I'm reminded of Kathy Griffin...

[Tom Rinaldo]

By and large, society rewards comedians for being edgy. They get blow back too, and even hard core detractors, for skating close to the edge, but when they get it "just right" mostly they get fame/notoriety (which of course are related), bigger audiences, and commercial success for their ability to throw us off balance, even shock us, with their words and/or images.

Sometimes they clearly go too far. A strong case can be made that Kathy Griffin did so with her beheaded Trump image. And a strong case can be made that Chris Rock did so with his GI Jane joke. Those are high profile examples, but comedians "go too far" every day of the week in comedy clubs and talk radio broadcasts. Mostly they "get away with it." Sometimes they don't. Our culture incentivizes "shock talk". When it goes off the rails all of the blame shouldn't always rest on comedians who increasingly work with very little margin for error.

I don't know the answer, there probably isn't one. The closest I can come is when people fuck up they should own it, both those who hurt with their words and those who in some way overreact to them. And the best resolution, when earned, is forgiveness.

[LakeArenal]

1. It really boils down to civility..

It’s a lost art. Along with courtesy , decorum and respect for personal space.

[secondwind]

7. Hear, hear...... bingo

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. Like Chris and Will she went too far but like them the calls for her head were way over the top.

No pun intended.

[Emile]

3. It was Will Smith who fucked up!

[JenniferJuniper]

5. Assaulting a much smaller guy in front of 10 million people

who posed no threat to him? Yes, I'd say that's a major eff up.

I don't get people defending this behavior with false equivalency arguments.

[Emile]

6. When Will assaulted him he made the joke about himself.

Misguided chivalry.

[LakeArenal]

8. Maybe. But one report says Smith punched.

Other reports say Smith slapped him.

If the guy that played Ali punched you, I think that you would have hit the floor.

It so much like sports. One guy can say any gross or disparaging thing. Over and over. But if the target hits back.. they get the punishment. Not sure I entirely agree with that.

Anyway, I can’t stand most things that come out of Rocks mouth

[JenniferJuniper]

9. Slap or punch, it was an assault

Doesn't matter what was said. There is no way that sort of behavior is justifiable.

And there is something very wrong with Smith; no sane person would do that in front of millions of witnesses.

[LakeArenal]

13. I guess we can agree to disagree.

For me, Rock started it and Smith finished it.

Both equally assholes.

[JenniferJuniper]

15. "Equally assholes"

Sure. But Chris Rock didn't assault Smith.

If I slapped around my neighbor for talking smack to me and this was witnessed by another neighbor, I would be arrested or at least cited when the police arrived. But I'm not a wealthy movie star. My neighbor, on the other hand, would not be arrested for saying mean things to me.

Do you really not see the difference?

[LakeArenal]

16. See I think Rock assaulted Jada. So you reap what you sow.

Edit: I ask you why do you see a difference?

[JenniferJuniper]

18. You are changing the definition of "assault" to suit your argument.

Chris Rock was physically assaulted. Jada was on the receiving end of a mean - and lame - joke

[LakeArenal]

20. Say whatever. I'm not accusing you of being closed minded.

[bottomofthehill]

22. Try charging Rock with assault

Talking shit is not an assault. It is being an asshole but not assault.

[Emile]

17. If that is true, why did the Academy condemn Will Smith and open a formal review of him?

[LakeArenal]

21. These are opinions. I'm not taking any offense from you

It’s your opinion. This is mine.

[bottomofthehill]

23. Assault is not an opinion call it is a chargeable offense laid out in law.

Your and my opinion is that Chris Rock is an asshole, and not that funny. You could not take your opinion that Chris Rock assaulted Jada and get an indictment. You could easily take the film of the Slap and get one.

[Emile]

24. I posted a fact, not an opinion! The Academy has launched a formal review into Will Smith, not Chris

[bottomofthehill]

19. You may think,

But that was clearly an assault, unjustified and a chargeable event it Chris Rock chose to press charges. By your standard there are a lot of people who would be assaulted. Then you would have those who talk shit, and then “ stand their ground”. There was no threat from Chris Rock, just a shitty joke for a cheap laugh. Lucky it did not happen in Florida, Rock may have been justified in shooting Will Smith dead. A much larger man who had been trained to throw a punch, even an acting punch would clearly be a threat.

[elias7]

10. Rock did too, body and disease shaming. And Jada for not being Niobe and popping Rock herself

[Emile]

11. Chris Rock is standing tall, thanks to Will Smith reaction!

[uponit7771]

4. American comedians are ENCOURAGED to be edgy for the sake of laughter as long as it doesn't

... go into being edgy for the sake of being a jerk to undeserving people.

Having none of that kind of comedy we get J6 stupids and Russia where there is no open honest dialogue about anything

[GoodRaisin]

12. I don't care if bad taste is cloaked in a joke or not.

It’s still bad taste.

Never been a fan of Chris Rock. I don’t find him funny at all.

[LakeArenal]

14. That I totally agree with.

Just because you are a comedian doesn’t give you free range. When you go too far….the reaction my be a……

That shit about sticks and stones breaking bones but words can never heart is bullshit.