Oscars. The slap heard around the world…

[Hector]

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock live on stage during the Academy Awards.

Thoughts?

[Earth 2 Chris]

I understand Smith being upset over Rock making fun of his wife for a medical condition she cannot help. But slapping him on stage like that was uncalled for. Use your words, Will.

Besides, it's Chris Rock. Expect to be offended. You can rebuttal all you want, but slapping someone on live TV at the biggest, most prestigious event of your profession is just low.

Bottom line: Smith should have asked Rock to apologize, and he should have. But it wasn't worth physical violence, and sends a bad message.

Chris

[CrimsonGhost]

In Will’s defense, this is the first big hit he’s has in decades!

[Hector]

In Will’s defense, this is the first big hit he’s has in decades!

[Hector]

I understand Smith being upset over Rock making fun of his wife for a medical condition she cannot help. But slapping him on stage like that was uncalled for. Use your words, Will.

Besides, it's Chris Rock. Expect to be offended. You can rebuttal all you want, but slapping someone on live TV at the biggest, most prestigious event of your profession is just low.

Bottom line: Smith should have asked Rock to apologize, and he should have. But it wasn't worth physical violence, and sends a bad message.

Chris

Agreed.

Was Chris Rock’s joke in bad taste? Absolutely. Given that Jada is suffering from alopecia. The GI Jane joke obviously did not sit well with her. But that’s Chris Rock’s thing, like Ricky Garvis. They are roasters extraordinaries. He’s been doing that for decades. Heck, the Smiths know that. Will Smith and Chris Rock have worked together.

It might start a wave of people storming the stage and start assaulting comedians.

And yes, the best way to have handled it was to asked, not physical assault. Making crass and inappropriate jokes is not against the law, physical assault is. Luckily for Will Smith, Chris Rock declined to press charges.

I read the Academy seriously considered removing Will Smith from the theater. But timing was on his side, as Best Actor category was next.

However, this is the number one thing that gets me about Will Smith, and it could be interpreted as even worse than the slap itself…HE LAUGHED AT THE JOKE! Only when he saw the desdain on his wife’s face, did he change his tune.

And lastly. Either Chris Rock has an iron chin or Will Smith hits like a Smurf, lol.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Making crass and inappropriate jokes is not against the law, physical assault is. Luckily for Will Smith, Chris Rock declined to press charges.

Very well said. That's the real thing, Smith committed an act of assualt.

[Megotastrophe]

To me, it looked like tha edge of Smith's palm struck Rock's padded shoulder and dragged along his collarbone softening the blow. I think if it hadn't, Rock would have been knocked a lot further back.

[Megotastrophe]

I guess everybody really does hate Chris.

[sprytel]

However, this is the number one thing that gets me about Will Smith, and it could be interpreted as even worse than the slap itself…HE LAUGHED AT THE JOKE! Only when he saw the desdain on his wife’s face, did he change his tune.

I think we have all been in that situation where we outwardly laugh at something to put on the brave face of "I can take a joke" when inside you find it very hurtful.

[Brown Bear]

If Dwayne Johnson was hosting and made the exact same joke, Fresh Prince wouldn’t have left his seat. He behaved like a spoiled bully. I was disappointed to hear that not only was he NOT removed the building but later got an award.
I guess anyone who gets heckled by a comedian is free to assault them without consequences.

[PNGwynne]

...He behaved like a spoiled bully.

There's a lot of that going around, and for a while now. Often, it's quite acceptable and even lauded. I'm amused that anyone would be truly surprised or "outraged" by this.

[monitor_ep]

Chris Rock has been using the Smith's family in his comedy for years, finally during an emotional night it caught up with him. He is lucky it was just a b**ch slap instead of an actual hit

[Hector]

If Dwayne Johnson was hosting and made the exact same joke, Fresh Prince wouldn’t have left his seat.

Damn right…

[Earth 2 Chris]

Chris Rock has been using the Smith's family in his comedy for years, finally during an emotional night it caught up with him. He is lucky it was just a b**ch slap instead of an actual hit

That doesn't give him the right to assault the guy. If that was the case, Don Rickles would have died of contusions 60 years ago.

[Nostalgiabuff]

Smith was totally out of line. yes, the joke was in very poor taste, but they should be used to it. you have to have thick skin to be in the public eye and both Will and Jada have been famous for decades. i suspect this will be held against him for the near future, and then like everything else in Hollyweird some new scandal will divert attention away