Billy Bob Booed In Toronto

While most of us reacted to Billy Bob Thornton’s grumpy CBC radio interview with amusement (Tom Petty didn’t make Sling Blade, dude), many Canadians weren’t happy to hear he thought the nation’s country fans were “mashed potatoes with no gravy — they just sort of sit there. And it doesn’t matter what you say to them.” Rather that sitting still during his band’s opening set for Willie Nelson in Toronto last night, the audience booed the Boxmasters until Bad Santa explained, if not apologized for, his assholery.

Boo all you want, but I want to say something…. We’re really happy to be here, but I need to say something. I talked to this a–hole yesterday. I sat down and talked with this guy. He and his producers say, “We promise you we won’t [discuss your acting].” The very first thing they said was that.

I don’t really like sensationalism. If you look someone in the eyes and promise them something, and you don’t do it, you don’t get the interview. That’s the way it goes.

The fans’ response to his plea for respect? “Here comes the gravy!” and more boos. Thornton claimed before the show that his comments were targeted towards interviewer Jian Ghomeshi, not audiences, but no one’s buying it. If he doesn’t apologize for real at the band’s show in Montreal tonight, someone may really bring the gravy.

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[Photo: Getty Images]