As a rabid fan of public radio, I am loving the story about Billy Bob Thornton’s tantrum on CBC earlier this week. In case you missed it, Billy Bob, who was appearing on the radio show to promote his band’s tour, became seriously miffed when host Jian Ghomeshi mentioned in his introduction – despite being “instructed” by his publicist not to talk about his acting career – that in addition to being a band member, Thornton was also an Oscar winning actor, screenwriter and director. BBT sulkily refused to answer questions, gave weird and rambling responses when he did answer, and insulted Canadian audiences, referring to us as (and I paraphrase), ‘mashed potatoes without the gravy’. Then he refused to play with his band, claiming that he hadn’t brought his drum set with him because it was so early in the morning.
The interview is perfect in two ways. Firstly, Billy Bob is a perfect asshole. It is really, really fun to watch. Unless you have a toddler, you don’t often get to observe this kind of behaviour close up. And Jian is also perfect, providing a textbook example of assertiveness by standing by his principles while at the same time being polite and classy. Now that’s Canadian.
If you haven't seen the interview, check it out below.
Reflecting on the interview, though, I was thinking that as I rise to new heights in my running career, it might be helpful to the CBC and other media organizations to provide “instructions” for anyone who might wish to interview me about my running career. Here are a few initial thoughts.
1. First of all, other than running (or possibly blogging about running), please do not mention anything else I do to pass my time. No matter how glamorous and exciting it may sound, do not ask me about my high-flying career in human resources, my experiences as a wife and mother, or my brief and unsuccessful period of experimentation with pottery. Nope, I came to running fully formed with nothing influencing me and no one helping me to get here. Please do not suggest otherwise.
2. If you’d like to ask about any off-beat magazine subscriptions that may have influenced my early running career, here are two hints: Betty and Veronica. As far as I recall, the gals never exercised, but did display admirable competitive spirit in the battle for Archie’s affections
3. Wondering what food metaphors I might use to describe Canadian spectators at running events? Think carbs. Or gels. Or possibly energy drinks.
4. Before you ask me any question, you might find it helpful to ask yourself, “Would you ask Paula Radcliffe that question?” If not, then I don’t know why you’re asking me, since I have run a marathon and I understand Paula may have run a few herself. We’re, like, just the same.
5. Don’t even think of asking me to run in your studio. I checked my training schedule and it's a rest day.
Hope you have a wonderful long weekend
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