Billy Bob Thornton’s ‘Landman’ Takes a Shot at ‘The View’ and Its Millionaire Hosts
AUSTIN, Texas — In a pointed episode of the Paramount Plus series Landman, actor Billy Bob Thornton’s character Tommy Norris delivers a sharp critique of ABC’s long-running daytime talk show The View. The show, known for its outspoken and often controversial hosts, was lampooned as a gathering of “pissed off millionaires bitching about how much they hate millionaires, [President Donald] Trump, and men, and you, and me, and everybody else they got a bee up their ass about.” This biting commentary comes amid ongoing debates about media bias and the political leanings of popular daytime programming.
Created by the late Barbara Walters in 1997, The View has become a staple of American daytime television, drawing millions of viewers with its panel of female hosts discussing politics, culture, and current events. However, the show has faced criticism for its perceived lack of objectivity, particularly after conservative co-host Meghan McCain departed in 2021, citing “toxic, direct and purposeful hostility” from co-hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar. Both Goldberg and Behar, along with other panelists like Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro, are estimated to be millionaires themselves, a fact that adds an ironic twist to their frequent condemnations of wealth and political figures like former President Trump.
Thornton’s character, a petroleum landman from dusty western Texas, contrasts sharply with the Manhattan-based hosts of The View. The episode humorously captures this cultural clash, with Tommy urging his father to watch the show as a way to kill time, only to offer a scathing summary of its content and tone. The exchange highlights the perceived hypocrisy of affluent media personalities criticizing other wealthy individuals and political figures, while maintaining their own privileged status.
The satire resonates with viewers who see The View as emblematic of a broader media bias in daytime television. Despite its affiliation with ABC News, the program is often described as more opinion-driven than fact-based, with hosts frequently displaying limited expertise on the complex issues they discuss. Nonetheless, the show continues to attract over two million viewers daily, rivaling game shows like The Price Is Right in the daytime ratings.
The episode’s timing also coincides with recent controversy surrounding comments made by Whoopi Goldberg on The View regarding former President Trump’s promise of a $1,776 bonus for U.S. troops. Goldberg questioned the sincerity of the bonus, suggesting it was a political bribe rather than genuine support for the military. This stance drew criticism from conservative commentators who argue that such remarks undermine the morale of service members.
The satire embedded in Landman underscores a growing cultural divide between media elites and working-class Americans, particularly those in industries like oil and gas. By portraying the hosts of The View as out-of-touch millionaires, the show taps into a broader narrative of resentment toward perceived media hypocrisy and political grandstanding.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the role of daytime talk shows like The View in shaping public opinion remains significant. The parody by Thornton’s character serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between media, politics, and cultural identity in contemporary America.
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