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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscars - where do you stand?

803 replies

Jaggerdagger · 28/03/2022 07:28

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-60898250

I'm a bit on the fence at the moment but shocked from watching this - wondered what others think?

YABU Will Smith had every right to wallop Chris. His wife was clearly deeply insulted. He deserved it.
YANBU Chris was just reading from a script and didn't deserve such a public assault.

OP posts:
Momicrone · 30/03/2022 09:15

Ricky Gervais says some pretty vile stuff as well though

MarshaBradyo · 30/03/2022 09:17

@Momicrone

Ricky Gervais says some pretty vile stuff as well though
He does it’s been a while since I’ve thought about it but he has been very off in past.

He could have got in trouble from other people iirc the type of topics he does.

notanotheroneagain · 30/03/2022 09:59

Ricky has done the plastic faces joke to death now.

notanotheroneagain · 30/03/2022 10:11

@ParisLondonTokyoSlough

www.teenvogue.com/story/will-smith-chris-rock-slap-situation-is-not-about-you

Just leaving this here. Stop making violence by a black man to another man into a discussion about why that black man is threatening to YOU. It's nothing to do with you, or any other domestic violence survivors. It's just the same old narrative about threatening black men that has been peddled since the slave trade. Just stop.

That is a good article, I linked it several times myself, and it goes over people's heads. Or as someone has demonstrated on here, triggers them.

I really appreciate your easier post about black people not being allowed their individuality. It reminds me of this explanation from Akala.

I am no under illusion that this whole thing has blown up because of people loving seeing highly successful black man not acting in such an ideal manner, they would love to see that Oscar taken away from Will, they hate that someone has stood up for black women - whom they see as less than and undeserving of such. So much coverage in the UK press, who usually don't give a damn about these actors (I mean BBC News prime slot? really?, and generally making this a big news story overshadowing other Oscar coverage, some even going on about the black director who won afterwards - no doubt to try and get other people mad at Will for this, when it's the press who are overblowing this thing). Mumsnet caring enough to create 5 threads on this when no none even bothered with 1 thread on the Baftas.

notanotheroneagain · 30/03/2022 10:12

*earlier post, not easier.

Suzi888 · 30/03/2022 10:15

FAKE!
But violence is never the answer.

No one is talking about the touching moment between Liza Minnelli and lady Gaga. Everyone is wrapped up in Will and Chris- bet no one hardly watches the Oscar’s anymore HmmSTAGED to boost ratings.

StrawberryStarfish · 30/03/2022 10:27

It’s not bloody fake. Stop being daft

StrawberryStarfish · 30/03/2022 10:27

@notanotheroneagain

Ricky has done the plastic faces joke to death now.
Yet somehow it’s still funny
EveryCloudIsGrey · 30/03/2022 13:13

@Loopytiles

Your Qs are silly: the joke was shit, the violence was shit.
I agree. Both were behaving awfully. Violence being worse
Notbeinfunnehbut · 30/03/2022 13:17

Sorry my facts were wrong earlier, August Alsina was 27 not 18 ,

I don’t think he should loose his Oscar when there are convicted sex offenders who still have theirs.

LuckySantangelo35 · 30/03/2022 13:33

@Bluetissue

Will Smith actually could not have won in this situation. Jada Smith (his wife) is losing her hair and confidence like so many of us due to menopause and poking fun of that should be firmly slapped down. The unobtainable Hollywood standard women are held to is sad and it was great he stood up and said that’s not ok. Yes he played into the white stereotype of ‘aggressive angry black man’ but I don’t think that compares to the mental damage that his wife suffered. As far as his swearing I’m shocked at some of the mums on here mentioning that as some of the usernames on mumsnet have very colourful language. Why don’t you just say what you’re really thinking instead of hiding behind ‘properness’. I mean for goodness sake Prince Andrew is a peadophile and you all are still curtsying to him. Let’s be real feminists like Will Smith and be disgusted when a woman is shamed when she does not meet the magazine standard.
Here, here! Completely agree
DrManhattan · 30/03/2022 13:38

Will Smith a feminist? Lol

Suzi888 · 30/03/2022 13:54

@StrawberryStarfish

It’s not bloody fake. Stop being daft
How do you know that?

Why isn’t it fake? Why a slap and not a punch, Fake as fake can be.

waterlego · 30/03/2022 14:38

Why a slap and not a punch

I wondered if he went up there with the intention of delivering a punch and then realised, en route, that that was a really bad idea but by then he had been noticed making his way onto the stage and felt he couldn’t back out so ended up delivering a slap instead.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 30/03/2022 14:50

Fake? Why would Will Smith agree to a 'stunt' which risked irrevocably tarnishing his reputation, and overshadowing (potentially even jeapordising) his first ever Oscar win?

He's incredibly bloody famous already, and before this (despite a few iffy reports) was very much seen as a Hollywood Golden Boy. What motivation could he possibly have for faking this?

StormzyinaTCup · 30/03/2022 14:50

I see a lot of people saying it would be staged but I can’t fathom that.

They were trying to get the Oscar’s to be more diverse so why would there be an arranged set to between two black men. I’m quite sure that neither man would think between them that would be a good idea and it would be some warped thinking if it was the Academy’s idea as a way to up the viewing figures.

ScreamingMeMe · 30/03/2022 14:53

Why in earth would such a popular and beloved actor as Will Smith agree ro take part in a stunt that would potentially ruin his reputation? Don't be so daft.

ancientgran · 30/03/2022 14:57

@waterlego

Why a slap and not a punch

I wondered if he went up there with the intention of delivering a punch and then realised, en route, that that was a really bad idea but by then he had been noticed making his way onto the stage and felt he couldn’t back out so ended up delivering a slap instead.

He must have done some boxing training when he was playing Ali and he's a big guy so a punch might have been dangerous. Good that he controlled that.
waterlego · 30/03/2022 15:00

Exactly @ancientgran. He could cause a lot more damage with a punch than a slap.

ancientgran · 30/03/2022 15:00

@Momicrone

Ricky Gervais says some pretty vile stuff as well though
Yes he does and I can't stand him. Maybe the thought that someone might come and smack him might make him think but I doubt it.
HunterHearstHelmsley · 30/03/2022 16:23

@ScreamingMeMe

Why in earth would such a popular and beloved actor as Will Smith agree ro take part in a stunt that would potentially ruin his reputation? Don't be so daft.
My first thought was that it was staged, I was expecting a GOTCHA. It's gone on too long now for it to have been fake.

I think it just seems so bizarre. Security didn't stop him etc. It was so unexpected that it wouldn't be real. If that makes any sense whatsoever!

TiredTeaAndHotWaterBottles · 30/03/2022 16:36

If I have been there and assaulted CR, I'd have been marched out by security and arrested. How the hec did Wil Smith get away with it. Double standards and elite privilege at its worst

Murdoch1949 · 30/03/2022 16:42

Definitely Team Chris Rock. Will Smith laughed at the joke, then decided to react after looking at his wife. She has previously said that she doesn’t care what jokes are made about her baldness. As a couple they speak candidly and vociferously about their open marriage, affairs etc, using their private life for publicity and earnings. Mr Rock made a joke, no worse than the BAFTAS jokes made by Rebel Wilson. Nothing like as rude as Ricky Gervais makes. Comedians are supposed to amuse, challenge and push boundaries. Mr Rock was dignified and made a follow up joke about the slap, I thought he was the professional, Will Smith was like a petulant child - don’t joke about my wife, but ok for you to have an affair with her, weird double standards. The slap looked fake to me btw.

EvilGoldfish · 30/03/2022 18:46

Agree with Jim Carrey.

I found the standing ovation almost as shocking as the slap. What on Earth were they thinking?!