p2pnet news view Music:- Actor Billy Bob Thornton decided discretion was the better part of valour after an embarrassingly interview with CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi.

After likening Canadians to mashed potatoes without the gravy, and being booed in Toronto with a similar occurrence promised for Montreal, Billy Bob and the Boxmasters, who’d been opening for Willie Nelson, headed north instead of completing their part of the show.

Were the disastrous radio interview and the likelihood that, as a direct result, Canadian audiences would now fail to greet him with the enthusiasm he felt was his due the reasons for his rapid and unexpected departure?

Or did Willie get the Willies?

The Great Billy Bob Curse.

“In case you’re unfamiliar, the suggestion of a Thornton curse first made the Internet rounds last summer after somebody noticed that a disturbing number of Billy Bob’s former co-stars have either died well before their time or were involved in nasty traffic accidents,” says the Winnipeg Sun, adding »»»

That list includes Thornton’s Monster’s Ball cast mate Heath Ledger, Natasha Richardson (Waking Up in Reno, which also featured the ailing Patrick Swayze), John Ritter and Bernie Mac (Bad Santa) and Brad Renfro (the upcoming The Informers); while those hospitalized for traffic-related injuries include Morgan Freeman (Levity), Shia LaBeouf (Eagle Eye) and Jason Priestly (Tombstone).

Meanwhile, are Billy Bob and Boxmasters any good?

The band is.

without the gravy – Billy Bob Thornton chickens out, April 13, 2009
Winnipeg Sun – The curse of Billy Bob, April 15, 2009