Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Landman episode 3.Long before he played Tommy Norris inLandman, Billy Bob Thornton portrayed another character with the same hilariously crass sense of humor. Billy Bob Thornton is one of the best working actors in Hollywood, and he’s dominated both movies and TV shows for decades. From drama to romance to Westerns likeTombstone, Thornton has essentially done it all. His most recent role, as Tommy inLandman, has highlighted his comedy skills, but Taylor Sheridan’s series is far from the first time Thornton has played a hilarious and unrefined character.
In recent years, Billy Bob Thornton has mostly been known for his dramatic roles. His long-running role on the showGoliathand in the filmThe Gray Manboth put him in rather serious positions, and he played them exceptionally well. Viewers who are less familiar with Thornton’s early work may have been surprised that Tommy Norris is so funny inLandman. Thornton did, however, play a character just like Tommy back in 2005’sBad News Bears, and it now functions as a preview of the crisis manager he plays in one ofTaylor Sheridan’s best shows.
InBad News Bears, the 2005 remake of Walter Matthau’s classic sports comedy, Billy Bob Thornton played Morris Buttermaker. Morris was an alcoholic ex-baseball player tasked with coaching a terrible little league team. Though they were kids, Morris treated them more like adults, which also meant he spoke and joked to them with his crass sense of humor.From threatening to assault a child’s father to offering them (non-alcoholic) beer after the championship game, Buttermaker had a very unorthodox sense of humor. It’s also a very similar style of comedy toLandman’s Tommy.
While the victims of Tommy’s verbal abuse may be adults, his sarcastic jokes and insults still feel just like something Buttermaker would have said inBad News Bearsif given the chance.
Like Buttermaker, Tommy isn’t afraid to speak his mind and every thought that pops into it, regardless of the consequences. For example, Tommy openly insults the entirecast ofLandmanand particularly Barney (K.C. Clyde), the bartender at the Patch Café.He also makes sexist remarks to Rebecca (Kayla Wallace), and even throws Angela (Ali Larter) into a pool whenever he feels like it. While the victims of Tommy’s verbal abuse may be adults, his sarcastic jokes and insults still feel just like something Buttermaker would have said inBad News Bearsif given the chance.
Billy Bob Thornton Was A Great Comedy Actor Long Before Landman
Thornton’s Brand Of Comedy Is Often Crass & Rude, But He Makes It Hilarious
Billy Bob Thornton has actually had a fairly extensive career as a comedic actor, even beforeBad News Bears.In the 1990s and early 2000s, Thornton starred in films likePrimary Colors,Mr. Woodcock, and twoBad Santamovies. While they weren’t all universally acclaimed, Thornton was a highlight of all of them, and they all featured his signature brand of crass humor. For example,Bad Santasaw him play an alcoholic mall Santa, whilePrimary Colorsintroduced him by having him sexually harass another character. Thornton has also had some experience with other brands of humor, like the dark comedy of Lorne Malvo inFargo.
Thornton’s Comedy Chops Are One Of The Best Things About Landman
Tommy’s Humor Lightens Landman’s Darker Moments & Makes Angela & Ainsley’s Story Fit Better
Landmanhas benefited quite a bit from Billy Bob Thornton’s brand of comedy, and not just because he’s great at playing rude characters.Landmanexplores the dangers of working an oilfield, and it’s an extremely dark show. Through three episodes, there have already been nearly a dozen fiery deaths, grievous injuries, looming legal battles, and family drama.Tommy’s humor goes a long way in keepingLandmanfrom becoming a dark and depressing exploration of the tragedies inherent to the oil industry. Thanks to his sharp wit and unfiltered dialog,Landmanfeels more like a dramedy than a grim soap opera.
Where Was Landman Filmed? Shooting Locations & How Much Was Really Texas Explained
Paramount+’s series Landman follows competing groups in the oilfields of West Texas, and the scenery leaves viewers wondering if it is really Texas.
Tommy’s sense of humor also has a secondary benefit forLandman: it makes Angela and Ainsley’s (Michelle Randolph) story fit better with the much darker oilfield storyline.Without Tommy there to connect the two, Angela and Ainsley’s antics would feel completely out of place inLandman’s dark story about oilfield crises. His humor also helps the show transition between high-stakes moments like the blowout and petty squabbles like Angela getting drunk at the country club. It’s clear thatLandmanwouldn’t work if it didn’t have Billy Bob Thornton’s comedy skills to fall back on.
Landman
Cast
Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.
Bad News Bears
Bad News Bears is a sports comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie. The story follows an inept, down-on-his-luck coach, played by Walter Matthau, as he attempts to turn a ragtag group of young misfits into a competitive little league baseball team. The movie explores themes of teamwork, determination, and the impact of adult influence on childhood sports.
