Will Smith

[tiggerblue10]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60897004

Do you think Will was justified in slapping one on Chris Rock? I really like Will and will admit to having a wee crush on him but he shouldn't have resorted to violence. Having said that, Chris was an idiot saying what he said considering Jada has a medical condition, alopecia.

[Ken4155]

Correction, Will Smith laughs, his wife rolls her eyes.

[bhg481]

When you're deciding whether or not it was staged please bear in mind that Will Smith is ac actor.

[Barsel]

Ken, did you watch the video I put on @13.01?
I think he meant business.

[anneasquith]

If this “ punch/ slap was totally unexpected, is CR not going to retaliate in some way ?

[Ken4155]

Yes Barsel, watch Smith's reaction immediately the joke has been told. He is laughing but his wife rolls her eyes. Something not quite right with the whole scenario unless Smith caught his wife's reaction and thought, "Oh oh. Shouldn't have laughed at that one. Better do something or i'll be sleeping in the spare room for a fortnight."

[Barsel]

Anne, not if he's scared to.

[Ken4155]

Davebro @ 12;58; "he shoulda followed up with a left hook!"

He obviously forgot the boxing combos taught to him while filming Ali :-/

[Barsel]

I thought he laughed before that 'joke' but I don't think Will Smith would have shouted out like that if he didn't mean it.
You're right though that when he saw his wife's expression, or perhaps she said something, then he got up.

[sp1814]

We watched it live and at first I thought it was a set-up because the punch didn't appear to land and it was accompanied by what we assumed was a drumbeat from the orchestra.

But we rewound it and that when we realised that it wasn't staged at all because when Rock was punched to was really shocked and then when Smith when back to his seat, he let off a stream of expletives. There's no way the show's producers would've allowed that as it goes out during prime time in the US.

tiggerblue10 - in answer to your question.

Justified - no.
Understandable - yes.
Career damaging - possibly.

[burlyshirley]

I'm a big fan of Will Smith and this hasn't put me off.

[youngmafbog]

Seems fair enough to me. Dont go round insulting someones trouble.

[pixie374]

13:25, Ken... that seems to be the suggestion on fb. That he was laughing, until he saw his wife's reaction and them retaliated.
Obviously, violence isn't a good thing- particularly if you can't do it :-)

[New Judge]

I never watch the Oscars or any other such ceremony where Thespians feel the need to hand out prizes to each other. Nor do I watch any films which have attracted such awards. Well I did - twice - ("Ghandi" and "A Passage to India"). Never again.

Shame I missed this performance as it may have been mildly entertaining for two minutes in between the Luvvies thanking everybody from their dog to their primary school teacher for making them so rich. Needless to say I've no idea who either of the two combatants are.

[choux]

For the love of Murgatroyd...

a) initially Smith laughed along with the joke, so I reckon his wife had to show her disapproval before he changed his attitude
b) he exercised violent behaviour and foul language
c) he stayed to accept his award (as widely predicted he would be the winner)
d) he then made a very long speech during which he shed tears and other from his nose
e) he attended, en famille, the awards party.

I could have admired the man if he had immediately taken exception to the "humour", stood up and taken his wife's hand to lead her out of the auditorium, forsaking the rest of the ceremony.

There are not many industries that reward people above and beyond their wages/salaries for doing their jobs. The hype that is given to some of these actors and directors etc. takes so much away from more deserving people.

The Oscars got what it deserved last night and was shown to be the sad event it has become. Just goes to show what inclusion can bring forth.

[Ken4155]

I'm totally with NJ on the subject of awards ceremonies. Alongside reality shows, they are the most boring tv shows ever to have been inflicted upon the viewer. IMHO, of course.

[bednobs]

what an odd thing to say - "goes to show what inclusion brings forth" are you saying if the protagonists were white it wouldnt have happened?

[douglas9401]

Big jessie slaps clown, real world not concerned at all.

[choux]

Not indeed, it seems that inclusion was the buzzword for this year's Oscars attention. They should have had a wider view of all areas. Why they think it is clever to have some of the hosts they choose is beyond me.

[bednobs]

i'm still really stuggling to understand what you mean
"They should have had a wider view of all areas" doesn't that mean MORE inclusion?

[bednobs]

in any case, i don't really know why i'm getting involved, didnt watch it, didnt want to, don't care who slapped who.
There is a long tradition of picking rubbish hosts