*By Conor White*
As a veteran of the indie film circuit, Billy Bob Thornton appreciates what streaming television has done to pick up the mantle of creative storytelling.
"The Amazons of the world have really taken over the spot that was held by the independent film renaissance of the late 80's through the early 2000's," said Thornton, the star of "Goliath" on Amazon Prime. "Because that's pretty much gone, the studios are mostly doing event movies, this is really a place where I can go in and do an eight-hour independent film."
Thornton rose from no-name character actor to star in 1996 with his own independent film "Sling Blade", which he wrote, directed, and starred in. He won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay, and nabbed a nomination for best actor.
The 62-year-old actor has received recent accolades for his performance as down-and-out lawyer Billy McBride in "Goliath," winning a Golden Globe last year for best actor in a drama series.
But the show's success is no guarantee it will continue to win viewers' attention when the second season is available for streaming on Amazon on Friday, June 15.
"You kind of feel the pressure of that a bit, it's like we kind of got to up the game, because there's so much good stuff out there these days," Thornton said. "I got to tell you, I think they did it."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/billy-bob-and-goliath).
The top entertainment headlines for February 23, 2023.
Cheddar News' Shannon LaNier spoke with Meredith Maskara, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, about what it takes to run of the largest Girl Scouts organizations in the country and the only one that is 100 percent urban. The group serves 25,000 girl with the support of 3,000 volunteers. Maskara gave viewers a sneak preview of the cookies soon to be available across the city.
Seattle has become the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination, which has directly affected those whose ancestors come from some southeastern Asian countries. Cheddar News explains what that means.
Dianne Gordon of Michigan saw her life change after finding a zip lock bag with $15,000, but not in the way that you would expect.
Spotify is launching a new AI-powered feature called "DJ."
The world's longest skating rink faces its first shutdown in 52 years because of climate change.
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will record on a new album with The Rolling Stones, according to Variety.
Seattle became the first city to ban discrimination based on caste.
Alfred Edmond Jr., Senior Vice President & Executive Editor-at-Large at Black Enterprise, joins Cheddar News to discuss how the media landscape has shifted for young and upcoming black talent in the industry.
Movie studio A24 is auctioning off props from the hit film Everything, Everywhere All At Once to raise money for laundry workers, asian mental health, and transgender rights.
