The latest episode of the Paramount+ series “Landman” took a playful jab at ABC’s “The View,” describing it as a platform for “a bunch of angry billionaires.” In the fifth episode of season two, titled “The Pirate Dinner,” characters Tommy Norris, portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton, and his father TL, played by Sam Elliott, engage in a discussion where Tommy suggests they watch “The View” for entertainment. TL, seemingly unfamiliar with the show, asks what it’s about.
Tommy humorously explains, “It’s angry billionaires talking about how much they dislike billionaires, Trump, men, and really, you and me—just a lot of angry people. It’s pretty funny.” TL’s response, “It’s not a joke,” prompts Tommy to clarify that it’s more akin to “farting in church,” to which TL agrees that it lacks humor. Tommy then quips, “Well, that really depends on how close you are to the fart.”
“Landman,” created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, explores the lives of the Norris family, who occupy a wealthy space within the oil drilling sector in West Texas. In a separate context, a clip featuring Thornton’s character criticizing renewable energy gained attention online last year, illustrating the show’s provocative nature.
In that viral moment, Thornton expressed skepticism about renewable energy, stating, “Do you know how much diesel it takes to mix that much concrete, to make that much steel, to get it here and assemble it with a 450-foot crane? Want to guess how much oil it takes to lubricate that stuff?” His criticisms reveal a broader commentary on environmental impacts versus energy choices in the series.
Fox News has reached out to ABC and “The View” for their comments on the portrayal.
