Billy Bob Thornton’s performance in the series *Landman* has sparked widespread conversation, particularly for his powerful monologue about windmills and green energy.

On the Joe Rogan Experience, Thornton finally broke his silence about that scene, sharing the inside story of how it came together and why it resonated so deeply with viewers.

The now-famous scene features Thornton’s character—a grizzled oil company veteran—delivering a blunt, no-nonsense perspective on green energy. Thornton recalls, “I know you’re Billy Bob Thornton, but in that scene, you’re that dude who works for an oil company, who’s like, ‘Shut the [ __ ] up. What are you talking about?’” The actor’s natural delivery made the character believable and relatable, especially to those in the oil industry.

Thornton admits the impact of the monologue surprised him. “It became huge. It was all over the internet. Whenever I run into an oil guy, especially in Texas, they always bring that scene up and thank me.

They say, ‘Thanks for showing people what this is.’” The authenticity of the moment struck a chord, with industry insiders feeling seen and understood.

However, Thornton is quick to clarify that the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, wasn’t taking sides politically. “People try to politicize everything, but the fact of the matter is, Taylor’s just saying, ‘Here’s a look behind the curtain at how this works.’”

The show doesn’t preach or judge; it simply reveals the realities of life in the oil business, whether you’re in a suit or out in the fields, and the risks and dangers faced by families in the industry.

Thornton credits Sheridan’s writing for making the monologue so effective. “Taylor is very good about writing gigantic monologues for me. When something makes sense to you dialogue-wise, it’s easy to do a long monologue.

If you don’t know what it means, it’s harder to learn the dialogue. If you understand what the person has written—not necessarily agree or disagree—it’s actually easier to do a monologue than a back-and-forth scene.”

He explains that delivering a monologue is often less challenging than dialogue with another actor. “I blow more lines on a back-and-forth conversation than I do when I’m just sitting there telling somebody something.” Thornton compares it to telling your own life story—it flows naturally when you genuinely understand the subject.

He also references other memorable moments in *Landman*, such as the Jerry Jones scene, where Jones was simply asked to tell his own story rather than recite scripted lines. “It’s his story. If I ask you to tell me your life story, you can do that.”

Thornton’s confession reveals that the magic of his *Landman* monologue came from a deep understanding of the character and the world he inhabited.

It wasn’t about politics or taking sides; it was about authenticity, commitment, and giving voice to a community rarely seen in Hollywood. His insider perspective offers a rare glimpse into the process behind one of television’s most talked-about scenes, reminding us that the best performances come from truth, not just talent.