The Oscars are in the headlines again. Many wonder if the Academy’s mostly downward viewership spiral will continue; others wonder if there will be more “unplanned” outbursts such as actor Will Smith’s notable on-stage slap of Chris Rock last year.
After the “slap heard around the world,” Will Smith, in the following order, was presented with an Academy Award for his role in “King Richard,” received a standing ovation from the audience, apologized to Chris Rock and was banned from Academy Award ceremonies for 10 years.
As Sunday’s Academy Award show approaches, reporters asked Will Smith to comment on last year’s events, which left him embroiled in controversy.
His comments were of interest to many as Chris Rock recently doubled down on poking fun at the Smith family (in addition to many other notables) during his stand-up routine aired on Netflix.
The source said: “Will is embarrassed and hurt by what Chris said about him and his family in his Netflix special.” The source reported that Smith did not watch Rock’s show but “had people tell him what Chris said.”
The source added: “Will and Jada (Pinkett Smith) have seen comments about it.”
Smith referred to Rock’s comedy routine as “disgraceful.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is on full alert. It has announced the development of a “crisis team” to study the situation and mitigate the potential for similar outbursts in the future.
CEO of the Academy Bill Kramer, who stepped into his position in July 2022, declared the “crisis team” will intervene should the unexpected happen during Sunday’s event.
Kramer reported. “We have a whole crisis team, something we’ve never had before, and many plans in place.”
Kramer added: “We’ve run many scenarios. So it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we’re planning for just in case it does happen.”
Host of the 2023 event, Jimmy Kimmel, has reportedly vowed to assault anyone who attempts to slap him.
Rock’s insensitive comments during the 2022 Awards show prompted the slap. Rock compared Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett, to Demi Moore’s bald “G.I. Jane” character. Pinkett has alopecia, and Will took offense at Rock’s comments.
During last Saturday’s live standup routine on Netflix, Rock accused Smith of displaced anger — noting Pinkett’s widely publicized May to December affair with singer August Alsina. The Smiths had previously talked about their “open marriage.
“Everybody in the world called him a ______,” Rock said of Smith. “Everybody. Everybody. And who’s he hit? Me.”
Rock continued: “Everybody … knows. Yes! It happened. I got smacked like a year ago. I got smacked in the … Oscars. People like, ‘Did it hurt?’ It still hurts! I got ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears!” Rock joked, referring to Smith’s 1991 duet hit with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
“But I’m not a victim, baby,” Rock assured his audience. “You will never see me on Oprah or Gayle [King], crying.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
