Billy Bob Thornton 'Blow Up' on Q TV

[Jaimoe]

I agree with most of what you said, although Hanks has put out a couple of good recent films such as Charlie Wilson's War.

However, when actors start to make a series stinkers, its hard to right the sinking ship: see Nicholas Cage and John Travolta.

[Jaimoe]

It looks like last night's Willie Nelson show at Massey Hall contained a fair bit of hijinks, thanks to Billy Bob's opening gig. From today's Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/616601

[Leontheslut]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

[Sparkle]

That was unnecessary. I agree that he shouldn't have brought up anything about BBT being an actor if that's what he'd asked for but that could have been dealt with a whole different way... politely.

[xmascriminal]

That was fascinating. When he went off on that tangent about the model monster contest, I had no idea what the hell was going on. I think he's right though. He wants this to be about the band, the full band, not about him and his acting career, which really have nothing to do with anything. If I were him, I think I'd be pissed off too. Granted, I'm sure some people will only listen to them because they're curious to hear music from an actor they like, but it really shouldn't be about that.

[Jaimoe]

That was fascinating. When he went off on that tangent about the model monster contest, I had no idea what the hell was going on. I think he's right though. He wants this to be about the band, the full band, not about him and his acting career, which really have nothing to do with anything. If I were him, I think I'd be pissed off too. Granted, I'm sure some people will only listen to them because they're curious to hear music from an actor they like, but it really shouldn't be about that.

But the only reason anyone actually cares about his band is because he's a famous actor. They don't have any hits or a recording legacy of any repute and are getting bad reviews on this current tour opening for Ray Price and Willie Nelson. Q isn't an insignificant radio program either. For him to act this way in this day and age of the internet and immediate downloadable audio and video bytes, is in the very least headscratchingly strange and at the most, short-sighted and ignorant.

Here's a review of last night's BBT/Ray Price and Willie Nelson show from the Toronto Star (the second show in two nights):



Willie Nelson concert a country feast, with sour notes

 
Apr 10, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story  (4)
GREG QUILL
ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNIST

It's unfortunate that wannabe country-rocker Billy Bob Thornton's headline-grabbing flame-out on CBC Radio warrants a top-of-the-story reference in a review of a concert to which he contributed nothing of musical value, and which should – and soon will be – dedicated to the real stars, headliner Willie Nelson and country music veteran Ray Price.

Thornton's elegant duds (tightly tailored black suit, high-heeled black boots, white shirt and narrow black tie) notwithstanding, he filled the role of third-stringer to perfection Wednesday night at Massey Hall, fronting a band of four nondescript guitarists, three of whom cancelled each other out by whacking out dull, three-chord songs willy-nilly on identical vintage/reissue Telecasters through vintage/reissue Vox amplifiers.

Thornton delivered, in a high, tinny whine, lyrics that were inaudible in the twang-overloaded mix. He played drums in the final piece, during which his timing fluctuated noticeably.

Three songs into his 30-minute set, the actor playing the part of a musician stepped to the front of the stage and, in a showman-like pitch, urged the audience to get on its feet and behave the way folks do where he and the Boxmasters usually play and "throw things at one another."

At the end of a set that failed to yield a single memorable musical moment or the whiff of promise of good stuff to come, he informed us he was going out to smoke.

Back in the real world of music, Wednesday's event – the first of two sold-out concerts at Massey Hall – belonged to Price, Nelson's buddy since the early 1950s, the late Hank Williams' honky-tonk sidekick and the elegant crooner of a string of country hits, many of which the 83-year-old Nashville star performed with the precision of a swing-era icon in his prime.

Price delivered a perfectly pitched set of the lonesome, sentimental ballads for which he's known, such as "San Antonio Rose," "Crazy Arms," "Release Me," "Spanish Eyes," "Make The World Go Away" and the closer, "I Wish I Was 18 Again." It was a feast.

Nelson's show was a stripped-down affair, just 60 minutes long and with musical support from drummer Paul English on a bare snare, bassist Bee Spears, harmonica player Mickey Raphael (in spectacular form) and sister Bobbie Nelson on old-time gospel piano.

All the bases were covered, with a full selection of signature material as well as some classic Williams tunes and gospel staples, but Nelson seemed strangely rushed and withdrawn, perhaps due to the effects of a recent illness.

Many of the better-known songs were delivered in an abstract form, modified and bent into new shapes that allowed Nelson to show off his considerable improvisational skills but robbed the lyrics of conviction and emotional weight.

And though the audience was clearly in Nelson's pocket, the overall reaction was subdued, hardly the love-in this revered Texas musician has been able to conjure in the past.

[capt. scotty]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

Last time I checked Mel Gibson wasnt actually in Apocalypto.

And I'd take Bad Santa over Apocalypto anyday.

[Leontheslut]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

Last time I checked Mel Gibson wasnt actually in Apocalypto.

And I'd take Bad Santa over Apocalypto anyday.

Mel Gibson is above acting. He is a genius and a living God.

For shame sir.

[Jaimoe]

I gotta say that having Billy Bob acting like an angry lunatic makes for good radio, certainly better than if he did a normal interview followed by his singing.

[the sun and moon]

wow. i don't know what he expected. he is an actor. but come on, that was pretty entertaining  :)

[Jaimoe]

And this just in from the London Free Press:


Billy Bob: Pulls plug on JLC gig

Fri, April 10, 2009
 
By JAMES REANEY and KATHY RUMLESKI, SUN MEDIA


Bye-bye Billy Bob.

Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters have pulled out of their Canadian tour with Willie Nelson and Ray Price and will not be at the John Labatt Centre tonight.

The tour turned sour on Thornton after his bizarre interview on CBC radio's Q earlier this week hit the airwaves and the Internet. He was booed by a Toronto Massey Hall crowd, which also made catcalls, Thursday night.

A statement on Willie Nelson's website said the Boxmasters have cancelled the remainder of the tour.

"At this time, no reasons have been announced but the remainder of the tour will continue as scheduled."

The John Labatt Centre's Chris Campbell said last night that officials there were not told why Thornton dropped out.

"We've just been notified that he won't be performing," Campbell said.

He said the cancellation doesn't change the start time of the concert, set for 7:30 p.m., or the length.

Both Price and Nelson will extend their sets, Campbell said.

Thornton, the band's singer, took issue with Q host Jian Ghomeshi's introduction to the interview, which included references to the star's career as a Hollywood actor, director and screenwriter.

It came to a head — and the buzz began — when Ghomeshi mentioned Thornton's passion for music. "Would you say that to Tom Petty?" Thornton questioned.

One result would seem to be that readers of The Free Press will not know what else he was thinking.

An e-mail from the Boxmasters' media relations team arrived early Thursday.

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to schedule this for (Thursday). I've got some conflicts in the guys' schedule," the e-mail said.

On Wednesday, the radio host suggested that Thornton's past was relevant to provide context for listeners.

"There's plenty of context without all that," Thornton fired back.

When Ghomeshi pointed out that his refusal to acknowledge his film career was odd, Thornton responded: "I think it's odd that you have to smoke inside a white stripe outside," apparently referring to a no-smoking policy at buildings in Toronto.

Ghomeshi said later in a telephone interview that Thornton left without saying goodbye or thanking the host.

During that radio show, the Oscar-winning star found time to insult Canadian crowds.

"Canadian audiences seem to be very reserved," he told Ghomeshi. "We tend to play places where people throw things at each other. Here, they just sort of sit there. And it doesn't matter what you say to 'em. ... It's mashed potatoes but no gravy."

Even without the Boxmasters, there is plenty of star power on the bill tonight.

Price and Nelson go way back. Nelson was a member of Price's band early in his career.

He now has more than 200 albums in his catalogue and is known for such songs as Crazy, Hello Walls, and his famous genre-adjusting version of Stardust. Nelson, 76, is also known as an author, actor and activist.

- with files from The Canadian Press

[MickeyReds]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

dont worry leon. hes from shittsburgh ;)

[capt. scotty]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

dont worry leon. hes from shittsburgh ;)

kiss the rings, biyatch!

[ManNamedTruth]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

dont worry leon. hes from shittsburgh ;)

Philly is the real shit town. See ya in the playoffs, GO PENS!

[ManNamedTruth]

Don't forget about The Gift, witch BBT wrote. He is talented for sure but he was an ass in that interview. And fuck Mel Gibson, didn't he go off and make some racial slurs. Pretty sure thats worse than what Billy did.

[Jaimoe]

Don't forget about The Gift, witch BBT wrote. He is talented for sure but he was an ass in that interview. And fuck Mel Gibson, didn't he go off and make some racial slurs. Pretty sure thats worse than what Billy did.

He made horrible racial slurs that seriously harmed his acting career (and he used the alcholic excuse), plus he's been caught cruising for very young girls whilst married.

[capt. scotty]

Don't forget about The Gift, witch BBT wrote. He is talented for sure but he was an ass in that interview. And fuck Mel Gibson, didn't he go off and make some racial slurs. Pretty sure thats worse than what Billy did.

He made horrible racial slurs that seriously harmed his acting career (and he used the alcholic excuse), plus he's been caught cruising for very young girls whilst married.

has it really hurt his career? i dont know. yeah, he hasnt been in many movies lately - but has he wanted to?? if he's been trying to get parts and didnt get them, then Id agree with that, but Im not so sure that's the case.

[Jaimoe]

Don't forget about The Gift, witch BBT wrote. He is talented for sure but he was an ass in that interview. And fuck Mel Gibson, didn't he go off and make some racial slurs. Pretty sure thats worse than what Billy did.

He made horrible racial slurs that seriously harmed his acting career (and he used the alcholic excuse), plus he's been caught cruising for very young girls whilst married.

has it really hurt his career? i dont know. yeah, he hasnt been in many movies lately - but has he wanted to?? if he's been trying to get parts and didnt get them, then Id agree with that, but Im not so sure that's the case.

It makes sense laying low since his racial blow-up. He's a good director, so he's still making movies, but he doesn't have to worry as much being the marquee actor on a film as a draw.

[MickeyReds]

Jian is a very easy going and bright guy. He didn't deserve this kind of bullshit, especially from a washed-up actor and fake country hack.

whoa now. slow down there partner

He needs a hit. His last four movies ain't no Maltese Falcon: School for Scoundrels, The Astronaut Farmer, Mr. Woodcock and Eagle Eye.

Havent seen Eagle Eye, but I couldnt even finish Mr Woodcock, School for Scoundrels was average at best, and AF just looked like garbage.

In this decade though he's had Bandits, Waking Up In Reno, and The Badge which were all good, and then he had The Ice Harvest, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights which I thought were all great.

That's a better resume this decade than people like Tom Hanks an Mel Gibson.

I dont think you get washed up as an actor though. You either pick good movies, the money, or get lucky and find 1 with both. Most of his lately have been money grabs.

And i use to like you...   ;)

Apocalypto blows away any movie made in the last ten years.

dont worry leon. hes from shittsburgh ;)

Philly is the real shit town. See ya in the playoffs, GO PENS!

Im going to enjoy watching the pens cry like the bitches they are. Crosby= diver/crybaby/moaner of the year 06,07,08 and 09 ;)

[Leontheslut]

Don't forget about The Gift, witch BBT wrote. He is talented for sure but he was an ass in that interview. And fuck Mel Gibson, didn't he go off and make some racial slurs. Pretty sure thats worse than what Billy did.

He made horrible racial slurs that seriously harmed his acting career (and he used the alcholic excuse), plus he's been caught cruising for very young girls whilst married.

Dude if you think his "racial slurs" hurt his acting career you must be living on Mars. ANYBODY would die to have Gibson star in their movie. Mel is just above acting at this point in his career. He would rather direct epic film masterpieces. Plus he said he would never act and direct in the same movie ever again after he did Braveheart (the greatest movie ever).

He called a cop sugar tits and made fun of some Jews. BFD.