Will Smith punches Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.

[CheeseMuffin]

I think I speak for us all when I ask WTF just happened?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/27/will-smith-punch-chris-rock-wife-joke-gi-jane-video-oscars

Someone who can control their anger does not resort to any sort of violence

Violence isn't always because someone has lost control. Some people genuinely think violence is an acceptable response to an insult. I don't think it is, but lots and lots of people do.

Assault not insult 😑

@Honeyroar

I think that the “joke” was awful and Jada was clearly floored by it. If WS had stood up and shouted out that it was a completely inappropriate, rude, offensive thing to say about someone with a medical condition who is trying to hold their head up and get on with her life the whole place would probably have given him a round of applause. However him hitting CR and his shouting and swearing made him look bad too.

I hate the oscars anyway, it’s contrived and boring. Not particularly an indication of talent either.

This

And this is how far we have come in 2022...

Man 1 makes misogynist joke about a women's appearance not conforming to stereotypical beauty standards.
Man 2 is so full of toxic masculinity he resorts violence to teach Man 1 a lesson, thus reinforcing other stereotypes that women can not defend themselves against such "banter" and/or that he doesn't tolerate his possessions to be disrespected. The "Take my wife's name out of your fucking mouth" tirade was horrific. So what's pissing you off here? The fact that he made fun of a woman's appearance or the fact that he did it to a woman who belongs to you.

Why do men feel they comment on women's appearance? She is obviously upset.

I think Will Smith laughing is the face he is used to putting on (or when he is nervous) and is boiling inside.

can I ask what is misogynistic about GI Jane (asking as a fellow baldy)

Actually Will Smith showed great restraint! His assault was symbolic and did not cause real injury. It was with an open hand and he walked away after slapping him.

That is an absolutely sickening thing to say @Cindie943811A

Men commit violence against others all the time - for you to come on and say something like that in a space where women open up about the beatings they receive from men is appalling.

Nothing about Will Smith's reaction was restrained. Nothing.

there's something about Scientology that on top of celebrity just messes with people sense of self.

And I don't think Jada was "floored" by the comment. I think she was livid. And having watched her Red Table Talks, she is a highly intelligent, funny, capable and forthright woman. She could have and probably will address what Chris Rock said in a much more considered and effective way than Will Smith did.

"It makes me feel really sad that anyone is actually thinking this is real when Chris Rock isn't in the clip. And yet not shocked. Things haven't moved on as much as we would all like to think"

This is good old They All Look The Same.

🤬🤬🤬🤬

My sons get mixed up despite not looking anything like each other. It's really common. Draw your own conclusions. I know I do.

@GrantedIamtired

What is predictable is MN minimising and overlooking Jada's hurt. The focus will be on violence which should be but shocking how black women are a fair game in comedy

I'm certainly not minimising her hurt. It was a horrible "joke". But that doesn't make Will Smith hitting the other guy "okay"; neither does the fact that it was "only" an open handed slap.

Imagine the outcry if this was a DV thread "oh he only slapped her and she asked for it". Not acceptable at all.

@IncompleteSenten

"It makes me feel really sad that anyone is actually thinking this is real when Chris Rock isn't in the clip. And yet not shocked. Things haven't moved on as much as we would all like to think"

This is good old They All Look The Same.

🤬🤬🤬🤬

My sons get mixed up despite not looking anything like each other. It's really common. Draw your own conclusions. I know I do.

It's so disappointing every time isn't it? And revealing.

@gazprom

can I ask what is misogynistic about GI Jane (asking as a fellow baldy)

Oh come on. The character is fine and not suffering from hair loss; she has a buzz cut because she's in the army. Her baldness is a choice that empowers the character, not a medical condition that causes distress.

The joke compared a woman who has lost her hair in real life to a fictitious character who chose to shave her head. It is a dig at the hair loss that plays on the same obtuse disingenuousness that you're displaying now.

@gazprom

can I ask what is misogynistic about GI Jane (asking as a fellow baldy)

Absolutely nothing.

The amount of tiptoeing around this from others in the public eye is ridiculous.

Lorraine, giggling though her interview with whatshisface who's in the States. He interviewed a few celebs afterwards all of them finding it uncomfortable to just simply say violence is not ok.

It seems people aren't really ready to stand up and be counted unless there is some sort of movement happening that they can hang onto the coattails of.

The Hollywood 'elite' are as bad as politicians. Self serving.

I had never heard of Rock or Jada, knew of Will Smith obviously. I agree with the PPs who said that Smith has made it all about him, his reaction was because "my wife" was "disrespected". The reaction to the "joke" should have been for her to determine, not him. And of course should not have involved violence by anyone.

I also agree that Smith was definitely high on something.

Will Smith managed the impossible which was to make me think Chris Rock was professional and controlled. Lots of people would have responded instinctually with a push or return slap, and the entire situation would have escalated.

The bullshit about violence being ok if you're defending your wife's honour ffs are we in medieval times?! There's no excuse for violence - not if your wife is upset; not if your emotions are high because it's a big work event.

It's making me sick that there are people trying to gaslight young women into seeing a violent male as the epitome of desirability and as a barometer of love. It's toxic af.

I love Will Smith. I'm so disappointed that he trashed what should have been the pinnacle of his career; that he tarnished the achievement of the film and the William's sisters in having such a successful film made. It should have been a night focused on achievement and breaking down barriers - instead he turned it into a night that will be remembered for violence.

And I agree with a PP, that checking into rehab might be the best next move for him.

@gazprom

can I ask what is misogynistic about GI Jane (asking as a fellow baldy)

It was misogynistic because women are expected to adhere to certain standards of beauty including having long, flowing locks. in the film GI Jane, the character Jordan, despite being a shit hot navy seal, can only solidify her standing by shaving her head in a symbolic shedding of her femaleness. The message being that you can't be both female and a hard ass. That removing your hair makes you less of a woman. We know this is utter bullshit.

Jada has alopecia. But she is still subject to this notion that baldness makes her less of a woman and by Chris comparing her to GI Jane, he was hi lighting this in a room full of people for whom image is crucial to success. It was a shit joke. GI Jane was a million years ago.

He deserved the slap. It was not a joke. In the same way some banter clearly isn’t “banter”. My husband would have done the same but then I know he fiercely loves me and would never have me disrespected like that in public.

People always come up against it going around acting like that and sometimes you trigger someone who you would never think would be capable of violence.

He might think twice next time. I hope Will doesn’t feel too upset by the whole thing.

@Soul11Soul

And this is how far we have come in 2022...

Man 1 makes misogynist joke about a women's appearance not conforming to stereotypical beauty standards.
Man 2 is so full of toxic masculinity he resorts violence to teach Man 1 a lesson, thus reinforcing other stereotypes that women can not defend themselves against such "banter" and/or that he doesn't tolerate his possessions to be disrespected. The "Take my wife's name out of your fucking mouth" tirade was horrific. So what's pissing you off here? The fact that he made fun of a woman's appearance or the fact that he did it to a woman who belongs to you.

^^ nailed it!

Wait, what? It wasn't Chris Rock in the clip? I'd heard of his name but I had no idea what he looked like until I saw the story. I've clearly missed something. What do you guys mean?

I am asking as someone who is bald with alopecia - It's kjust remarking on the shortness of the hair juxtaposed with another famous film image

I fail to see that there is a negative slant.

It's not a joke about her being ugly, or unattractive (GI Jane actually was very attractive)

I mean we all have eyes and can see Jada, it's not like she is hiding it. And everyone gets gussied up and people talk about their appearance

Jesus the joke would have been scripted on his behalf so Chris rock is at fault for not arguing to amend it but whether that would have been possible we don't know.
Will Smith was laughing at the bloody crap joke before he then decided he would get on stage and assault Chris rock. Violence is never OK whether he thinks it's justified or not it was disgusting behaviour as was will Smith ranting when he sat back down -making others feel uncomfortable in the process.
If will Smith wasn't an A lister he would have been removed I think the fact he wasn't and was celebrated and consoled by his peer is disgusting tbh.

I'm glad the joke didn't distress you, but it clearly was not meant to draw a parallel with GI Jane being badass and cool or to imply there's something wrong with GI Jane. It was to imply that there's something wrong with being bald.

@DrSbaitso

Wait, what? It wasn't Chris Rock in the clip? I'd heard of his name but I had no idea what he looked like until I saw the story. I've clearly missed something. What do you guys mean?

The "follow up" clip (apparently showing a man watching the slap on a phone) has been mocked up, some people posted it here thinking it was Chris (looks and sounds nothing like him).