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Smith apologizes to Rock; Academy to launch review

146 Comments
By JAKE COYLE

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146 Comments
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If Smith can't take a joke then he shouldn't be in the spotlight, you can't have it both ways.

Trump couldn't take a joke from Obama but he fought back and WON.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Perhaps what Will did was an act of "violence," but so was what Chris did.

But Will apologized. Chris did not. Therefore Will is the bigger man.

...What planet are you on...what .Will Smith did to Chris Rock WAS an act of violence, PERIOD! Chris was only doing his job!

Will LAUGHED at the joke, then Jada ONCE AGAIN manipulated Will, 2 things, Will is still most in the wrong & 2nd he should have kicked her to the curb as soon as he found out what Jada did to him, staying with her and allowing her to air her nasty ways for PUBLIC consumption has DESTROYED the Will Smith we all use to know but who now is a sad, lonely shell of a man because what his WIFE did to him, I hope he ditches her & starts to re-build

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Seems most people are okay with people insulting their wives.

Not necessarily, Maybe most people feel that responding to insults with assault, is unwarranted.

If your wife herself did the slapping instead of you, are you going to blame your wife for assault?

(In the spirit of gender equality, there should be no difference whether it's the man who does the slapping, or the woman who does the slapping)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps what Will did was an act of "violence," but so was what Chris did.

But Will apologized. Chris did not. Therefore Will is the bigger man.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

People justifying the violent response of Will Smith is missing one thing. This sends a message that if anyone hears something from someone that they construe as being offensive, makes it alright to commit a violent act back at that person. Now what is construed as being offensive can be very subjective, and the level of violence administered can also be subjective. If we accept Will Smiths actions, then we must accept the actions of people who assault others because they felt "disrespected". It's what bullies and gang-bangers do. They assault others who don't respect or disrespect them. Will Smith could've stood up for his wife verbally and come out on top of all of this. However, he took the violent way. It's like a parent hitting their child to discipline them, rather than using their words. Using words and logic to discipline take effort and intelligence, but is much more mature and better. Violence is easy, but immature.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She was also on her own RED Table Talk show claiming love of her lack of hair, being secure with it, happy, etc. This is one of the most calculating couples in Hollywood. They have a deep need to keep their names relevant, be it the kids who are professional hanger-ons who's never worked a day in their lives (and are failed actors, musicians, artists, and everything else), the wife who hasn't done anything in years (except sleep with other guys and rubbing it in her husband's face), or Will "cuck" Smith, who will defend her over a bad joke or watch as she gets smashed out by another guy.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There still exists freedom of speech in the USA, and it covers the jokes being told. Chris Rock is a comedian. And it doesn't matter what her medical condition is. Comedy Central does roasts of famous people - nobody complains en masse over their outrage of Pete Davidson's 9/11 Dad jokes (whether made by him or others). The Golden Globes had Ricky Gervais host multiple times and he's brutal towards these same thin-skinned celebs. No joke ie. words gives anyone the right to resort to physical violence.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hahahaha

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sourpuss,

Bang on in your assessment!!!

As I said just earlier ALL of this is Jada's fault PERIOD, all she had to do was grin & bear a tame joke, hell Chris even said something like ""Jada, love ya...." and then the joke. Once Jada did the big frown SHE SCREWED Will, he was now damned if he does something, damned if he DIDNT, her big frown was there for ALL to see.

She ruined it, responsibility, accountability, nowhere in SIGHT! Women's kryptonite sadly!!

Oh and all that crying etc during his Will's speech was the PAIN & SUFFERING his wife has reaped on him & his family, he really needs to ditch her already

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Kids wouldn’t get GI Jane reference and therefore wouldn’t think it was an insult. In fact if you listen to the joke, it sounds more friendly cajoling/ camaraderie than insulting. And if you listen to Rock after he slap, that seems to be why he’s so shocked about it. He was giving her props for toughness. Listen to it.

All the BS comparing this to cancer is such a crock. She’s the biggest self-promoter of her own mess out there.

Smith overreacted because he’s being p-whipped and it’s easier to hit Rock than it is to admit his own shortcomings, or perhaps deal with his wife.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well in 91 Smith thought making jokes about bald men was funny.

When some people in the audience didn't react well he look right at them and said

"These are jokes, come on"

Arsenio Hall Show on YouTube.

So it was ok for him now well not so much.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I've got the new and improved risk-management language for the academy and the various related entertainment guilds and association, for their next awards presentations:  Because our Artists are mercurial by nature, mostly very well paid, and are largely immune from the harmful effects of the law or other social consequences, they are unfortunately subject to sudden occasional fits of rage and other behavioral episodes of unpredictable length and intensity.  The sponsors would like to remind you that we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for the safety of anyone on these premises. 

Think we should add anything about filming locations and the use of props?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

He's so quick to "defend" his wife from the GI Jane joke, which he's shown laughing at on video, but could care less about her going to bed with another man/men in their "open" marriage.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I agree with Antique, violence has no place in our world.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I would've immediately fallen to the ground then grabbed the mic and requested police. This assault, in front of millions, impacts (IMO) the livelihood and possibly the lives of comedians. Some disturbed person who is a heckler today could possibly do a lot more tomorrow than just yell.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The industry, in general, and the purveyors of award ceremonies, in particular, will not dodge the growing realization that they support - and arguably encourage - such displays of the lowest common denominator, among a large population of celebrities who crave attention and the spotlight, and fear obscurity. And if encouraged by the industry, might resort to even more infamous means to achieve fame and attention.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Chris Rock did absolutely NOTHING WORNG, he DID his job! THAT is what he was hired for, period!

Situations are rarely black and white. He got hired to do comedy, which was his job, and what he was doing. Within that, he chose the content, and that content caused offense. Comedians always run that risk. In this case, he took a smack upside the head for it. And he took it pretty well too.

Will S, this fool is taking multiple Ls......watch the video he was LAUGHING BIG TIME at the joke.....

They were at a fun event, where everyone was relaxed and listening to comedy. If you watch comedy shows, you can regularly hear the audience laugh at something the comedian says, which isn't actually the joke, but rather the setup. This is because audiences at a comedy show are primed to laugh. It's the state everyone is in, because they know jokes are coming, the anticipation is there, and their laughter is on a hairpin trigger. When you go to a comedy show, it's like a group emotion, you're there feeling the laughter with a group of people in a group atmosphere. That is the norm, and only angry, cold, bitter people sit at a comedy show waiting for the comedian to say something they can crap on or be angry about.

So, Will Smith, in a group of people, out for a night of fun, heard a joke, and laughed. This is a natural human reaction. And then he had a second to realize the guy on stage just made a joke at the expense of his wife's condition, a condition that is especially tough on women as it really hits hard on their self-confidence, and he got up and smacked Rock upside the head. Appropriate? No. But for me, it's understandable. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing in the same situation, and be ready to take the licks for it. Others are different, which is fair enough. But it's not a black and white situation this one, there are levels of nuance to it.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

This is my take:

Chris Rock did absolutely NOTHING WORNG, he DID his job! THAT is what he was hired for, period!

Will S, this fool is taking multiple Ls......watch the video he was LAUGHING BIG TIME at the joke......then WHAT happened???? Jada PS is WHAT happened, thats what!

Jada PS, in my opinion SHE SHE SHE SHE is why ALL ALL ALL this happened. Will was fine UNTIL he saw HER FACE & then Will did something stupid, committed assault & RUINED what should have been one if not the best night of his life/career, Jada RUINED IT!!!

Why on earth Will S has this nasty woman in his life who knows, but SHE has made him the butt of the internet & ruined HIS night, all because she couldnt take a tame joke.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Wow a lot of Machoism, thin skinned and weak people.

Not to mention violent natured!

Glad I live in Japan and keep my distance from the "Macho" community.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

As Cleo said. Chris Rock deserved it and owes Jada Pinkett Smith an apology.

Antiquesaving, respectful of your many conditions, the fact that you 'can take a joke' is your choice. However you take a selfish attitude to others with similar conditions who may not be happy to be the butt of idiotic jokes. Maybe you have a 'thick skin' and can take it. But many others cannot. And none of us are in any position to decide for others.

By the way Jada Pinkett Smith didn't slap Chris Rock. But if anyone insulted my wife they are getting it upside the head. Arrest or no arrest.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I have heard every joke to my face and behind my back I don't run around slapping people!

Will Smith doesn't have Alopecia.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

but then Dwayne Johnson would never have made such a poor joke.

Well, of course not because Johnson is not a comedian. Lol

6 ( +8 / -2 )

My problem is the false reporting on alopecia, the claims it is an autoimmune disease is not factual as it has never been proven to be so.

To be exact the vast majority of people who suffer from it will regain their hair loss though they may have reoccurrences in the future it is more a psychological or stress related illness.

Actual autoimmune diseases do not get better they get progressively worse alopecia on the contrary always seen to cure itself.

I have an autoimmune disease it does not get better it is not all immune disease that is destroying my skin and every year it spreads more my brother has celiacs disease and autoimmune disease it is not getting any better to be exact it gets worse.

I also suffer from male pattern baldness which if you ask doctors is also part of alopecia grouping.

The difference is Jada made a whole big deal about it videotaping her shaving her head and the whole thing making herself a Target of jokes and she kept it quiet it would have gone away her hair would have grown back and no one would know about it and she's Rich enough to afford the best wigs.

When you have a disability a real disability you grow a thick skin it's not you'll end up having people being hit constantly because you're upset.

I have ADHD ASD dyslexia and on autoimmune skin disease which makes it look like I have reptile skin.

I have heard every joke to my face and behind my back I don't run around slapping people!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Ian, I agree with you, friends sent me YouTube stuff,

Could this have been set up?

I cannot believe or accept that. It has all the cogitations of another conspiracy theory.

If it wasn't for the fact it is seriously watchable.

Slap without the tickle.

There is a But, the role of Jada Pinkett Smith?

Rock took aim at not only Jada Pinkett Smith lack of folliculitis, the whole spectacle, look at me, descending into silly slap and tickle.

I wonder, are we not all being taken for fools?

Are not actors playing a role, does it not follow media will inculpate Smith and Rock accountability?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So you're justifying violence because of a comment about her being bald because her physical health is no way affected. Further you're now making it a gender issue and we're all to applaud her for her 'bravery' for being bald and not hiding it.

I stated clearly that Smith should not have done what he did, so No, I am not justifying violence. Neither am I making it a gender issue as such. It’s a fact of life that many men will go bald, and I assumed that your ‘so what’ comment was a reflection of that. No need to applaud anyone you don’t want to applaud - and no need to make fun of someone’s physical condition for cheap laughs.

We’re not talking about lads having a laff in the bar over a couple of beers. Humiliating a person live on television in front of an audience of millions is low, and while - I repeat - Smith should not have hit him, Rock deserved it and owes the woman an apology.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

But more importantly why aren't the Academy providing an apology to Jada Pinkett Smith first? It was their presenter who thought he could get some cheap laughs about her skin condition. During the Academy Awards.

The Academy are just covering over their liability (their presenter joking about a womans condition) by putting it all on Will Smith.

And for all these men on here accusing Smith of being a violent thug. You clearly have been living on your own all your life and never been in a relationship.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

itsonlyrocknroll

My mouth, Ian, has got me into all sorts of trouble.

The gaffes I have lost count of.

I once gaffed How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a lightbulb? None: “I’ll sit in the dark.”

I am still apologising for this.

Look, some stuff is personal, Rock got it wrong,

Sorry about that, you were telling me something important and I answered while I was about to run.

Anyway what I was saying on my prior post was, yes, Rock got it wrong but it probably wasn't inadvertent.

Just want to clear that up.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Still waiting for Chris Rock to apologize to Jada, and for the Academy to say his comment looking for laughs based on someones disease was a cheap shot, and not acceptable.

Will has apologized for his poor behavior, But Chris gets a free pass for the incident that caused it all.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I'll tell ya'll this much, Smith would have never done that to Dwayne Johnson, betcha he wouldn't have. Imagine the ratings for that spectacle.

I would bet Smith would still do that if.

But I bet first Dwayne would never do that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

itsonlyrocknroll

I have and am lucky to get away without a slap, but the hurt lasts longer than the snigger.

I was just about to post that

" given that I don't know Jada's mental and emotional state and I don't know how much the slap hurt Chris, I would say it's far far more hurtful what Jada experienced" when I read your comment.

But if people think and feel that that slap is more hurtful, so be it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

My mouth, Ian, has got me into all sorts of trouble.

The gaffes I have lost count of.

I once gaffed How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a lightbulb? None: “I’ll sit in the dark.”

I am still apologising for this.

Look, some stuff is personal, Rock got it wrong,

I have and am lucky to get away without a slap, but the hurt lasts longer than the snigger.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'll tell ya'll this much, Smith would have never done that to Dwayne Johnson, betcha he wouldn't have. Imagine the ratings for that spectacle.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The most hurtful and personal riposte is best unleashed to a group.

There is no audience like the Academy Awards.

Rock knew his provocations would illicit a response.

Well, Rock seems to be a good comedian so he must know.

That joke was right on point to his target audience.

Which is probably not most people watching the show

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The most hurtful and personal riposte is best unleashed to a group.

There is no audience like the Academy Awards.

Rock knew his provocations would illicit a response.

Whatever the intensely personal relationship, Smiths marriage, their has to be boundaries kept out and respected.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Anyway it was a big win for Will.

He got to slap a comedian in front of the world.

Then still got his Oscar.

And Chris declined to file charges.

If he's in the wrong somebody should make him pay.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

By claiming that Rock committed a violent act on Pinkett only proves that you have no idea what the word means. A simple online definition check would tell you the key premise is physical force.

The only person clearly hung-up on the word is you. If you think that a slap isn't actual physical harm but think making a joke is committing violence then you need refamiliarize yourself with the English language.

Sure =)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Mr Smith is a thug. He should have been escorted out of the building. What a terrible example to give to all his fans especially the children.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

ianToday  06:04 pm JST

People are so hung up on violence it seems. What does thatbword really mean?

Will slapped the guy. That would be actual violence to a smaller or small person but it will take more than that if one intends to commit actualphysical harm to Chris.

Of course it's technically violence. But to say that nothing justifies any and all violence is laughable, even legally there are degrees.

*Anyway, *Will slapped Chris so he'd stop commiting violence to his wife.

It worked.

If Chris filed charges Will will suffer the consequences.

Maybe there'll be consequences still.

By claiming that Rock committed a violent act on Pinkett only proves that you have no idea what the word means. A simple online definition check would tell you the key premise is physical force.

The only person clearly hung-up on the word is you. If you think that a slap isn't actual physical harm but think making a joke is committing violence then you need refamiliarize yourself with the English language.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Don't remember where I read it, but there was an article which posited that with some people, their behavior may be adversely affected due to the covid virus setting up shop in their brain. If so, that might help explain some of the bad behavior that seems to be on the increase the last couple of years.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

KevinMcgueToday  06:24 pm JST

And he won for a role that is all about being your best self. He obviously learned nothing from his own movie.

No a role about taking credit for the achievements done by your daughters!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

And he won for a role that is all about being your best self. He obviously learned nothing from his own movie.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What Will Smith did was wrong. But I understand why he did it.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

BTW here is the uncensored version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Chris was doing his job (well) and Will acted like a typical entitled A list celebrity so embarrassing. Oh yeah why wasn't he arrested on assault charges??? The hypocrisy in his 'love not violence' apology.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Heh, the Oscars descends into a one-sided schoolyard brawl between two adult men and the instigator (who was caught on camera laughing at the lame joke) got to remain seated in the front row and later received a statuette instead of being perp walked out of the building by the police for assault.

Welcome to another installment of Bizzaro World, American style. . . . .

1 ( +5 / -4 )

People are so hung up on violence it seems. What does thatbword really mean?

Will slapped the guy. That would be actual violence to a smaller or small person but it will take more than that if one intends to commit actualphysical harm to Chris.

Of course it's technically violence. But to say that nothing justifies any and all violence is laughable, even legally there are degrees.

Anyway, Will slapped Chris so he'd stop commiting violence to his wife.

It worked.

If Chris filed charges Will will suffer the consequences.

Maybe there'll be consequences still.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

commanteerToday  04:32 pm JST

Anyway best to learn from Chris rock, he seems to tacitly admit he's in the wrong by not filing charges

Only an American could think this way. Some dignified people aren't so quick to call the police or lawyers.

Yeah sure! Had it been Benedict Cumberbatchi, Javier Bardem or Andrew Garfield hitting Chris Rock.

They would have been escorted out and Rock on the phone with his lawyers before the commercial break was over and the law suit filed 0.5 sec. after the courts open the next day.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

100% Will Smith in the wrong. Chris Rock is Chris Rock. They both are entertainers and Rock did his work, while Smith lashed out in the face of the proverbial pie that gets thrown, as a basic rule, at an actor.

Smith just lost it. His momentary lapse of reason on the biggest stage for performing arts, live.

Absolutely no excuse for his violent outburst and it was hugely disappointing.

An act of total stupidity that should get Will Smith at least a banishment from the Academy.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

If Will Smith was simply being "protective" of his wife, why did he laugh at the GI Jane gag?

Nothing excuses violence, no matter how much some are attempting to justify it.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Chris Rock showed nothing but class for how he handled himself after being slapped. It says a lot about Chris.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Smith felt he had to do something because he laughed at the joke, and his wife was not amused...

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Only an American could think this way. Some dignified people aren't so quick to call the police or lawyers.

If you think that's the reason he didn't file charges well ok.

Didn't know the guy of course but I wouldn't call what he did dignified

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Anyway best to learn from Chris rock, he seems to tacitly admit he's in the wrong by not filing charges

Only an American could think this way. Some dignified people aren't so quick to call the police or lawyers.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The stunt was like a defribilator for Hollywood and the Oscars as no one cares about them anymore.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

*Presumably who she sleeps with is her choice, whether he is OK with that is his business, no one else's*

Well he is trying very hard to make a sense of all this, that inner consciousness conflict, this incident is just an example, as otherwise he would have just fake laughed it off and would have never made this public..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmRgD1gwXdw

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/roots-of-india-will-smith-visits-haridwar-takes-part-in-hindu-rituals-ganga-aarti/articleshow/68788314.cms?from=mdr

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

They're free to do so and I'm free to talk back to them. What you're saying is that it justifies violence. So go ahead and do what you want to do and get arrested for assault for hitting someone cause you're too sensitive about words

Crystal

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

People take themselves too seriously. It was a joke. Smith even laughed at first. Rock was just doing his job, which is making jokes. Take Smith's award back. Physical violence on TV shouldn't be ok.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

ianToday  02:50 pm JST

MilesTegToday  02:18 pm JST

ianToday  01:18 pm JST

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all. It's not like Rock made a joke about someone with cancer.

See?

It's justified for you if it's cancer, you just have a different limit

When did I justify violence if it was cancer?

Ah so it's ok for you for people to insult your wife even if she has cancer.

Good to be clear.

They're free to do so and I'm free to talk back to them. What you're saying is that it justifies violence. So go ahead and do what you want to do and get arrested for assault for hitting someone cause you're too sensitive about words.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Will Smith is such a joke.

Now that the Academy (finally) decides to do something and launches an investigation, then Smith decides to make an apology to the person he hit. Nice move to save your career Smith.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Anyway best to learn from Chris rock, he seems to tacitly admit he's in the wrong by not filing charges.

That is big.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

MilesTegToday  02:18 pm JST

ianToday  01:18 pm JST

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all. It's not like Rock made a joke about someone with cancer.

See?

It's justified for you if it's cancer, you just have a different limit

When did I justify violence if it was cancer?

Ah so it's ok for you for people to insult your wife even if she has cancer.

Good to be clear.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

cleoToday  01:25 pm JST

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all.

Mansplaining at its best. For a man, hair loss may be just the way things are; you're not alone, many many men experience it as they get older, it's almost a rite of passage, a sign of maturity. It's no big deal (Though combovers, toupees and transplant treatments would suggest that for some men, it is a big deal.)

For any woman, hair loss is devastating. Jada Pinkett Smith could have just ached inside and hidden her condition under a wig. I'm sure she can afford to buy a whole wardrobe of beautiful, natural-looking wigs.

Instead, she makes the brave decision to let the world see her condition, to show herself to the world and to assure other women suffering the same ailment that they are not alone, that it is possible to be bald, proud and beautiful.

Then some two-bit stand-up comes along and puts her down, makes a tasteless, cruel joke about her in front of a TV audience of millions.

He is lucky he got off with no more than a slap, and he should apologise to her publicly, on his knees.

Smith would have been a bigger man if instead of letting his emotions get the better of him he had grabbed the mike from Rock, defended his wife verbally and demanded an apology there and then. But we all do stupid things in the heat of the moment, and he was obviously mortified later for his actions.

What Rock did was mean and indefensible.

(No, I do not suffer from hair loss. But I have a friend who does, and it is no joke.)

On his knees!! LOL!

So you're justifying violence because of a comment about her being bald because her physical health is no way affected. Further you're now making it a gender issue and we're all to applaud her for her 'bravery' for being bald and not hiding it. People are way too sensitive and give credit for anything nowadays.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Grrr.... also meant to add, what should have been done is that Smith was not allowed to make his speech when he won the award, if not escorted out when the assault was committed. He should not have his Academy Award taken away for the work he has done. That said, it is too late for them to do much if anything now, especially since he has apologized, aside from issuing a warning to him. It's on the Academy for not acting sooner, and they are disgraceful enough.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Meant to add, I respect Smith more for this, not less, and have lost all respect (not that I had much) for Chris Rock. He's going to think twice before making jokes about people now, for sure, and it's good that he's learned. Now, my image of Smith as a gentle, kind person has changed, and that's a shame, but I respect him for standing up and fighting for what he believes in -- just needs a little anger management.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Matthew Machida: "Chris Rock is a COMEDIAN and if you want to stay out of the line of his fire, maybe you should not sit in front of the stage?"

Do you support bullying -- cyber or otherwise? What if a person who bullies a kid into trauma or suicide simply says, "It's okay, I'm a comedian?" The woman suffers from an illness that gives her little choice but to shave her head, and when he has bullied her in the past and does so on an issue we KNOW is precious to him and so he KNOWS it is insulting (which I'll get to), that's bullying, not joking.

Cleo: "For any woman, hair loss is devastating. Jada Pinkett Smith could have just ached inside and hidden her condition under a wig. I'm sure she can afford to buy a whole wardrobe of beautiful, natural-looking wigs."

I agree with you in part. Where I'm with you is that Smith's anger, and him standing up for his wife and perhaps even women in general, is justified. Rock KNOWS (and what I was getting to in addressing Matthew above) hair is a big deal (to men and women both) because he was a producer of the HBO series "Good Hair" in 2009, which was all about how black women style and love their hair, etc. So, he clearly knew better. And while maybe not on his knees, and more than Smith should be on his knees, he does owe Jada Pinkett-Smith a public apology, absolutely. Also agree Smith went a bit overboard in his anger.

Where I kind of disagree with you is on how we should all feel more for women with hair loss, while men's is acceptable and even complimentary. I admire her strength, not pity her hair loss. Automatically pitying is part of the problem, in my mind, and there is plenty of discrimination on both sides, intentional and cruel, or not. Hair loss is not an option chosen by anyone, man or women, and should be accepted by everyone. Yes, it is less "accepted" in the case of women, due to numbers, and that is a societal problem that needs to change, but considering it as devastating as a society doesn't help us consider it less so personally. I don't know if I made my point well.

"(Though combovers, toupees and transplant treatments would suggest that for some men, it is a big deal.)"

Oh, didn't see that part... okay. Personally, I think the combover thing... wow. I can't believe anyone still does that to try and hide the anxiety and other feelings they may have, especially when it is often windy.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

You can certainly criticise Kathy Griffin for her past antics, but what she said here might be worth considering:

“Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.”

2 ( +7 / -5 )

ianToday  01:18 pm JST

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all. It's not like Rock made a joke about someone with cancer.

See?

It's justified for you if it's cancer, you just have a different limit

When did I justify violence if it was cancer?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

it is OK for other dudes to sleep with his wife, but god forbid they make a joke about her!

Presumably who she sleeps with is her choice, whether he is OK with that is his business, no one else's. Alopecia on the other hand is not a choice. And not a joke.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Gotta admit that I dont understand the moral balance of the situation from Will Smith's perspective: it is OK for other dudes to sleep with his wife, but god forbid they make a joke about her!

Where is the logic in that? Maybe if Chris Rock had made a joke along the lines of, "the line outside the Theatre tonight was almost as long as the line outside Jada's bedroom!" it would have been acceptable.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Will Smith is known to be very proud of his family..

Well they have a open marriage where both play around as much as they like, so there is this conflict between whatever you do vs your what your inner consciousness says not to do... looks like the inner consciousness is gaining ground.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all.

Mansplaining at its best. For a man, hair loss may be just the way things are; you're not alone, many many men experience it as they get older, it's almost a rite of passage, a sign of maturity. It's no big deal (Though combovers, toupees and transplant treatments would suggest that for some men, it is a big deal.)

For any woman, hair loss is devastating. Jada Pinkett Smith could have just ached inside and hidden her condition under a wig. I'm sure she can afford to buy a whole wardrobe of beautiful, natural-looking wigs.

Instead, she makes the brave decision to let the world see her condition, to show herself to the world and to assure other women suffering the same ailment that they are not alone, that it is possible to be bald, proud and beautiful.

Then some two-bit stand-up comes along and puts her down, makes a tasteless, cruel joke about her in front of a TV audience of millions.

He is lucky he got off with no more than a slap, and he should apologise to her publicly, on his knees.

Smith would have been a bigger man if instead of letting his emotions get the better of him he had grabbed the mike from Rock, defended his wife verbally and demanded an apology there and then. But we all do stupid things in the heat of the moment, and he was obviously mortified later for his actions.

What Rock did was mean and indefensible.

(No, I do not suffer from hair loss. But I have a friend who does, and it is no joke.)

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all. It's not like Rock made a joke about someone with cancer.

See?

It's justified for you if it's cancer, you just have a different limit

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

As another poster noted, the whole incident is indicative of the state of cultural decline in the states, everyone has to be numero uno, so I got to tear you down, which leads to reprisal, then fake apology or whipping out a gun, the endless cycles of ceaseless bickering illustrated by the Republicans/Democrats, etc.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

> Stand-up Comedy is no holds barred. That is the reason why comedians now have to tap dance around topics because people are becoming way too sensitive. Chris Rock has been either a presenter or host of the Oscars for many years. He goes for the jugular every time. There is no way you would have lasted through a Don Rickles, George Carlin, or even Martin Lawrence show if you were in attendance.

I'm sure I would, it's their show.

Anyway, stand up comedy is now not no holds barred, which is the reason comedians now tap dance around sensitive topics

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A quiet word with Rock after the event would suffice, something like: "I know you've got a job to do Chris, but my mother is sensitive to remarks about her hair. She'd appreciate an apology, and we'll make that the end of it.".

^^ Best answer ^^

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Chris had the option of charging him, probably still has.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

It was more of a roast than a joke. Comedians roast about baldness all the time. Medical conditions may not be in good taste but are not off limits by all means.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Joke was a little tasteless but so what. Her condition is basically hair loss. There's no pain, it's not debilitating, not life threatening at all. It's not like Rock made a joke about someone with cancer. People get roasted at the Oscars. Been that way for a while. Smith himself being an ex-standup comedian has probably done the same.

If this happened in any other workplace or business event, assault charges would've been laid and people fired. The hypocrisy of Hollywood where someone can assault someone in public on TV, continue screaming classless. street insults, then get applauded as he receives an award while he cries and acts like the victim excusing himself as he says he did cause he loves his family. LOL!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I think the people who believe Rock handled it well have no idea what the world is like early in the career of a standup comedian in front of drunk and hostile audiences and the training one receives from them. Marine Corps boot camp is probably an easier gig than some of the venues Rock found himself in when he first started...and he didn't seem particularly startled by the blow and was probably glad it wasn't another pitched beer bottle...just keep on smiling! Aw, showbiz...

1 ( +5 / -4 )

A kid sees it and thinks "yeah, that's the way a man handles a problem, that's what I'm gonna do if anyone disrespects me or mine" and the idea of violence being the right way to handle things is perpetuated.

Or a kid sees it and thinks, ‘yeah, make crude and unwarranted jokes about a person’s illness and you’re likely to push folk past their limits, I’m gonna try and have a bit more class and choose better subjects for my lame jokes’ and the idea of illness and disability not being an appropriate topic for ‘entertainment’ is perpetuated.

Smith should not have hit Rock, but Rock was the one initially in the wrong and he should be thankful it was an open-handed slap and not a full-fisted punch. Kudos to Smith for his restraint. Rock should be the one apologizing.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Chris Rock needs more kudos for his composure. I do not believe there are too many people who would have handled it better.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Incredible that Will Smith got a standing ovation!

He should have been carried out in cuffs,

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Why can’t his wife stick up for herself. If she felt insulted she should of own that moment. Not her Partner. My ex partner if offended would told me, I got this honey and I dare not try to stop her.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I agree, seems most people feel that others insulting their wives is okay, as I've said

Stand-up Comedy is no holds barred. That is the reason why comedians now have to tap dance around topics because people are becoming way too sensitive. Chris Rock has been either a presenter or host of the Oscars for many years. He goes for the jugular every time. There is no way you would have lasted through a Don Rickles, George Carlin, or even Martin Lawrence show if you were in attendance.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Look, he was forced to and he had no choice basically, I’m sure his agency and publicist told him for the sake of his career had to make a statement to get this fire under control now did Smith mean it? There is no way no whether Smith’s apology was sincere or not. Again, good on Rock for being classy. He could have filed a lawsuit and didn’t and the police could have arrested Smith even if Rock didn’t press charges. Whatever emotional or marital stress Smith is going through the guy clearly needs help.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Memo to Will.....next time hide prawn heads in Rocks car.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Anyway if Will didn't slap Chris that would have been the end of it right? It's not like he would continue insulting them or that he has worse material than that.

If he does, well Will should have waited for something that would be more acceptable to people.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Rock might as well approached Jada Pinkett Smith rubbed her head and told the audience he can see into the future.

Chris that's not good.

Please stop doing that.

Please?

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Will Smith laughed and thought it was funny until his wife made a face. He really embarrassed himself.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Chris Rock is funny as hell! He took the high road and made an even bigger joke out of the situation.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I can help to think that it was staged. You had that other actor Jess staging an event. When Viewing the event their is no consistency of a real assault more like a acting scene. His head moved a considerable from his stance consistence with the power of right right cross but left on Redding of the skin nor welt nor cut consisdent with a heavy blow plus the lack of anger prior and post from both. I wonder about the motive but I feel it will start debate on subject close to their agenda.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Tokyo-m, clearly you are more reasoned person that I am.

I just can't see anything humorous at all.

Rock might as well approached Jada Pinkett Smith rubbed her head and told the audience he can see into the future.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

So to put it simply, having your wife insulted is acceptable to most people here, slapping the one who insulted her is not.

Learn something everyday.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

All well and good for Will Smith to Chris Rock but he has yet to apologise for Wild Wild West

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The is not a question of condoning Smith behaviour!

Had Rock kept his cheap quips to himself this would never have happened.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

low impulse control, very common here

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Where was all that bravado towards his wife's lovers when his wife told him she was cheating on him and broadcast his tears to the entire world?

It is obvious who runs the show in that relationship. He was laughing at first and she wasn't. He probably looked at her and attacked. She openly admitted cheating on TV and dwells on a pre-marriage relationship with Tupac. Will is nothing more than Jada's lapdog.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Dress it up as ever you like, Rock behaviour was insincere, insulting disrespectful and abusive.

No excuses.

Just a thought Bungle, what if such a joke at be levelled at a member of your family, your mother perhaps?

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

I don't make a point of watching awards ceremonies, but the clips I've seen of American ones included hosts like Ricky Gervais making personal jokes about the attendees and sailing close to the wind in doing so. It seems like its the hosts job to do this, even Fey and Schumer do it. If someone makes an overly tasteless joke in front of an audience, it will hiss and boo, the target sucks it up, and we move on. You do not get up, slap the guy quite hard, and then tell him to eff off at the top of your voice.

If you look back at previous events, there are plenty of examples of similar jokes likely to offend the target. When Stephen Colbert said "shoot me in the face" right next to President Bush after the Dick Cheney shooting incident, for example.

Regardless of the joke content, that was some epic "the show must go on" professionalism from Rock.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

A day too late. The damage has been done.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Everyone knows that if you go to the Oscars and a comedian comes out, YOU can be the subject of their jokes. No one is exempt. Will Smith and his wife knew this, and Will Smith wants to get angry and resort to violence when the comedian jokes at them?

Where was all that bravado towards his wife's lovers when his wife told him she was cheating on him and broadcast his tears to the entire world?

All Will Smith showed the world is that he is a bully.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Still don't believe it wasn't a stunt.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Wow! At first it looked like it might have been staged just to shock the audience, but later it turned out to be true. Will Smith should have handled it differently. He should've gone up to the stage and, instead of hitting Chris Rock, Smith should've taken the microphone and explained his wife's disease and how it was in very poor taste to make fun of it, and gone back to his seat. That would have, or should have anyway, made Chris Rock feel two inches tall for the remainder of the night on stage.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Everyone needs to see Magnolia, with Julianne Moore. She has a scene in a pharmacy that best portraits the human anguish of cancer. This was not the time to allow this kind of indecent humor to be said, let alone broadcasted to millions. The Academy is equally, or more so, responsible for allowing someone to throw fuel on these people tragedy just because of one individual's personal jealousy. Sometimes cancer is always there and no one now or forever will ever deserve it. The Academy needs to that there are limits to what we can endure as human beings no matter what the venue. We are all the victims here...

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

It seems to be quite acceptable for Jada Pinkett Smith to be publicly humiliated, her struggles with alopecia ridiculed to a global audience, as a series of one liners, to be sniggered at?

All acceptable?

Get your heads on the right way up.

-6 ( +10 / -16 )

Not necessarily, Maybe most people feel that responding to insults with assault, is unwarranted.

I agree, seems most people feel that others insulting their wives is okay, as I've said

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

The rich and famous are Celibrity of a different species of the human race, above normal mortals.Ahoy !

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Chris Rock came out on top as the bigger man.

21 ( +29 / -8 )

He’s defending his wife, who openly and publicly states that she’s in an open relationship and has multiple sexual partners? And how could anyone slap Chris Rock? He seems like one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. His joke maybe was in poor taste but it wasn’t overly offensive and will smith probably seriously damaged his career because of his overreaction.

12 ( +21 / -9 )

If Will Smith [ the actor ] said something offensive in his films, we say: " He is just Acting... " This goes the same with a Comedian. He is just do what Comedians do.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

When life imitates art, or is it the other way round? Had the feeling that Will knew exactly what he was doing and was performing for his peers. Love is above the law sort of thing, river for my people? Although the acceptance speech was touching and the tears seemed genuine he coulda apologized to Chris, who although never particularly funny, was doing his job to the best of his abilities if only in poor taste. Was impressed at the way he stayed composed and finished the spot.

It was a very telling sign of the times moment actually, on many levels. The ‘all about me’ generation, spoiling it for others.

Hollywood writes its own rules apparently and Will done played himself. He’ll be fine though, it’s Will Smith!

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Seems most people are okay with people insulting their wives.

Not necessarily, Maybe most people feel that responding to insults with assault, is unwarranted.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

Seems most people are okay with people insulting their wives.

-17 ( +11 / -28 )

I've seen the incident and am not surprised he got slapped. His comment/joke was rude and inappropriate. Will Smith is known to be very proud of his family. He should not have slapped Rock during the ceremony. However, if it happened somewhere else I'm sure he would have got much more than a slap.

-19 ( +9 / -28 )

If he was so "offended", why did he initially laugh at the joke?

21 ( +32 / -11 )

The only part of an Oscar ceremony worth watching in 92 years and they condemn it.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

Sigh………so people can’t even recognize jokes between friends and staged confrontations now?

It’s called creating a buzz people. And it worked.

-18 ( +8 / -26 )

What a pathetic circus, again the pathetic Oscars show the cultural and social decadence of that country..

*Chris Rock is a COMEDIAN** and if you want to stay out of the line of his fire, maybe you should not sit in front of the stage? I really liked Will Smith, but now. No respect. For Chris Rock, much respect for how he handled the violence from Mr. Smith.*

Would you like a clown, no matter how famous, make jokes in very bad taste about someone beloved to you??..

-4 ( +15 / -19 )

What Chris Rock said was wrong.

What Will Smith did was very wrong.

-5 ( +14 / -19 )

Rock is lucky it wasn't Tyson...and that is some SERIOUS self-confidence on the part of the Prince...and Rock showed us what it takes to do standup...and a meme we will be seeing over and over for generations is born

-20 ( +6 / -26 )

You wife get's insulted on global television by a "comedian" who has a long history of picking on your wife and making her the focus of jokes. This was a comeuppance that was long overdo, also on global television. It's actually even now. The "comedian" has been stopped harassing your wife, for now

-13 ( +18 / -31 )

When somebody violently slaps you, you don't rub the spot and just carry on, you win.

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

Chris Rock is a COMEDIAN and if you want to stay out of the line of his fire, maybe you should not sit in front of the stage? I really liked Will Smith, but now. No respect. For Chris Rock, much respect for how he handled the violence from Mr. Smith.

15 ( +34 / -19 )

standing up for your wife on global television is a bit of a different playing field. He apologized during his Oscar win, but overall while some sanction will occur against Smith, it should not mar his career

-6 ( +20 / -26 )

I'm not condoning violence in anyway, but it was a slap not a punch so he didn't intend to cause maximum damage. If Chris Rock has a broken cheek bone or loss of sight in his eye, then of course he should press charges against Will Smith, but I don't think it was a 'vicious attack' that requires a big response.

-8 ( +18 / -26 )

He didn't punch him he slapped him for offending his wife who has an auto immune disease causing her hair loss. Not a great topic to hoist your flag on.

Now, it shouldn't have gone that far so there will be sanctions, but it wasn't totally out of line either

-6 ( +23 / -29 )

chris's joke was not even funny but low. there are so many subjects to joke around but joking around one's illness is unkind and ill behavior. he threw the first slap to pinkett and resulted second slap from will. sad that will lost his temper.

if i lost all my hair for sure i do not want people to openly joke about it, not nice that he think his abusive joke can be covered under the word of "comedian".

-7 ( +23 / -30 )

Permanent suspension from nominations and attendance.

0 ( +21 / -21 )

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