Canada: ‘Mashed Potatoes Without the Gravy’?*

In the latest round of the Is Canada Boring? debate, actor-musician Billy Bob Thornton has weighed in, describing the country as “mashed potatoes without the gravy” in a testy interview on CBC radio.

Thornton, who’s touring with his band and was apparently miffed that the introduction made reference to his acting career, was belligerent throughout and at one point demanded: “Would you ask Tom Petty that?” I’d say host Jian Ghomeshi deserves an award for biting back the obvious response: You, sir, are not Tom Petty.

Update April 12, 10:05 p.m. ET: Billy Bob has canceled his remaining Canadian gigs and headed home, after reportedly being booed and heckled at a Toronto show by fans chanting “Here comes the gravy.” You can’t make this stuff up.

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