@VampireMoney
Imagine if he'd walked up to Rock, taken the mic and said you apologise to my wife NOW. That would have been a more powerful message than a slap, shouting, swearing. Making him apologise in front of millions of viewers instead of what he actually did, which was make it all about himself look at me big man hitting this guy to defend my wife. I'd be so ashamed if my Lerner 'defended' me in such a thuggish manner.
Verbally abusive cave man is punched by physically abusive cave man isn't anywhere near as powerful is it?
Absoluetely agree that he should have asked for an apology, as no matter how upsetting it was, it was a disproportionate act and really does destroy the idea of Smith being a good role model.
The whole optics of 'woman is fair game as target' and 'woman belongs to me therefore I must be violent' are not exactly challenging a pro-feminist agenda and smashing the idea that Hollywood is full of sexist pricks even post Weinsten is it?
The whole incident is utterly depressing but does sort of encapsulate the whole toxic culture of Hollywood supposedly being outwardly progressive, but actually being little more than a veneer and instead deep down promotes violence and habours a somewhat backward attitude to women.
I do think the Oscars really have had their day and need a total revamp and rethink.