Oscars to launch a 'formal review' of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock as Hollywood reels from the inc

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Source: Washington Post

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday afternoon that it will conduct a formal review of the shocking incident from Sunday’s Oscars broadcast, in which best-actor winner Will Smith hit presenter Chris Rock across the face onstage after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.

“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” a spokesman said in a statement. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.” The Hollywood Reporter reported that “an emergency phone call” is being arranged with academy members.

Before the instantly infamous slap, the Smiths — one of Hollywood’s most powerful and gossiped-about couples — had already been a target for jokes earlier in the evening, when co-host Regina Hall poked fun at the long-standing rumors about their alleged open marriage. The duo was seen laughing on camera at the barb.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/fallout-will-smith-chris-rock-slap/

[exboyfil]

1. The time to act was last night

He should have been escorted out.

Two year suspension of his Academy membership seems about right so long as he pleads to misdemeanor assault and battery and takes his fine/community service. This won't happen obviously.

[FarPoint]

18. Absolutely....

Escorted out and not let back in to get his Oscar....

[eissa]

2. No repercussion would send a terrible message

It would be open season on any host/comedian by any deranged person whose feelings were hurt by some joke (tasteless as it may be.)

The optics of having someone assault a presenter on live tv, then sit comfortably back in his chair, only to receive a standing ovation shortly thereafter was awful.

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. There were other "best actor" nominees. Maybe the Academy should rescind Oscar and give...

it to a more civil actor.

[lisa58]

5. My thoughts exactly

[lisa58]

4. Good

[dem4decades]

6. Next time I hope he slaps those who let him stay this time.

[Initech]

7. Honestly his half assed "apology" was more embarassing than the incident itself.

But still that whole thing was a massive facepalm. On multiple levels.

[AntiFascist]

8. Perhaps the Church of Scientology should come to his defense...

after all, slapping is considered acceptable behavior within the "church". They could argue that this is a case of free speech in light of the church doctrine.

[Stuart G]

15. I didn't know that the Church of Scientology was his one of his beliefs.

..When I read that a while ago, Will Smith lost all my respect. Yes he is a fine actor, but that and what he did yesterday,
buried all my respect for him. And this is one of those pieces of information that I am likely to never forget..

[AntiFascist]

16. Honestly I don't know for sure...

but he sure did hug John Travolta hard, and isn't that only allowed between fellow members?

[Cha]

9. What a horrible way to

sabotage yourself.. on what could have been one of the most rewarding moments of your life.

Of course Chris Rock was Wrong to make fun of Jada's Alopecia in front of the world But Violence is never the answer no matter how upset you are.

💙💛

[appmanga]

11. Chris Rock is a comedian...

...and comedians make jokes, some of them in bad taste, but nobody and nothing should be sacred when it comes to art. And comedy is art. I wonder if Will Smith would have tried to smack LL Cool J or Jamie Foxx, or someone closer to his size?

[oldsoftie]

30. You know THESE days you can't joke about anything that just may offend someone.

Folks these days could never have handled Don Rickles, Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor.

[ificandream]

10. We've crossed so many barriers in the past five years thanks to the previous President TFG Doofus.

This was one we didn't need to cross.

[question everything]

12. By tradition he will present next year best actress winner

On CNN earlier it was suggested that he should not.

[Traildogbob]

13. I do not condone

The attack. But if Taylor Swift had slapped Kanye I’m Not so sure I would be speaking against it.
Someone needs to put Cruz’s head on Will’s body charging the stage and put trumps mug on Rocks body for the slap. I expect to see a meme of Smith smoking a cigar in flight gear dragging an unconscious Rock across a desert floor. Will’s been in too many movies where he is a bad ass hero.
He thinks it’s real.

[oldsoftie]

31. I've already seen one with Zelensky slapping Putin. nt

[Traildogbob]

34. That's a

Slapping we all could approve of. Except GQP.

[Initech]

14. Why do they keep calling it a slap? It totally minimizes it.

Chris Rock got punched in the face, and we all saw it. Calling it a "slap" puts it in 3 Stooges territory. Call it like it is.

[exboyfil]

21. It was fast but it looked open handed

and I think Smith either pulled it or Rock moved away quickly enough. Otherwise the spectacle would have been worse with an injured and bleeding Rock lying on the ground.

The comforting of Smith by Denzel Washington and the others was a bad look as well. The academy should have shown Smith the door. The Academy is weak and ineffectual and no wonder the Oscars are dying.

[Initech]

23. Totally agree that he should have been escorted out.

That whole event after that was a massive facepalm.

[azureblue]

17. and this idioyic moment totally overshadowed ----

That very touching moment with Liza and Lady Gaga, when Liza was getting a bit "lost". LG very gracefully covered for her, "I got you", and Liza replied "I know". LG helped Liza keep her dignity, with poise and grace. Just beautiful..

The younger generation showing respect, admiration and support for the ones they learned from, the ones they work with, to carry the torch forward. This is what the ceremony should be.

Lady Gaga has class. Will does not and will never have it.

[FailureToCommunicate]

19. So true. Anyone with heart and empathy recognized Lady Gaga's poise and

grace to help Liza M stay on track.

[exboyfil]

22. I really like her

I didn't know anything about her until American Horror Story in which she did a great job. I don't follow modern pop music, but I am glad there are artists who respect the older artists. I saw pictures of the interaction and major props to Lady Gaga - she is one classy woman.

[AdamGG]

24. Lady Gaga did some great work with Tony Bennett, who has Alzheimers

Bennett is 95 and there was a really touching 60 Minutes piece about a show he did at Radio City last year. He has trouble talking to carry on a conversation, but when he got on stage, he came to life and could still belt out all the songs.

[mnhtnbb]

35. The show is streaming

https://www.cbs.com/shows/one-last-time-an-evening-with-tony-bennett-and-lady-gaga/

[oldsoftie]

32. And if you ever get the chance to see her live; go. Amazing show.

And no lip synching either. Same with Pink. GO!

[herding cats]

20. My one and only comment on this.

First world problems personified.

That we twist ourselves into knots, argue and bicker like children and take sides over something so obviously of the entitled and by the entitled is the issue here. Let them deal with this and manage whatever the fallout is in their bubble. The rest of us have real lives, full of real issues to deal with. Let them go, be you in your here and now. Care about the people near you who are struggling right now. These folks are a bunch of overly paid nincompoops who shouldn't matter to us much at all.

Truthfully, I'm more concerned about a person I care about dealing with the loss of a beloved furry family member than this tripe. I get people feel differently, I'm just saying how I feel about this sort of stuff.

My heart to everyone who reads this who has difficult stuff in their lives right now. I know how hard daily life can be.

[AdamGG]

25. I have trouble believing that this wasn't a set up

Oscar viewership has been dropping precipitously. I don't know much about Will Smith, but does he have a reputation for being volatile like this in the past? It is Hollywood and they've managed to infuse interest and get everyone talking about it.

[oldsoftie]

29. Rock leans into it as one would do if they were expecting it. Like this:

Lynch leans into it
Watch Rock as Smith approaches. Same stance.
Oh, and this happened the same night as the oscars I believe.

[Bengus81]

36. Hate to admit it but it was my first thought too. Rock leaning toward Smith as he walked up to him

Don't know.............

[quakerboy]

26. I gotta be honest

I question whether it was even real. per the video i saw, Will was laughing along, Jada rolled her eyes. Then instants later Will is suddenly in a rage, rushing the presenter, and yet somehow that rage only becomes one open handed slap that Chris was able to laugh off?

The whole thing is just weird.

[twodogsbarking]

27. Oscars security sucks.

[Emile]

28. Hollywood needs to demand Will Smith get mental health before working with him again.

Anything could happen on a set with his temper!

[ShepKat]

33. this isn't the first time

John Wayne had to be held back and clint eastwood mocked the native american on the stage refusing to accept the oscar for marlon brando until native americans are treated with respect by the movie industry. Weinstein got an oscar and was a rapist. This is a false control drama