Canada: ‘Mashed Potatoes Without the Gravy’?*

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  04.09.09 | 2:27 PM ET

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.

Tags: Media Addict, Music, Nation Branding, Shameless Self-Promotion, Tres Loco, North America, Canada, News and Briefs

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


3 Comments for Canada: ‘Mashed Potatoes Without the Gravy’?*

Margaret Deefholts 04.09.09 | 7:07 PM ET

Creamy, smooth and flavourful mashed potatoes don’t need gravy!

Beatrice Hebel 04.09.09 | 11:20 PM ET

Canada: Proud of our mashed potatoes between three major oceans, and the Rockies for spice.

Alx 04.26.09 | 6:25 PM ET

That this ‘story’ became a ‘sensation’ (at least to Canadians) is evidence that there is no debate; Canada is self-evidently boring!

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.