Chris Rock shouldn't have disrespected Will Smith's wife and Will Smith shouldn't have slapped him.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I do find the calls for his arrest an overreaction. I live in the county of Los Angeles, Woodland Hills to be specific. If I called the police and said I disrespected a man's wife and he slapped me I doubt they would vigorously pursue the case. As an aside, I suspect both Will and Chris regret the incident.

[Native]

1. Exactly, Jada should have slapped him.

[exboyfil]

3. Actually no

Neither should be slapping someone. It is not like they don't have a voice - a very powerful voice. Will Smith would have really enhanced his reputation by walking out of the theater and to the nearest mic. Instead he is diminished, Rock is a moron for telling such a joke, and the Academy looks weak and ineffectual (which we all knew).

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I like and still like both of them.

Neither should be judged by their worst moment but my feelings are irrelevant. It's going to follow them for the rest of their careers.

[exboyfil]

7. Like has nothing to do with it

I don't know them to like them. Will Smith has given me some great performances in movies that I love. Chris Rock on the other hand is not very appealing to me. I will continue to watch Will Smith movies irrespective of his actions. Actually I don't even have to like them to enjoy watching them. I still read H.P. Lovecraft, but I figure I would never associate with him if he was alive today.

[exboyfil]

2. Without a complainant I agree that charges couldn't realistically be filed

I personally think Will Smith would be better served by having charges filed against him and him pleading to misdemeanor battery with community service and a fine. I think it would be better for him, his career, and definitely for society. It would send a clear message that no one is above the law, and even the most powerful are held accountable. Also violence is not an acceptable response to a verbal insult. Sadly none of that will happen.


The Academy missed a golden opportunity to reestablish their reputation. Both Will Smith and Chris Rock should have been escorted off the premises immediately. That would demonstrate several things. First it is unacceptable to batter an individual just because you are angry about what he said. Second that jokes that are targetted and offend specific individuals are not ok. Third the Academy is bigger than these stars. The envelope for Best Actor should have been opened offstage and, if Will Smith was the winner, then the award skipped for the evening. If another Actor had won, then the envelope should have been resealed and the category awarded.

[gibraltar72]

4. My opinion

Kid Rock should be beaten on a regular basis. Your mileage may vary.

[brush]

12. That I agree with.

[AlexSFCA]

6. Chris declined to file a police report.

The slap appeared to be theatrical, with no force, no blood, no injury, etc. The mic exaggerated the sound.

[exboyfil]

9. Then the Academy has devolved into the WWE

Way to go.

[AlexSFCA]

10. it is expected that celebs get a special treatment thanks to hollywood

[Lucid Dreamer]

8. Ooooo... Drama at the Acadamy Awards ceremony?

Hollywood is ALL ABOUT drama!

20 years from now if you say "2022 Awards Ceremony" the first thing it will bring to mind is the Smith/Rock skit!

Other than that, it was sort of run-of-the-mill by comparison.

[brush]

11. Yep. I think both damaged their careers.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. I like both of them.

They both have interesting back stories. Chris went to a predominately white high school and as a smallish Black guy said he was picked on a lot and used humor as a deflection. Will and Jada have led interesting lives. Jada knew Tupac before he blew up.and tried to talk him out of the gang life. She could have made a difference if Tupac listened. As to the incident the calls for his arrest are overblown. Some are saying he is being treated as if as if he's above the law. With this fact pattern, a man insults a man's wife and he slaps him, doesn't repeatedly hit him and injure him, the police aren't arresting him and the prosecutor isn't charging him. If they did it would be as if he was below the law. It's a waste of resources.

[brush]

16. I'm a fan of both too. I wish it hadn't happened. It's more reason...

for some industry people to find a reason for not working with them. Unfortunately that happens.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. If somebody as horrible as Mel Gibson gets work any celebrity can.

Neither Chris or Will should be judged by their worst moment. In a perfect world they would issue a joint statement where they both said they regretted their actions.

[brush]

20. A joint statement would be an excellent move.

[Initech]

13. On the radio show I used to listen to, they had a segment called "Who's the dick?".

And I honestly think both Will Smith and Chris Rock would be the dicks in this case.

[BlackSkimmer]

14. You must have missed the time Ricky Gervais hosted.

People are insulted all the time at these things. Somehow they manage to handle it like adults.

[ripcord]

17. If Chris Rock knew about Jada's condition and made a joke about it

Then he is an asshole and went beyond the bounds of what is acceptable for comedy. It doesn't bother me her husband taught him some manners.

[Emile]

18. Will Smith is struggling with his mental health and has been for several years! Chris Rock

didn't disrespect his wife, it was Will Smith over the top reaction that needs to be attended to before it gets any worse. Google Will Smith struggle with mental health!