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Will Smith punches Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.

999 replies

CheeseMuffin · 28/03/2022 04:10

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

OP posts:
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5
VampireMoney · 28/03/2022 05:37

Initially I thought it was real. And then I thought would will Smith really jeopardise his entire career by publicly assaulting someone on live television?? I highly doubt it tbh.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 28/03/2022 05:41

@VampireMoney

Initially I thought it was real. And then I thought would will Smith really jeopardise his entire career by publicly assaulting someone on live television?? I highly doubt it tbh.
But what would the point of staging it be? He did it really, really hard and continued to shout afterwards while people sat stunned in silence then in the break appeared to console him as he presumably realised what a monumentally stupid thing he had done and how it will tarnish his career. Chris Rock also looked completely stunned and quite emotional when he continued to present after. I don't see any possible reason either party would have staged it.
VampireMoney · 28/03/2022 05:45

@youvegottenminuteslynn honestly don't know what the point would be, perhaps to raise awareness that alopecia is no joking matter? Either way it was bloody bizarre to watch! Never liked Chris Rock's brand of 'humour' anyway.

ChipsAreLife · 28/03/2022 05:47

Will repeatedly shouting after it makes it feel more real. Lupita looked very uncomfortable as he did too.

The joke went too far (although Demi Moore was gorgeous in that role!). I wish Will would have responded with words (not the ones he did) and cut Chris down that way.

I'm surprised he wasn't removed. Violence is never ok, let alone in front of millions.

Dutchesss · 28/03/2022 05:48

You can tell that the anger, when Will Smith sits down, is real. I'm Shock

AnastasiaRomanov · 28/03/2022 05:48

It was obviously not a joke. If it was a joke it would be in incredibly poor taste. A man on a hair trigger who can’t control his anger, and another man who thinks it’s funny to mock a woman with alopecia.
Reporting on the news about how ‘edgy’ it all is. Crass, callow and a sign of the world we live in. Violence, mockery and poor taste ‘jokes’ rule the day.
Meanwhile there’s a war in Ukraine with people losing their homes and lives. Sex traffickers homing in on refugees.
There are no words.

Saltyquiche · 28/03/2022 05:49

What did Chris rock say about jada, I can’t work it out

ittakes2 · 28/03/2022 05:50

My sister has alopecia and it has been devastating for her. I was mortified watching will smith - until I read about the reason. Of course it’s not ok to hit someone - but Jada has no hair as a consequence of illness. How is it ok that Rock could tease her about it? If Will had not if stood up for her then would Rock have been held accountable?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 28/03/2022 05:51

Not a joke, not a set up.
This is Will Smith's acceptance speech - not sure about the whole God's work thing, but he's certainly very emotional and shaken up about it all.
variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-rock-police-report-will-smith-slap-oscars-1235216542/

StillRock81 · 28/03/2022 05:51

He lost his temper. He used physical assault to assert dominance. On a live, enormously watched awards show, amongst peers. He's in need of help.

Presenters / comedians use all material out in the ether to try and gain laughs. Chris Rock was doing what every other comedian has ever done. A stand up and walk out would have showed upset without the violent outburst if he was really that disturbed by it. It's shocking behaviour by one of the biggest Hollywood names.

autienotnaughty · 28/03/2022 05:53

@Newtonred

I know. Chris rock may have been out of line but you can’t just walk on stage and punch someone like that. Wonder what will happen after the ceremony. Will be interesting if Will Smith wins the Oscar now.
It would have already been decided wouldn't it?
youvegottenminuteslynn · 28/03/2022 05:53

@Saltyquiche

What did Chris rock say about jada, I can’t work it out
In GI Jane Demi Moore had a shaved head - his 'joke' was that he looked forward to Jada playing the role a remake due to her shaved head. But he will know full well that she shaved her head due to her battle with alopecia so the 'joke' was cruel and entirely unfunny. Disgusting actually.

However Will Smith's reaction was a literal assault. I'm so shocked he wasn't removed afterwards.

NameGoesHere · 28/03/2022 05:54

Will smith was out of order and I feel he must think he’s above the law or something to assault someone at a live filmed event.

VampireMoney · 28/03/2022 05:56

However Will Smith's reaction was a literal assault. I'm so shocked he wasn't removed afterwards.

Well exactly. If it was real I'm almost certain he WOULD be removed!

autienotnaughty · 28/03/2022 05:57

If he hadn't been a famous male actor he would have been removed. Chris Rick shouldn't have said it but it annoys me that people with power get away with stuff like that.

Peoniesandpeaches · 28/03/2022 05:57

Will really needs to take a step back and get some help. It feels like a break down like this has been in the cards for some time ever since the whole ‘open relationship’ revelations. He’s not been coping with being the butt of jokes.

Thisisit2022 · 28/03/2022 05:58

With a whole host of people briefed not to utter the word "Ukraine" I am convinced that dropping the F bomb twice on live, worldwide TV was not a set up. I can't understand why he was laughing then suddenly driven to violence though.

Peoniesandpeaches · 28/03/2022 05:59

@VampireMoney

However Will Smith's reaction was a literal assault. I'm so shocked he wasn't removed afterwards.

Well exactly. If it was real I'm almost certain he WOULD be removed!

Given that the organizers would’ve known he won I doubt they could remove him. It would’ve been different if he was slated to lose or was in a minor category
grapewines · 28/03/2022 06:04

@NameGoesHere

Will smith was out of order and I feel he must think he’s above the law or something to assault someone at a live filmed event.
This.

Nothing will happen though, and he'll continue to think so because nothing will happen.

Rosehugger · 28/03/2022 06:07

Chris Rock has had that coming for years, misogynistic arsehole. Good.

Mummyoflittledragon · 28/03/2022 06:08

The whole thing was in such poor taste. However that doesn’t excuse violence. Will Smith should be prosecuted.

VampireMoney · 28/03/2022 06:08

Hm I'm not sure allowing him to stay because they knew he'd won an Oscar trumps being removed for assault.

Utterly bizarre whether it was real or fake.

rabbitwoman · 28/03/2022 06:10

Errrmmmm....

So, firstly, don't people poke fun at men going bald and wearing toupees all the time? What about Matt Lucas, he is bald through alopecia and I am sure I have seen him be the butt of jokes?

Was it really so awful? I have seen worse, much worse on telly before. I have a mild sleeping disorder, by the way, and get a bit of ribbing about falling asleep sometimes, if my husband reacted like that I would be absolutely furious with him.

Frankly, there is something else going on. That had the look of a last straw moment, and will Smith acted like an idiot. Chris rock was unable to defend himself or retaliate in that situation, I bet Smith saw red. As he walks away he is doing some really aggressive posturing,

Just as an aside, I was so taken aback when I first saw the trailer for his film, that a film with the two amazing, stunning, incredible Williams sisters should be called King Richard, wtaf...

PAFMO · 28/03/2022 06:12

Nice to see the disablism apologists out in force.
Will Smith should have knocked him out.
Hopefully it'll be Rock who gets cancelled and not WS. At least the latter can act and doesn't resort to 1970s style sexism and disablism to get his kicks.

DoobryWhatsit · 28/03/2022 06:12

So what we have here is a dangerous man, who can't control his violence even when the eyes of the world are on him. Fuck knows what he's like behind closed doors. And please, let's not use the oldest line in the abusive playbook, "it's only because he loves her so much". My gut feeling is that that kind of slap comes from someone who is more used to hitting women than men.