# So Will Smith punched Chris Rock at the Oscars last night **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comedian-jokes, talk-variety-show\ **Created:** [March 28, 2022, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826 "2022-03-28T08:32:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/701 "2022-04-09T13:37:04Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Fortunately, Mononeon has [set it to music.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcX0hLtPwPI) [As has The Kiffness.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUJ--GOu0Fs) ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/702 "2022-04-09T14:19:19Z")
What are the chances he’ll be banned from any other movie awards shows, especially those that feature movies his fans actually care about? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/703 "2022-04-09T17:25:05Z")
Maybe less banned than simply left off the invitation list. For a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/704 "2022-04-09T17:28:00Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > For the record, in all of the crisis management scenarios my colleagues and I dreamed up over the years, none of us ever dreamed up “major industry figure blows up on international TV and slaps a well-known figure presenting an award.” But wouldn’t you have had a contingency for “well-known figure on stage is assaulted”? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/705 "2022-04-09T18:33:54Z")
I suspect that people anticipate that possibility as part of the larger contingency “Intruder in the auditorium” to which the programmed response is “security chases him down and throws him out” with the expectation that security catches him before any assault happens. Writing a contingency plan for “honored audience member charges the stage and hits a presenter” would have been a touchy situation - because such things leak out (two years ago, it might have been a minor scandal if the Oscars admitted that they had a plan for what to do if such a thing happened). Next year, they’ll have a plan (and probably publicize it). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/706 "2022-04-09T21:21:46Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > But wouldn’t you have had a contingency for “well-known figure on stage is assaulted”? Of course. The contingency plan is “Let security and the police handle it.” And the police were right there, ready to arrest the slapper. Except the victim didn’t want to press charges. At which point the police went to _their_ contingency plan of, “Okay, you two work it out.” That threw the problem back into the Academy’s lap. Way back in [Post #475](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/475), I supposed that the only person at that point with the absolute authority to throw Will Smith out was the Academy president, [David Rubin](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0748039/). And Rubin was getting all sorts of advice from all sides, ranging from say nothing at all (not even that namby-pamby apology the hosts read), to throw out Will Smith and not award the Best Actor category at all that night. Who knows what the lawyers were telling him to do (PR people always blame the lawyers for bad decisions.) Looking back at the earliest posts in this thread, there were a number of posters who felt that Chris Rock was in the wrong for making the joke in the first place. Part of David Rubin’s calculus was to read the room. And the members of the Academy gave Will Smith a standing ovation when his name was announced, and let him party with them after the show. By that evidence, the correct decision was to let Smith stay and let the show go on. To be clear, I believe it was the wrong decision. If it had been me, I would have had Smith escorted from the premises, thank Chris Rock by name in the Academy’s in-show apology and not allowed Smith back in the building to accept his Oscar. And Smith’s enablers in the audience should have sat on their hands when his name was announced. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/707 "2022-04-10T07:02:31Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Unilaterally? No one was told at any point they were that person, is what I surmise. Are you suggesting there is no one in the control room (or somewhere in the building) who is the highest authority in the place to make decisions? Granted that person has bosses but they are not there. That person is the final say on what happens during that event. That’s literally their job. How can there not be such a person? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/708 "2022-04-10T07:29:03Z")
I don’t think this was posted or mentioned yet – Bill Maher had a really good take on the whole thing on his show Friday night: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/p-c2eUltH58/maxresdefault.jpg "Explaining Jokes to Idiots: Oscars Edition | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-c2eUltH58) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/709 "2022-04-10T08:03:16Z")
He makes good points. The joke against Jada was very tame and not even a slam against her (GI Jane was good looking). Comedy is being nerfed which is a loss to us all. Comedians should be able to do their thing and be crude and offensive and shocking. If you do not like them then do not go see them, do not watch them on TV. But, especially, DO NOT hire them for your event or place if you don’t like their routine. Honestly, Chris Rock tamed down his performance for the Oscars. Nothing he did was remotely out-of-bounds. If I were him I’d sue Smith. He could claim a small fortune for damage to reputation and whatnot. Never have to work again (although I think he is already wealthy…this would just be easy cash and retire). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/710 "2022-04-10T08:08:09Z")
More realistically, Rock had (and still has) the opportunity to cause Smith some real legal problems. Rock has chosen to take the high road instead, probably at least in part because pressing charges or suing the guy would not be a good look. But he’s probably savouring Smith’s loss of Academy membership and 10-year ban from the Oscars. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/711 "2022-04-10T08:12:14Z")
I’d be surprised if Rock was not talking to his attorneys and exploring the ins and outs of suing Smith. Maybe nothing comes of it but I’d bet it is being discussed. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/712 "2022-04-10T09:26:44Z")
Bill Maher’s preachy tone sometimes gets on my nerves, but IMHO, that clip is 100% spot on and exactly describes the Smith/Rock fiasco. Kudos to Maher for voicing a disgusting, depressing trend in today’s culture. Practicing _defensive comedy_ is a regrettable drift and it’s simply not funny. And, I agree that suing Smith for monetary damages would not be a good look for Rock. Taking the higher road would be to joke along the lines of _Will Smith planning to donate 100% of his King Richard income to charity for domestic violence—because it’s good to be King._ Let peer pressure hit Smith hard in the pocketbook while sending a clear message. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/713 "2022-04-10T10:00:18Z")
Nah, Bill Maher is a dumbass. His canned audience laughter is annoying, his jokes are boring, and his anti-SJW pet peeves about “cancel culture” blinds him. Maher, people are allowed to dislike you, or any other comedian, for whatever reason. Get over it. Or don’t, doesn’t matter. This is not a wild idea, but people are allowed to “cancel” celebrities (whatever this means), but no one is allowed to hit you. Rock shouldn’t have been struck, not because of “Cancel culture”, but simply because comedians are human beings who are guaranteed the right of personal safety. Free of battery or threat of physical harm. Not complex. Smith committed a crime (under any juridiction in the western world) against Rock. Openly, with fanfare. Battery and assault should not be a thing that just happens to people. Even to those that we don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/714 "2022-04-10T10:15:51Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Nah, Bill Maher is a dumbass. His canned audience laughter is annoying, his jokes are boring, and his anti-SJW pet peeves about “cancel culture” blinds him. Maher, people are allowed to dislike you, or any other comedian, for whatever reason. Get over it. Or don’t, doesn’t matter. Bill Maher has his detractors, but that’s a ridiculous over-the-top attack. Every Friday night, he interviews an important public figure or authority in their field, and then spends the rest of the show discussing topical issues with two (used to be three) panelists. He does it with an excellent grasp of the issues, great conversational skills, and a well-honed sense of comedy. You try doing that sometime. It’s a lot harder than it looks, and it’s no job for a “dumbass”. _Real Time_ has won many Emmys and is now in its 20th season, for good reason. Maher an imperfect human being, like all of us, but he’s one of my favourite comedians and talk-show hosts. And yes, that clip is totally spot-on. Anyway, this is not the place to argue about Bill Maher. There are already several threads about him where you can rant all you like. ETA: And where do you get “canned laughter”? The show was done _ **live** _ for 19 years, FFS. This is the first year it’s being pre-taped, but nothing is “canned”. Maybe you’re thinking of the period during the COVID lockdown when Maher was doing the show from his house, and they used the sound and imagery of laughter from old film clips – but that was deliberately contrived for comedic effect, just for those particular shows. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/715 "2022-04-10T10:27:53Z")
If you don’t like “dumbass”, how about “old coot” who uses his anti-SJW pet peeves about cancel culture as an all consuming gripe that blinds him to the real problems with Smith physically assaulting Rock. “Dem’ blue 'aired, woke Kids. at university colleges! They’re the real problem here!” Nah, dumbass also fits here. > [@wolfpup](#): > > And where do you get “canned laughter”? The show was done _ **live** _ for 19 years, FFS. This is the first year it’s being pre-taped, but nothing is “canned”. The laughter in your link sounds very canned despite it also has an audience. Very sus. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/716 "2022-04-10T10:50:54Z")
Of course assault and battery is an illegal offense and that alone is the reason Smith should be punished. And yet…there is blow-back from a not insignificant number of people that Smith was _almost_ justified in slapping Rock…because of a joke. A joke _they_ deem insensitive and therefore off limit. There would be _no_ blow-back if Rock didn’t make a joke and Smith simply slapped him for no reason. But Rock made a joke that some believe was off limit and their attitude appears to be, _well Rock kinda deserved it._ Cause/effect. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/717 "2022-04-10T11:21:18Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > There would be _no_ blow-back if Rock didn’t make a joke and Smith simply slapped him for no reason. But Rock made a joke that some believe was off limit and their attitude appears to be, _well Rock kinda deserved it._ Cause/effect. I can’t tell whether that’s also your opinion. (you may have said something upthread I don’t remember, but from this text here I can’t tell). Of course we know that some people have that opinion. Some people believe in Bigfoot too. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/718 "2022-04-10T11:39:19Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > I can’t tell whether that’s also your opinion. No, that’s not my opinion. I believe stand-up comedians should be free to joke about anything, with very few exceptions (e.g. joking _“fire!”_ in a crowded theater would be an exception). Let the market determine a comics fate. If he’s not funny, or pisses off too many people, ticket sales and job opportunities will plummet. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/719 "2022-04-10T11:42:32Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > Let the market determine a comics fate. If he’s not funny, or pisses off too many people, ticket sales and job opportunities will plummet. OK. Thanks. I don’t see this as a freedom of standup issue. Just a straight up anti-violence issue. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826/720 "2022-04-10T11:44:18Z")
The embarrassing standing ovation for Will Smith isn’t enough to convince you that “a not insignificant number of people” believed that Smith was pretty much justified in assaulting a comedian on stage? That’s the part that really amazed me. It was just an appalling demonstration of hypocritical double standards among the so-called “woke” Hollywood elites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-smith-punched-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-last-night/961826.md?page=37)