What’s exciting about the Oscars is that it’s live and there’s the occasional unexpected crazy incident. That’s what people remember. That’s what people talk about the next day. Usually, it’s a major fuck up — like the year they announced the wrong Best Picture. That was an unexpected moment I'm sure the Academy wishes to forget.
But it seems to me that years ago there were more of these happy unplanned incidents. The streaker, Sacheen Littlefeather, Jack Palance doing a push-up, etc. What made the Oscar hosts great wasn’t their opening monologue but their ability to ad lib and comment on the memorable moment. Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, and Billy Crystal all had that gift.
Incidents like that would electrify the ceremony. Now the audience is waiting to see the ramifications, reactions, and whether more craziness ensues.
Will Smith revitalized all that with one slap. By slapping Chris Rock for telling a joke at the expense of his wife, Will Smith suddenly made the Oscars interesting. Whether you agree with whether he should have done it or not, the result and subsequent Smith tirade to Rock — “Keep my wife’s name out of your FUCKING MOUTH!” — was great live theatre. It was a shared event. People are talking about it today, aren’t they? We have so few shared events anymore that aren't insurrections.
And then Smith finally wins an Oscar and has this insane pompous endless speech filled with pauses and suddenly we’re now hanging on every word. (By the way, what bullshit! He’s a “protector.” He’s a self-absorbed talented actor — not a protector, not chosen by God to spread love.) At any moment he could say the most bizarre thing. When he began by launching into how much love he was put on this earth to spread and then got teary, I don’t know about you, but I was thinking “this guy is going to have a complete breakdown on worldwide television” — I’m not switching over to Netflix.
Few people (if any) can remember anything about the last few years of the ceremony. Yeah, there were incoherent speeches (Frances McDormand) and actors mispronouncing names, but big whoop. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock will be remembered for years. And I guarantee you, as a result, next year’s Oscars will go up in the ratings. If for no other reason, Smith will probably be a presenter. We’ll all tune in to see who he slugs next.
UPDATE: My follow-up tomorrow. And no, I don't condone the violence.
104 comments :
When I woke up and saw the news this morning (because I didn't stay up to watch) my first thought was: I hope Ken Levine reviews the Oscars!!
As I said over the weekend, I haven't watched the Oscars in ten years, but I always read a recap the morning after. The moment was surreal. You'd think it was a bit, but no. To continue my use of pro wrestling lingo, it was legit, not kayfabe.
Perhaps Alfonso Ribeiro is the true protector.
When the MTV Music Awards had stuff like Madonna kissing Britney Spears, I thought, gee, who won the MTV Music Award?
Now this is almost the same thing.
While the basis of Rock's joke was Pinkett's bald head, the result of her alopecia, it still didn't merit an actual physical assault on worldwide television. Stand up comedy often offends, even in a rude, thoughtless way. Showing my age, I thought of Don Rickles right after that. His entire act consisted of hurling personal insults at people. No one ever punched him.
Then, Smith is made out to be a hero/martyr of sorts, assuming the role of protector. Rock's the bad guy and he's the one that was physically attacked. Moreover, it isn't as if the Smith Family hasn't practically, willingly made themselves out to be targets of any kind of jokes. Regina King joked about their lifestyle at the top of the show and no one hit her.
Will Smith is a cowardly jerk.
I watch things like the Oscars, no longer out of rooting interest, but just to see if something wild will happen. I didn't think that the wrong Best Picture moment would ever be topped, but here we are. If nothing else, I look forward to Chris Rock's next stand-up special.
You could say the same about Presidential debates. But this never would have happened with Ted Cruz!
It just looked fake to me. I thought Smith just did a stunt slap. But what do I know?
I didn't see it live, but I've watched the clip. Yes, to say the least, that's great television.
But what would have made it truly great is if Chris Rock had thrown away the Oscar gig, pretended he was in a comedy club, and done a 15-minute Don Rickles/Richard Pryor riff on both Will and his wife.
The Oscar telecasts are famous for the repeat:
Faye Dunaway went straight home after the "Best Picture" goof, but she and Warren Beatty were there next year.
Jack Palance did push-ups in his exuberant Oscar speech, the next year, Billy Crystal made his entrance with Jack Palance pulling him on a chariot (?) and Palance did push-ups.
Next year, Smith will present the Best Actor trophy dressed like Ali and Chris Rock will come out dressed as Joe Frazier in a presentation skit written by Chuck Sklar. Oh! And Diane Warren will probably lose in THAT category, too.
You could hear that punch so clearly, it's like they added a sound effect.
I forgot to add that the best director nominees could have made a new film in the time it took for Kevin Costner to give his preamble.
I'm a huge movie buff, but I gave up watching the Oscars several years ago, and one immature actor assaulting a comedian isn't going to bring me back. If anything, I think Smith struck the death blow for the Oscars. Even though I didn't watch, I've already seen this all over the Internet. To me, that just proves it's no longer necessary to suffer through four hours of boredom to find out if any one moment was actually worth seeing.
Next year's host(s) might want to consider wearing a full face helmet. :)
Next year's host(s) might want to consider wearing a full face helmet. :)
For reasons, I was stuck watching the first 75 minutes of the show. Exceptionally boring, although I enjoyed the "Gay you!" finger to the state of Florida. Surprised by cohost Johnny Depp calling all those sexy starlets on stage so that he could *ahem!* check them for covid. The way he pawed Nicole Kidman with that pat-down! Such white man priviledge. Could this be the end of his career for such a revolting stunt?
Learned about Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock because he can't take a (out-of-date and terrible) joke, from a British vlogger. Also learned in that moment that Will Smith is an absolute asshole. Had he always been? I've enjoyed a number of his films in the past. Did not see King Richard and never will, though that has nothing to do with his attack, which any non-priviledged, non-wealthy and non-powerful person would be arrested for.
Was this really a "make" for the Oscars? It does give white supremists what they would most likely term, "confirmation". Not that we should care about them. I myself see this altercation as unfortunate.
I'll tell you what I haven't learned as everyone is talking about this other thing. What won Best Picture?
Ken, quick, delete the blog.... what if Will Smith reads it? Then ....
Or worse, what if PC police calls you racist?
Hi Mr. Levine. Thank you for the post. I did watch the slap on sunday. And must stay I was hurt by it. Because I am a pro stand up comedian. I am affraid that someone in the audience will come and slap me. YES. But the show must go on. Even Richard Pryor got berated by famous actors. I will try not make jokes about medical conditions. But I can't promise 100%.
But I have some questions for you --
Will Rick(y) Grevais be affraid now?
Will Chapelle comment on this slap?
Is Chapelle affraid now and he will tone down his jokes?
If some comedian makes fun of Beyonce, will Jay Z go and slap him?
If a female comediane made fun of Chris' or Will's wife, will Smith slap her?
How come the Academy not taking a strong stance against violence.
If Chris calls the police, will they charge Will with a crime?
Are comedians affraid now?
Will Will Smith be more popular now?
Will you watch another Will Smith movie?
Why did his remake of Fresh Prince flop on TV?
Thanks !
Bill
For some comic relief, there's a different Will Smith on Twitter who is having fun with the attention:
https://twitter.com/willsmith/status/1508271651221217285?s=20&t=XIBTz07kkpcoUWbHm4kh_w
Forget the Oscars, every channel is getting high viewership because of this.
I think it is staged.
Surely, Chris knew about her illness.
Hey this is Show business. Do anything to grab the attention, increase TRP. And this is now trending. That’s all they wanted isn’t it?
All are saying the same thing as you said Ken, that they wouldn’t know it was the Oscars without this incident.
Even, you said you would’t Review any awards show. Now this incident made you post a blog.
Will and Jada should have walked out on Live TV.
That would have been humiliating to Chris , the producers and the writers who wrote that crappy joke.
Will just destroyed his own career.
Will Smith talked like he is God. PLEASE.
Will Smith talked like his ia protector. PLEASE.
Sounds like drugs talking to me.
Lots top creative minds talked like they are God.BULLSHIT is correct.
Just imagine I was one of his son or daughter.
My father thinks he is God.
My father thinks he is a protector.
I would be so troubled and messed.
My dad is a crazy man. And talks like a cult leader.
**** *** Will Smith. FU WILL SMITH. I will never be like you. I will be a better father and husband.
I would never be proud, if my father talked like you.
WILL SMITH got problems.
It's the drugs talking.
Get help Will Smith.
You are not God.
You will NEVER be a protector.
You are too self-aborbed in your own urealistic broken mind.
Cheers,
B
Ken, the comment above of Don Kemp is a copy paste of the same comment across so many YouTube videos and tweets.
Looks like a bot or some dude who is a unable to say anything original.
I wish I could .... him :)
Deadline is reporting that Will Smith is being offered roles to play George S. Patton and Zsa Zsa Gabor. He is reportedly slap-happy.
It was a bad joke (and not even pertinent -- of all the people Rock could have made fun of that night, why not an Oscar nominee?). But it was exactly the kind of joke Ricky Gervais was praised for telling at that famous Golden Globes ceremony a few years ago -- more mean than funny. (For example, Gervais went after Robert Downey Jr.'s problems with addiction, years after Downey had gotten sober and restarted his career.)
Frankly, I also had a problem when Amy Schumer made fun of one of the nominated films -- if you're going to poke fun of all of them, that's fine. (And can be funny -- it's what Billy Crystal used to do, especially in his opening songs.) But ripping apart only one of them, in front of everyone involved in making it? Again, that just seems mean.
But of course, there's no defending Smith's over-the-top reaction to the joke. (And not much of an excuse to say he was "protecting his family" like the Williams sisters' father -- who in real life, allegedly, left his first family when his other children were young and never saw them again.)
That “God” and “love” stuff from Smith really bugged me. It was, after all, Chris Rock who “turned the other cheek”.
Just heard this - the Oscars commitee might revoke/cancell/take back Will Smith best actor award.
Can the Academy take back Will Smith's best actor award?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10660087/Hypocritical-Hollywood-elite-party-Smith.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline
Cheers,
B
If Will Smith's next movie is about Kanye West we'll all feel like we've fallen for the greatest publicity stunt in Hollywood history.
Two questions: Where was security when an angry Smith walked up to Rock? Why wasn't Smith arrested on the spot?
Some on twitter felt it inappropriate that a very frail and confused Liza Minnelli was brought out on stage. I have to agree. She should be allowed her dignity.
I don't know if Anonymous Bill and Anonymous B are the same person, but with regard to some questions for Ken in the first comment:
Chris said he wasn't going to press charges.
Will's actions last night will not keep me from following his work, although I've only seen Fresh Prince, Independence Day, and (at a drive-in) Men in Black.
Bel-Air flopped, which I'm glad to know, because it's the polar opposite of the original sitcom. It'd be like rebooting The Dick Van Dyke Show as a drama. I'm surprised Lou Grant lasted as long as it did since it was a dramatic spin-off of a sitcom.
The best part may be that Nicole Kidman has broken her face reacting to the slap.
https://preview.redd.it/jeejk5dko1q81.jpg?auto=webp&s=7164071afd2b5bdd9423171bb59bb878a6e249e8
I also agree with Howard Stern and Nikki Glaser that Will Smith should have been removed from the ceremony. You shouldn't be able to hit someone and just go back to your seat.
While I love the message of "CODA" winning best picture, I hate Apple (and have since their smug anti-"PC" commercials), which will derive all the benefits that Netflix couldn't.
At least Beyonce (aka "She who must not be criticized") didn't win for best song, thus embarrassing that college instructor and author who appeared on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" and insisted she could do no wrong.
While I love the message of "CODA" winning best picture, I hate Apple (and have since their smug anti-"PC" commercials), which will derive all the benefits that Netflix couldn't.
At least Beyonce (aka "She who must not be criticized") didn't win for best song, thus embarrassing that college instructor and author who appeared on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" and insisted she could do no wrong.
Ted- I copied and pasted my own post from last night because I felt it was more relevant to today's thread. If it pleases you, I'll go see if I can delete the first time I posted it.
I know nothing about anything similar being posted on You Tube. If I'm being plagiarized that's hilarious.
And update- since I'm so tech savvy I just opened a second tab and brought up Ken's page. I was able to delete my post from yesterday's thread so what I wrote will not appear twice. Again, I hope this pleases you, Ted.
Incoherent speeches -- first thing I thought of was Joaquin Phoenix going on about milk...
So... current view is it wasn't a semi-staged stunt to get people talking about a failing show? fair enough.
What’s the industry’s reaction Ken, since you are an insider.
How are your friends reacting.
Surely some sort boycott blacklisting is underway against Will.
Ken it has been asked many times, even I would love to know if you are a member of the Academy.
Thank you for the daily blogs. I read it whenever I get some time.
Clara.
What I would like to see, but suspect I never will see, is Will and Chris sitting down together and apologizing to EACH OTHER. Chris also owes Jada an apology. Denzel, as quoted by Will, spoke the wisest words of the night.
Favorite comments:
From Lauren Scharf --- "Will Smith used an open hand on Chris because paper beats rock."
From J. Elvis Weinstein --- "The Academy hasn't seen a slap like that since Moe Howard won the Thalberg."
Today’s post will cross 100 comments after a long time.
Nicole Kidman always becomes a meme at the Oscars, remember her long fingers clapping meme?
It was surreal to see that Chris Rock slap. I thought someone would boo or Chris would slap back, but people just laughed.
Hollywood is filled with wackos that this seems normal to them. Only the public feels weird.
Amy Schumer sucked, she will now be invited back to host next year.
I wish someone had slapped the racist scumbag Seth Macfarlane when he hosted and made an ass out of himself. You hated him, I am sure you would have a taken a swing at him gladly.
Taking back Will’s award will make him a martyr/hero. Just sue his ass.
Will and wife live in an open marriage and their kids are the butt of jokes because they act like weirdos. Now more shame is on its way.
Any publicity is good publicity for Hollywood.
Does anyone remember Sean Penn slammed Chris Rock at one Oscars many years ago, when he kept ridiculing Jude Law?
The one time Jimmy Kimmel failed to do a post-Oscars show (if he did have one, our ABC affiliate declined to carry it).
I'm not condoning Smith's reaction, but Rock's joke was out of line. Smith owes Rock and Rock owes Jada apologies.
Otherwise, the show was generally lively, well-paced, and well handled by the three hosts.
The In Memoriam segment, though, was again disappointing and distracting. The focus should be on those being honored, not the singers, musicians, and dancers. For any award show, the memoriam should be the one moment of quiet and solemnity.
So we're OK with a guy literally assaulting and battering another guy live on TV?
At least Rock didn't also make a tasteless joke about whatever Liza Minnelli's medical condition is. Maybe he didn't see her in her wheelchair. If he had insulted Liza, Lady Gaga probably would've clocked him twice as hard as the Fresh Prince did.
I wasn't watching the Oscar telecast (I was watching Young Sheldon reruns), but I was reading a site that was live-blogging the Academy Awards. When I saw "Will Smith slaps Rock," I thought it meant The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)and that it was a set-up for a WWE ladder match.
Ken, I know it did make for great television, and shook up the banal, But can’t get past, and am concerned, the way casual violence was just “normalized” by a collective national audience will have consequences that we can’t even fathom in the moment.
I miss Bob Hope, sanity and class. -Sigh-
You Hollywood folks get your act together.
WHat is this I hear that you are slapping each other on LIVE TV?
Don’t make me come down there from Washington.
Chris Rock should have followed up with, I got slapped for a hair joke,... wonder what Will did to the guy giving Jada the high hard one? Then we could have had a loud discussion with the audience taking sides. Stand up taking on the physical heckler in the crowd.
Ken, please get a guest on your podcast who was present at the event. That will be great.
It’s not everyday that such events occur.
So many YT videos are showing celebrity reactions.
Surely you can get someone who attended the show on your podcast to give their perspective.
If it is the writers who wrote the joke, then that will be a coup.
What I can’t understand is why Chris didn’t make an effort to stop Will when he saw him climbing the stage. He would have know something was gonna happen. He is a comedian, those guys anticipate that stuff.
Why didn’t he slap back, punch him or just storm out.
Why didn’t the president of the Academy or some big wigs In-charge call the cops?
Everything looks so staged.
Please do follow up post tomorrow Ken.
@ Ted
It was uncalled for regarding what Will Smith did to Chris Rock. You bring up Ricky Gervais who roasted Hollywood at the Golden Globes. The only difference is that he wasn't slapped or punched at all. Yes it is stand-up comedy, but stand-ups shouldn't be fearing for their lives.
With that being said, this whole thing does looks fake given the way Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. Will Smith's wife was an easy target because she was in the front. The joke, about Jada appearing in GI Jane II, is actually a soft material type joke from anybody. This is from a guy that could have riffed on Will Smith's failed Fresh Prince reboot with awesome savagery, and even then, it wouldn't deserve a slap.
For the record, Will Smith has a history of these outbursts: https://citizenfreepress.com/breaking/flashback-slapped-male-reporter-who-tried-to-kiss-him/
This is where I'd normally post a gif of Michael Jackson from the Thriller video. You know, when he's in the theatre eating popcorn with a giant smile on his face. Yeah, that one. with the caption, "I'm just here for the comments."
Please, no conspiracy theories. It actually happened. For Smith to "plan" this, right before he likely wins Best Actor, is ludicrous. It will stay with him forever - the slap, not his film performance. He has alienated half of his industry. And until we destroy the planet, that is what the future will remember about him.
Smith just snapped out of stress/nerves, whatever. Rock has gone after Pinkett Smith before. The hair situation has likely been quite traumatic for her, and Smith has witnessed that. They have an "open" marriage, for all kinds of supposed reasons, and I doubt Smith would intentionally put it under an even larger spotlight.
Yes, it'll raise the ratings - both late in the show last night - and next year. I am curious about the immediate uptick in ratings, once the slap went viral.
Oh, and I enjoyed the show up till that point. Lots of negative reviews out there, but every one of my friends said that it was good, prior to The Slap. Main awards were predictable. The sets and performances looked great.
Liza Minnelli. She has certainly had more than her share of illnesses...I found that interaction very awkward.
The COVID "pat down" skit was tone deaf. I am guessing that the writers thought it was a wink, of sorts, to role reversal, #metoo, whatever. It just came across as creepy.
And did anyone notice the woman in the blue dress, seated close behind the celebrities, CHOMPING GUM all evening? GROSS. WHO does that at the Academy Awards.
I don't think it saved the Oscars. I think it was a huge nail in the coffin. If that is the type of incident that makes the Oscars worthy of watching, then they no longer have any relevance to their initial purpose.
What we should be talking about from the Oscars was Troy Kotsur.
By the way, if you go to the LA Times's website, the slap heard 'round the world takes up the top. You have to scroll down a ways to find out that a federal judge in a California civil case said Cheeto Mussolini probably committed a crime in connection with the insurrection. After all, we know which is far more important.
@ Pam
It seemed to me like Chris thought Will was kidding around, and waiting to see what he was going to do. Like when you're joking around with friends and someone gets mock angry over something and makes like they're going to hit you. You don't think they're actually going to do it. I think the idea that Will Smith was actually going to assault him live on stage at the Oscars over what was really a mild if tasteless joke didn't even enter his mind.
Even after the slap it seemed to take him a minute to process that it wasn't just a joke taken too far, and was trying to figure out how to react. It wasn't until Will was back in his seat that he seemed to finally get his head around the idea that there was no joking involved.
Nothing about it seemed staged to me. If it was staged, Will wouldn't have been laughing at the joke to start, he would have gone straight to anger as scripted. If it was staged, Chris Rock would have insisted on having a better response than just being Smith's punching bag. If it was staged, you wouldn't have seen Rock stumbling over his next lines and fighting to get his head back in the game - which he did quite professionally and admirably.
I've been wrong about this kind of thing before, but really I feel like we're entering "nothing ever happens" territory here. Some times things actually do happen, for real.
But to Ken's point, if anything, this has just reaffirmed for me why there is absolutely no need to watch the Oscars. If anything remotely interesting accidentally happens, it will be all over the Internet within minutes. Why waste hours of your life, just to say that you saw it first?
In today's world, I can't help wondering what the reactions would have been (and how it would've been handled in the arena) if things had been slightly different, such as:
- An unknown seat-filler walked up and slapped Chris Rock
- Rock made a joke that offended Bradley Cooper, and he walked up and slapped Chris
- Ricky Gervais made the same joke, and Will Smith walked up and slapped him
I'd say Smith's tearful, self-important acceptance speech was actually great acting, except I'm sure he believed every word he was saying.
"Cheeto Mussolini"
I'm stealing that. Hilarious.
In 2024: Will Smith and Chris Rock star in a "slapstick" comedy entitled .. . .
To those who think this might be fake, what would be the point? I mean, what are the positives for Rock and Smith? It's not like they're Z-list celebrities or have failing careers and need the publicity. And even if they did, there must be easier ways than making yourself look like an insensitive jerk and a violent loon.
The joke was in very bad taste, but Will Smith should have taken the high road and just made a "not cool, man" gesture or something. Then Chris Rock would have been the bad guy. Instead, Chris Rock is now the victim and Will Smith looks like an unhinged thug. Seriously, if this is what his anger looks like in front of millions of people, I don't want to know what it looks like in his private life (or on set). Chris Rock, on the other hand, obviously has composure. This is the guy you want hosting a live event.
Finally, I can't believe they didn't throw Smith's ass out of there. What kind of message does that send? Violence should be unacceptable, period.
One consequence to this incident: I was planning to see King Richard. I haven't gotten around to it yet. It looks excellent, and of course I'm a fan of the Williams sisters. Now, I have no desire to see it. Maybe that's a strange reaction, because it could still be an excellent movie. But it's hard to watch an inspirational story, in which the main actor conducts himself in such a way. I doubt I'm the only one.
This dying industry needs any kind of transfusion to stay above water...last night some water wings appeared...
I just got back from YouTube. Please tell me that was an SNL/SCTV parody of In Memoriam. Sidney Poitier slips by unnoticed while Betty White -- and I love her but she wasn't a movie star -- gets a tribute from Jamie Lee Curtis and her dog? What was that gospel choir doing in front of the screen? What about Louie Anderson? -- he was in more movies than Bob Saget. Oscar needs to talk to Turner Classic Movies about doing better next year.
Smith and Rock are both within ten years of my age (younger - 1958-1968).
I have always assumed that if I insulted a man to his face - without the requisite humor - that I might have to defend myself. I also believe that many, if not most, men of my generation understand this.
I don't care enough about the incident to watch "footage" - so no opinion on whether the slap was "justified".
I WILL admit that I'm guilty of checking both man's "vital stats". I confirmed my impression that both are physically imposing and worthy of a second thought before bestowing an insult.
Wanda was ok, but couldn’t match Tiffany.
Amy schmucked.
Kristen Stewart should have won. Poor girl after all the grief she got after the break up with Robert Pattinson.
Recently there has been an official David Letterman Youtube channel created that has been posting clips from his old CBS Late Show. He actually posted a short reaction video today whose whole point was that people can think whatever they want about the job he did hosting Oscars in mid-90s, at least nobody got hit.
Ken , you are bang on! I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And Chris Rock was a complete class act. Okay, maybe he shouldn’t have cracked the joke, but he’s a comic for crissakes! What did they expect? My money says that Will and Chris will co-host next year’s Oscars.
Did I hear correctly that Chris Rock will not "press charges"? This was part of a radio soundbite reporting the incident this morning.
I suppose he stated this to address a question to that effect?
Whatever - I was pleased to hear it. Such an unfortunate incident between men should be allowed to go "down river". Is it unfair to suppose that certain commenters here were not so pleased?
"Just sue his (Smith's) ass"
"call the cops"
"Chris Rock is now the victim"
I DO agree that apologies are called for - good idea there.
STREAMING IS NOT FILM OR TELEVISION, IT'S INTERNET, IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MEDIUM ALTOGETHER!
What do you think: rescind the award? I would vote for it (if I were in the Academy)>
.
Ken, Just do a funny follow up post on how you would have reacted if Will had punched you. Some follow up jokes and stuff...
Hollywood never fails to entertain,
Whoopi who is a board member has already made the statement that they won’t take back the Oscar, but a formal meeting is called and Will will face the action.
What action?
No more free dvds ? No more invites to parties?
I thought Amy Schumer's monologue was hilarious. Can't understand all the hatred of her. People seemed to decide in advance that they wouldn't like her, no matter what she said. And her ad lib of "Did I miss anything?" was also great.
I'm always very bitter that Ken Levine can no longer do his wonderful hilarious Oscars review show because people are a buncha babies out there, but it's even more painful this year, now that the Red Carpet has officially become a Free Nipple zone.
Then The Slap happened, and now I don't know what to think. I assumed it was staged, especially after seeing after the slow motion playback that featured Venus Williams' designer cleavage looking fake-concerned.
But it's all the people who are saying Chris had it coming that I find really disturbing. Smart, good people are defending a violent outburst. I know it wasn't a funny joke and insult comedy is not my thing. But faked or real smack in the head, I'm worried. Looking forward to Ken's follow up.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that this is Will Smith's Kanye moment. Suddenly keeping Kanye West off the stage of the Grammys makes sense in that it builds the tension, and he may only get to be on stage if he wins or storms the stage.
Speaking of "Cheeto Mussolini," Greg Proops called him "Benito Cheeto or Mango Mussolini" in a game of Weird Newscasters one time on Whose Line is it Anyway?
I may have voted for him, but I'm a team player here at By Ken Levine.
What's the over/under on how long it will take for Bad Boys IV with Rock and Smith to get greenlit?
Will Smith revealed the ass-hole that he really is and has, until last night, hidden behind a facade of bonhomie.
@maxdebryn - Similar to you, I saw headlines about Le Slap before seeing it on replay. I just assumed that Will Smith attacked Kid Rock, and I was pondering how Kid Rock got to award an Oscar when that poor girl from West Side Story couldn't manage an invitation.
>> And her ad lib of "Did I miss anything?" was also great.
Let's not give Schumer too much credit. She swiped that 'ad lib' from Dennis Miller. In the first monologue he did on his talk show after the announcement was made that the show was soon to be canceled, Miller told the audience he'd been away over the weekend with no access to media. "Did I miss anything?" he asked the audience. Then he did his high-pitched hyena laugh and acknowledged his show's forthcoming cancelation.
Finally, General Patton is off the hook.
This was absolutely shameful to see. There have been so many worse jokes at the oscars and Will should have controlled himself. And what happened between the minute he was seen laughing at the joke and him jumping up from his chair. On the night that he was favoured to win, this is what he will be remembered for. The fact that he was not escorted out was shocking to me. Only to then win the award and seemed to have been given extra time to speak and a standing ovation. NOPE! I don't want to see him back next year presenting the best actor award.
Comedy is dead. Everybody’s a victim and you can’t poke fun at their expense. It was a good joke. If Rock had said, “Hey Smith, thanks for bringing the bald-headed stooge with you” then the reaction would have been justified. To quote from “The Incredibles” (of all things): “When everyone is super, nobody will be.”
Early results are that the ratings were UP from last year, which, to be fair, were in the toilet. The Academy has to do SOMETHING. They WON'T pull his Oscar. Will they bounce him from next year's Oscar, where he would have been a presenter?
I find it interesting that the Academy said we "don't condone violence" and in the next breath honors the most violent movie ever made, The Godfather. And maybe they don't condone it but you can bet they will revel in the increased ad reveune they'll get from the 2023 Oscars. abd while we're at it, he slapped him and didn't punch him? I bet that increased his reputation in the hood. Wbat's next -- hitting him with a pillow?
In a statement released through his publicist, Smith apologized to Rock, the AP reported Monday night EDT.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is did Chris Rock write that joke or was it one of the writers? He might have got slapped for someone else's words causing offence. I didn't know JS had that disease so the joke itself is bad, from that angle, but I just thought he was referencing her shaved head which I'm sure I've seen plenty of times even before this last year. So there you go, Ukraine's still be bombed to death and we're all talking about The Legend of Slapper Vance (not my joke but I like it!).
And when did the In Memoriam segment turn into a hootenanny!?! I found it terribly distracting to the segment. At times, the camera would swoop in for closeups of the singers and dancers, while the photos of the recently deceased was pushed into the background.
It truly was a disservice to those who have passed.
@ Douglas Trapasso
Apparently there will be a Bad Boys 4 as I saw it on Will Smith's IMDB page.
@Kosmo13- I doubt Schumer stole that line from Miller. It's an old joke and Miller certainly didn't come up with it.
Before we think about taking the award away from Will Smith, let's remember that other best actor winners were less than perfect. Was Sean Penn an angel? What about Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy?
Will made one mistake. And who wouldn't be upset to see his wife insulted?
I think "Cheeto Mussolini" is Shower Cap lingo. He refers to Dorito Mussolini, Cheeto Himmler, and (my favorite) Cheeto Broderick Crawford. New posts on his blog are up on Friday nights.
How come Kevin Hart and Dave Chapelle are not commenitng ON the Chris Rock SLAP INCIDENT and the apology.
Mike Barer: That was then and this is now. I'm baffled by the attitude that it's OK to slap someone like that because "they're men". I'm also fascinated, though, by the way the training that "the show must go on" held for every single person there.
I'm also amazed that anyone still remembers GI JANE. Even Demi Moore hasn't been heard from in years, has she?
wg
@Mike Barer- I would imagine it's more or less agreed the award shouldn't be taken away from Smith. His performance in the King Richard movie and what he did to Rock are two mutually exclusive things. That his wife (and given their lifestyle that term is used in the general sense) was the butt of a joke does not give him license to physically assault Rock. Whether he gets a chance to win another award however is highly unlikely. What's puzzling is why you invoke Sean Penn and Humphrey Bogart. Nonconformists to be sure, but if you can dig up footage of either one of those guys punching someone on an Oscar stage then we can revisit the topic.
@ Mike Barer
Seriously?
Ah yes, the "whataboutism" argument. The last ditch defense to excuse stupid behavior. It goes like this: "What Will Smith did isn't bad, 'cuz other actors at other times have done... well, at least something bad, so that excuses every bad act by everybody because personal accountability is meaningless.
Here's the flaw in your "whataboutism" argument: if Humphrey Bogart or Sean Penn did something bad in the past, it's still bad. It doesn't lessen anyone's accountability for their own conduct. If Penn was an asshole, it doesn't have anything to do with (and doesn't excuse) Will Smith being an asshole. If Penn or Bogart didn't suffer any repercussions from their behavior (assuming there was some behavior equivalent to slapping a guy on national TV because your feelings were hurt), what does that have to do with anything? Would you feel the same way if a guy who got caught burglarizing your house was released by the police because hey, lots of guys never get held accountable for committing burglaries, so why should we make this poor guy pay the price for his conduct?
As for Smith being justified because Rock "made him do it" with his words, congrats...you're now following the thought process of just about every suspect I ever arrested for domestic violence. "It's not my fault, Officer, she made me do it, she just wouldn't shut up!" A 53 year old man who slaps a 57 year old man over a shitty joke isn't a hero defending his family; he's a five year old kid with poor impulse control. Smith would have looked like a hero if he'd kept his mouth shut, accepted his Oscar, and during his acceptance speech would have paid tribute to his wife with a statement about how much he loves her, hair or not. Rock would have looked like the jerk after something like that. That's what a thinking rational guy would do.
Nothing new to add, I just wanted to make it 101 posts !
Dana White Said...
If you people like seeing people get slapped around -- check out the UFC. Constant violence without any boring, self-aggrandizing, speeches.
Anyone blaming security, this is monday morning quarterbacking. Can you imagine if they had stopped Will Smith? They would have all ended up fired and unemployable in Hollywood.
Ken, nobody is okay with the January 6th incursion. There are those who think the illegal actions of a minority of those peacefully protesting are being horribly exploited for political gain, and once again, something that should bring almost all of us together is being used to divide us further. It is trying to tie a whole political party to the riotous actions of a few. And some believe the Congressional actions are a pretext to harm President Trump and provide a legal reason why he cannot run for election again. And some believe that those detained for unlawful actions should be punished, but some of the sentences seem unduly punitive, and those accused deserve the same due process as anyone else charged with a crime. But no, nobody is cool with it, nobody is defending it. It was wrong. Deplorable. Whatever adjective you want to use. Period.
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