OK. I’m not defending Rock. I noted that his joke was insensitive (like that is a rare thing in comedy). Yes, he referred to her baldness, but not in an insulting way. And there is no way Smith’s response was warranted.
She was sitting in the front row because her husband was nominated and she was there to support him, not because she wanted attention.
Really good point. How many comedians are now going to make a point of making fun of the incident? And people are going to talking about the slap, not Smith winning.
Imagine she were in a wheelchair, and Chris Rock making a joke about her appearing in a movie about somebody paralyzed.
Then people would rightfully spend the night talking about what a shitty and tasteless joke it was. Still not a good reason to run up, swinging.
I used to love watching the Oscars but I’ve hardly seen a movie in a theater in years. Now that I’ve seen the clip of Smith/Rock I can think of other stage shenanigans that were better than this. I have a feeling it was staged.
True.
Jada Pinkett Smith didn’t want attention…are you kidding me? Did you see the gown she was wearing?
I understand he was stunned but Rock missed a chance for some nice follow ups. Smith upstaged you, hit you, AND you let him get the last joke in? Poor form. Last one is inexcusable for a comic.
According to the LA police, he has declined to file a complaint. I wonder if he will totally let it go or if Will Smith (or bald jokes) will become the subject of his stand-up routine?
(Normally) The only weapon a comic truly has are their jokes. Rock was speechless. Wasted chance to bring the roof down. All he needed to say was “The best hit you had in ages” "or “What’s that? Keep your wife’s name out of my fucking mouth? Jeez, you kiss August’s girl with that mouth?”
I understand. He was stunned. But it would’ve been a SHOW CLOSER. You missed your chance Rock. Comedians only have their wit.
I mean, a comic who can’t tell a joke under pressure is like a rapper who can’t swear.
It was a pretty dress, worn for a dressy occasion. It wasn’t Cher’s 1986 Oscars dress.
Will Smith after the show (this is a JOKE…not real):
His PR people are hoping this take catches on. In order to sell it, Rock would have to cooperate, and I don’t see that happening.
No, no, that would have been Donald Trump presenting an Oscar.
Was this Smith’s first glimpse of an awards show? Hosts and presenters poke fun, brace yourself. Anyone remember Ricky Gervais’ skewering of the Hollywood folks?
OK, the joke wasn’t very funny (Rock’s 2016 joke about PInkett Smith was much more amusing), but man oh man, lighten up, Smith. You made yourself look foolish.
And then the acceptance speech, where he put on quite the performance and spiritualized about how he is “overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to be and do in this world” while the waterworks flowed. So God is calling on you to react to words with violence? And you couch this in “protecting your family” language?
Rock’s joke fell flat. It should have been left on the ground.
mmm
To paraphrase Chris Rock:
“Now I’m not saying he should have slapped him… but I understand.”
This is certainly going to make the comedy rounds, but I think Smith will be just fine about people poking fun at him, for something he did, rather than poking fun at his wife’s medical condition.
Ms Smith is a celebrity in her own right and jokes about both her and Will are fair game.
I know of alopecia quite well and nothing about her buzzed scalp with no obvious bald spots screams alopecia to me. Probably some population of her fans know she has that condition but those who do not slavishly follow her would not. Mr Rock may not follow her slavishly and have understood her shaved head to be a fashion statement, like most of us did, fair game. She has made a conscious choice to embrace the look. I think she rocks it but for her as a celebrity to very publicly embrace it and not be steeled for comments? Oh FFS.
More fair a joke I think than an earlier one made referencing their open marriage, a pretty intimate and sensitive subject to joke about. Neither one was funny.
Maybe some of the slap reaction was displaced anger from that.
No excuse.
Chris Rock hasn’t been funny for a long time, wasn’t last night, but I am impressed with him here.
Will Smith trying to spin this punk ass slap as a macho defending his wife (who he apparently thinks cannot defend herself), a part of god calling on him to be a river protecting others was beyond pathetic.
The real winner last night was Mel Gibson. He should send Smith a thank you note.