Male violence at the Oscars

[RoseslnTheHospital]

Is anyone else disappointed at the reaction to Will Smith's display of aggression at the Oscars? I am really surprised that they didn't have any security staff to remove him from the room when it was apparent what he had done. Everyone there just seemed paralysed into inaction. And then to see all those other men (Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper) consoling and reassuring him, rather than escorting him out.

I'm also disappointed by the wider reaction, with so many people justifying his behaviour due to the (unfunny and vile) joke about his wife. I also think that it's a massive shame for Venus and Serena, that he has won an Oscar for a film about their lives, and yet this is the focus.

If it was staged, you'd think the police wouldn't have had to make a statement explaining that Chris Rock wasn't going to pursue any action.

@Ionlydomassiveones

I was equally shocked by the verbal assault including the f* word on global television in the middle of the Oscars. How can we (the west) appear to have any moral authority in the world and against bullies like Putin if our feted cultural icons act like gobby thugs. Thank God that Chris Rock - hired to tell jokes and roast the audience a bit - responded as the bigger man.

Because the West has no moral authority in the world or against bullies like Putin. International diplomacy is both carrot and stick. We all understand there are red flags and boundaries. Are women better at knowing there is a point where verbal abuse may escalate into physical abuse? Or just more alert to the risks? Civil society won't accept that violence should be tolerated within our society. But accepts it happen. Reacting to violence with violence as a self defence mechanism is sometimes part of human behaviour.(turn the other cheek, she/he was asking for it, she/he fought back and won). We view that differently from being the aggressor.

Take the speech in the film A few good men, everybody understands the wall exists the problem was not the death but rather that the death was one of "our" tribe who could not even carry his shield. And just in case we missed the point the guy with the shield explains it in very simple terms

The O's are celebrating the abilty to pretend, to tell the stories. Actors as moral or cultural icons in international warfare, Sorry but physical violence in war means WS "won".

CR choose to make a comment on a Black womans hair knowing she had a medical condition, the production team knew that it would be seen as racist for a white man to do that. ( I dont believe that any O's host is not contractually bound to stick to the prepared script.)

He made a very personalised comment inviting everybody to laugh at her. It was his choice to do that.

Looking at the clip he expected WS to make a verbal reply, not slap him. How many women would stand still, with their hands behind their back like that?

He makes a comment about Javier Bardem and "his wife". "If she looses he cant win, he is praying that WS win's" It's all about JB, the nameless wife is not going to win. She ("whoever she is"), misses "her que" and that "looking at a total wanker" face is visable.
He talks about WS winning and then makes the giJane remark. Invites the audience to laugh, laughed his own joke.
She has that "looking at a total wanker" look on her face knowing the cameras are on her.
He then said something
"Its ??? ; that was a nice one" laughter ends
"I am about.." ends with "ooh oh"
[ presumably as WS stands up? makes no comment as WS walks up]
Gets hit
He's then in the show must go on mode taking to the audience.
The "I'm going to (stop talking about her)" was imo talking to WS directly.

The slap was an open invitation to fight, but CR cant get into a brawl on live TV and I bet that the producer is screaming in his ear to get on script, keep on schedule. WS sits down beside JW and shouts at him. Did it occur to CR to ignore WS and say JS sorry that was a mean spirited comment?
No? Was that because CR is focused on addressing the person who is the physical threat in front of him?

CR decided to be a wanker not realising he was in a social situation which could result in violence. Look at WS's face walking off stage he achieved his goal.

As for JS's agency, she knows she cant walk up on stage and smack him even if she wanted to (foreign battlefield). So lets sat JS had had discussion on how she just knew CR was going to make a snide remark about her (diplomatic relations and treaty negotiations). They both agreed an action plan she said "i told you so, now pop up and be a good soldier...." not likely but with this senerio she gets the agency, no blame, and the protection of WS being the star while quietly directing his actions. People know that being assholes can result in physical pain without her having to carry a baseball bat (nuclear weapon). So the international warfare comparison is a little bit of oversell.

But someone will twist the events and find a way to make it all her fault.
Will CR be the bigger man and make a public apology to her?

@tabbycatstripy

'Middle class people tend to opt for lawyers.'

This is crass stereotyping. Working class people aren't all violent types who slap people for making bad jokes, you know.

Absolutely crass comments from Ivy. Smith's behaviour is indefensible.

@EightiesRobot

It's male violence being condoned, excused and celebrated internationally. It's young people seeing adults lining up to say rage and violence is okay if you can find a justification, and then be given an award and a standing ovation.

Successful, charming, attractive makes it acceptable to many.

CR choose to make a comment on a Black womans hair knowing she had a medical condition,

How do you know he knew? Genuine question as I have read repeatedly and heard on podcasts today that he says he didn't know.

Smith said that DW told him something like “when you’re at the top of your game the devil can get in” - I took that as him warning WS his ego was out of control and he was losing the plot.
Yet everyone keeps saying DW was “consoling him”? I can’t work out what I’m missing? I think DW did a good thing as an older more powerful man, basically telling him he was out of control and to get a grip.

@RoseslnTheHospital

If it was staged, you'd think the police wouldn't have had to make a statement explaining that Chris Rock wasn't going to pursue any action.

Have they not said they will not proceed to investigate without CR making a complaint?

Its a small but important difference. It removes LAPD's obligation to investigate and make an independant decision to charge. Instead CR has to make the first move.
Once that happens CR is creating a police record of a criminal allegation. False reporting is a criminal act.

Don't condone Will Smith's behaviour in ANY way, I mean seriously, wtf?!! But I think Chris Rock behaved like a dick too. He made a lazy, cheap gag at a woman with a publicised medical issue just to big himself up in front of the audience. If it had happened in a schoolyard it would have been called bullying. Classy guy...

Oh right, then it's probably all staged for ratings then 🙄

I listened again and I don't think CR was being deliberately unkind. Demi Moore won plaudits for GI Jane and CR said, 'Can't wait for GI Jane 2.' That's saying something that could at least be interpreted in a positive way. Not very sensitive given her public comments about her condition, but insensitive at worst.

And Will Smith was so out of line - unbelievable seeing so many people kissing up to him about it.

Will smith obviously shouldn't have done that but if you have a pop at someones wife thats the risk you take. Big enough to give it big enough to take it. Good chance it was scripted anyway.

@LondonWolf

CR choose to make a comment on a Black womans hair knowing she had a medical condition,

How do you know he knew? Genuine question as I have read repeatedly and heard on podcasts today that he says he didn't know.

Context

He either knew enough or not enough.

Its the formal do of the year male or female hair, makeup, dress and decorations are big business.

If he sees a woman of her age, know nothing about her, is she likely rocking a look or going through cancer treatment?
Dont know, then dont comment.

So
Who wrote the line?
Why was it funny?
Why did he expect it to get a laugh?
It is obvious from her body language that she is not "happy"
He goes back to self congratulate as a punchline.

I missed the word, but his body language was "how funny am I"

There is no way the script did not go through legal and PR and media without being run against each parties public profile and gossip profile.

How did he explain the link JS and giJane?

@Datun

Not sure how a display of awful male violence is going to make more people watch the Oscars

You genuinely don't see how? Even though it is fast becoming the most talked about moment TV history?

@IsabelAllende

Of course it wasn't about his wife's honour, since he was initially laughing at the joke. More like about his ego and a display of toxic masculinity.

How infantilising and humiliating for his wife, she's an adult who is capable of defending herself; I wonder what he's like in private if he's confident enough to assault people in front of cameras.

💯

@RoseslnTheHospital

Oh right, then it's probably all staged for ratings then 🙄

The LAPD dont want to have to spend the time and potential bad publicity finding out if it was staged or not. So they wont look unless asked.

If it was staged; CR makes no report and LAPD dont spend time managing the media circus.

If it was not staged; CR makes no report and LAPD dont spend time managing the media circus.

If it was not staged; CR makes a report and LAPD spends time managing the media circus.
They have multiple camera angles of the act. WS negotiates a lesser charge and pleads guilty, pleads guilty to battery, or pleads not guilty it goes to court.

If it was not staged; CR makes a report, other's testify it was and LAPD have a big mess to investigate along with spending time managing the media circus.

You genuinely don't see how? Even though it is fast becoming the most talked about moment TV history?

That's not the same as getting people to watch the Oscars.

It's making the organisers of the Oscars look awful. People are condemning him being given an Oscar and having the opportunity to speak. This is not a favourable thing for the Oscars.

My opinion of humanity can be fairly low at times, but even I don't think that people will crowd to the Oscars in order to watch the hosts being hit.

@Datun

You genuinely don't see how? Even though it is fast becoming the most talked about moment TV history?

That's not the same as getting people to watch the Oscars.

It's making the organisers of the Oscars look awful. People are condemning him being given an Oscar and having the opportunity to speak. This is not a favourable thing for the Oscars.

My opinion of humanity can be fairly low at times, but even I don't think that people will crowd to the Oscars in order to watch the hosts being hit.

Oh yes it is. Sorry but you don't know what you're stalking about

Oh yes it is. Sorry but you don't know what you're stalking about.

We'll as it's purely speculation until this time next year, we won't know that, will we.

Let's hope that people in the film business haven't degenerated to the point where their award ceremonies are deliberately dominated by male violence.

Fingers crossed.

I'm not overly worried simply because it looked so fake and contrived to me. American society is full of 'managed reality', from TV shows to weird bars where good looking girls are employed by clubs/bars to talk to you, be your friend and get you to spend more. It's all perfectly acceptable and part of life. When I've been in bars and seen this weird set up and how groups of men find it perfectly normal it really makes you wonder what the hell is going on. My other half and I lived in the USA for a few years and we could never get our heads round this weird dynamic (well that's what he says when talking to me anyway!).

Then we have all the fake reality shows with all their fake feuds. Note the constant feuding where they argue, fight, throw drinks at each other and yes, slap each other.
Even the news channels get in on it. A group of us were watching CNN and they were reporting on the street and interviewing someone (this is not a political comment) and it was so obviously set up we couldn't believe it. The only person who thought it was real in our mixed group were our American friends. They simply could not see it.

I know we think that no one would do this as a set up but American society is absolutely riddled with all of this rubbish. Add on the simple fact that Oscars ratings are through the toilet and what do you get....

If somebody made an offensive joke at my expense and my husband at first laughed and then decided to slap them only after seeing my reaction, I'd be upset at the person who made the joke, but I'd be horrified at my husband's over-reaction

I agree

It wasn't staged - and if it was Will Smith needs to sack every advisor he's got because people have been laughing at him all day on Twitter. Everyone is making fun of his marriage and calling him a cuck.

But it wasn't staged.... the hot takes on ratings and trending topics ignore the long term branding and evidence. I think CR thought it was going to be funny when WS went up on stage so was smiling but then he actually got hit....and then got sworn at. Really vulgar & vile behaviour IMO - what a joke the whole event looks now.

And all this "he was protecting his wife's honour" - this isn't the Game of Thrones. Year 4s in the playground aren't allowed to respond to someone saying something mean to them like that.

It's really disgusting - to even think that you can respond violently is crazy. Is this what every comedian faces now from hecklers? Or are just famous people allowed to get up on stage and hit the comedian they don't like?

There are times violence is justified.

And someone publically insulting your wife might be one of them.

If you go around insulting women's appearance in a way you know they are sensitive about in front of their husbands, I think you should reasonably expect to run the risk of getting punched in the face.

And equally you can rightly expected to be arrested for assault if you do punch someone insulting your wife. You may decide it's worth it.

In this situation however: they are wealthy people at a work event where they know a comedian is paid to take the piss out of them and all their rich friends.
It was one comment which they knew was a joke and wasn't terribly insulting.

In that circumstance you grin and bear it.

"Violence" like this creates a buzz. This is essentially a free advert for Smith's movie as well as an opportunity to reframe the Oscars as edgy,tense and unpredictable.

I put violence is quotation marks as I think Smith pulled his punched and Rock rehearsed as reaction.