooooooow!!
outrageous.... would he have the interview if he wasn't already somewhat famous?
Good Grief.
well handled by Jian Ghomeshi!!
pull up your egg shell and have a seat with this clown...this moment brought to you by arrogance and chemicals!!
"how to lose fans and alienate your audience!!"

I congratulate you on your handling of a rather sullen character. Very well done, but at times you have to tell the sullen bastard he is a sullen bastard.

How much glue goes into making those models?

Billy Bob Thornton is the dumbest entertainer I have ever seen, and to call him an entertainer may not be the correct name, and should be the poster boy for birth control. I can not believe that we have thousands of amazing artists out there and the CBC profiles this stupid “Son of a Bitch” instead of someone with a personality and actual talent. There should have been a mandate set that he was not allowed to be STONED while performing the interview. The only reason that he is successful as an “Entertainer?” is because of his previous, some what success, in T.V. Land where he can be stoned all he wants and they can edit his unintelligent comments and acting into something spectacular. I give praise to Jian Ghomeshi for his outstanding performance in the presence of this mental midget.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Granted, Thorton is clearly an a$$hole. But, if he agreed to do an interview under certain conditions, then those conditions should be respected. And what of Ghomeshi's motivations. While watching the interview, it seemed to me that Ghomeshi was far more interested in interviewing the celebrity than the new band; there was one Boxmaster member to whom Ghomeshi did not address one single question. Ghomeshi's motivation was as self serving as Ms. Sarah Liss's present post. These self serving actions cast serious doubt on "journalistic integrity" at the CBC.

My jaw just dropped....what a tense interview. Jian Ghomeshi is an impressive interviewer. I was very proud of Jian’s composure under this bizarre circumstance and showed Mr. Billy Bob we are cool up here and don’t need to throw things to be animate. We only throw intelligent comments at A**wipes like Billy Bob ….

Wow, I've almost been there and done that...having been a former cbc radio current affairs host for 27 years it is very stressful to have a Billy Bob Type in the studio. The chip on his shoulder slurred his speech and his focus but more importantly the interviewer was precise and tactful. Way to go. Tense moments for an interviewer but enlightening for the audience in how self centred, basically mean individuals can carry fortunes and power but nothing in humanity. I'll take the gravy (the band) but pass on the dessert (he's too sweet).

Gezz Billy Bob, I guess you're use to playing in places where the audience throws things. Maybe the interview would have gone better then if Jian threw his coffee at you.

Wow!
Clearly not interested in securing Canadian fans. If you log onto the Boxmaster website you will find more Can. trash talk. I wonder if Willie appreciates the negative attention through association with the BM's?
And for the record, they can't even compare to Petty! I hope this experience has taught them a lesson...but I doubt it.
Has anyone contacted Willie to let him know what went down? Hmmm.

Ghomeshi way to go . I listen all the time , you did a great job BBT was all about his ego not about his band at all.
It must be nice to be famous and able to judge a whole country you are just visiting.
I agree with other post what a A**

What a Dick Head....sure thinks a lot of himself. Good job Jian. Now one can see how difficult your job can be.

What an ass!His attitude towards Canada&Canadians really shows how ignorant He really is.I`ll NOT be listening to his music or watching his films now after seeing this disater. Gian did a far better job of keeping his cool than many of us would have.Sorry you had to go through that!BBT is a minor actor & would`nt even be in a touring band if he had`nt been in film!

Oh Jian. I was cringing while listening live on the radio the first time and it was compounded when I watched the tv clip later on. What a jerk, but we knew that since we now know he smokes. He is not an actor and I guess I'll never know if he is a musician because I won't bother to listen to him, although I might have given the other boys in the band a shot. Not now. You, however, were the consumate professional so thanks for that and keep up the good work.

I have always love BBT until this interview. Perfectly articulated in other comments, "Billy Bob on the powder" and FHIM if he thinks Canadians are mashed potatoes without gravy. What a jerk! I didn't feel bad for the interviewer, he was professional and acted appropriately........well done at his job! BBT go f yourself............signed mashed potatoes with extra gravy!

Billy Bob Thornton has always been one of my favourite actors... but I will be boycotting his movies and his music after his appalling behaviour during his Q interview. Being a dual "Americanadian" citizen, I was shocked at how BBT treated Jian with bemused condescention, how he embarrassed and demoralized his own band members... and how he blatantly insulted Canadians. He is certainly no embassador for Americans, Hollywood or the music profession. Kudos to Jian for how he reacted to BBT's unwarranted and narcissistic conduct. I, too, will be spending more time listening to Jian Ghomeshi... and no more time listening to Billy Bob Thornton. Billy Bob, you have just lost a lot of your fan base with your arrogance... and, I bet, not all of them Canadians!

Is anyone really that surprised by B.B's behaviour? Any time that I have heard anything about him or seen any photos of him, he always appeared to be stupid, smug and bullyish. I have not seen any film that he has acted in because he is just not interesting at all. This may get him the attention that he doesn't deserve and help to sell his CD. It's all been done before.

I completely appreciated BBT reaction. How many times do these celebrities have to deal with ignorant hosts who like the sound of their own voices? Also, the fact that he tells them that part of the attention they receive is because of BBT acting career? Come on, Jian. That's insulting to them, and their music. Especially if they kindly asked this not to be discussed. Jian deserved some of that.

It's good that poor souls have "played a lot of places where people through things at one another", because I'm guessing that's the reception BBT is going to get for the rest of his Canadian tour.

The interviewer did a fab job keeping the interview on track despite Billy Bob's immaturity and rudeness. What a jerk! I hope the people with tickets to see his upcoming shows with Willie let him know it.

What a major d^&k wad. I mean seriously, did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?! Did he have to be such an ass?
Jian was just doing his job for Pete's sakes and asked relevant questions. BBT didn't have to go off the deep end. Geez.

One thing that I think should be noted is that Tom Petty has had a music career that has spanned over 30 years which has resulted in nearly 2 dozen albums being released, not to mention numerous singles which will be remembered and admired for many decades to come. Tom Petty has earned any and all respect given to him.

BBT on the other hand has no such musical legacy which would warrant him being given the same types of questions that Tom Petty would be given. Just because BBT wants to be a musical legend, doesn't make him one. There's only one way to become a legend and I find it unfathomable that Thornton would would compare himself to Petty on this level.

In my opinion, Ghomeshi afforded BBT much more respect and courtesy than was warranted. Good job Jian.

Well, at least Billy Bob's interviews have a bit of edge. There's precious little in his music.

It is interesting that he mentioned Tom Petty because I am pretty sure that if Petty started acting someone would mention his previous musical career.

As for Billy-Bob perhaps he would have preferred it if Ghomeshi just referred to him as "Angelina's Ex" the entire interview.

You're not Tom Petty.

Tom Petty has a longevity and talent that you have not displayed.

Billy boy...don't quit your day job dude! Your music not worth the headache and your attitude needs a very fine adjusting...

Well, I do happen to agree with the Idea of being seperated by context but all Mr. Thorton has to do is change his name and not use any of his 'professional' influeences and be the fronting and finacial man with no mention to his past. THEN, we will see how good he and The Boxmasters really are. I know just from this interview I will not support Thorton in any faction of his career, financially or emotionally. I do not feel he has anything to offer that I want to listen to. On the other hand a true professional shines on 'Cudos' to you Jian Ghomeshi and team for a remarkable save. This just shows me the unmatched level of skill that Ghomeshi has Interviewing. Weather beaten Thorton to Barbra Walters Interview. Yes to wrap this up I will be watching more on this thing we call Q.
David Mosgrove

billy bob is a total spoiled loser, i feel sorry for his bandmates, did you see how embarassed they looked in the interview? ditch him and move on.

He's a total psycho,his fellow band mates looked embarassed but managed to stand up well. As for you Jian you are a real pro,good on you for continuing and calling him on his" petty",no pun intended slurs.

What an embarrassing interview for BBT. The other members of the band were obviously squirming. Kudos to the host for keeping his cool.

Why do we bother with clowns like Thornton?

It's time for CBC to have these people examined before they earn the privelige to be heard by a Canadian audience.

These guys should consider getting a professional drummer ,there is a lot of hungry talent out there who have what it takes to do the job they sigh up for.

Ghomeshi gets a standing ovation and a new fan! BBT displays textbook "american arrogance", the same attitude that President Obama has been apologizing for on the world stage. If Billy Bob wants Canadian audiences to start throwing things let's hope it lands on the drummer!

Billy-bob you acted like a SPOILED CHILD, whining because the big bad CBC made him get up at 6:00 AM.

Cry me a river.

CBC was TRYING to give you FREE PUBLCITY

FYI we have MANNERS in Canada

I watched the interview with Billy Bob Thorton and hats off to Jian Ghomeshi for keeping the interview under control.

This Thorton guy either has serious withdrawl issues from 'Gritz & Gravy' or is on heavy medication, spaced out on acid or is just a complete jerk!

If I was Willie Nelson I would hire a drum playing psychiatrist equipped with medication and a taser to tour with the band in case Billy Bob loses it completely.

The psychiatrist could control Billy Bob with taser & medication should he become a danger to himself or others, then the psychiatrist could take over the drums and then the band could play the old Bugs Bunny tune "On With The Show This Is It"!

BB is just a little boy and a dog in the manger. A puck hog and a one-way player. There's not enough mustard for this hotdog! You wonder about how long BB is going to be in this band?

What an A**hole...too bad the rest of the band has to carry his weight...Get over it Billy Bob...someone needs to take him out behind the wood shed and teach him some hill billy manners.

Jian, you should have shirted him then tossed him out of the studio. He never would have seen it coming.
Seriously now...I commend you for remaining calm and polite, allowing Thornton to demonstrate all on his own the obnoxious, sucky little princess that he is.

Bravo Jian ! I am a avid listener, very morning. Ha Ha " mash with the gravy" how childish. BBT - don't bite the hand that feesds you!

Pure theatre at it's worst with Billy Bob auditioning for the roll of Hannibal Lecter but delivering Norman Bates. Or was it Norma Desmond with the temperment?

As to the "Mashed Potatoe without the Gravy" comment I think he has the opposite problem. All hype no content.

Billy Bob needs to go back to acting, adisedly, ACTING-101 would be the place to start.

As to his ability to sing, it sounds like what it is, someone cashing in on his celebrity. The man and his band are completely void of artistist integrity, they have mistakenly confused quantity for quality.

Billy Bob is apparently afraid of flatware, antique furniture, and harpsichords, so perhaps Jian's furniture was too old for him.

Why is anyone surprised by this?
He DOES have a history of being a bit of an grumpy, ornery wierdo. Mentioning something he specifically asks you not mention will probably make him grumpy and less than eager to go along with the interview.

I don't blame an interviewer for pushing buttons to get a youtube-worthy reaction, but you can't blame BB for providing that reaction when his buttons have been pushed.

It's not that big of a deal.

Poor Jian, poor bandmates, poor me for choosing to listen to that train wreck of an interview yesterday morning (I wanna' turn this off but...can't). I was cringing hehind the steering wheel unaware I was listening to a little bit of radio history. A great example of ego unchecked and run amok. I'm wondering if Canadians will give BBT his wish and start throwing things during his performance, in his direction would be an idea. Got the feeling during the interview that BBT might be thinking "I'm showing him". Yup he showed Jian and Canada and the world really what an idiot he is. Loose Cannon fits perfectly. His bandmates looked like they wanted to sink into their seats or cry or both.

Billy Bob needs to get a grip, what an joke. I was at the concert in Kingston on Sunday night and really, he was nothing much to write home about. His band is only so so, he needs to come back to earth. He is just a rich guy indulging himself.

Where was the big "blow up"? If anything, Billy-Bob is guilty of having a terrible name and perhaps rambling a bit. He is entitled not to talk about other aspects of his career. David Grohl (former drummer from Nirvana) who fronts the Foo-Fighters absolutely refuses to answer questions about Kurt Kobain or Nirvana. He doesn't want to be perpetually known as 'the drummer from Nirvana'.

Again, where was the big blow up? Didn't see it.

Wow... not that I liked him before but now he can be thrown in the Hollywood pile known as the HOT MESS club. Kudos Jian, you should have just turned off his mike, ok bye! Not that we ever said hello.

No matter how much you disagree with anyone about anything, Billy's childish, rude and insulting "Gravy" is the type that Canadians are proud not to be good at dishing out. I don't particular like Ghomeshi but I'm glad he at least didn't get ugly back to him.

This is good example of when it would be okay to end an interview. Billy obviously was looking for a fight. The best thing to have done was to end it the second time he claimed he "didn't know what he was talking about." Since the acting reference issue came up, Ghomeshi did smartly make the point that "..you get attention because the career you have". I think this is Billy's problem, he can't accept that the only reason his band gets attention or even can sell any tickets is mostly because of his celebrity.

I wish that Ghomeshi asked him the simple question before ending the interview; "Do you think that your band would be touring and producing albums if not for your celebrity"?

Ghomeshi sucks. What a pretentious little dweeb. He was told not to mention Thornton's acting career.......but keeps going on and on about it. Then, won't drop the issue. He's an idiot. I hope him, or his producer, loses their job.

I cannot believe the dribble that was dispensed from BBT. I mean if you looked for a definition of verbal diarrhea you would see his picture. Billy Bob..can I ask you something are you on or off your meds or is it just all that hillbilly inbreeding that has made you such an A** hole?

I think a follow up with Kim Stockwoods song 'Jerk' would have been appropriate.
love your show.

BBT should head back to Texas and regroup with his old southern drawl xpresident GWB. Many of us who pay to see a good movie are tired of him playing the same roles, seen one of his movies,you've seen them all. I don't think I would pay to see his band play a single note. As if his comments on anything count. To bad he represents a large majority of Americans who don't know anything about the rest of the world and don't care.The CBC employees missed a chance to give him a good Canuck s...kicking.
Phil. Ottawa

I guess we're not going to hear the Boxmasters play Buck Owens's Act Naturally ("They're gonna put me in the movies...")
A certain British Invasion band wasn't so shy about movies, and neither was that hillbilly Elvis.

Billy Bob Thornton is an @$$hole and his music sucks. What was he trying to prove?? And what kind of drugs was he on?? Advice to the rest of his band members......find someone else, you won't go anywhere with a lead that acts like that.

Billy Bob did a huge dis-service to his own band by behaving so selfishly. If I were his bandmates I would be pretty pissed. In fact I think if I were Willie Nelson I'd be pretty pissed too. What a diva!

This reeks of desperation on CBC's part to make something out of nothing.

"Great Moments in Live Radio: Billy Bob's Breakdown!!!!"
-links to TMZ and perezhilton to get cred with celebrity gossip hounds
-calling it a debacle, freakout, even mentioning Joaquin Phoenix to milk that celebrities-gone-wild connection

Stick to news and entertainment, not this trite, attention-grabbing traffic generator.

thanks.

If I was Ghomeshi I would have terminated the interview as soon as BB said he didn't understand the question, woud have put a song on and had security escort the band out.

He has a million + listeners on a international radio show and he shuts his music down to them. Bill Bob is showing his age in his shoe size. Unfortunately the music is dated for the old boys club. The Canadian audiences are quiet because his music is boring. Furthermore he doesn't allow any interaction on the internet. This guy is a big Hollywood phony.

B-B-T is one S-A-D dude. It's too bad the interviewer didn't (or perhaps couldn't) walk out on that clown.

Prince of Pompus?!! Jian is an excellent host, what's up with that? BB didn't 'stand up' to anybody, he just threw a tantrum because he didn't get his green M&M's.

Anyhow, I do think BB is a very good actor, and I haven't heard his music so I can't say.

It's all ego. He wants to be a musical success based solely on his musical ability. Obviously he's extremely insecure.

If he doesn't like Canadian audiences, then he shouldn't play here. Have some integrity BB.

Another self indulgent asshole. How this guy can compare himself to the likes of Tom Petty is galling to say the least. If Thornton had pulled this crap with Howard Stern or Don Imus he would have put in his place in short order; well let me qualify that, Stern would be all over him, kissing his ass and Imus and Thornton are likely very much the same in attitude and opinion. When Thornton began with the nastiness, the engineer should have shut off his microphone and Ghomesi continue the interview with the people who actually give creedance to Mr. Thornton's notion that he is a singer. I'm positive the CBC can find equally obnoxious guests to interview that actually have musical talent. Thornton would still be a two bit actor if he'd not been married to Angelina Jolie

BillyBob's behaviour reminded me of another artist who told me he sometimes behaved like an asshole because of his artistic temperment.Personally I believe too many artists use artistic temperment as an excuse do behave in this manner which I find is no excuse at all.As far as The Boxmasters music is concerned I also believe that good music is a reflection of the artists personality and soul, consequently I have no desire to subject my ears to it.

Well if Canadians are "mashed potatoes without the gravy" does that make Americans, with their solid hold on the five fattest cities in the world, mashed potatoes with extra gravy...hold the mashed potatoes? I would rather be "lacking the gravy" then be an ass Mr. Thorton.

Not too many things get me riled up? Sent this to several news agency's
Billy Bob Thorton's mentality on CBC News yesterday sums up the prediciment the U.S. finds it self in.
Which equals lack of respect and under estimation.
He needs the down button pushed on his elevator shoes!
I say buckle up USA and enjoy the last little bit of the ride because the golden age is at the end of the tracks!
I just heard India has more honor stundents than the U.S. has students? (what about China?)

Thanks for listening to my rant! (avid reader of the ny times)
Cheers
T.E.S. Hynes
secondnaturelandscapes.bv@gmail.com

Ghomeshi sucks. That little robot couldn't veer from his approved script. Just like George Snufulufugus. Whenever an interview goes 'wrong', you can almost smell the ozone and see the sparks shoot out of their ears, head spinning, screaming "ERROR! ERROR! ERROR!" Good for Billy Bob. I hope Ghomeshi or his producer lose their jobs.

The Ghomeshi interview began with a series of totally non music-oriented comments about the actor. Comments that BB said were requested not to mentions. Ghomeshi should have been more intuitive and recognized BB was pissed off and handed his questions to the band members as a whole. I am sure if he was interviewing Clint Eastwood about an exhibition of his art work and was told to stick to the Art, he would have. BB should learn tolerance but damnit G pissed him off so he wasn't going to make it easy for him.

Congratulations to Ghomeshi for standing his ground with that idiot - wow, he thinks he's really something doesn't he? Did anyone else notice his band mates during his passive-aggressive ranting? They looked totally embarassed. Shame on BBT for his behaviour - and congratulations again to Ghomeshi - shows who the true professional is!!

Jian Ghomeshi is Canada's #1 radio show host for a reason. I'm glad he was able to handle it in his professional manner.

Jian rocks!!! I love you... You did not end the interview and succumb to the Bully .. You held it together ,graciously, I might add. More than Bully Bob deserved. He sucks anyway. Who does he think he is. I am sure Willie is the draw not this jackass. I do feel sorry for the bandmates. I suggest a food kiosk outside the venue serving up potatoes and gravy for all, lots of Canadian gravy!!

Billy Bob! Yeehaw! Somewhere in the deep south, a village is missing its idiot.

If BBThornton is getting a little senile, don't forget, you saw it here first.

Sara Liss says Thornton was happy to play during the sound check - SO - he was lying about why he wasn't going to play for the interview. Well, it seems that not all 'professionals' act in a professional manner.

Good luck with that. Billy Bob's acting like a real hick and a jerk...

Ghomeshi was grace under fire...... well done!

Let me get this straight: To get the interview with Thornton, CBC and Q agreed to the man's request "not to ask any questions about the aforementioned celebrated Hollywood career, under any circumstances."

Then during the interview Ghomeshi mentions Thornton's an actor to try to "maintain a modicum of journalistic integrity..."

If accepting the terms of the interview compromised CBC's journalistic integrity then the interview ought not to have been accepted.

Personally, I don't see an issue with accepting the agreement: we're talking about the entertainment industry here. Since when is entertainment journalism?

However, to accept an agreement and then not comply with said agreement is to lack integrity. It is called "dishonourable behaviour."

Wasn't the CBC discussing ethics last night, Wednesday, April 8th?

Feel free to show some journalistic integrity and read my comments on air.

Respectfully,

Martin McGreal

I watched and I was embarassed for him. I think Jian was excellent at handling him. He is not very different than any Hollywood Celebrity...Narcissistic! Hopefully after this interview Canadians will save their hard earned money and not give it to his band.

Well done Jian, I cannot believe how well you did trying to bring the interview back considering Billy was being such an a$$.

BBT is a petulant, immature dick. If I stretch the realm of possibility, I can understand if an "artist" refuses to continue an interview if he/she feels violated. BUT there has to be good reason. BBT DID NOT have any reason to act in such an immature way.

On another note, Jion was fantastic and handled himself brilliantly. Very mature to try to keep going with an obviously self-destructive band.

I will never watch or listen to BBT again.

Billy Bob Thornton is an a**hole. No wonder Angelina left his sorry ass. Go crawl in a hole a**hole.

Did you ever consider that the overblown ego shoe is on the other foot...Ghomeshi's. About time someone reacted to his inconsiderate and superficial interview techniques, so often disguised as "upbeat".

Billybob who?
Of course he would still be playing to half empty bars if no one knew who he was and let me guess he produced his own albums with his zillions he's earned being a bad actor! What an arrogant, egotistical ass!

Without his film career, he would not have had the opportunity front for Willie. There are hundreds of garage bands who would pass on his musical ability. Comments like the ones he made make me think his habit has turned his brain to mashed potatoes. Ghomeshi showed a ton of class in the way he handled a very uncomfortable situation.

Man, I was in my car listening to Q yesterday when the interview with BBT came on. It was like watching a train wreck. Kudos to Jian Ghomeshi for his interviewing skills! BBT is truly an ass. I sure hope he was on something and that wasn't his real personality 'shining thorough'. How embarrassing for the other members of the band.

BBT compares us to Mashed potatoes without gravy? Bah! We are poutine with extra gravy!

Ass hole!

I'm an avid film fan, like so many others, yet I have no recollection of this ac-tor man, Bob Billy Thornton, ever appearing in a film? Perhaps you could identify some FILM OF QUALITY that Thornton Billy has made appearance? I'm so sorry - I cannot recollect or imagine one.

CBC host Jian Ghomeshi looked like an amateur when he could not even get the number of albums recorded correct (Ghomeshi said 3 albums but the band did 5). It's like interviewing De Niro and saying how great he was in Blade Runner; amateurs should not be interviewing professionals.

Congratulations goes out to Gian Ghomeshi for his consummate professisonalism in dealing with prima donna Billy-Bob Thorton. Through skill and talent, Gian was able to pull the interview out of the fire. It would have been fitting (and funny) if Gian borrowed a line from David Letterman, delivered after a recent flat interview with Joaquin Phoenix, when Letterman wrapped it by saying to Phoenix: "Too bad you couldn't make it tonight."

In this clip it does not really seem that Billy Bob is trying to be a jerk. It seems more like he is very confused - Alzheimer's or too many drugs maybe.
I am sure he will be embarrassed if he watches this when he is having a more lucid moment.
I don't think this interview makes Billy Bob out to be a jerk, just a sad and confused man.

Billy Bib is an artiste and, as Canadians, we're are privileged to have him inside the white line where he can smoke his gravy-fied comments and tell us like it is (don't know what you mean....surely, ed.). If we can take Don Cherry week after week, surely we can stomach the guy who used to be in movies.

Given his inspirations, like the Monkees and greats like Chad and Jeremey, it's no wonder the Boxmeisters are world travellers and selling millions of copies. You watch, soon it will be Willie N who will be the secondary act. Not.

As for the J, to suggest that BB is riding on the coattails of a rather B level movie career is like saying J got the CBC gig because of all those great hits with Moxie Fruvous. Ridiculous!

Does ol’ Billy Bob expect to make his money as a celebrity and expect everyone to forget how he got to where he is? He made millions as an actor. That has given him the ability to not have to get a real job and dabble in his hobby of trying to be a musician while billions of more talented songwriters struggle. He’s acting like a spoilt child.

I think BBT has a medical problem. A brain scan might be advisable.

Obviously there will not be many other reporters rushing out to promote his music with an egocentric attitude he displayed during his interview. I hope it has a negative influence on his music career and the sells of his albums.

It's truly unbelievable to me that any self-respecting musicians would agree to tour with someone who will treat the journalists and media officers along their journey with that much disrespect and useless pompousness.
As a journalist working in music reviews, I have had my fair share of interviews with pretentious musicians, but to Jian Ghomeshi's credit, I would not have maintained employment through that outrageous ordeal.
For anyone who doesn't know, Ghomeshi is a talented musician himself, and, funnier still, was a drummer with a little band called Moxy Fruvous.
Thornton's condescending demeanor and obnoxious cattiness are not only undermining the very purpose of music journalism (and the use the media has in terms of publicity for artists of any nature), but his actions are far more ignorant than Ghomeshi could even try to be.
Not only does Ghomeshi clearly understand the industry, life on the road, the recording process, etc., he has also faced the very same "sh!t" Thornton is referring to!
In mid-2001, Ghomeshi released an LP called 'The First Six,' his first solo recording of all original songs.
During that time, he played all over our country, from halls to university bars, playing from the album.
I think I saw Ghomeshi play at least five times in the two years following the release of 'The First Six.'
Not once did I hear an introduction that did not include his past experience in Fruvous.

I wish I could say this interview was a massive waste of air time, and had nothing to offer the listener...
...but at least we learned just how boisterous Thornton really is, and how a real musician, and reporter, handles himself when, ahem, sh!t hits the fan.
=TS=

Is Danny Baker aka Unknown Hinson still touring with the Boxmasters? If so, it'd be worth going to that show just for him. He's amazing.

Martin McGreal has it right. CBC knew better, Ghomeshi knew better, and it was GHOMESHI that was in the wrong. It doesn't matter how people 'feel' about what BB said. I happen to agree with most of it. Ghomeshi was asking stupid, irrelevant questions. And on top of it, he broke whatever contract was agreed upon, so all of you people can just relax.

My feeling is that BBT can't handle Canadian 'gravy'.

What a moron.

Bad actor, worse musician.

I heard at the end of the interview that he'll be in MTL on Friday.

Now I have to go just to ask him about his acting career. His reaction should be a better show than his music playing.

I'm not a fan of BBT but Jian Ghomeshi was the jerk in this instance. I have had past contact both with Thronton & Jian & know their personalities. He was asked not delve into BBT's other career...just music...so he starts in with a snide remark. BBT obviously was upset as were the band members. News media just seem to thrive on stirring up trouble....so why not bug BBT? AND Mr. Thornton DI NOT BLOWUP!!! He was quiet and distressed. Jian has pulled off smart ass remarks before but in general I have enjoyed his interviews. Hey but it's live folks and anything can happen

The only thing Billy Bob Thorton managed to do was hi-light the ture professionalism of Jian Ghomeshi. Jian you were brilliant!

John

I knew Tom Petty, Mr. Thornton, and you're no Tom Petty. Have a nice time in Canada.

Who really cares about this stuff? Let's keep celebrity obsession south of the border where it belongs.

Let's try to be objective here. 6am (and earlier!). Hangovers. Southern US cowboy in snowy April Toronto. Interview was agreed upon by producers under certain conditions that Jian promptly transgressed in order to have a "point of entry". Sure it turned ugly... But highly entertaining. Could be the best thing that has happened for Jian's CBC career recently. It legitimizes his professionalism, although he actually screwed up. He should be sending BBT a thank you note for all the publicity this has generated. The band should have just got up and left at the point Jian mentioned Hollywood, but it was such a lovely segue.

Jian was rude. He agreed to not talk about BBT's career, and it was his first question!

"You guys only formed recently, right"- subtext: You aren't good/serious.

"You were inspired by the Stones, Monkeys..."(Monkeys a "fake" band)

I would have been angry, too. Jian was mocking him. I find Jian to be completely obnoxious. Of all the things they could have talked about, he chose those that he knew- because he isn't dumb- would piss the guy off. He's lucky BBT didn't haymaker his ass.

Perhaps BBT's churlish attitude and comments are the result of having his head firmly inserted up his own ass. Can you imaging being this guy's publicist? Probably worse than having to interview him.

It would seem that Billy's quite the wing nut. Ghomeshi asks a question about his musical influences and Thornton goes on about horror magazines. It's been said that the line between genius and insanity is very thin and I think maybe he's a little too close to the insane side.

Gian Ghomeshi was told up front not to mention certain aspects of BB's career, an agreement entered into by both sides to grant the interview.

This was ignored by Ghomeshi which shows both a lack of respect and integrity on his part.

Another fine example of responsible journalism.

It's all about creating controversy to further ones career, nice job Ghomeshi you ought to be proud.

I was listening to Jian Ghomeshi trying to "herd" this pompous guy, and extract simple replies to simple questions, from a guy who appears to be trying to be pseudo-profound. And most obviously superior to just about anyone who attempts to engage him in conversation.

Jian Ghomeshi reminds me of Barabara Frum attempting to fill out alloted air-time with uninvolved or obstreperous guests, like Harold Ballard, for example. Well done Jian!

If I starred in Bad Santa, I wouldn't want anyone to mention my acting career ever again, either.

But seriously, Billy Bob shouldn't be so quick to ignore his acting career. It's the only reason his band isn't playing bowling alleys in Texas.

Jian Ghomeshi , great job!

Screw BBT, who listens to his music anyways?
He's crappy actor who's just upset it never worked out with Angelina.

I've never heard Jian before but will start listening to him more frequently now.

Only good movie Billy Bob made was Bad Santa, besides that can't think of anything else.

I won't be buying his music anytime soon!

P.S : BBT you cannot compare yourself to Tom Petty!!!

I agree with all of you. I wont be looking to hear his music. what a whiner Diva!

He should grow up.

for those of you who think Jian overstepped predetermined boundaries:

where are you getting the information that the Q team was instructed not to mention bibbob's acting/directing career?

the article above, and all other sources, are reporting that the cbc was told not to ASK ANY QUESTIONS about his acting.

i feel that mentioning his acting as part of an extended intro to explain why we should care about the upcoming interview is perfectly acceptable, and does not go against anything promised by the CBC.

... unless you know something that's not reported here.

was Jian not to MENTION the acting, or not to ASK ABOUT the acting. please share your sources if you're so sure it's the former.

Mentioning that he is an Oscar award winning actor can hardly be deemed as "discussing" his acting career. It was a fair and complimentary introduction. What Jian should have done was ignore Thorton and interview his bandmembers. They looked extremely uncomfortable and probably would have enjoyed discussing their band and their musical roots. Hard to believe that Thorton wasn't under the influence of something. I agree with most here - an extreme a**hole and as a result I will not be buying any of their music.

Good on ya BB,love your work.
Great to see another arrogant cbc power tripped a$$- hole bite the dust. Where do they get these interviewers; no sense of respect even when guidelines are laid down and agreed to upfront?

Twat

Jian you are a class act. In contrast to goofus. He's not worth your time or mine. Boo Hoo BB go home.

Genius is more often than not obscured by idiosyncratic behavior. Billy Bob Thornton accompanied by his band The Boxmasters during the “legitimate” interview with Jian Ghomeshi proved that beyond a doubt. I’ve never heard his percussion performance, I have however seen some of his “brilliant” performances on screen. It is a shame people like that lack the ability to step outside their own skin for a moment and see themselves as others see them, perhaps Billy Bob just doesn’t care. Then again, if it wasn’t for that interview, we viewers and listeners would “not be entertained”, now would we.

Ghomeshi was unprofessional. Period. I hope him, or his producer get in serious shiat. CBC is embarrassing.

Great job Jian!BBT can go back to his hillbilly shack and sulk there as far as I'm concerned.You would think he could of "acted" like a "professional" instead of a spoiled 10 year old.At the least he could have engaged you like an adult as to why he has issue with the mentioning the other S***.
Pretty sad that someone as cool and talented as Willie has to "carry" a mediocre musical "artist" through a national tour. Hopefully at his next gig someone will nail him in the head with a beer bottle and deflate it some.Otherwise great composure Jian, keep up the good work.

rock on
jim

For a person who cannot act or sing with any tremedous skill, he should refrain from ticking off any fans he may have. What a jerk.

Mr. Thornton acted like a bratty 4-year-old and I think the best way to let him know that his behaviour is unacceptable is to not throw good money after bad by attending his concerts. He has certainly done a huge disservice to his band and to Willie Nelson. I love Willie Nelson, but after the incident on Q, I wonder why he even allowed Thornton to go on tour with him. Mr. Gomeshi showed his quality by remaining calm and making continued attempts to get Thornton to settle down. I wouldn't have been as nice about it.

These comments are ridiculous, that interviewer was a pompous dick and wasn't being even slightly relevant, that dude with the gray hair was just pissed off that he was at the Q with this douche bag at six in the morning, also in Canada none the less where I bet most of us don't give a shit about hill billy music. What a waste of time.

does bbt think that a young unknown band being interviewed would make demands about what can and can't be asked. what a joke. does he really think anyone gives a crap about him not playing. the band looked embarassed the whole time.

Love your show Jian, You did a great job interview the ACTOR yes we said it Billy Bob ACTOR.What is really sad is that the three other guys who are trying to pay the bills with this band and take their music seriously, had no choice but to put up with the actor/wannabe singer's juvenile attitude. I would so boot him out of the band! Tom Petty; you wish...

pathetic! hats off to ghomeshi - for displaying his super-human ability to NOT laugh his ass off at bbt. I would have laughed approx 30 seconds in and not stopped for 30 minutes after those clowns left the studio. seriously, jian, how on earth did you manage such a feat? (somebody give him a CATscan - I suspect he might not actually be human). congrats! well well done.

3weight

Don't be too hard on ol' Billy Bob, folks. Remember, he is an Oscar-winning actor after all. He wasn't really angry. He was just entertaining us with his rendition of an obnoxious a-hole having a childish tantrum. An award winning performance, wouldn't you say? I'll bet his buddies in "the band" were wishing that they could melt away into the floor. Instead of promoting themselves, they are being seen plastered all over Youtube sitting next to a dufus. Poor Billy Bob. Life is so hard.

It's about time that a guest put Jian Ghomeshi in his place. Ghomeshi is an embarrassment to Canada, a relentless low-brow inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity. He can't even read the opening billboards properly. He finds himself much more fascinating than his guests. Guests only exist for him to insert jejune commentary and interrupt with his “much more knowledgeable” and self-important opinions. I find myself wanting to smack him, and I wish Billy Bob had.
To have the irreplaceable Eleanor Wachtel, one of the greatest interviewers in the history of radio whose toe-nail clippings are more intelligent and wittier than Ghomeshi in his wildest egotistical dreams, lose her time slot to this pseudo-intellectual is a national disgrace.

I had no idea that Billy Bob had participated in sound check! That makes it all that worse. So, he went on a radio station for exposure to give their "fans" what they want, yet he refused to play? Waaaah Waaah!

As someone mentioned on the youtube comments, I think Q did a great job of editing out the song from the video. They do not deserve any recognition and it's a shame BB may have hurt his band mates.

I wish we could learn a little bit more about the bandmates and if they expected this type of a reaction from BB. If they didn't know what was going on they truly acted as if they let BB do what he wants. Wouldn't they want to stop his behaviour?

Oi! What a loser!

Jian did a great job of confronting BB with what his issue was and making him answer about his tantrum. Good job Jian!!!

I give Gomeshi soooo much credit here for keeping his cool. It actually made me laugh to see Billy Bob Thornton react like a child to Gomeshi's questions. "I don't know what you mean by that." Come on, what are 5 years old? I don't know who I felt worse for Gomeshi or his fellow band members who were trying to answer and stay calm themselves.

The more press that media starved celebs get for acting like a**holes, the more we inadvertently promote this behaviour.

If you click on this link, be prepared to see more and more of it. And not just from celebs but those easily impressionable.

We all need to grow up, make better decisions, and stop feeding this beast.

Chuck Currie... you're not making a very good case for jian's supposed pompousness with your long-winded, self-righteous attack... which, incidentally, has nothing to do with this article, nor the fact that billy bob thornton behaved like a 2 year old. actually, i wonder if i could substitute a couple words, hmmm...

It's about time that a commenter put Chuck Currie in his place. Currie is an embarrassment to Canada, a relentless low-brow inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity. He can't even comment on the story in question. He finds himself much more fascinating than the article he's commenting on. Other comments only exist for him to insert jejune commentary and interrupt with his “much more knowledgeable” and self-important opinions.

I'm of several minds with this.

While I have some sympathy with someone struggling to be taken seriously as a musician (and sympathy for famous actors who are routinely manhandled by people they don't know...and who assume a defensive posture as a way of dealing with it), BBT's defensiveness seemed to border on paranoia.

I thought that Jian handled the interview extremely well...masterfully, even. Though I also felt something of "just desserts" in this exchange, because I agree that he is a "Prince of Pompous."

My advice to Jian is this: Remember this incident, because in the past you have been just as guilty of egotistical behaviour...behaviour with a different tack, but egotistical nonetheless. Let the light dawn just a little on the "Prince of Pompous."

So, what everyone here seems to be saying is that they have made no moves to change careers or do something different, without wanting to be remembered for what they did in the past? I, for one, would not like to be interviewed for the great work that my business has done, and be referred to as "former waitress and mall store employee", despite the fact that those choices brought me to where I am now. If The Boxmasters requested that there be no questions about one member of the band's previous career, then that should have been respected. If interviewers don't want to talk to an unknown band, then that is their choice. The interview was supposed to be about the BAND, not one member of the band. Billy Bob Thorton was not calling Canadians anything...he was making fun of the fact that Gomeshi did not have the balls to stand up and call him on the way that he was acting. Watch the video. Watch the twinkle in his eyes in the way that he says it. It was entirely stereotypical Canadianism to just sit there and pretend that there was nothing wrong. Gomeshi could have had a brilliant brawl with him if he had the guts to say something instead of attempting a "truce". If he had done ANY research into Billy Bob Thorton as a person, he would have known his philosophy on life, and would never have even attempted an interview like this. He doesn't have it in him to go up against a mind that can think for itself.

I saw BBT & The Boxmasters last night and will not ever pay to see them again. It was forgettable at best. The band is talented in as much as they all play their instruments well but there is something lacking...maybe it's experience, I don't know.
This interview is ridiculous but not out of character for Billy Bob. The biggest problem I have is his reference to Tom Petty! This man has no idea what it takes to become a 'Tom Petty.' His XX number of years in Hollywood have not and will not ever replace the kind of work that musicians like Tom Petty, Willie Nelson & Ray Price have done to get where they are.
Shame on him for his childish behaviour.

I feel sorry for any band who has to put up with a member or band leader who acts like this. It is such an uncomfortable situation to be in, especially for a live interview.

I think we sould not be insulted by the gravy comment because the more we talk about it, the more press Billy Bob gets and he does not desreve it.

WOW, he clearly thinks way too much of himself. I would have loved to see Jian just calmly begin going into all the different movies that BBT has been in and see if he would have walked out. That would have been amusing. "so, you don't want me to mention Bad Santa or Tombstone? Oh okay"

But good on Jian for sticking with Tom Petty....oops I mean Billy Bob Thorton, I always get those two mixed up, hehe.

I’m planting my potato garden today Billy Bob!

Jian handled himself as well as anyone could having just hit a wall. The good news is that BBT is a has been. His "acting" just involved him being his abrasive, arrogant self reading script. And now he is a in a boring back up band to Grandpa Nelson. So the question is besides his bandmates, who cares what grumpasaurus says? He can go back down south and stay there.

It is ironic that Jian Ghomeshi is himself a multi-talented artist who has made the leap from one creative medium to another.

Mr Thornton acted like a spoiled brat. All the more so if he was just faking for publicity.

Kudos to you, Jian.

Jian is not my favorite, but I got to say that he handled that interview perfectly. There's like 2 or 3 people posting comments how Jian shouldn't have said anything about his acting career... that's just garbage. From what I understand, the people at Q were told not to focus on the acting carrer, which is understandable. But you can't ask an interviewer not to mention anything about his real career. He mentioned it once at the opening of the interview and that was it. Then BBT turned into more of a diva than Mariah Carey.

What a loser. I love how he tried to insult Canadians-- reserved, dry potatoes. I wouldnt be a fan or buy a record if he was the best musician in the world. and by the way-- ppl only go to your concerts because they are star struck because you are a famous actor.

Gian-- way to handle it; always a Q fan!

I bet you Billy Bob had no idea his temper tantrum in some little backwater of a town in Canada could possible turn into the international story it has. Looks good on you Billy Bob.

I knew you were an actor and that you had an award or two but I actually think I've only seen you in one movie where you had a fairly minor role. My mind was completely open to you as a musician but after viewing this video, I'm not interested. I feel for your less fortunate band members. Obviously you don't.

Billybob is an idiot,..he is rude and inconsiderate. I think the BadSanta role is stuck in his head,...if it wasn't for people paying to see his vulgar movies, he would not have the money and stardom to start his stupid band. I hope no one in Canada will ever interview this rude guy ever again !

CJG

Billy Bob probably doesn't really care cause he's a big Hollywood star. My only advice is that he better hold on to every cent that he's made up till now cause after this interview, anybody who's watched it probably won't be a fan of his anymore (actor, musician or otherwise). How's that comment for Canadians who don't really say anything Billy Bob?! I'm also glad the interviewer didn't apologize at all during the interview. While it's a polite, courteous, Canadian thing to do, he's not deserving of such etiquette!

This guy is such a loser. Why would we even care to see anyone interview him?
Kudos to Jian Ghomeshi for keeping his cool instead of kicking out the spoiled brat. Seriously, little old billy bob needs a wake up call.

Give Strombo a call... he had the same experience with Sebastian Bach.

I don't feel sorry for the interviewer...it's his job to stickhandle "the precious" and he did it well. The interviewer sent BBT "to school" during the session. BBT made himself look like a self-absorbed loser with his unintelligent answers and by exacerbating the problem by not being flexible -- the notion, that listeners won't contemplate BBTs acting career if not mentioned, is preposterous. Both BBT and his PR group need to smarten up.

Rather then erase the past, BBT needs to re-create it. Like come up with a more acceptable story like "the time when BBT was yacking with the band 2 years ago over beers...and he decided that he like these guys so much that he ripped up his movie studio contracts and went for it. And they haven't looked back. 5 albums later...Boom!" We likely would have thought that was cool..or skipped over his past.

Instead, the rest of the Boxmasters, who seemed genuine and respectful of the interview process and the listeners, saw their precious drummer f-up everything (you could see their facial expressions - poor guys!) and lost all opportunity to gain credibility with Canadian listeners.

If I were in the band I would have kicked BBT's butt all the way down Front Street.

They may also be wondering if their drummer is a liability or an asset? Unfortunately outside BBT's thin glass house I think we all know the answer.

Like some others here, I'm no big fan of Ghomeshi. I was hoping he would have just said "This is stupid. You're wasting my and my listeners time, and the fact of the matter is NOBODY would give a fat rat's about your little band if it wasn't for your previous endevors. Get the eff out my studio, NOW!"

The Jian could have replayed his interview with Joey Keithley ' cause I missed it the first time and haven't sought it out on line.

Jian is a real professional.I would have kicked that twit out on air after his first response.Its good that the interview concluded so we could find out what the Boxmasters think of Canadian audiences.

Great Job Jian! Who does this loser think he is? I'll tell ya. He's an ass! His career as a musician will end up like his career as an actor, all washed up. Like his many endeavours, he sucks at all of them, marriages included. No wonder nobody stays with him for any length of time. I give Jian alot of credit for maintaining, at least, his integrity!

Hey, if BBT wanted anonymity he should have changed his name to Inbred Jed and gotten worse plastic surgery than he already has....

Nice stick handling JG! Mashed Potatos don' need to be told how to conduct an interview.

Imagine that - comparing himself to Tom Petty? I don't think so! I suppose he thinks he can act too? I don't think so. I was waiting for him to take all his marbles and go home and play with himself....

"But if I didn't have a golfish, Bart, why did I have the bowl? Why, Bart, why?"

C.f. the blog above: the publicity team "reportedly" indicated that they weren't to talk about Thornton's acting. Well, did they or didn't they make that request? I'm struck by the fact that no-one at the CBC has clarified this: everyone seems to be skirting it. Granted, Thornton behaved like an egotistical ass, and for even making such a request (if he in fact did) in the first place, but perhaps the introduction was deliberately meant to goad him? Or perhaps Ghomeshi just made the mistake of assuming that he could mention BB's acting career in an off-hand way at the head of the interview? Or perhaps he wasn't informed of the publicist's/BB's request? But then, why not clarify whether or no the request was actually made?

Good job under difficult circumstance Jian.

I don't really listen to Q, but I thought Jian handled this very well. Good work.

I also want to express my condolences to The Boxmasters. Whatever talent they have will be completely overshadowed by their bandmate, as evidenced by the fact that we don't even hear them play, the video clip cuts out right as they start.

Food for thought:-
Wikipedia: "Thornton has repeatedly stated that he has obsessive-compulsive disorder."
Wikipedia: "Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts, or obsessions resulting in compulsive behaviors and mental acts that the person feels driven to perform, according to rules that must be applied rigidly, aimed at reducing anxiety stemming from the intrusive thoughts."

Being unprofessional and acting like a spoil kid are the rights of every actor/musician like Billy. I can only assume he was high on drugs and drank too much before the interview. Remember kids, stay in school and don't do drugs. Maybe they should show the clip in every high-school to teach kids to not do drugs. Billy if you're reading this, go seek help at the nearest drug rehab centre.

Billy Bob - king of the douche bags.

Nice interviewer, he did a wonderful job with an impossible useless asshole.

Jian,
Kudos. Real grace under fire. BBT is one ridiculous, egotistical a$$hole. Too bad for his band; they should get a new drummer.

This guy is effing ridiculous.

Billy Bob your old....your music is a reproduction at best!

Don't waste your time or money on this bogus act...no pun intended...oops!

Leave music to the young..go back home loser!

Oh and if anyone attends any of the bands performances please remind him of how reserved us Canadians are!!

Hey Billy Bob...

Sorry about being a sophisticated Canadian as most of us have some class. And my apologies for not being more violent and tossing beer bottles your way. But should you ever come to my area and do a gig I'll make sure we bring bags of mashed potatoes to fire you way! Oh and a few packets of gravy!

You sir are a Moron! And I truly felt badly for your fellow band members who all seemed quite subdued, worried and embarrassed by you. One member didn't even want to speak or be associated with you. Your rating have seriously plummeted as far as many of us Canadians are concerned. This is probably the only amount of attention you'll get from this reader. You're nothing but a dust mite in the real world and you've proved it.

Cheers...may bags of mashed potatoes find their way to your stage!

Well done Jian! Well done!

Ghomeshi: 1
Ass face: 0

I'm surprised by the posts. I didn't think anybody took anything on the CBC seriously. Let's face it, it is just a propaganda arm of the left that can't survive without my taxes.

He's obviously high on something.
Goofball.

BBT is an AaaHole. His band looked more embarrassed than Jiam. BBT is a true professional at making people not like him.

Dear Billy Bob,

Firstly, not you were not only outrageously disrespectful to Jian Ghomeshi — best interviewer in Canada — you were totally disrespectful to your listeners and potential fans, such as myself. Some of us don't keep track of your every move and didn't realize you'd always been a "musical historian" (gag me). I hope your visibly embarrassed band-mates told you you were an idiot afterwards.

Secondly, just because you'd "always played music" doesn't make you a musician in the public's eye. If Tom Petty had spent his entire professional life being a famous actor, he'd probably have to expect some references to it when he started a band too. You are not Tom Petty, you are a beginner, yet somehow you end up touring with Willie Nelson! I guess it's okay for you to use your fame when it conveniences you.

Grow up and take some responsibility for the life you've actually lived. The world doesn't change with your whims.

*End rant*

That was so frustrating to watch! The interviewer gave him way too much respect and was far too cordial. Getting in his face and possibly having to kick his butt would have made his radio career.

I had read about BBT's "interview" with Jian when I was checking the CBC website during the day and was able to listen to the 10 pm airing on my drive home from work. Kudos to Jian for maintaining his professional style throughout. Taking the high road can be difficult as it was obvious BBT was on the low road (or perhaps the ditch)! Good on you, Jian!!

Billy Bob, admit it: you're a third rate actor who's career is quickly going under. Your acting is a complete train-wreck. Watchig paint dry is more interesting. Get a life and some manners.

The definition of a weird jerk is.. Billy Bob Thornton. Had weird feeling about him before.. and now he has proven it ..HE is what i always felt. He needs a true Canadian to teach him great manners.I guest the host had such great manners.. he never thought of just putting an end to the interview,by saying.... he would go to break and clear out from his studio.. Billy the jerk. Aw well, thanks to this interview, we all got to see the true jerky side of Billy . Thanks to this host.

Why are we even talking about this guy, What a waste of time not even worth talking about canadians can see threw crap. Truly think there is better thing to talk about then Billy Bob like how many truck drivers out work accross Weatrn Canada. But Billy bob haaa what joke not worth talking about, best thing come of this flush it... :)

Trying to force journalists to prescriped script is an effort to deny existing facts and avoid the "reality" that those in the interview actually play boring, predictable music...

I love how Canadians believe we have such 'great manners'. Whatever. Sounds like somebody is trying hard to convince themselves of something......sounds like a massive inferiority complex.

Billy Bob is an embarrassment to his bandmates!!!

I just listened to the CD. It was actually worse than this interview and I am absolutely sure that the only reason Q was interested in the interview WAS because of who BBT WAS in prior incarnations. I can't imagine any audience outside of the US that would appreciate this trash. Canadians should be proud of the spectacular music this small country generates. Pick up any of the HIP. Martha Wainright, Jason Collett, The Constantines, Feist, the Weakerthans, and the list goes on. Canada is full of grade A meat as well as mash potatoes and gravy. BBT is is just full of sh*t.

Billy Bob Thornton is a genuine, died-in-the-wool ass. It will take physical violence from a guest to top this as the freakiest interview of Jian's career.

This video proves Jian Ghomeshi is the Real Deal. He'll be telling this story the rest of his life, and what's so great is it was recorded, so we get to see it first hand!

(I don't think you can really compare this to Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman, because that clearly was a joke.)

What a douchebag.

Go home you drunken Santa Claus!

Stay south of the 49th.
Because if you ever show you sorry 'Azz'
in 'Nova Scotia'
I am hoping you have a medical coverage.

Your, just a want to be.

We have some of the best music artist/graphic artist and techno in the world and you don't even make the scale!

Wow...I'm totally baffled by this interview. (Ghomeshi was awesome by the way...he's now been added to my 10 people that I'd like to party with list) I find it ironic that Billy Bob didn't want to 'speak' about his acting career yet he was the one who kept coming back to the fact that it was mentioned in the beginning...kinda strange...if you didn't want it mentioned at all then why keep referring back to it? I feel a little bit bad for his band mates, I mean they looked like if they could have crawled inside themselves they would have. This guy isn't just an asshole...it goes way deeper than that.

Billy Bob was completely misread in a rutting orgy of Canadian public self righteousness. He said his tour was like mashed potatoes without the gravy. In other words he wasn't getting the "gravy" of Canadian public approbation. That's how I read it and if I'm wrong, I'm dumb. All the public and the media is proving now is that it is more dull and dreary than BBT was that dull and dreary morning. The difference is that they are opening their mouths wider than he did to show how dumb they are. The dumb can speak and in this case should keep their mouths shut. Just because somebody is a hillbilly doesn't mean they are ignorant fools. That is reverse prejudice of the darkest kind and to a brilliant man, actor, producer and musician. Somehow in the Canadian public mind we must show we are better than hillbillies? We have shown ourselves worse and very poor hosts. This doesn't appear to be Ghomeshi's fault to give him his due. As intelligent and articulate and politically correct as he was, sometimes you just "have to love celebrities" because they can have their dark and depressing hours also, to quote a weather person. And the weather that day was dismal for Billy Bob. I wish him some sunnier warmer days.

I just saw a bit of BB's rant, and I have to say I know where he is coming from. I'm a professional geophysicist (for 30 years), and have made a career as one, but I have actually been a professional musician a bit longer (31 years). As any one in the arts knows, it is basically impossible to be full time artist, if one wants to support their families (3 college age kids right now) on the meager earnings music can provide (obviously, there are exceptions). So it does rankle me when friends/relatives refer to my music writing and performing as a 'hobby'. Believe me, I have put more blood sweat and tears into my musical career than my business, I just haven't made as much money doing it.

"I don't know what you're talking about". That was priceless. I hope someone posts his show on youtube.

He is a total jerk! I will never go to one of his movies again regardless of the ratings!

He should be happy that anyone even still wants to ask him anything at all. It's not as if he's a huge celeb, or something.
"Used to be's", don't count.

Wow. BB in this interview makes his character Karl Childers in Sling Blade sound like a brain surgeon. Speaking of which, maybe he has a brain tumour? What else could posess someone who is getting FREE PUBLICITY for his band of unknowns act like such a complete weirdo? NOT impressed.

The perfect retort to his mashed potato analogy would have been: and all along I thought you only liked "french fried pertatoes".

Is Billy Bob bipolar or what? We're supposed to distinguish between "music" Billy Bob and "movie" Billy Bob? Otherwise we shall feel the wrath of his petulance? Would tom waits (a superior musician and actor to billy bob) get all pissy if people happened to recall that he is firstly a musician and secondly an actor? No. That's because he has the brains to understand such things. If he thinks that any publicity is good publicity, he is mistaken. Boycott Billy Bob!

He may be some kind of "music historian", however, he has proven through this interview that he missed the politeness part of his upbringing...shame on you Billy Bob! I'm sure your band members were pleased with this interview too. You may have all the celebrity status you want from your "unmentionable" past, but maybe your mates would like the same opportunity to be heard and discovered in their own right and for their own talents. Truly shameful display.

Great job Jian Ghomeshi, I feel like I have actually met the guy now, haha. Not that I really wanted to. After hearing a few tracks from that cd I can see why BBT didn't want his name attached to his other life. He should stick to playing washed up AH drunks in films, he does do that quite well.

if you listen to the interview it is clear that jian set up the tension that occurred (and that's all it was: a bit tense, not a "meltdown"!). i am no fan of billy bob t. but jian deliberately and immediately steered towards the subject he was told to avoid. jian has had tense moments with sheilagh rogers and elvira kurt, both well-mannered professionals, so it is no surprise he would have problems dealing with a guest like billy bob. cbc has made a mountain out of a molehill in order to get some badly needed publicity for a radio show that is usually pretty boring, except for the few world class musicians he occasionally books. most people probably never heard of q before. so, way to go jian - you got some attention for yourself and you get to claim the high ground. well, i've heard your other interviews, and your thinly veiled condescension - and i'm not buying it.

You shut my mouth with the video!
I took the wrong side; thought Thornton was right in defending any previous arrangements: but has now shot himself in his Hillbilly foot. Wow

I'd loved to say Billy Bob is an “has been” however, this implies you were something to begin with.
This is not the case with this guy.
If he was 2% smarter he would know just how stupid and arrogant he is.

Good thing for BBT we are so reserved and not hillbillies throwing things at each other.
Jian deserves a medal for putting up with this guy and not popping him one!

We Canadian “serve our gravy” for those who really deserve it, let’s boycott this farce of an actor and musician.

Q Fan from Calgary

Jian doesn't deserve any praise here, folks. He was asked not to bring up the acting thing. But he was more attached to the smarmy elegance of the intro he had written than he was to repecting his guests' feelings. As such, he deliberately provoked BBT's ill temper, and deserved much worse than he got.

So much shame and enough blame to go around. It seems Ghomeshi and his producers broke the agreement worked out with Billy Bob prior to the interview. Either they failed to communicate clearly with each other or Ghomeshi simply chose to ignore the parameters. In any event, why would a group of self-styled "journalists" agree to leave off any reference to the actor's film career given its clear link to Boxmaster's ability to garner attention? Poor journalistic practice, I would say, since it preempts the public's right to know. Agreements like that simply should not be countenanced. I expect better from the CBC. But then arts reporters, like sports reporters, generally display shameless supplication. They feed the celebrity beast as much as the fans who tune in to their "shows." I wonder to what extent Ghomeshi's colleague George Stroumboulopoulos also fixes such questionable agreements prior to bringing a guest on The Hour. Is CBC arts reporting nothing more than a shill for celebrity? Appears so. And why did Ghomeshi react so childishly to the musician/actor's evident, if also infantile, displeasure? The host of Q evinced too little courtesy and too much defensiveness. All for not, in my view, since the agreement hashed out prior to the show destroyed any journalistic credibility the program likes to claim. As for Billy Bob and his band mates, for goodness sake, attempting to stifle information about your backgrounds is so misguided and ill-advised. Makes you seem like a bunch of pretentious twits. Finally, Billy Bob's slur -- that Canadian audiences are just mashed potatoes -- says to me that I would be a fool to waste a single dime on one of his performances, let alone his recordings, since he holds me and my compatriots in such obvious contempt. A pox on all of your houses!

There is nothing wrong with mashed potatoes without gravy. Anyone who really loves a spud would not sully it with coagulated drippings. 'Nuff said Slingblade!

Let’s get something straight. Jian did not ask questions about BB acting career. From the onset, the interview was directed only toward their music and the band itself. The mention of BB acting credentials was only one of the three sentences used as an introduction to the band. Whoa! Pretty sensitive for a red neck

billy bob thorton (who dosn't even deserve a capitalized name) made three half-assed records and he has some how delusioned himself into thinking that he is Tom Petty...OH AND BY THE WAY: did anyone miss his degrading comment on Canadian audiences? and how just becuase we don't "throw things at eachother" we are somehow boring and we don't know how to have a good time at a concert? WOW. i caution you billy bob on your next vist to Canada, for fear that you "get yours". he must have missed the Junos on T.V. We were having a pretty damn good time.

What a complete tool...good work Jian Gomeshi for not falling into his smug little nose dive. How arrogant do you have to be? Without movies, you would just be another piece of trailer park trash.

God, that was painful. Is this guy a self-important douchebag, or was he just stoned? He was barely even capable of giving a coherent answer. Hell, he was probably being serious when he kept answering "I don't know what you mean."

Looks like Ghomeshi was left with little choice but to start asking questions to the other band members, which they fielded quite well.

It's obvious BBT is an egocentric pretentious loser. He really needs to get off his high horse and quit being so obnoxious and arrogant.

Billy goat gruff said in his interview that they usually play where people throw things at each other. Well now I'm torn between boycotting his show or going anyway just to have the chance to throw something at HIM!!!( like maybe a shoe)
My next email will be to Willy to say he should be a little more selective about who he tours with, because this could really hurt his tour too.

I feel bad for the other guys in the band. They've worked hard to get to be an opening act for Willy Nelson and hardly got to talk about their music. They obviously feel like they can't stand up to BBT since they said nothing while he totally trashed their interview and made them all look foolish.

Jian, I am impressed. Not only did you not drop down to the level of your sullen boob of a guest but you also kept your cool and made the most of an awkward interview. Your level of cool and skill at thinking on your feet are admirable and an inspiration to those of us who would have knocked his teeth in and only made things worse. Well done.

I feel bad for the other guys in the band. They've worked hard to get to be an opening act for Willy Nelson and hardly got to talk about their music. They obviously feel like they can't stand up to BBT since they said nothing while he totally trashed their interview and made them all look foolish.

Why do all Actors want to start rock bands? Billy Bob, Keanu and Russell Crowe. They all SUCK!

Wow, all I can say is that I am appalled by Billy Bob's distasteful attitude! Kudos to the interviewer for displaying a Canadian class act the whole time...BB can go back to where he came from as far as I'm concerned. His movies are crap anyway.

BBT's HANDLERS made a requests to the administration of the program not to ASK QUESTIONS about his acting career--not to avoid mentioning it all together. Jian likely thought he was perfectly in line to briefly mention once in the introduction of the program that BBT used to be an actor. If there is a miscommunication issue, it lies with BBT's agents and the show's administration for not clarifying that. If BBT wanted to pitch a giant-diva-hissy-fit, he should have done so at those responsible, after a civil inteview, and away from a live mike where he was very obviously hurting the band's reputation. I don't think BBT's wrong for being angry, but he was angry at the wrong people/person, and insulting the entire country and sabotaging your press tour in retaliation is definitely unwarranted.

It's interesting to note that CNN, for example, said Thornton 'stonewalled' and 'made waves'...the good old American way of reducing a major faux pas.
Billy Bob...maybe he needs more names attached like Bubba and Dumbass, came across to Canadians like the classless act he is. What's the name of his act again? Will it be up for awards anytime soon? Is this the American way to get some publicity? He recently played in Michigan and was very poorly received so if he thinks Canadians are willing to overlook basic bad manners and petulant little boy antics, think again. Off you go into oblivion and good riddance.

BBT sucks.

Gian Ghomeshi Rocks!!

Billy Boy is a douche. Delete this story, stop talking and writing about him (no such thing as bad publicity, even for poor musicians) and let's get on with things. There's nothing worse than attitude from an insufferable, self-indulgent non-talent. I would gladly satisfy his preference for audiences that throw things next time he's in town.

Admittedly, the name Billy Bob has some back-woods, backwards, red-neck, hillbilly connotations attached to it... but this idiot is a total embarassment even to that name. How dysfunctional can one human being get? Why wasn't he wearing his special white coat with the extra long sleeves and a helmet to protect the little bit that's left of his brain?

Wow, I'm speechless, what a child! His band looked so embarrassed and who could blame them. Who would want that attitude as a representation. How much do you want to be they'll be having a band meeting minus Billy Bob after this interview?

What a boob,talk about childish.You can dress him up but you can't take him out.I feel sorry for his band.They should fire their drummer and find themselves a real musician, not an actor pretending to be one.

Billy Boob - 3rd class all the way

3rd class actor
3rd class musician
3rd class personality

1st class Jian! Nice stick-handling ("are you being ironic...?" FUNNY STUFF!)

What an ass.... Billy Bob just outed himself as a self involved cry baby. He did get himself a lot of press over this though... no respect... but a lot of press...

Billy Boob obviously didn't realize what a nationwide CBC can broadcast and publicize in just a few hours.He was given enough rope. Disrespecting the public makes little sense if one wants to pack venues, sell cd's and make new fans. Willy Nelson wouldn't behave like that. Billy might have to worry about being dumped as a liability.

Jian did a remarkable job of handling a very difficult child. Geez Billy-bob, do you want to be taken seriously as a musician and not seen separate from the band? Well then, get with the band and play music instead of redirecting attention to yourself via tantrums. No working musician would pull a stunt like that; unless of course, you are a millionaire looking to be gratified by strokes rather than the instrinsic reward of playing your music.

I really wish the jerk would stop mentioning my name in every interview is in. Who is this guy anyway?

All potatoes and no gravy?.... he's all loser and no fans....

What a buffoon.
Talk about knowing your audience; on Canadian airwaves Billy Bob Thornton has the audacity to insult the Canadian people. I hope his tour is a bust and I hope he doesn't come back to Canada.
The other comments say it all:
1. The Boxmnasters would never be touring with a name like Willie Nelson had it not been for Billy Bob's name recognition
2. His acting is just as poor as his personaliy.

Kudos to Jian Ghomeshi for not stooping to his level.

I react to this the same way as the Phoenix/Letterman thing....laughing my ass off and I hope Jian is doing the same. These people are taking themselves so seriously that they have become a joke. Jian, you are getting better and better at what you do and this interview proves it.

Billy Bob is just like that if you are to believe the anecdotal evidence in this youtube. He evidently is sometimes a man of few words. Ghomeshi is the opposite. Not to throw down either type but their concordance was paradise lost and the Canadian public and media reaction was utterly misconstrued and misconceived. I don't believe the public or media could have been further from the truth. Some people's art comes from bouts of depression and low self esteem. Not Ghomeshi's but Thornton's. Ghomeshi could deconstruct Mother Theresa or Tom Petty which is how he prefaced the interview with the Boxmasters. Hence came Thornton's floppance to Ghomeshi's flippance. Great poetry and music can be deconstructed by a media host as a preface to a supposed venue for art? Is Q a criticial venue or an artistic venue? In the end Ghomeshi tried to minimize his patronizing tone but to do art is a lot different than an outsider explaining how it is done. Finally also they seemed almost at a minimalist reconciliation between 2 intelligent and gifted persons but the public jumped on it like a bad marriage. We are so smart we all could do better? Simple happiness in the face of all the crap is much under rated.

John Prine and Iris DeMent - In Spite of Ourselves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5axlwCBXC8

I saw mention of this on the screen in the elevator at work and I had to watch it. I am as dismayed by Thornton's behaviour as I am bursting with pride over Jian's elegant composure throughout. He exemplified the best of whatr Canadians are all about. Billy Bob, your conduct was a disgrace. You may get away with that elsewhere but here in Canada you just looked like an idiot.

I found that hard to listen to. Jian did a fantastic job dealing with an extremely difficult BBT who apparently didn't even know what time it was.
A quick note to Lee who thinks that the CBC is just a propaganda arm of the left that can't survive without his taxes. At least I enjoy the CBC which can't be said for GM or Chrysler who can't survive without my taxes. I hope you're not thinking of buying one of those Lee or you'd be the biggest hypocrite ever.

I am not a regular listener but I do think Jian handeled himself well. He showed Moxie and Fruvis.

Jian, you have CLASS! You took control (quite eloquently, I might add) of an extremely uncomfortable situation. I'm sure I am not the only listener who felt embarrassed for BBT's band mates. Way to keep your cool!! I am VERY proud to be, like you, Canadian.

Does anyone find it ironic that Billy-Boy's little hissyfit totally and completely drew the attention away from the interview topic - his band - when the whole reason he didn't want his acting career brought up was so that it WOULDN'T draw attention away from his band.

Good job, Jian. I woulda had a much more difficult time biting my tongue in that situation.

Look..this has nothing to do with His name, or where he comes from, or anything to do with Canada vs US. For whatever his story is, and the stories of those such as "anonymous" (the musician/geophysicist), they obviously have debilitating insecurities. If they are so passionate about music, why are they so sensitive about how they are identified? What people such as these really seem passionate about, and desparately seeking, is to be percieved in a certain way..or as as something greater or more significant than they are. The people whom I know that are truly passionate about anything and whom have never achieved celebrity status for their efforts, seem to care less. It seems to me that the "real" gratification, for all people..in all they pursue, is in the genuine pleasure and a feeling of being fortunate for the privilidge of "doing". Really?..Billy Bob compares himself to Tom Petty. My impression of Tom Petty (admittedly I have not met him..or Willie Nelson??)is that of someone who is "moved" by making music..it's something nearing spiritual for him. For those who listen to his music & can share some part of that with him, I'm sure he is grateful..for those who do not..I would guess he is indifferent. I feel sorry for BB..and I doubt that he will receive significant recognition for his musical creativity..he is surely too distracted by how he hopes to be percieved. Surely the only reason BB (he obviously possess some intelligence) could risk being so childish, belligerant & insecure is "because" he has the status that has come with his acting successes..the very thing that he wants to pretend has nothing to do with who, or where, he is in music & entertainment? For someone who wants his music to be completely isolated from his Holywood career..he sure packs a lot of Hollywood personality in his touring bag!

Thorton is typical of Hollywood. Why anyone pays any attention to theses nuts is beyond me. The average performer in Hollywood or in pop music is an idiot on anything logical. Their job is to convey emotion, so that's what rules their thought processes.

Billy Bob has a problem and i do hope he gets well. The band should get him out because he does not seem to do a good job on markating.

I wish the band good luck and welcome to Canada and to Billy Bob well you should stay home and sulk with your toys.....and don't come back

Billy Bob's behaviour was unprofessional and childish. Only someone with his fame would be offended for an introduction that mentions his past accomplishments. Host, Jian Ghomeshi, did a great job handling the interview and recovering from the entire debacle. As an interviewer, I have to say that he didn't shy away from the discussion and handled it with the professionalism that I wish Billy Bob would have brought to the interview.

Oh Billy-bob (AKA Anonymous) shut the heck up. You pretentious bag of hot air. The indignation of posts on this forum come from a demographic of artists and appreciators alike. Intelligent and genuine artists enjoy speaking about their body of work and as such, welcome an opportunity to engage in discussion. If you are unable to answer simple questions about your alleged music, then perhaps you have no understanding of it. Inexperienced musicians have difficulty playing competently in front of audiences while emotionally agitated. Experienced musicians who have taken it on the road can play under any circumstances. If you've only played for 2 years and primarily in a studio, then you definitely lack experience and this tantrum was a subterfuge to conceal that fact. Billy-bob is a fraud.

I like that Ghomeshi called BBT on his behaviour and then stood his ground and made no apologies for it. Well done G!

Billy Bub musta broke into Willie's stash of BC Bud, too much for one who pretends for a living. Stay home yankee...your junk sucks...better bands jam at the weekend pubs around here....

Arrogant, pompous ass of an American - and they wonder why the world doesn't like them. With those egos!!!
Nuff said..........

Stoned, stoned, stoned. What an assclown.

Gian is da' bomb....Billy Bob is da' bum!

Jian was a master interviewer, negotiating the conversation back on track (as far as was possible). As a former fan of Thornton, I was looking forward to hearing the radio interview...but I find myself sadly disappointed about the whole thing, including his 'mashed potato without the gravy' description of Canadians. I'll definitely be staying away from any Billy-Bob music or movies in the future. Such an uncomfortable interview, and it seemed that the Boxmaster bandmates were uncomfortable with Billy-Bob's behaviour as well.

Don't worry Billy Bob. I will no longer think of you as an actor, screenwriter or director. Nor will I consider you as a musician. Congratulations. You will now live on for me as a Grade A, First Class, Arrogant Jerk.

Get over yourself.

Guess it's been all downhill since Angelina, eh, billy bob? Too bad for you.

Now please stop being a sulky star claiming you don't want but actually crave attention.

It's really quite pathetic

way to embarrass ur band mates and alienate an audience. m'man jian was not trying to offend ya. although to not bring up his acting career is a fine line to walk and yes touchy but dude you just made enemies w canadians. i would love to hear the conversation that followed with his band mates. AWCKWARD!

Given the insufferable smugness that oozes from Jian Ghomeshi's every pore I'm surprised that Billy Bob Thornton managed to restrain himself as much as he did. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who finds Ghomeshi to be a pompous oaf.

Can anyone see he is another celeb on DRUGS???!!! Damn...life is sooooooo hard

So Ghomeshi broke The Deal and mentioned BBT's acting career...that's enough to have BBT go all jerkwater while on the air? Rebuke the host, make your point about what kind of art you're into now, but don't screw with the show, the band, and, o ya, the audience (we who pay your bills ultimately).

Gotta say, if BBT doesn't want his precious music to be tainted by his nasty ol' acting career, he should change his effin' name. Nobody's heard of the Boxmasters, but a lot of us have heard of BBT and, until now, liked his style. Oh, and while I'm ranting, only a pompous self-absorbed ass would say that "no-one's been playing this kind of country-ish music" for the past 30 years. Excuse me, but what would you call Alt Country?

Thornton handled the interview fairly and politely. The CBC interviewer failed by violating the prior agreement with the CBC producer to limit the interview to the BoxMasters and to not talk about Thornton as an actor. Even after Thornton gently pointed out this out to the interviewer the interviewer continued to justify his grandstanding approach. Thornton answered obliquely to illustrate the inappropriateness of the questions relative to the originally agreed upon purpose of the interview. CBC and the CBC interviewer should publically apologize.

Oh my, get out the smelling salts for Billy Bob. Apparently he has delicate sensibilities. Ironically, the one subject he didn't want brought up became the focus of nearly the entire interview because spoiled brat Billy got into a snit. Someone needs to tell him he's not that special.

Postscript for the people who fault the interviewer: Even if an interviewer is smug - which Ghomeshi wasn't - it behooves the interviewee to rise to a higher standard. If you're actually trying to persuade us that Billy's behaviour was justified, I've got some swampland I think you'll buy.

Jian was amazing and such a pro! who does billy bob think he is...idi amin?...sorry billy bob this is a democracy and our journalists and on air hosts get to ask what ever the heck they want! go back where ever you came from , you stupid, selfish, no talent, arogant jerk!!! Q is a great show! keep it up....

I really admire Ghomeshi's professionalism while interviewing Billy Bob Thornton. Bravo for keeping your cool and keeping the interview going. To Billy Bob, you "acted" like a real jerk and sorry, as much as I liked the band....not going to buy it.

I really hope that people start throwing shit(perhaps shoes) at Billy Boob while he is playing in Canada. Is that not what he wants?

Both the interviewer and the interviewee were at fault. The interviewer asked a question she should not have asked, and B.B. was extra rude. By the way, B.B. was right about one thing, Canadians are much worse than mashed potatoes without gravy when it comes to music, they are very difficult to entertain.Americans appreciate music, Canadians in general (except the East coast) are hopeless, Me, A musician.

Now, see, this is why many of your southern neighbors don't really see the CBC as serious about their ethics. Besides more or less sidestepping the fact that their own announcer broke an agreement regarding certain subject matter, the article on this page uses terms like "...quietly and crazily lost it...", "loose cannon", "overblown celebrity ego" and "fragile creatures"?

Jian's a DJ, not a journalist, so while he may not have to follow the ethics of journalism, he's still on the hook for agreeing to conditions on an interview, then breaking them.

And the CBC writes about this like it's friggin' TMZ.com or something. Sheesh.

Guess The Newsroom was a fair depiction after all...

...What an idiot

Trust me, if you've heard Billy bob's music..you'd laugh, it's a joke.the only thing he's got going is his acting career, which is far to overrated as it is.
What he needs, is to be taken out of his little comfort zone,and squrely kicked in the teeth to let him know he's still just a human being like the rest of us.These celebrity goof's like him are so pampered and pumped up they actually start to believe they're some sort of God,and somehow better than the rest of us,watching his behavior made me want to vomit.Give me two minutes with that little putz and his attitude would change in a heart beat.
People don't give him the attention he so desperately need's , it only feed's his ignorance and arrogance.
he's not worth it.

Jian...you passed this gruelling test with flying colors (A real pro). As for Billy Bob...let me spell it out for you (since you don't seem that smart at all) You S-U-C-K.

&8-)=~

I, for one, was glad that Jian referred to BBT's acting career, as I wasn't sure if he was the same person. It was a point of clarification for me, and I appreciated Jian's professionalism in thinking of his radio audience. As always. Those who call him 'pompous' don't know what they're talking about.
As for Billy Bob's behaviour, it speaks for itself.

In a way, Ghomeshi did characterize BBT's 'love for music' as a hobby. On the other hand, BBT's reaction was totally without class. Temper, temper!

Mr. B Bob,
JG gave, as always, an informative introduction and did not ASK about acting until you acted like a child. Canadians are not mashed pot. w/o gravy. You are the type of person we love to loath - unkind and unpolite. If it was another type of interviewer, they would have rode you until you walked out in anger crying. Go home. Bad Santa...sheesh.
Jian you did great. I wouldn't even have addressed him, and just talk to the others. As for the band members, I'm a little sad, but you picked him.

crikey! either he has aspergers, or he's strung out - either way b bob is not in his right mind.

Onene word...A**hole!

I saw the interview. It was pretty funny. The whole Bashing of Canada was a pretty smart move. His fan base went from no one to everyone in Canada. What a business man that Billy Bob is.

Ignorant and pre-meditated arrogance on behalf of Thornton.
Not worth listening to.

Notnorth

Uselss guest on a useless show. Unfortunately on useful radio at a useful time.

Billy Bob Thorton is a waste of skin! I would rather be considered "mashed potatoes with no gravy" than just plain "mashed brains". Go do some more drugs and get out of Canada! If he is too stoned to compile a sentence, who's fault it that! I am proud of "Q" for standing there ground.

Wow! Huge kudos to Ghomeshi. Hill Billy Thorton could learn a few lessons from Ghomeshi about professionalism.

From what I heared and saw,I thinkg, This is a CBC hit and the BOB Guy is High on something!!
A listner before, now I am a big fan of you!

Jian handled that very well. You can understand Billy Bob's frustration. You would be that way too if your music sucked that badly. Oh well.
There's always acting. OOps.

I have never watched Gian or the show, but I wish I could find in my petulant nature one iota of the patience he exhibited during the interview. I wanted to jump into the screen and strangle that jerk.

Do the math Billy Bob.

The number of people in North America that will hear about this angry Canadian radio interview = MILLIONS.

The number of people in North America that will remember the name of the band = NOT MANY.

BoxxxWho-sit? Boxshredders? Box-something.

Way to make your point, dummy.

Outstanding job Jian.Outstanding.

Bummer drugs, Billy? Crap music. Don't quit your day job as a washed-up actor, hillbilly.

@ David Davies: It takes a pompous oaf to know one. Fortunately, you and Billy Bob are both in the minority. Clearly BBT was difficult from the outset and in the process of minding his ego, created a terrible situation from which his band only stood to gain at best grudging public awareness.

Ghomeshi represented his (and my) country far better than BBT upheld his star-spangled banner. Historian, my ass. Perhaps Davies should take up a microphone and demonstrate his superior skill....

Holy crap, He is seriously not with it, he is either on something or has some sort of disorder because he is barely lucid at the start. Then he just turns into a dick. I have never been a fan of Billy Bob Thornton not a great actor all his rolls seem to be a lot alike but now I think he's a prick.

No Billy Bob music on my ipod thank you!

It would appear that Billy Bob is a spoiled brat. Or, he is trying to put on some false persona for the benefit of his own gigantic ego. What a sad excuse he is.

Saw and heard the interview. So Billy thinks he is an actual superstar. The guy is an egotistical retard and by acting like a jerk he just screwed up future record sales.Glad that the interviewer kept his cool it made old Billy look like a total ass. Good job CBC you hired the right interviewer/host.

I meet BBT in Texas once he was an ass then and a bigger ass now!

Come play at my place Billy, I'll throw something at you.

Billy Bob certainly appears to be depressed. However, that is no excuse to be incredibly rude and childish to a journalist who is just doing his job.

Grow up Billy.

First time I have heard of CBC Q. Ghomeshi is a typical CBC elitist. BBT should have swatted him upside the head.

An interviewer's worst nightmare in broad daylight. Extremely well handled!

Interesting that through the sludgy paths of his mental processes, he decided to insult Canadian audiences who, at least, make an effort to permit the people behind them, see the stage. Poor Willie

An exelent example of "How were differant from Americans"
What a jackass, Billy Nob...er..Bob is out of touch with this universe. Jion showed how good of an interviewer he really is and I hope that they use this as an example in the schools.

who's heard of the boxmasters? everyone has now! way to go BBT, sell them tickets!

Billy Bob......look in the dictionary under Dick and BBT's photo will be there.

Billy Bob Thornton? Yeah, I've heard of him. He's an ACTOR, right?

He looked like he was high on something. He seemed completely out to lunch, answering things that had nothing to do with some of the questions, or not having any idea of what Jian was talking about half the time. He seemed like he had no idea what was going on. As for the mashed potato comment...I've heard worse. At least we don't throw things at each other. Maybe we're so boring, because his band gives us nothing to be excited about.

Jian was absolutely brillinat, grounded and at the same time also in tune. Wonderfully skillful interviewer.

I also wonder if BB was interviewed by a white person, if he would have responded in the same way of askin- I dont know what you mean-!!

Everything Billy Bob just did solidified the fact that he is first, and foremost, an actor. A musician would have got up and played.

Gian has more personality in his pinkie finger than Billy Bob(Vial-of-his-girlfriends-blood-around-his-neck-while-he's-wearing-her-panties) Thorton has in his whole self-involved body. Isn't part of being an entertainer giving your audience what it wants? So if people want to refer to his previous somewhat inconsistent acting career, I think that's something to be appreciated. What a publicity stunt, I hope our mashed potato Canadian music lovers give him the cold shoulder. I'd rather stay home and read a book... or listen to Q!

So. If I understand correctly, BB wanted not to talk about his film career and further, not be asked about music being his first love... but proceeds to use the ENTIRE interview to highlight the subjects he doesn't wish to talk about. BB. You're not "the band". Back to Hollow-wood where you can be an island Billy-boy. You're not cut out for this racket, oh great musical historian.

BBT sucks big time!!!

I suppose when your band is as unimportant as his, you have to pull stunts like this to get even a little press. If it was a ploy, it's worked. Bad press is better than no press I suppose, and now at least a few people on the planet know that this one-trick-pony actor in fact has a equally unoriginal band. Will it help--I doubt it.

Many of you are missing the point. The Canadian marketplace is a nit in the music industry. BB even goes on to share his tepid appreciation for playing live up here.

BB had nothing to lose by snapping.

At a 6am interview, whereby the host chose not to adhere to stipulated demands, the guest chose to shutdown and was dealing with rage. So, he submarined the interview.

Kudos to BB. He stuck to his principles and ruined the precious air time.

I'll bet anything, the drums were there and even if they weren't he would have sung if the host didn't botch the interview.

That's the other point. The host couldn't rely on his own merits to interview this band without relying on dumbing it down for the audience by referencing one of the member's other revenue streams. Why not simply interview the band and let the audience discover BB at the mic and drum kit when attending the show.

I was instructed not to talk about how bad this band is. Boxmaster-bator get over yourself. JG, you are the polite Canadian that is all gravey over southern fried hill billy not hit wonder.

Hillarious, and VERY entertaining! This was like watching a chess game between two grand masters, witnessing two highly intelligent, gifted people in a battle of wits. Billy Bob's arrogance ("music historian"), is well- founded, but that does not excuse it. His telling smiles also belie the fact that he is somewhat amused by his own attempt at bullying Jian.

Many other hosts might have allowed the situation to escalate, Jian demonstrates professionalism, proves his mettle, and defuses it with grace and humour. Well done Jian!

The other band members are obviously not amused- although the overall situation does not reflect well on them, it is out of their hands, and they handle it graciously.

Billy Bob's humour, innapropriate as it was, was nothing shy of brilliant. However we are able to see underneath the mask, and view the insecurity... if he "makes it" as a musician, he will never know if he made it because of his previous fame, and he is in denial of this fact, and that denial I do find acceptable.
What is harder to accept is that he expects the rest of the world to join him in his denial as well.

Brilliant interview, Jian!! You handled it beautifully. How you kept your feet under you and your head about you in the face of such petulant behaviour was admirable! Good on ya - keep up the good work man!

Billy Bob thinks he's Tom Petty? What kind of drug is he on. I felt for Ghomeshi. I would have lost it on Thornton a minute into the interview. I can only imagine interviewing the two year old who couldn't put a sentence together.
Those who didn't know who Ghomeshi is do now thanks to this fumbling idiot.

Of course we wouldn't ask Tom Petty if music was his first love, that seems too obvious: Tom petty didn't dedicate most of his life vying for lame ass parts in lame ass hollywood productions. If BB was in Tom Petty's financial position when he (Petty) was at this point in his career, I don't think he'd be so huffy. I mean, that lip-on surely has to be the biggest debasement of drummer attitude on record- I don't think Shirley Temple coulda pulled that off. Whada Putz.

One word to decribe Billy bob: Douchebag.

I always thought he was an jerk and this just confirms it.

He was a jerk all through the interview. As for the band mates....they did well. They must have been embarrassed and I felt for them. There they have their band member yapping about monsters and magazines when the question was about what he listened to growing up...what the?!?!

Good job Jian for keeping the conversation going. Although he probably wanted to tell BB he was being an idiot...who would have blamed him, not me:)

The band except Billy Bob, the insecure pathetic old insignificant blob of flesh, is obviously very talented. They are embarrased and ashamed of his conduct. I say, lose the goof and move forward based on your talent, not your much previously notable(low level) associate. Any one can drum. He should return to his most significant accomplishment which is, banging a nice piece of tail. Wow Billy. What a inbred mountain person. We are humbled by your grace and confidence. I hear they are hiring at Carl Jr..

Grow up
(these comments made not knowing your previous history. For all we know you were abused as a child. In which case we take back everything except the part of you being inbred.

chill out
t

im pretty sure billy bob took shrooms then smoked some salvia immediately before the interview.

you saw him looking around like he didnt know where he was

It was very interesting and unintentional a slip by Jian to preffes the interview with the background of BBT's "other carreer". Eaqually unintentional that it exposed the true colours of the "star". The insite on the character was informative. It is what interviewers are suppost to do, give their audience information on the interviewee. Q gave the public a real good look at a personality they would not have gotten any place else. I did not need the information but was glad you exposed the bad news so I am soooo much beter informed. Thank you CBC.

Is it possible that this 'hillbully' is a bigot?

I can't believe what an ungracious,rude man Billy Bob is.
I give credit to the host for not hauling off and smacking him.
The arrogance!
Shame on you BillyBOB - you acted just like a hick, maybe that was your intention - guess what? That was really bad acting

Jian Ghomeshi was terrific in the face of a nightmare interview. He showed himself to be intelligent and able to handle an awkward situation. I'm sure when he's much older and looks back on his career, he'll always remember this weirdest of interviews.

What is wrong with trying to do something without relying on your credits from another occupation. Trying to start from scratch. Really is anyone going to give the group credit it all these posters are saying, it's only because there is an Oscar that this band gets any attention.

does anyone care about the music, I am actually disappointed that Jian didn't show his guests any respect. They show is about music and the group wanted it to be about the music. Jian obviously missed the point and shows some serious misunderstands of the music intentions of the group. He deliberately went out of his way to destroy what the group was trying to accomplish. Thorton has every right to be made and made the right call not to play. This is about the music not some of other occupation and if he had played Jian's rudeness and inconsiderate actions would have been rewarded.

I look forward to a venue where the group is respected for what they want to be about and not what others think matters more than the music

BB: what a loser. Gian: nice work on dealing with a spoiled child. The rest of the band: I wish I would have heard more from you--would have been really interested to hear more.

re: contextual reference (actor/musician)- He would introduce and ask those questions of Tom Petty, Kris Kristofferson,Johnny Cash, Harry Connick, Dwight Yoakam and the man himself, Willie Nelson. Why wouldn't he? Did Billy B. spring forth from the womb a fully formed musician? Well, I'm a potato in Thursday's audience. I saved the gravy for the more succulent treats that arrived after the bland appetizer. By the way, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all succeed in two such tightly monitored performing media?

Ghomeshi is a pompous fool. He's got the typical media jerkoff opinion of himself. "I'm the interviewer and I'll do as I please." He was implicitly told not to go there and what does the dumbass do??? First chance he gets he does what he's been told not to. Grow up little man and maybe listen for a change instead of flapping your gums. I listen to Q all the time and like the show but he's got a pretty high opinion of himself which I find disgustingly familiar with all media types.

good entertainment from two great entertainers - however it is cynical advertising

It seems to me that this reflects poorly on the producer, the interviewer and Thornton. Why run it? To make a man look bad and spark controversy? Bah. It seems to me the program is trying to take market share from Jerry Springer.

What kind of drugs is Billy bob taking?
I feel really bad for the other members in the band, they even looked afraid of Billy bob.
They should look for another drummer.

Was never a big music fan. Will certainly no longer be a Billy-Bob Thorton fan. I am so sick and tired of these "hollywood" types actually being given the attention, credibility and compensation based on what at the end of the day is their trite, fantastical careers as entertainers. What a goof...and then he lies about it as though his acting is that good...hahaha. He can join that elite circle of Mel Gibson, Michael Richards, Russel Crowe, etc. Now they are even including them in their White House. Better mashed potatoes then "sour" mash!

What are those things called when you are part of a project that sucks really bad, are having trouble making any money at it, and decide to do something that makes you look crazy but will get you and your project talked about in the news, in a sad attempt to boost interest in your crap project?

Oh right! Publicity stunt!

Good job Billy Bob but up here in reserved Canada we are a little smarter than our souther counterparts such as yourself and can see through BS like this.

I can't believe I used to like Bad Santa.

I watched the Youtube video and laughed. Is he childish and full of himself? Yeah, but he brings it into his movies and the result is gold. Some of the most entertaining people are just not good people, and it works to their advantage. I'll give the interviewer props, as well as his band members. Both did a good job of keeping the interview going.

The potato comment really wasn't that offensive... he was merely stating he prefers the lewdness associated with the States. The talk of poutine at the end was gold haha.

Great job, Ghomeshi! Boxmasters; I feel bad for you. As for BBT, he is a load his mother should have swallowed. Dump him ASAP!

Honestly, everyone is so supportive of poor Jian Gomeshi but I think that Billy Bob Thornton was entirely justified in his behaviour. Interviewers are often told not to mention certain things and constantly disregard what they have given their word they won't do. Do I think he was a bit "weird" about it? Yes. But I also admire him for not doing what a lot of musicians or actors would have done which is to just refuse to do an interview. So he wasted Jian's time - good on him. I saw BBT at Massey Hall last night and he talked about it a bit - amid the boos and hisses - but managed to get a good cheer by the end. Like he said - if you look someone in the eye and lie to them, then you don't get the interview. As for Jian - well you managed to get your 2 minutes of fame - enjoy it - I wish you many more passive agressive interviews to feather your cap

One has to wonder if this wasn't planned.

He's a pompus a$$. Get over yourself BBT, and Canada has plenty of gravy just not enough to pass along to you!!

This is what's called a publicity stunt. Had it been a standard interview, it would not be getting any press. Now, however, 90% of us who would have entered tomorrow without ever having heard of "Boxmasters" now know who they are, who they're touring with, how many people are in the band, how many albums they've made... etc. etc. etc...

Hey Mr. Ex Angelina Jolie. Whsssssssssssssh. That is the sound of your career going down the crapper. You had attention as a musician because of your career as an actor. Now you are just a regular jerk musician and there is no shortage of those. I felt sorry for your bandmates that looked like they were watching a train wreck unfold. Name for new band. Boxsters Without Pretensious Actors that think they are Musicians/Artists.

An interviewers worst nightmare. Kudos to Jian for the high road. We Canadians are likened to Mashed Patatoes! This from a useless hick that takes his musical influence from real artists and then puts his own, meager talented spin on it. Then to stand in front of Massey Hall and try to suck up to the "his canadian fans". Go back to where you came from. I want to hear real musicians.. what a tit!

Gravy is fattening anyway.

I'd be curious to know fo sure, was Jian asked to not mention BT's acting career or just not to ask questions about it? For my part, I'd never heard of this group and mentioning the drummer was also an actor and screenwirter was a point of interest, but not to be dwelled upon. (And it wasn't until BBT fussed about it)

As for BBT, I wonder if he's used to getting asked about his acting career when he's supposed to be asked about his music, and once he heard Jian's intro, got a huge chip on his shoulder and decided he was going to asked about acting instead of music. He kept making bizarre comments about the questions he was expecting from Jian, like don't say Muisc was my first love. Despite the fact all the questions were about MUSIC. Of course, in the end, he managed to get the interview focused on him for most of it instead of actually promoting his band. And of course, he looked like a belligerant fool and insulted a population the size of the state of California.

About the only other thing I could see Jian doing was to complete ignore BBT and just direct the questions to the other members instead. I feel sorry for the other band members who seemed to be eager to discuss their music. And kudos for Jian for handling himself so well.

Billy Boob is truly delusional if he thinks he can mention himself and Tom Petty in the same breath. I've never seen Tom in an interview, but onstage he is gracious and charming. Take a page from Tom's book, Billy. And if you don't like you're potatoes mashed without gravy, then maybe you should head on home and make some, using your head as a potato masher.

I don't get it. The interviewer stuck to the rule sand didn't ask any questions about BB film career and focused on a 'music only' theme. If BB hadn't made an issue from a mere intro blurb about his fame (which HAD to be mentioned or else it would have seemed rude)the entire interview would have been about music. Instead, it was ll about BB...the one thing he wanted to avoid! maybe that was the plan after all...focus on HIM...and it worked; typical manipulative narcissist.

Thornton was in town as a muscician and agreed to go on Jian's show, with his band, as a musician. Jian knew the terms of the appearance: no reference to Thornton's film career. Thornton's film career isn't a little secret - it is how the world knows Thornton.

Jian, in his admission, spent "1/3 of the introduction" talking about Thornton's filmography.

It is Jian who set the stage for uncooperativeness, Jian who threw down the gauntlet.

He always reminded me of the joke about the village missing it's idiot...even before this incident.
On the level, who is he but a B rated actor anyway? Is he an accomplished musician? Is he really THAT great an actor? How many awards has he won? Has he accomplished anything in the area of humanatarian notation? NO!!
So why do we even care about this idiot? The BEST possible results are to NOT buy his CDs (does he even have any?), not attend his concerts (not that he's significant enough to have his own) and don't buy his movies. Period.

So old B.B. wasn't up to hauling the old drum set eh? Too early in the morning to support the rest of the band? So why not just ruin the whole interview for the everyone! I'm sure the rest of the guys are thrilled with the lost opportunity. For Willie Nelson along with the Boxmasters, one word RUN as fast as you can, away from the red-neck anti-Canadian
baby.

People, can we get serious for a moment? Imagine if you were sitting in Billy Bob's shoes, knowing full well that the producers of the CBC Q program were asked/instructed by the Boxmasters manager to not talk about Billy Bob's acting career, and focus instead on the music of the Boxmasters, and the first thing Jian does, within the first minute of the interview, is speak about Billy Bob' acting career. Come on, you'd be frustrated too. I know I would. Jian has always struck me as an arrogant person, who is sorely lacking in the skills a interviewee should possess. I wouldn't give him one minute of my time. 'nuff said.

I lived outside the country for 4 years, in the late 90's. Listening to Gzowski was a real treat. Unfortunately, I think the CBC has struggled with interview content since his passing. But after hearing about this Q fella hold his own - there may still be some hope for the CBC ater all!
oh yeh... who is this hill-billy-bob looser anyway?

I would like to commend Ghomeshi for keeping his composure and standing behind the line of questioning that included explaining the relevancy of Thornton's notoriety as an actor helping propel the newly-formed band into the spotlight.

It would have been easy to have lost his cool, but Ghomeshi didn't, helping make more obvious Thornton's immaturity and diva-like behaviour.

Well done, CBC! You've got a great one in Ghomeshi.

One word for Billy Bob...REHAB! Not only did I feel uncomfortable for Jian but how about those band members? Were they totally ticked with BB or were they just as embarassed and uncomfortable as the rest of us? Jian you are truly a professional! In total contrast was your amazing interview today with Diana Krall. thanks!

Good luck Peanut
to the rest of the band find a good replacement.

What a fool he made of himself ! He claims that he was mad at the interviewer so he bashed Canadadians, if everyone in his native Country acted like a pouty little suck like him they could refer to it as having " plenty of WHINE with cheese" there! Hopefully this Goof leaves our wonderful Country and heads home so he can bless those poor folks.

Billy Bob Thornton...isn't he the actor whose name Angeline Jolie tattooed on her body somewhere? I think I saw him in a movie once...don't remember the name, or the role this actor played.

I recognize this power-tripping addict BS a mile away. (8:20) Have seen that smirk enough times to know what it means- this asshole is 100% unrepentant and will only be satisfied when he sees pain or fear on another's face.

His band members appeared to be mortified. Maybe they felt the potential for a Canadian fanbase slipping through their fingers every time "I don't know" slipped out of DoucheBob's arse.

I'm surprised that Jian Ghomeshi doesn't have similar reactions from other guests that have been exposed to his condescending attitude. I'm probably in the minority, but I find him to be slyly disparaging in his comments and the tone of his questions.

I feel so sorry for his bandmates! Did anyone notice how they looked like their hearts were in their shoes when BBT was acting like a three-year old who decided he was just going to play in the sandbox alone? What a jerk. I've lost all respect for him as an actor since it seems he doesn't seem to value it. Nor his Canadian audiences. Pardon us for actually appreciating music up here and wanting to listen during a concert.

The awesomest thing, is that I didn't pay an iota of attention regarding when and where these guys will be playing. Good job on the overkill, BBT!

Jian (or should I say.. Alan Alda), is a fawning self important wiener.

I don't blame BillyBob for being ticked at him for leading the interview with his soliloquy that mixed Thortons acting and music

Well Billy Bob can go back to the US if he does not like Canadian Audiences. Don't buy his stuff.

Ghomeshi you rock,BBT you resemble a rock

Well done Jian - as painful as that was to watch, you did a masterful job. Hindsight is always 20/20, but in response to BBT's statement regaring Tom Petty, yo might have said "I would have said it to Jim Belushi as well"

I was taken aback when it became obvious BB was not trying to pull a joke on Jian, but was serious! From then on I felt embarrassed and angry ... thought Jian handled the awkwardness very well (how DID he refrain from retaliating in some way, either verbally or a punch in the kisser ???) Now let's us all just let BB's so-called "career" go unnoticed. Potato Power, eh?

BBT, WHAT A LOSER YOU ARE!! SHAME ON YOU!! At least us Canadians have class and know how treat people with respect. Unlike you, let's just say you should have played in the grinch(except they forgot to give you a heart!) instead of Bad Santa!!

well ah reckon that ain't raht. hyuk hyuk hyuk. go use your charm and wit where people understand you...deep in appalachia perhaps? i don't feel sorry for Jian. this was well within his skill and professionalism. easily dealt with, like a cat toying with a rodent. i really feel for the band though. you could see the looks on their faces and hear their feigned enthusiasm when asked to play. you could almost hear the refrain "omg, what have gotten ourselves into?"
Mr. Thornton will never be world class.

Wow, looks like the Canadians prove themselves to be mature, intelligent, sophisticated people. Hilly Billy Bob looks like an ignorant american.....so so not cool.

Billy Bob and Joaquin Phoenix should do an album together.

Billy Boob alienated an entire country in 14 minutes. Go home, chump.

Seriously, why is this guy still performing. I feel bad for his bandmates, I am sure record sales for "Boxmasters" or whatever they are called has just been crippled thanks to him. Guy needs a time out in his potty corner and re-evaluate that he is part of a group, not a frickin pop star. Guy needs his head kicked in and made to see the light, BBT you are the worst, a complete and utter jackass - GET OUT OF CANADA you freak of nature.

Who does he think he is. I will never spend a dime to see him perform. He's not that good as an actor either. Too bad some people think they are bigger than they are.. JR

Kinda funny that Ghomeshi didn't just play instead of the Texas hick -- after all, Ghomeshi's a better drummer and singer!

Too bad for the rest of the band that their Canadian sales just went down the toilet. I'd imagine very few people at a Willy Nelson concert in Canada hadn't heard of Moxy Fruvous. I wonder if the Box Cutters will have a cover of King of Spain on their next album, without the drums...

I cannot make up my mind if BBT has a Borderline personality disorder or a Narcissistic personality disorder. I don't think the suggestions that he was stoned apply.

What is remarkable is the equanimity the Interviewer showed and the dignified manner in which he conducted himself. He showed great restraint, which is admirable.

People like this disordered person do not have any insight into how they come across.

Very fragile ego structures, and thoroughly
obnoxious.
What does this say about Angelina?

o

Kudos to CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi; he handled an incredibly difficult interview beautifully without losing his composure. BBT looked like an arrogant, juvenile idiot, with a chip on his shoulder the size of a hillbilly. He didn't want to be singled out as an actor, yet he monopolized the interview and made it more than awkward for his band mates. On top of that he made a gross generalization about Canadian audiences. Did he consider for a second that his arrogance and big mouth might cost the band some fans? What a dick.

If Jian had skill as an interviewer he never would have destroyed the potential that radio session could have had, instead of talking about music Jian destroys it and if you look at all these posts he accomplishes everything BBT didn't want to happen, no on is discussing the music.

Sadly I was just getting into Q, but this was distasteful.

well, to start with, i have been doing radio for close to 20 yrs on and off, i have had a few tough interviews but this took the cake. I don't understand how Billy could expect anyone not to make any reference to the fact that he is a movie star or anything else for that matter, are we supposed to forget who he is and what he has done in the past just to concentrate on his most recent endeavour,how totally assinine to expect us to ignore this fact, and what a totally terrible way to treat the host of a show that is helping to promote this band and their music. Billy has made himself look like a total asshole and a petchulant child, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THE INTERVIEW.....STAY THE HELL HOME!!! i am so upset for Jian, he handled it like the pro that he is, 2 thumbs up for Jian, you have gained my total respect for the way you handled the complete lack of respect you were shown by Billy Bob. Sorry Billy, you can't just leave the spotlight of Hollywood at your leisure and expect us to just forget who you are, you chose to be an actor, a VERY HIGH PROFILE profession, deal with it. It's one of those double edged swords they always talk about, you can't have everything buddy,life is tough, suck it up princess!!!!

I'm not sure why this got any mention what-so-ever, geewhiz a normal work day has more tension than this. Only typing this in 'cause of all the 'flap' I've heard but now that I've seen the video, sorry I wasted my time. Send a film crew to my office if you want some real action.

It's kind of ironic that BBT's bad interview brought more attention to the band then if it had gone smoothly. I never knew that he had a band. That being said, I will go out of my way to not listen to it now. I'm glad the video cut out before they played. As for the other band member's, maybe they do like the guy or maybe they were using his fame to get gigs with Willie Nelson. Either way, BBT's brought them as far as he will. Drop him from the band or risk total oblivion.

Billy bob,what a nob! Unreal what a spoiled little brat he gets no GRAVY on his mashed potatoes! He suffers from one big ego!He thinks he's so cool and he only made himself look like a fool! I will never support anything he does,ever again.If he is going to be in the spotlight with his band he needs to act a little more professional,excuse me , Alot More Professional! Farewell billy bob the nob,have a lovely tour, in another country.

I think from reading the comments here, that BBT's acting, BBT's singing - and his drumming according to one concert review, and now his "rockstar" attitude have one quality in common, they are all mediocre.

Its a shame, as us naked potatoes might otherwise have been willing to listen to his music.

Is this just not another attempt for a celebrity to draw attention to itself to promote their next endeavor....what a looser he is.....his band and Willie Nelson and all associated with BBT should kick him to the curb...he could'nt act sing produce his way out of a wet paper bag!!!!!!!!!

After listening to the full interview it was clear to me that CBC was provided with clear instructions by BBT prior to going on air on what they did not want discussed obviously trying to deflect attention from his celebrity status. Why CBC could not respect these simple wishes puzzles me and how Jian handled the situation showed a basic lack of experience and to a certain degree lack of professionalism. Obviously BBT could have handled the situation and lack of respect shown by CBC better but it was also refreshing to hear something with a bit of an edge in a sanitized media world...

Who is Billy Bob Thornton again? Is he that short guy who made that one good movie years ago?

At least the crybaby is finally getting some attention.

Haha, I just heard that BillyBob just canceled the rest of his Canadian tour. Way to stick together Canada! People like him we just don't need. Maybe next time he'll think before he pulls the spoiled brat sulk routine.

Bye Billy!

Jian did a fine job of trying to decipher the BBT 'tool code'. I felt sorry for his, no doubt fed-up, band members who couldn't wait to the interview to be over.

I liked Jian before but I'm really impressed with him now. He didn't lose his cool and he remained respectful despite the fact that BBT did not deserve anyone's respect during that egomanical/sooky-pants/childish piece of work he dished out.

Now that's un-talent.

Wow, talk about a thin-skinned bunch of people. Big deal. BBT acted like a jerk and Jian handled it very well. Get over it.

http://willienelson.com/news/billy-bob-the-boxmasters-no-more-canada/

Looks like Willie did the right thing! Ba-bye Billy.

Have been a listener of Q since inception, am so proud of Jian, he handled this situation so well.... I felt so bad for the other band members.. you could tell they were embarrassed...

I'm sorry Billy Bob, Tom Petty you are not! The mere suggestion that you should be treated similarly as a "musician" is preposterous. After your child-like melt down I have absolutely no desire to check out your "music." Grow up man and discover what it means to be humble. And hats off to Ghomeshi for maintaining his professionalism throughout!

He's a stupied has-been actor. I've seen him perform and he is a horrible singer... the guys got nothin... nothin between his ears.

I am saluting Jian, hes a genius journalist, composed behavior and obvious intellect. He handled this unstable character the way the best host could. BBT, unstable mentality, really, what a person to laugh at

does he even play the drums???

At best I would describe the interview as mildly tense. Is this worthy of such indignation/comments? The fact that it is generating such a buzz lends credibility to BBT's claim that we're "mashed potatoes with no gravy". It's just not that a big a deal. If there were instructions to not mention certain topics before the interview and all parties agreed to them, then those intstructions should have been followed or the interview declined by CBC.Would any of us handle it well if we were blind sided in such a public forum? For me Ghomeshi handled it well though he seemed to play it for what he could. I feel that if you are interviewing someone you refer to as " guests" then they should be treated fairly and not surprised with something that was not supposed to mentioned.

My sense is that he was having a big-star hissy-fit, and he was taking
it out on whomever he could. The polite Canadians were just a handy
and easy target. He wouldn't be the first American to be put off by
visiting a society that seems better than the US to have it's s**t together and seems a
bit less backwards than the one that spawned him.

So Billy Bob is an A-hole , eh. I think Ghomeshi is a bit of an A-Hole as well, eh. It was obvious tat there were conditions that were agreed upon prior to the commencement of the interview -- JG failed to comply so BB had a hissy fit. What a hoser, eh.

A 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes have more in them than Billy Bob has in his head.. Thank God Miss Jolie got rid of him when she did.. Canaian people don't need loser's like him away, we are better then that.

Sounds like he forgot to take his morning med.

Ah Billy Bob must sure be desperate to remake himself.
thats some name ya made for yurself there BBT.
going off the deep end.

What a D***! Enough said.

Well the interview was really just an star who wants to be taken seriously for his music career. Billy Bob just took it way to serious and in a very childish manner. I applaud Mr Ghomeshi for being above the antics of Billy Bob and taking the High road. I am sure most Canadians will look beyond this moment and forgive Billy Bob but if his music career does falter and he returns to his movie career, then we'll have the last laugh. Good luck Billy Bob and your welcome for all the extra attention you just garned for your band.

Jian Ghomeshi, well he didn't just "sit there", did he? As for Billy Bob, I have to say that I feel sorry for the guy. Something's, obviously, really wrong with him. He was such a fine actor, once.

Howard Stern picked up the interview and played it... Billy Bob's cancelled the balance of the Canadian tour, CNN edited and spun their clips (what else is new...) and the real musoids on the planet said, "What?" The incident reminded of the infamous conversational repartee that went something like: "Winston, you're drunk", to which Churchill replied, "Yes, and madam you're ugly, but I shall be sober in the morning".
Billy Bob's gone. Ghomeshi is still here... and that's ugly too.

Ghomeshi: you are too kind and you handled it like the pro you are. I would have given him a kick in his behind out of the studio. Billy Bob: you are a clown and an idiot!

He is truly the biggest asshole EVER!

I've always thought he was a pompous, weird and strange guy, but this is just completely unbelievably low even by his standards!

Poor interviewer or anybody who has to converse with him for that matter.

Billy Bob Thorton = A-Hole.

I would support a boycott but his band mates would suffer.And they all were nice guys and had all their brain cells in tacked.Unlike BBT Who probably forgot to take his meds that morning or took to many !Insulting Canada because you did not like the host! (well just stupid!)POM-PAS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a d-bag.

Having been interviewed live on CBC Radio several times, I have always found their hosts knowledgeable and professional. JG was justified in providing a brief mention of BBT's more famous side to help the audience place the interview and unknown band in context, and showed grace under pressure when faced with a petulant guest. JG deftly dealt with the apparent reason for BBT's chagrin. If it had been agreed that there be no questions about BBT’s previous claim to fame, JG did not ask any such questions. JG showed his moxie and professionalism in keeping this very difficult interview on track and minimizing dead air. Yes BBT you are correct, Canadian audiences are “reserved”. We reserve our wild applause for those who deserve it.

The people I feel sorry for are the other band members. They are the ones who had to stand there and be embarassed while he had his temper tantrum. And "HE" gets to make the decision as to whether they will continue with the tour. Yeah, I bet they are really happy to have their star hitched to his wagon.

That was embarrassingly childish. In order to get back at the interviewer for daring to bring up a forbidden subject he insults Canadian audiences in general? We just sit there? No doubt his PR people will write a nice little apology for him at some point. I'm not going to believe it, are you?

Billy Bob Thorton has always been an odd duck. I can understand him being miffed that his acting career was mentioned but his childish reaction was extremely selfish. He only made an ass of himself. I just hope his band dumps him soon.

I think we're all glad he cancelled his tour. I feel sorry for his bandmates though. I don't think they need a childish, pouting ***hole like that and I hope they get rid of him. He ruined their tour.

Obviously Billy Bob is suffering from a severe case of ego/tantrum. This idiot is unbelievable. I liked a lot of his movies. I seems to me that usually when these actors get into the music scene they more often than not pretty much keep their feet on the ground. Not so with Billy Bob.
The reason that the Canadian audiences aren't getting up from their seats and dancing in the aisles

I never knew he was in a band until I heard about this incident. Negative publicity is still publicity so good going Boxmunchers or what ever your bands name is.

I don't know who he would fool by omitting that he's an actor. The band might as well be named Billy Boob (I did mean boob). There are hundreds of good bands out there that will never get the fast-pass like the BillyBobMasters have. That is 100% thanks to Billy's connections and clout as an actor.

Oh...and don't insult a whole country full of potential fans just because you're high on something and pissed off at the interviewer. That's not good for business.

Jian Ghomeshi did what good journalist do, bring us an insightful message we would not otherwise have. As an interviewer he exceeded in presenting a true and revealing aspect of his subject. The character of the interviewee was there for all to see, even if it was not the intention of Jian to discredit BBT. No he did that to himself by not letting the little introduction pass. Billy Bob should have just stuck to the job of playing the music for the sake of his band - mates and not alluded to the interview while on stage. It only focussed on him negatively and there was no good way out. There is no substitute for good manners and no excuse for bad or lack of them.

I understand Mr Thornton was angry, so it put him off doing the interview blah, blah.....So, like we should have pretended we didn't know who he was or anything about his past. Come on, Billy Bob was the only reason I tuned in to the interview because I know him as the actor not musician. It would have been nice to hear his real answers so I'd get to know Billy Bob the musician... ain't gonna happen now. Maybe performing incognito or letting his lesser known bandmates do the interviews in future may work better for him. If he was that upset he should have walked out and refused the interview rather than answer the questions insanely like he did and why put down all Canadians like that. I've never called him an oscar winning actor. I believe the band has cancelled the rest of their Canadian tour. Too bad, I would have attended one of his concerts and thrown things - oops, hit the drummer. Good riddance Boxmasters

I wonder if this hissy fit was simply staged; an act to accompany his new image as an all-of-a-sudden rock star? You know, that brooding, mad-genius tortured para-suicidal artist schtick.

Billy,I paraphrase an earlier scene you were in(Tombstone) Line spoken by Val Kilmer-"Oh,youre still here?You may leave now."

Jian, You Rock! You handled this jerk very, very well.

Jian violated the interview agreement right at the outset, and deserved to have his interview trashed, Too bad about the Canadians being like mashed potatoes, without gravy remark though. All in all, the interview was great entertainment, and everyone gets a few minutes of publicity.

Wow Billy Bob you really are an ***hole, my condolensces go out to the other band members and Willie Nelson's people to have had to put up with such a complete Jackass. Infact you should go back into acting and do a one man play called "Jackass Me" I am sure you have the prerequisite skills and will not impact upon the lives of anyone else, except for those people crazy enough to purchase your tickets.

Now that's radio!
Don't really give a hoot 'bout BB
Don't usually like Jian's smug way
But that was great radio!
You did well J.
Gzowski would have been proud of you.

Still don't give a hoot about BB.
In fact I've moved to boycott mode

New Q fan

billy bob thonton comparing himself to Tom petty now thats comedy, Ive heard all of Tom pettys Music in the last 30 years , Ive heard (0) of the Boxmasters, the interviewer is a seasoned veteran as well,and should offer to sit down with BBT and hash

I love the show "Q" and Gian is very well spoken and handled that interview very well. Excellent job Gian. All I have to say is Billy Bob you have no social skills and are totally inept. No wonder your an actor. You can hide from yourself and be who ever you or the director wants you to be. You deffinattley have some issues and I think you should see a therapist it would do you a world of good. Get over what ever it is thats haunting you and move thru it. Cause your not handling it very well and your not fooling anybody. In a way I feel sorry for you. I mostly feel sorry for the other musicians that have to deal with you. In the interview they didn't look totally comfortable and frankly looked embarassed. Sad thing you know.

BBT might be a hell of an actor, director writer, but it's really apparent from this obviously staged incident that when it comes in improvisational performance art he's certainly no Andy Kaufman.... Even Joaquin Phoenix did a better job at 'playing this role' when he appeared on Letterman...

Mr. BBT... Please... don't quit your day-job eh... Go back to making great entertainment like Sling Blade or Levity... Leave the comedy to people who are funny....

Ghomeshi was incredibly professional. Given what he had to work with he did a remarkable job. By the way I understand that Billy Bob is posting some comments under a pseudonym here.

This interview was a lesson in how to get people not to take your work seriously. I guess Bad Santa scarred him for life.

Saying Canada is "mashed potatoes without the gravy" is insulting to all Canadians. Thousands of Canadians have expressed their outrage online so far. If Mr. Thornton's implication is that it's better to be American with all the gravy ladled on everything, then I'm proud to be Canadian. Potatoes are good, solid food from the Earth. I'd rather not be covered by animal-rendered, high-cholesterol grease,

I thought Billy did the best he could to answer the questions....considering he was as high as a kite! Good grief, I think he honestly didn't know what Jian was talking about, when he answered the questions...I didn't get the impression that Jian was going to DWELL on his movie career, more just make the aforementioned 'contextual' reference, but Billy thought otherwise. The rest of the band seemed quite sincere, so it may not be fair to write the whole band off. Most bands have at least one jerk in them, yet we still support them. Perhaps Billy thought he was auditioning for the next Monsters vs. Alien movie as a voice over role, with his reference to his love of monsters as a kid...
Obviously, the world does revolve around Billy Bob, not the sun. Textbooks will have to be changed...

ghomeshis view of the reason for the bands success was transparent..and offensive..if he hadnt listened to them and it seems he hadnt, he was unresearched. and if he had and didnt think they had talent, he needent have invited them on..bill clinton does not open for willy, nor does john mcenroe, neither would gian and his group...several actors play in bands..truth is, profile does not equate to an invite to open for nelson..its a biz..talent counts..the cbc producer accepted a deal..and it was communicated to gian, who immediatley did the reverse..for my money, he wears much of the resp for the poor show..i was not offended by anything thornton said..

It seemed obvious to me that BBT wanted to force a confrontation about the issue all along - by refusing to answer questions about his music, he forced the conversation to become about the fact that he didn't want to talk about his movie career. It's funny, because by talking about NOT talking about it, he was just emphasizing it even more.

And I talk about my past accomplishments in light of my current ones, so I don't understand why BBT would want to talk about how his movie career has enabled him to pursue his passion, for instance, or whatever... Yeah, I think he's just a stupid primadonna.

Congratulations Billy what's your name.
As an American, you have offended us as a nation as well as the entire global community.

Get a life!

To be honest i had heard that BBT had a band but i did not know much about it, so i saw him as an actor.
This COULD have been a good opportunity for him to let a LOT of people see him as a gifted artist as well. Why not simply say look
"i act but to be honest i have always played.
it has been my 1st love and 1st priority.
Before acting during and even now..its who i really am". I WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED. But no....he says do not even mention what else he has done.
Why not use this as an opportunity to impress us in instead of being an ass and insulting
how many people ?and a country that has had your back for how long?
You and FOX news want some gravy "little" man
you got it.
DO not come back untill you show some class and respect by having the ba*** to
appologize. You want to be respected and treated like an artist or even a man than step up ! Grow up ! and Bring your own da** gravey man!

Whatever you think of Ghomeshi (I personally am a fan), it has to be recognized that BBT and band were not doing some stupid drive time morning show in a minor market. They were being interviewed by a successful recording artist and manager, on a nationally broadcast radio and TV entertainment show. If the Boxmasters wants exposure in Canada, Q is one of the best ways to get it.
People don't get to tell Barbara Walters what she can and can't ask about, and Ghomeshi is the Barbara Walters of the Canadian Cultural scene.

So, anyway, kudos to you, Mr. Ghomeshi, for maintaining you composure when faced with this arrogant ass.

My husband and I kept exchanging disbelieving glances while listening to this interview. This group could have performed better than any musicians we have ever heard and we still wouldn't buy tickets after listening to their lead @$$h0!@ attempt to be what - funny? suave? idiotic?? Well, he nailed idiotic.

Totally not Thornton's call, to instruct the producer (or the host) of the show what to say or what not to say. He was the "guest".

As any professional journalist would have done, Ghomeshi was providing context - a courtesy for the benefit of the listeners - during his introduction, less than a minute into the session. It was a "point of entry." The actual interview had not yet begun; Ghomeshi was the only one speaking at that point.

"Plenty of context without all that" - So, Billy Bob really believes he would have been just as successful as a musician without his prior career in the movies? Perhaps he would like to return his Oscar, give back all the the money he earned, and start over from square one (oh, and keep on behaving like this in interviews, too!) Yeah, right. What a slap in the face to all the people who got him where he is today! Now let's see how far being a childish, arrogant boor, a sniveling prima donna and a total ingrate gets ya, pal.

File him under "has-beens", next to Doug Benson.

what a pathetic, no talent, insecure(understandable), miserable excuse of a person no wonder Willie kicked him off the tour BBT needs a good kick in the ass back to under whatever rock he crawled out from under what a puke!

Here we have on wannabe musician interviewed by one wannabe radio host. Perhaps crossover careers don't really work?

Now, why do we care about this anyway? It's pretty sad when we have to listen to a rude, untalented American redneck just because he's supposed to be famous.

Could the CBC please stick to Canadian content like decent music and interviewers with skills? , I miss Mr. Gzowksi....... I don't need Mr. Ghomeshi emoting everywhere and playing poor Indy music. I won't listen to Q.

Maybe BBT is persuing a music career because nobody in Hollywood will work with this dickwad anymore. Kudos to Ghomeshi for maintianing his own decorum. I guess that is because he is a calm, boring non-gravy Canadian. BBT I hope your tour in Canada sucks and best of luck to the rest of your band. I cannot imagine how disgusted they must be at your "performance".

Was Billy Bob Thornton totally on drugs or drunk or had a bad hangover or just being a complete idiot. The rest of his band band members that spoke looked embarassed and uncomfortable but tried to answer intelligently, although using the phrase "you know, you know, you know" in the midst of all of their sentences, but at least they were polite.

Who does Billy Bob think he is anyway, he's just a dozey guy that kept a vial of blood around his neck. I'm surprised that he could get a band to work with his kiddie personality.

If I were the interviewer, I would have completely ignored him and his rudeness and just go on talking to the more polite members.

His maniacal answers to the interviews questions made no sense at all to anyone.

What the heck is wrong with him, just plain stupidity or brain damage?

Don't come back Billy Bob we don't need your kind here in Canada, we have enough well-bred,intellectual, talented bands in Toronto, we don't need pampered crazies.

Notwithstanding that BBT wasn't excited about doing an interview at 6:00am (didn't bring his drums and let the band perform without him) JG was thrown off his game whenever BBT asked JG to clarify the question being asked. Artists are nuanced. Listen carefully and it seems to me that JG didn't respect BBT's attempts to give good answers to the questions. He was flustered when BBT actually answered his question "you didn't like music when you were a kid?" with "I liked . . . " a particular magazine when I was a kid. And then JG was upset that BBT had given an expanded answer to his question. JG failed to appreciate the interesting background info about BBT's childhood interests as a legitimate answer to the negation of a strong childhood interest in music. Perhaps asking for a truce was a fair way for JG to admit he didn't get it yet.

Any chance we could have Bully Boobs potato head pic removed from the CBC main page ??? He really does not deserve the publicity for his "talents".

What a jerk - I dont' think Billy Bob cares that much about his band if he is willing to sacrifice a promoting interview just to satisfy his own overblown ego. If I were a member of the boxmasters I would be so embarrassed!

And Ramesh was nothing but polite, given the frustration in trying to explain why he was trying to put the band into context with the introduction of Billy Bob - like trying to explain logic to a 3 year old.

I know one thing - I don't care how the boxmasters sound...

oops - sorry Jian - for some reason I called you Ramesh in my previous post! I am pretty sure you won't throw a fit though - lol

BBT has no talent whatsoever and he personifies the "American" with the big mouth that can't keep it shut when they are in another country. He is just an ass.

It was good to see that some of you have it right or close to right, e.g.: d; IT., DeepBLue, Anon, Henry Ahile, Albion, KSlice, Pense, Richard, Sparky, Jordan, AlexC, BGM, Jonathon, R. Delainey, Balls, Hill Billy Afficionado, Lucky Lou, James, Martin McCreal, Clatyon Bailley, Chuck Currie, Observer, Mark Stephenson, ahmed jaheer, David Davies, Serroul, Todd.

The fact is that Jian was dishonest and was deliberately putting Thorton on the out with his band members. Thorton never claimed to be the greatest drummer or compare himself to Tom Petty but was only trying to put Gomeshi's disrespect for the ground rules into context. While it may be true that the band would not have gotteen the gig but for him, he was trying to honour the other band members by not going there at all in the interview.

Gomeshi did not have to keep going back to Thorton but he just wanted to poke the bear with the stick. Sure it is true that the band did not have to do the interview and they certainly would not have got up at six in the morning to do it if they knew that Gomeshi was going to ignore the agreement.

No integrety Jian.

Ya hi ya'll ma name us Billy Bud Dirt Bag.....rheupublikkkan ya'll rheupublikkkan...
this guy is about 8 pints short of a case ...who gives a flying f^&* what he say about anything.......honestly?

I tuned in just after the BBT interview and was curious about the references to the bizzareness which preceded. Wow. An over-the-hill mediocre American actor turned less-than-mediocre hillbilly/Brit-invasion musician coming on national Canadian radio with high doses of bad chemicals and attitude and dissing Canadians. Wow.

I've been mistaken for BBT in public a few times. It used to be fun. Now I'm going to be on the look out for flying vegetable matter when out in public.

sad that brilliant persons have to answer questions like the ones posed by this neophyte.

I am so glad to hear that Billy Bob was booed off of the stage and has cancelled the rest of the tour, however, it's a shame that the rest of the band had to suffer for I'm sure they are great musicians and to put up with that arrogant, spoiled, childish member of their band, I take my hat off to them.

I have to commend Jian he did a great job under very ODD circumstances. BBT was an ass and showed total disrespect to his bandmates. Bily Bob stated he grew up as a music historian, I feel his behaviour showed he hasn't got a clue about the industry and he should have let the music speak for itself.
I wouldn't go see them or buy their CD's.
There is alot of talented, humble and decent musicians to support.

The Boxmasters? Give me a break. Billy Bob, you're an idiot. You're an example of the reason so many people hate Americans. Go home yankee!! You're a guest in Canada and a rude one at that. Maybe if they deported your arrogant, pompous ass...nah, they're too nice for that. I know - no gravy. Why deport you?? Because they don't like you! Good enough? This good old boy is gonna go down to the grave thinking he was so much better than he really is.

I think I know what Billy Bob was talking about...he would like Canadians better if they would throw stuff at him while he is performing. SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!!!

He's no Lou Reed. However, if Mr. Ghomeshi and colleagues were asked not to mention his film involvement in any way, that was breeched.

That said, he simply could have got up and walked out--just like Lou did once with Daniel Ritchler.

Its done all in the guise of self promoting. Thornton is a recovering substance abuse victim who needs validation that he is accepted in society. Well, he failed. Grab yourself a drink and stick with the mash potatoes without gravy. Its better for ya Billy Bob.

WOW!!!! Jian really needs around of applause for keeping it together here.
WOW i'm not really sure what to say about this one. Love Q and now really hate Billy Bob, he's out to lunch on this one!

Those very few folks who do not care for Jian Ghomeshi are quick to do what? Be in favor of what? Obvious arrogance it seems.....regardless of your feelings of Ghomeshi, Billy Bob needs to get over himself, sooner or later this kind of interview would have happened either with Ghomshi or someone else.....so you folks get a life, unless you want to take a hissy fit too and "entertain" the rest of the world.....As for the rest of the band, it needs to take a fresh look at its future, hope they've gained some negotiating leverage out of this unfortunate experience!

Is that Billy Bob or Silly Bob? I have never seen his movies, so have much to be grateful for, from the sound of the almost unanimous ridicule of this sad spaced-out shell of a man(?). Is he possibly related to the old Charlton Heston? I love America's people, but this kind of clown does give them a very bad reputation. Unbelievably, he could probably buy the CBC, and this is the kind of grossly overpaid no-talent garbage we will have to put up with if we allow Harper to destroy the best network in the world. Please don't tell me, Mr. Reform P.M., that no one listens to our national network!

The only possible defense Billy Bob has is that he was driven temporarily insane by the cloying smugness exuded by the CBC. Maybe he's caught previous CBC shows where all the smarmy socialists who work at the CBC pretend they're smarter than everyone else (especially Americans). He may have asked himself, "hey, if Canadians are so much smarter, how come we have the most successful country in history and you're slipping into some version of Cuba light (but without the good weather)." Cut the guy some slack. Normal people can't tolerate big doses of left-wing CBC drivel.

Jian...makes me respect you nad your show even more.

Gomeshi should have apologized to BBT in order to try and salvage the interview. Gomeshi had clearly lied and said he wouldn't mention BBT's acting career, and then did it anyway. The whole thing smelled like Gomeshi trying to earn some gonzo journalist points for himself, like Jim Gray going after Pete Rose. It's time these folk realize no one gives a rat's *ss about them and if they had any G*d given talent or accomplishment worth mentioning they'd be on the other side of the mic.

sure he's right about Canadian audiences just sitting there you just gotta get up and throw things he was definitely acting like an ass . When you just wanna promote someone and they shit on you then its time to well f*ck off get outta town and hopefully don't come back .

Personally Billy Bob, I don't really care for gravy on my mashed potatoes. But I'd prefer
that to the s*** you were dishing out.
Watching the video, you good almost see that
look on the band members faces that said of BB
"who is this idiot?"

You go, Billy Bob! With so many deadly serious issues consuming our brains, your petty (sorry, Tom), rude, bizarre behaviour has obviously provided welcome distraction. So, thanks!

You might be a red neck if you act like a petulant child while promoting a second rate opening act.

Notice the title of Silly-Billy Bob's recent film title: "MANURE", so fitting.

But wait, there's more!

Lisa Cohen said, "Billy Bob wasn't supposed to talk about that sh*t, you know. . . He said we were together. He said I was his first love. I don't know what he's talking about."

So Billy Bob, you don’t want anyone to reference your acting/directing career? That’s cool. But sometimes, for whatever reason, life doesn’t always go the way you want…and someone in fact does mention for a brief moment your career background for contextual reasons. You have a couple of options.

a. You can throw a fit and stomp out.
b. You can sit and steam and pout like a baby because someone didn’t do what you wanted.
c. You can try to listen to what was said, and if the direction of the conversation is clearly NOT going in the wrong direction (actor/director) then you can smile and steer the conversation in the direction that you want it to go.
d. You can simply state that you would rather not talk about your acting/directing career (if in deed the subject did come up) with a smile on your face and say that you would like to focus on your experience with the band.

Believe me; a reaction like c. or d. would make you look very professional and gain respect from the listening public…certainly you can see that.

You owe Jian a sincere public apology. But from what I see, I don’t believe you are man enough for that. I dare you to surprise me.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.... OMG Billy Bob.. you ARE an A$$!!! Jian! You are the King of Cool Babe!

Many talented and gifted people share one thing in common. They are humble and polite. So we can see Billy Bob Thornton won’t fall in that category. The reason he tried many things as career because he never good at one. Get out of the stuffs man it will help you in thinking department so no need to say “I don’t know” that often.

BBT a self centered, joke! Can you believe how arrogant can he be to think that he can even comment on Canadians. Yes, were tolerant, reserved, but you get our backs up and you have more gravy than you can handle. So it is true BBT is a Jerk!

Live here in the lower 48 but have cousins in Canada (disclaimer). But this guy is a total misfit. Doesn’t have a clue about anything but him self, so don’t you guys and gals take this moron too serious. I’m sure we all have our share of a..holes up and down North America.

His name says it all, Shades of Cocaine addiction and Texan Stupidity.
How dare he come to our country and sling insults...He is a FRIED GREEN TOMATO

Quite simply what we have here are two big egos gone awry. It's all to easy to make a committment to do or not do something and then try to change the rules if it suits our preference. It happens in all kinds of relationships from families to employment to political promises. The station obviously had made a promise and JG in his infinite ego decided to break that promise because he thought he could get away with it. BBT in his infinite ego decided he was not going to let him get away with it. My advice to JG and the studio is don't make promises you don,t intend to keep. I don't think BBT lost it. I think it was a calculated and amusing way of censuring JG for breaking the rules.

Anyone who posted comments defending BBT is a moron. MORON. BBT was clearly F***ed up on something. He looked like a retard. I'm glad to hear they cancelled their tour with Willy Nelson. We don't want you in Canada.

thorton acted like a jack-ass but i believe there were interview guidelines.

He might be a moron,a-hole etc, but he's the one who's having fun and leading the interview.I don't think he's so stupid.He just want people to talk about him.He wanted attention, and he got it.Smart guy, just acting.Dont think I like him.The only movie I watch with him in it,I didn't liked.Sorry Billy.

Hey Jian! I listen to your show every day and I love it! I had to say that you did a fantastic job interviewing the Boxmasters. It is a shame that Billy Bob acted the way he did, ruining the opportunity for the rest of the band to have a productive and positive interview. I really felt sorry for the other three band members. Hands down to you though, you took it in stride and really held things together. I would have lost it on Billy Bob a long time before the show was over...GET A GRIP MATE!!

Great article and awesome interview; Mr. Thornton's comments were disappointing. Perhaps he simply lacks the discipline and emotional competence necessary to remain relevant.

The 'flu'? Is that where someone puts his tail between his legs and runs, whimpering, for the border ?

BBT looked cooked! Definately on something, esp. commenting about monsters....what a nut. (All these comments appear to be the gravy he was looking for!)

Jian -- you rock.

Earth calling Billy Bob! 6:00 a.m.? It was a live broadcast - at 10:00 (in Toronto)!

Billy Bob's deceptiveness on this point puts everything else he said into question, I think...

Well... I like Tom Petty and Willie Nelson. As for BBT..well....

After watching the Q interview BillyBob's behaviour clearly embarrassed his band mates. That in itself was bad form. Maybe Willie Nelson should rethink his opening act. Billy Bob anyway isn't fit to share the same stage with such a music icon.

BBT...you are a twit!

Kudos to the host!Billy Bob Thornton was a bore---and an embarassment to himself and his mates.

I think US customs should have a good look at the contents of Robert's luggage. Perhaps a few years in the slammer would knock the chip off his shoulder.

What a first class jerk having a temper tantrum. I felt bad for his bandmates as they looked extremely uncomfortable with Billy's poor behavior. The interviewer did a great job

Then Billy Bob Thorton didn't "bring" his drums and left his bandmates hanging for the studio performance as an instrumental version.

CAN WE ALL SAY!! JERK!!! Bandmates, get another drummer and lead. You don't need him.

Willy Nelson, fire BBT and take the boys that do want to play.

I believe that Mr Q interview was totaly unable to find a flow. Maybe Mr Thorton is right about Canadians. Mr Q guy was unable to let go until he made his point. Mr Thorton may have come across very strange, yet to hi credit remained a rock,n roll adult. It was refreshing to hear the story about his childhood. I mean he was being treated like a child by an interviewer, who seems to take himself to serious and really just wants to tell me, what his thoughts are. There was an opportunity for the interview to carry out a conversation between two people, yet played cop to a playful character. More interested in writing a ticket than helping me understand the law...I do not understand...I remember finding a bug in my chocolate bar once...I wrote to the company and they gave me a box of chocolates!

interesting interview. Jian is clearly a professional. I am wondering however about the pre-communication between the bands representatives and the directors of Q. If the request was not to mention ANYTHING about BBT's acting history, then it would seem the ball may have been dropped. Certainly Jian clarified with BBT that the message was received not to mention his acting past and that he would not be pursing this avenue, rather his mention of BBT's acting history was just for context. So another approach could have been to do a straight forward interview of the band, and then once they were finished add some context e.g. for those who do not know BBT is previously known for acting....
Either way, it doesn't excuse BBT's behaviour. He acted very immature for a middle aged man, and didn't have the tact to let Jian's comment re 'acting' history, go - BBT could have moved on and engaged in the interview for the sake of publicity and the band. Very immature man.

I have never liked Billy Bob as an actor and now I like him even less as a human being.

If it's a publicity stunt I hope it hurt his efforts very badly.

If he's on drugs he should quit.

If he was serious, he has serious problems. Get a shrink!

OK - Jian was doing a fine job. Questions were most reasonable and should not have elicited the reaction but celebrities have to have their space. So, lets make a deal. BBT can act like the jerk he is, and we won't support his endeavours - film, music, celebrity - at all. Hope he finds a good PR person who can turn the sows ear into the silk purse otherwise, he may truly experience the economic turndown.

I was impressed with Jian,what would of impressed me more,would have been for him to have knocked Billy Boob right between the eyes.I never thought i wanted to work as a security guard at cbc however the next time this clown shows up i would have a taser in each hand.BTW i have made better music in grade 5 with the euks.

My goodness, you folks are easily amused. A nothing artist playing nothing music and with absolutely nothing of interest to say. Who cares.

I am so impressed with Ghomeshi. I've never listened to him before, but he's now got my attention. He was totally unflappable and poised. I love how he pulled an interview out of BBT even though the a** didn't want to play. I do wonder how long the boxmasters can possibly exist with a member who as an ego as strong as that.

Dave Davies wrote: "Given the insufferable smugness that oozes from Jian Ghomeshi's every pore I'm surprised that Billy Bob Thornton managed to restrain himself as much as he did. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who finds Ghomeshi to be a pompous oaf."

I couldn't agree more. Ghomeshi is so irritating and not only that, his musical knowledge is too limited to be hosting a program of that magnitude.

To David Davies,
Given the insufferable smugness that I can sense oozing out of ur drivel, I believe u can not count! LOL... Just add up YaY's and Nay's to the interviewee and interviewer conduct/misconduct and u realize that only a blind-pompous A$$ such as urself and ur so-called "restrained" hero could come up witha statements "that u are not ALONE....". Take a look at the mirror bud and see what an oaf looks like and btw put a picture of BBT side by side ur face and now we have dung and dunger ...LOL

that was hilarious. Nice Work Gian! I'm sorry B-B isn't feeling very well...

If Billy Bob is such a music historian, he would know about The Blue Shadows, a 90's Canadian band fronted by another Billy (Cowsill).

Their music was a remarkable blend of Hillbilly/British Invasion and was often described as Hank (Williams) goes to the Cavern Club.

Cowsill loved British music and could do Lennon better than most; but he was also a huge country fan. It was his dream to create a fusion of those sounds.

The Blue Shadows albums "On the Floor of Heaven and "Lucky to Me" provide ample evidence of Cowsill's dream realized.

Billy Cowsill passed away in 2006.

Some of The Blue Shadows videos are up on YouTube now.

Good work Jian for holding your own in a difficult situation.

Jian did a great job keeping his cool. Billy Bob? Well, for starters, his name is BILLY and BOB. 'nuff said. Go home Hillbilly Bob. You've damaged your brain on sourmash whiskey.

Billy Bob Thornton acting like a jackass.

Ohh Poor BB, We really have great gravy down here. I can serve u spicy East Indian style if you want. Jian, why don't you take BB on a tour. I bet, he has seen some other Canada. Jian dn't be upset, what you can expect from ex-husband of FIVE and citizen of worst recession hit country. If somebody prove (by throwing rotten potato on BB)tat we are meshed potato with GRAVY. I shall serve that CANADIAN with butter chicken with GRAVY. HEHEHEHE

We dont need a druggie no talent looser like Billy Bob Thorton taking up space, and breathing our air in our country. I think he should be stopped at the border,and given a thourough serch. I bet they find his head up his ass

Billy Bob don't let the door hit your ass on the way out!!!

the nagative person here was the producer and jian. it shows that they cannot be trusted . they should have stuck to the deal.

good going billy bob

Pretencious, arrogant, snob. I've never heard his music and I'm not going to listen for it. I do like his movies though

What a baby BBT is! I would have sent him home on bad behaviour! Wanna know what Tom Petty would do? He would have been a professional and done the interview - that's what he would have done!

I'm just wondering if they were able to fit his head through the door when it was time for him to leave. It's obvious in the video that his band mates were embarrassed. I feel bad for them.

Man, is this guy a moron or what. He couldn't put two words together yet alone have the ability to think. I wonder what his fellow band members were thinking as they sat there and listened to this buffoon!

I used to really like BB's movie performances, even though I always had an uncomfortable feeling that he just seemed to be playing himself - like in "Slingblade" or "Bad Santa".

After listening to the interview with Ghomeshi, I came away convinced that BB really is the ignorant and offensive peckerwood he so often portrays.

My respect for Ghomeshi went up as much as my respect for BB went down..

Maybe the VIAGRA doesn't work for him.

early onset of alzeimers??

It would seem that BBTs favourite brand has to be Export "J". What a total burnout!! After that interview(?) if you were playing in my backyard I would close the drapes. The 2 Elvis Costello lookalikes were no bargains either. I take it you have cancelled all Idaho dates; as they have mashed potatoes as well. I can only imagine that Willie Nelson is relieved to hear you say that you don't associate with each other.

Who cares what CBC may or may not have been instructed to say. If you are being interviewed, you are fair game.

You are an ass BBT.

Something I overlooked; for the cover of the Canadian release maybe you could buy the rights to the mid 70s J. Geils album featuring:- "Mr. Potatohead". Also when Jian mentioned your acting career, he was ONLY KIDDING!! Maybe your next cinematic title should be "Dead Man Talking".

For all the petulant, ego-fueled and narcissistic stunt that it was on BBT's behalf, I was seriously disppointed with how the host of a national network program handled the moron's melt-down. Instead of stumbling through a half-hearted, confused apology - or playing a therapist - Ghomeshi should have taken the situation by the reigns instead of being dragged by the crazy train of BBT. What was most awkward in listening - and later watching this train-wreck of an interview - was how Ghomeshi utterly failed to handle it with skill or maturity as a host/interviewer. He ended up sounding like a kid who handed over his lunch money to a bully, instead of using wit to kick knee him in the metaphorical balls. I felt embarassed for the CBC and Canadians in general that the BBT's boorish and infantile tantrum was met with an eye-blinking nervous stammer of someone who sounded George McFly.

These are the kinds of episodes an interviewer is supposed to be prepared for, and lived through before they get to host a national program and pretend they know what they're doing.

It doesn't in any way excuse BBT. But Ghomeshi's job wasn't to massage his ego or plead for a "truce" for Pete's sake. It was, at a certain point, to call him out. Not coddle him.

And I think this shows a problem with the not only the host but the program. Why on earth would anyone care about the Boxmasters if BBT wasn't using it as vanity group? Answer: No one would. So, why were they booked? Because they're music is remarkable? No. Because of BBT. But when BBT said don't mention my acting career, it kind of undermined the whole point of booking them. So what to do? Mention it anyway. When you take a risk like that, you have to be prepared for blow back. BBT gave it like only someone who's been drinking their own bath water can. But Ghomeshi got whipped. Feel sorry for him? Please.

Healdine should have been

Sectagenarian princess with vanity band has hard time getting over herself.

I used to think Billy Bob (what an a-hole of a name) was a terrific actor - now I know he is one huge a$$hole!! I bought a cd of his, now am posting it on bit torrent because it is a piece of sh/t! Never will spend another cent on BBT - A-hole!

After seeing the interview several times, it is obvious that Jian Gomeshi was trying to challenge BBT that the band would not have got the tour or interview if he was not famous and successful at something else.
Canadians are known (outside Canada)as passive aggressive, smug and jealous of Americans.This proves it to be a fact for JG.
Jians' band never made it in the US.
I personally will not listen to the Q anymore.

What a stain!! BillyBob go home!! Poor Willy Nelson, his poor bandmates and that poor interviewer!! Willy is too much of a good ol' boy to have this looser as his opening act! Not good for tix sales Willy!! BillyBob go home and eat some pissin' potato..thats about all you can afford. We Canadians aren't about to support you!

Ittyb

BBT's apology not accepted. Being high on drugs or ego is no excuse. Border controls are too lax! I had hoped his attitude would have lost credibility the night they drove old dixie down, written by a Canadian with the sole american member of The Band playing the drums. If BBT had produced something like that his petulant attitude would still have been unacceptable, but at least he would have exibited some talent!

Billy bob is just a arrogant ass

Ha ha oh well he still is a good actor even if he is a jackass at times. He is an American so he is expected to be an arrogant jerk. Its nothing compared to Harper.

I would like to know why Jian Ghomeshi referred to Billy Bob as a 'hillbilly' in his introduction. I also would like to know why he didn't introduce the other members of the Boxmasters, one of whom had been nominated for a Grammy.

As far as context for this foray into music, I took a bit of time to research Billy Bob online, and music is definitely an important of his whole family's life-- from getting his first guitar at age 2 from an uncle who was a working musician to a brother was a songwriter. So film had nothing to do with this.

I concede that Billy Bob was difficult, but Gian could have pulled out the interview, if he had realized that there were two other people at the table, and tried to draw out some of the information I found online.

As for doing a disservice to the audience, I do feel that Jian did miss the boat. He had the opportunity to show a completely different side of Billy Bob and through inexperience did not get the interview back on track after he derailed it by being insulting (hillbilly- which connotates unwashed, uneducated, inbred) and rude to the other members of the Boxmasters.

If it was me i would have thorton to get the f**k out of the room. if I was listening to the interview and had the interviewer not mention this was the actor Thorton i might just wonder if it was. What an as*&#le he was.

I must say some of the Jian's questions were pretty dumb and i can understand Billy Bob's reaction. What have you learned from Wille...come on Jian, they're not bandmates, they happen to be on tour together but that doesnt mean they hang out...This isnt grade 9 battle of the bands....they could careless about eachother and are there for the paycheque at the end of the night!

Better research, means smarter questions and more relevant (good) discussion. Smart'n up Jian!!!!

Why are we still talking about this? Also working in the media we all know that ground rules for interviews are set in the original negotiations. So why are we not railing producers who set this interview up for failure from the beginning.

Please get off your pedestal CBC.

This Idiot is just looking for publicity...Give him a formal letter stating he is no longer welcome in this land of potato's w/out gravy you can simple tell him and his lot ta get lost!!

I suspect something was said prior to the interview and Billy Bob found it condescending to his musical interests. He appeared to not be open to the interview from the start, and it went poorly for it.

I also suspect Jian Ghomeshi carefully slipped in the references to his acting career despite being instructed to omit them, just to see if and how Billy Bob would react, and he quickly found out too. Little pebbles can make large ripples if well placed.

I would not be quick to judge either for this, everyone has a bad day and gets the buttons pushed for whatever reason.

Live goes on.

What do you expect from a guy named Billy Bob. You'd get the same reaction from Billy Joe, Billy Sue or any other H'Billy redneck American that doesn't know anything other than USA Hurray!

Despite the weird tones, and awkwardness in this strange interview, there is one resounding issue that's being (mostly) overlooked: it seems quite likely that Billy Bob Thornton is likely afflicted with some form of mental illness. This is not an attack but an observation that has sadly exposed this man for whatever plagues him. Hopefully he seeks out the help he needs...
Kudos to Jian Ghomeshi for handling such an unpredictable, difficult guest with as much grace and aplumb as can be mustered in such a situation.
Hopefully the other bandmembers of The Boxmasters can "weather" such emotionally taxing behaviour.

Congrats Jian. Such class in the face of BBT's stupidity and arrogance.

amen sarah. you called it as it is. it's not as though jian just rattled off questions about his latest film. as far as i'm concerned, the intro has nothing to do with the interview!

now that was funny i love Billy Bob

I am not sure if this has been mentioned in the above thread - I have not read the past several days worth of opinions - but it does seem strange that people might think BBT was justified in insisting the CBC interview not touch on whichever topics HE insisted on.

This is a national media interview, in which the media representative is not "breaking a rule" by referring to topics that relate to his interview subject. The interviewer is merely exercising an established media privelage - speaking about all the relevant issues, and introducing them in a way that any audience can quickly understand.

In honesty, I had never heard of Gomeshi before the interview, or at least never registered his name before this plublicity. I knew *of* BBT, but not that he had directed any movie, nor that he was interested in or played music. And the Boxmasters? Seriously.

The introduction was useful, and the interviewer was doing his job, introducing the subject to an audience that, *gasp* might not know who BBT is or what he is doing.

Rules were set out by the participant, BBT said he would attend and do an interview if you do A,B,C. The host knew the format before the interview started. The host read the script same way he always does, what was said was not off the cuff. The host broke from the agreed upon format. This is a breach of trust. I suspect BBT has had more than his fare share of this hence the attitude. I am disappointed in Canadians having lack of insight and seeing only the by product of mistrust led by CBC. Also disappointed in the CBC for letting this game go on and not provide the program directors statement. He/he is the one who made the deal with BBT not the host. Host is a puppet.

billy bob, what a knob.

If I were a bandmate of Thorton's I would have gone ballistic on him later for that little performance. What an ass! Way to take the focus off the band and on to your petty pout-fest. Those guys should oust him! He's a liability.

Finally someone, an American not reliant on government arts grants, has stood up to a marxist CBC interviewer who knows more about you than you do about yourself.

A good interviewer will facilitate the message being presented, not interpret it for mashed potato heads.

There was a fellow sitting at that table by the name of Danny Baker aka Unknown Hinson who should be taken very seriously. He is an outstanding musician, a gentleman, a professional. Lets not paint the rest of the band with the same brush. They are BBT's employees and they can play superbly. They were ambushed too.

This doesn't really seem like a "POP" or outburst it looks more like a drug induced semi coma. The man can barely see and his band is fidgety, nervous and strangely blank as well.
He needs help.

What if Billy Bob's name was Bob Dylan or John Lennon? Bob and John confused the interviewers as well, but most of us loved it. To watch their interviews again today, seems that Bob and John were (are still) correct. Full points to Billy Bob! I wonder who else annoyed him at CBC? And about smoking in a striped square, well Billy Bob, we Canadians have laws too. Suck it up Jian, CBC, and 99% of the rest of you bloggers. Play on Billy Bob, play on.

Billy Bob Who? I was disgusted by the childishness of this guy. They were instructed not to talk about his film career, give me a break. I couldn't care less about his band or him. He should have been asked to leave if he was not going to act mature.

Way to go Jian. What a jerk he turned out to be... That was a tough interview and you did a great job.

JC

BBT - passive-agressive colonial hillbilly elite inflated ass.

Aside from the usual (he's an A$$hole),

Why did he bother coming to Canada at all if we're so boring????

What a complete space cadet loser Billy Bob is!
I have not seen such an arrogant psycho in a long time.
HA! Thinks he can compare himself to Tom Petty??? What a joke! Stick to films that can exploit your crazyness BillyBob....Heyuuuuck!

Billy ain't no Bob. He's trying to do the Dylan thing, ('Would you ask Tom Petty that?'), cutting up and confusing the interviewer, but he's not sharp enough, so he ends up making an embarassment of himself.

Billy Bob is an ass; has always been an ass. So, CBC decides to give him some publicity and he acts ike an ass - what did they expect?

People like Billy Bob don't deserve our attention - stop playing to their ego. Ignore them and they'll go away.

I felt sorry for the rest of the band. Thornton can't be any easy guy to be around. Must be like walking on eggs. No thank you.

But, it's Thornton and halls/theatres/stadiums, or it's no Thornton and chicken-wire in front of the stage.

Somebody should have called in doing a Tom Petty impresion, saying, "Ask me who my musical influences were."

----------------
That being said, JG shouldn't have even alluded to BBT's Hollywood career, IF it was understood it wasn't to be mentioned.

Commentary on this clip is far scarier than the clip itself.
There was actual dialogue with the other three members of the band. Maybe we should have ignored the sometime actor guy and paid attention to them.

Lol.

What a goof! I have enjoyed several of Billy Bob movie projects and I cant believe how unprofessional an individual he is.WRT his comment about canadian audiences I would be happy to throw something at him.

I have loved listening to Jian in the past and he deserves recognition for the phenominal job he did while under-fire from his sulking and pouty interveiwee. BBT was incredibly unprofessional and it showed. You could tell the rest of the band just wanted to get out of there and ask BBT "What the hell was that?"

Ghomeshi will be telling this one to his grandkids!