Billy Bob Thornton has generated significant buzz following the latest episode of the Paramount+ series Landman, which premiered on December 28. The episode begins with Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, in a hotel room, delivering a moment that immediately drew attention. In the opening scene, a hotel employee brings Tommy his breakfast, and viewers are briefly shown a fully nude shot of his character, creating a scene that quickly sparked discussion online.
The startled employee reacts with a scream, leading to a tense and awkward interaction. Moments later, Angela, played by Ali Larter, enters from the bathroom, chastises Tommy, and reassures the employee, clarifying that the incident was not her fault. She then delivers a humorous, sharp-tongued critique of Tommy’s behavior, poking fun at the unflattering moment. The scene concludes with the couple exchanging a profanity-laden argument.

Fans are divided over the bold opening. Some praised the sequence for its humor and audacity, while others expressed concerns that the show is moving away from its original focus on the oil industry, leaning more heavily on shock value for entertainment. Questions remain about whether the scene involved prosthetics or visual effects, with many assuming it was staged rather than real.