Holy shit. Will Smith vs Chris Rock.

[PCIntern]

Chris made an insulting remark about Jada’s hair or lack of it and Will went up on stage and then really let Chris have it. All bleeped.

[nini]

1. That was crazy

Wow

[Tree-Hugger]

2. Right?!?!

WTF was that? At first I thought it was a skit and that my cable sognal went out. Nope. All real.

[MuseRider]

3. Could that have been staged?

I saw her reaction and thought it was likely not. Wow. He almost clocked Chris Rock.

[PCIntern]

5. It was most definitely not staged.

It was fairly frightening.

[MuseRider]

11. It freaked me out!

I looked at Chris Rocks face and thought, whooo boy this is not right! I missed the remark entirely but saw it posted but it was obvious that Jada was immediately offended. I would think one would expect some barbs from Chris Rock but I guess not.

If it was about her hair I think she looks terrific like that!

[onenote]

33. I'm betting it was staged.

Rock making Jada jokes goes back years and the two families remain close.

[BlackSkimmer]

40. I don't think so.

Someone posted the actual interaction that was muted

Smith acted like a total ass.

[onenote]

41. Good actors

From 2016

[Doc Sportello]

68. Nope, was not staged

Watch the clip from Japan posted in #8 of this thread. There's no doubt it was real. Just because they are buds does not mean Smith was ok with the joke. He was pissed and was taking up for his wife. In fact this could have been brewing for awhile.

[BlackSkimmer]

102. Pretty sure that was real. nt

[onenote]

105. Apparently so.

[Nevilledog]

37. Jada has alopecia

Link to tweet

Tweet text:

Stephanie Elam
@StephanieElam
Jada Pinkett Smith has opened up about having alopecia - ergo her baldness. Chris Rock made a joke about waiting to see her in G.I. Jane 2. We could see her facial expression change. Then Will was on stage walking toward Chris. #Oscars
7:44 PM · Mar 27, 2022

[BigmanPigman]

122. NOT staged...look at it again, uncensored. He is crazy and

his "love, love, love" acceptance speech was 100% BS. No one should have applauded that behavior. Uncalled for, inappropriate at the very least. If he did that on the street he would have been arrested. He should be arrested anyway.....no more elite privilege.

[MuseRider]

148. Thanks

I posted almost before the entire thing was over before I knew what the big deal was.

I still think it was dumb, just dumb all around. I did not know she has alopecia but apparently she has made that well known. She looks fantastic, wears wigs when she wants because she can afford them....I do not get what the deal is with this.

People who are in the news, entertainment business news should be well used to crap like this. It was probably in poor taste but it was Chris Rock. Oh well, it isn't me and it isn't mine to judge further than my own opinion in my own head.

Moving on....rich people, I do not understand and it is none of my business. Still, they did MAKE it our business, it could have just passed us all by as a lame joke by CR about a woman he knows and has traded jokes in the past (or at least I read that) and I am done with this. If only.....maybe she would let me use one of her wigs? Even I would not be upset by a joke like that if it was her choice to go without a wig.

[Ocelot II]

4. Dang, I missed it - stepped away for a minute.

But I'm sure it will be all over the internets before long.

[FakeNoose]

7. For sure they're tweeting about it, but I'm not on Twitter

[BigmanPigman]

123. Here it is...

[edbermac]

6. Is that what that was?

I just switched to that and saw them talking to each other but there was no sound. I thought I accidentally hit the mute button on my remote.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

9. It looked real to me.

https://mobile.twitter.com/greggrunberg/status/1508270744626610179?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Then all of the audio was cut off for awhile as Will Smith was yelling at Chris Rock.

[calimary]

121. Both audio and video were cut off as we were watching.

We kinda looked at each other and wondered “power failure?”

[Buckeye_Democrat]

131. Yes, you're correct.

At least in the USA.

My TV showed a frozen last image as the video was temporarily cut off along with the audio, but other TV's might've just went dark.

I was watching it from a local ABC broadcaster via an antenna. My initial assumption was that I had a weak signal at that time, since a frozen image without audio is sometimes what I see when that happens. When it lasted awhile, I then assumed there was some technical glitch at the ceremony.

Reports of what actually happened, from other parts of the world, quickly hit the internet thereafter.

Edit: The video feed was back for me by the time Will Smith was yelling toward Chris Rock in anger, but the audio was still out. Based only on Will Smith's expression, I knew that the video/audio had been cut off intentionally and I started looking for online reports.

[DURHAM D]

21. Yes they killed the sound.

Rock's comment was making fun of Jada's hair. He said he couldn't wait to see G.I. Jane 2.

The slap or hit Will made on Rock had sound effects. iows - It was staged.

[3Hotdogs]

128. Rock was miked. The sound of the slap/punch sounded like film editing because the mike amplified it.

It would have taken one hell of a sound tech to match the sound with the punch, live.

[LessAspin]

8. VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[ChazII]

13. Thank you for posting this

clip.

[PCIntern]

15. Wow

Thanks!

[nini]

22. I'd get assault charges started

What an asshole. It was a joke. If he didn’t like it, it was hardly worth that level of reaction.

[BlackSkimmer]

25. I agree.

What a jerk.

[onenote]

45. Betting it was a prank. Goes back years. This is from 2016.

and the two families are close.

[cayugafalls]

47. Considering Jada has Alopecia which leads to her baldness, it was a joke in bad taste.

Yes, his reaction was overblown, but...I can pretty much understand the desire to smack the shit out of someone making fun of a medical condition for the cheap laugh.

[nini]

54. I get that, but take care of it after

If Rock knew about the hair loss and said that then he’s a jerk too.

But damn. Out of line.

[cayugafalls]

60. Rock knew, they are close friends and Jada has come out about her condition.

But I agree, it was a little over the top, it is Hollywood after all.

[nini]

59. Ok the assault charges may be over the top

🙂 Now that the shock is wearing off, but holy crap.

[exboyfil]

104. If Will Smith really struck him in anger

Then it is a battery. I think it was staged but, if so, it is also a bad look for the Oscars. If getting an audience for the Oscars means WWE tactics, then it would be best to end the televised show.

[nini]

107. Yes it is. I just don't think Rock will press charges

I would though. I don’t give a damn who the heck he is.

[Chicago1980]

96. I doubt Chris Rock will file charges.

[nini]

98. I agree

See my post above 🙂

[eShirl]

26. even with no sound I can lip read it

and I don't read lips

[progressoid]

29. Wow.

[Doc Sportello]

61. You watch this and there's no doubt it's real

Smith wasn't acting. He was pissssssed.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

79. "Keep my name out of your mouth" is a common idiom.

It's also in a song by Dr Dre. I forgot which one.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

99. TMZ has it unmuted

https://www.tmz.com/

[Ilsa]

10. Okay, now I get the "joke". Rock said something about seeing her in

GI Jane 2, so I guess he was referring to Demi Moore's shaved head and that Jada Pinkette Smith has shaved head ss well. Really pissed off Smith.

[AngryOldDem]

16. Thanks.

I thought the GI Jane crack had something to do with it, but didn’t get the connection.

[Ilsa]

19. Caught me off guard. I didn't get it for 5 minutes. nt

[cayugafalls]

51. Jada's head is not shaved, she has Alopecia...it is why Will was pissed.

Making fun of a medical condition for a cheap laugh, not cool.

[Ilsa]

65. Yes, you are my 3rd reply. I didn't know she has alopecia.

I thought it was a style choice. I don't blame Will Smith one bit for being angry at Rock over such a rude joke.

[cayugafalls]

78. My apologies, I don't mean to make it seem like a pile on...

[Ilsa]

84. I'm just surprised so many people know

the very personal medical status of someone who hasn't been making movies in awhile.

[cayugafalls]

94. She came out about it in 2018 or so, if I remember correctly.

[Staph]

52. Jada doesn't have a shaved head.

She has alopecia, which causes a permanent loss of most or all of one's hair.

Would we let someone get away with a joke about the loss of hair due to cancer treatment? Alopecia is worse, because it doesn't get better when the treatment ends. She's bald forever!

[Ilsa]

57. Thank you for telling me. I didn't know it was due to alopecia.

I thought it was a style choice. I don't blame Smith for getting angry.

[LisaL]

58. Cancer is deadly.

Alopecia is not. Regardless, you can't go hitting people because you don't like something they said.

[BlackSkimmer]

72. Alopecia is not "worse" than cancer.

You can’t possibly be serious.

[Staph]

103. I'm quite serious. I have cancer.

It has returned twice since it first appeared in 2013. I've had chemo and radiation, so I know how embarrassing it is to have no hair. I've been through all of the chemo available for my cancer, and I'm now on an immunotherapy drug. It's the last treatment I can have.

But I can walk out in public and no one knows I have cancer. I don't have to deal with perpetual pity from strangers. I don't have to spend a fortune on wigs.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

116. All this tut tutting.

I don't countenance slapping people for saying offensive things but I can understand the motivation. When Joe Biden said in his day he would have taken TFG behind the gym and beat him up for his "grab them" remarks most people here thought it was endearing.

[BlackSkimmer]

151. I have alopecia. I'm not bald. No one but my doctor and hairdresser know (and a close friend).

I’ve seen women with much worse hair loss than I, and I’m quite sure they wouldn’t exchange it for cancer.

I certainly wouldn’t.

[Ms. Toad]

117. And when can I expect this to disappear?

I've been NED (no evidence of disease) for more than a year . . . waiting for it to get better now that treatment has ended



I'm not making light of alopecia - especially since it largely impacts a community in which hair plays such a prominent role.

But cancer, and the scars from cancer, don't "get better" when the treatment ends. And, as a general statistic, there's a 35% chance I'll be dead within the next 3.5 years from the 1 cm tumor. Removing the tumor, and enough surrounding tissue to give me a reasonable chance of survival, left me with what I "affectionately" call it - my shark-bite-franken-arm.) Like alopecia, I am permanently disfigured - AND - there's still a decent likelihood it will kill me.

[Celerity]

143. she shaves it completely because of the partial alopecia nt

[AngryOldDem]

12. I thought the feed had frozen.

One minute Smith was laughing, the next no sound and frozen picture. I thought my TV was going out. I rewound it and saw Smith going up to the stage, and then a pissed off Smith yelling from the audience. Sorry, but I’ve always seen Rock as an unfunny smartass too impressed with himself. Sometimes the “joke” goes too far.

Well, we know what the lead story will be tomorrow….live TV.

[JoeOtterbein]

14. Ha!

I thought they were going to try and solve the Ukraine crisis tonight?

[lindysalsagal]

17. Must be history, there, I'd assume.

Frankly, I'm surprised Will reacted like that. Everyone knows these shows are full of wise cracks. Everyone us fair game.

[BlackSkimmer]

24. Yeah, he acted like an ass.

Outdid Kanye on that one.

I’ll bet Twitter is blowing up lol.

[Sympthsical]

91. My phone went off like a bomb

I wasn't even watching, but I sure knew about it instantly.

It is the only thing on the internet right now, lol.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

31. His wife has alopecia. No wonder he is sensitive.

[BlackSkimmer]

44. Hardly an excuse to attack someone physically.

Surprised at him.

[AngryOldDem]

32. I wonder if something else was implied.

A deeper dig? I have no idea of the history between Rock and Smith, if any, but Smith’s been around long enough to expect stuff like this at awards shows.

And the Oscar for Most Uncomfortable Moment goes to…

[budkin]

18. Video here

Link to tweet

?s=21&t=m5I02Qeg7UyzEgiNl7JXDA

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. His wife has alopecia. No wonder he is sensitive.

[LisaL]

36. Senstive?

Hitting someone is assault.

[BlackSkimmer]

48. Thank you.

I lost respect for Smith on that.

[AngryOldDem]

38. Well, then.

I can see why Smith took offense.

I didn’t know that.

[BlackSkimmer]

46. No excuse for punching someone.

Pathetic.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

53. Posters are saying he should be arrested.

Technically he violated the law. I'm sure Gerge Gascon is just dying to prosecute this case.

[LisaL]

55. Hitting someone is assault.

So, yea, "technically" he violated the law.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

63. Do you think the LAPD should arrest him?

Do you think District Attorney Gascon's office should prosecute him? Do you think if his office did it could secure a conviction? If he is convicted do you think he should go to jail?

[exboyfil]

109. Misdemeanor battery

No jail time. Community service if he pleads out.

That is unless we want to reexamine the whole concept of fighting words. Keep your hands to yourself.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

112. I bet I can cite instances where you would agree a slap is understandable, if not justified.

[Sugarcoated]

126. You probably could

people who hurt others almost always think their actions are "understandable" but it doesn't change that it's wrong and against the law to physically harm another person. "Understandable" is subjective.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

135. Interesting

Nobody is saying it's justified to hurt someone for some vacuous reason, just that words can cut so deep that a slap is understandable, if not justified. When Joe Biden said back in the day he would have taken TFG behind the gym and beat him up for his "grab em" remark most folks here found it endearing. I'm sure if X used a racist, homophobic, or anti-semitic epithet toward Y and Y slapped him or her most folks would say it was understandable if not justified. It's where you draw the line. Will drew the line at making fun of his wife for having alopecia.

[Sugarcoated]

140. The joke was tasteless

but if everybody was aloud to do that there wouldn't be many comedians left standing. I don't see how anyone that supports the right to free speech could support Will's actions. One act was legal while the other surely was not. Chris could press charges and Will could definitely be arrested.

[Voltaire2]

149. Assault is a crime in every state.

You don’t get to hit people because they said words you didn’t like.

Before you go there ‘fighting words’ is not a valid defense against an assault charge unless you can establish an imminent threat. It is not ‘he said mean things’.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

150. I specifically said it wasn't justified.

That being said why did most folks here find it endearing when Joe Biden said back in his day he would have taken TFG behind the gym and beat him up for his " grab em" remarks? I would add if somebody called another person the B word, the F word, the S word , the N word et cetera and got slapped and came here looking for succor he or she would get none. The prevailing sentiment would be the person shouldn't have slapped you but you provided a pretext.

[AngryOldDem]

66. Not excusing Smith physically going after Rock.

But I get his anger. Rock was mocking a physical condition that is beyond Pinkett Smith’s control.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

71. I don't countenance assault but I can understand the motivation.

[AngryOldDem]

80. That's where I'm at.

He should have been escorted out, to cool off if nothing else.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

88. Reminds me of a discussion we once had in Constitutional Law

Reminds me of a discussion we had in Constitutional Law regarding spontaneous moral outrage and fighting words. Again, I dont countenance assault but I'm sure I can cite instances where most people would empathize with if not countenance a slap.

[Tomconroy]

28. I think that's a first in my lifetime. And that doesn't happen

very often.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

30. It's already a story at ABC News.

The Oscars ground to a shocked silence after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock onstage after the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/red-carpet-arrivals-begin-oscars-hoping-comeback-83704651

[ChazII]

35. On a fashion thread regarding

Jada, they said something to the effect that even with health issues that caused hair loss she rocks the red carpet. I was reading Yahoo! reviews prior to the start of the show.

[Crepuscular]

43. ...

Reportedly, Jada Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, hence her baldness. Given the fact that it's a medical condition, it was in extremely poor taste for Rock to make a joke regarding her head. Props to Smith for sticking up for her.

[LisaL]

50. You can't hit people just because you don't like something they said.

NT

[Crepuscular]

74. ...

Correction; you Shouldn't hit people......
But you certainly can, regardless of whether it's a smart or appropriate thing to do and it happens every day. Go around dissing someone's spouse and there is a good chance that you will get your ass kicked.

[LiberatedUSA]

146. Try that shit in a red state and see what happens.

Assault someone because you don’t like their words and they get to defend their life with their concealed gun.

[Crepuscular]

147. ...

Try dissing someones spouse in South Chicago or South Boston, not exactly bastions of conservatism, and see how that turns out for you.

[BlackSkimmer]

56. Yeah, punching someone is an appropriate reaction.

Not.

Never mind the fact that Jada can “stand up for” herself.

[Crepuscular]

67. ...

Appropriate? In some communities it would be more like predictable. He didn't punch him, he slapped him, had he punched him Rock would have been on his ass. Whether it was appropriate will be for a jury to decide, should Rock be stupid enough to press charges, which I highly doubt will happen. I expect Jada could kick Chris Rocks ass, would doing so be "appropriate"?

[Mr.Bill]

62. I agree, but going physical was out of line.

He could have kept it verbal. I bet this won't be the last we hear of this. That was assault.

[Takket]

49. i haven't picked my jaw up from the floor yet... i'm just STUNNED

i thought it was a bit!!!!!!!!!

[greenjar_01]

64. He got in one little fight and his mom got scared

[Buckeye_Democrat]

69. So does Will Smith still win the Best Actor award...

... as many predicted?

I suppose that he'll still get the Oscar, if he already got the votes.

Awwwkwaaard!

[AngryOldDem]

77. It's next.

It will be interesting to see what he says if he does win. I’m assuming he’s still there, and that he and Jada didn’t leave, or were asked to leave.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

83. Yep, he won.

And his acceptance speech is belabored.

[AngryOldDem]

92. Trying to make a parallel with King Richard.

He knows he messed up.

Don’t know how this will play.

[Mr.Bill]

90. He did.

He got a partial standing ovation and mild applause. He's bursting into tears on stage. He said Denzel Washington told him "Be careful in your highest moment, that's when the devil comes for you." He's apologizing and showing serious remorse, in my opinion. He has not mentioned the incident specifically.

[exboyfil]

106. Consciousness of guilt

Do you need Chris Rock to press charges? It was a battery - that is a concern of society. Smith should answer for it in a court of law. What message does it send if he doesn't?

[Mr.Bill]

111. If they are close enough friends, maybe they can work it out

and be friends again. The truth is, making a bigger deal about it isn't going to be good for either of their careers. If they were not public figures with reputations and images to protect, Smith would have left there in the back of a police car in handcuffs.

And what is it they say in Hollywood? Any publicity is good publicity. And they are the talk of the town right now.

[exboyfil]

113. My point exactly

Some animals are more equal than others. A public battery should have consequences.

[tinrobot]

114. He won, apologized to the Academy, but NOT Chris Rock.

Not cool.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

115. Yeah, I heard it.

I kept expecting an apology to Chris Rock after he apologized to the Academy, but NOPE.

[oasis]

70. "Everybody Hates Chris"? I know of at least one person.

[Initech]

73. Yeah WTF happened? That was insane!

[redstateblues]

75. Staged

[BigmanPigman]

142. No, it wasn't ...

[superpatriotman]

76. Will Smith out Kanye-ed Kanye

It is an assault on Rock, the audience and the industry.

[ecstatic]

82. I'm really disappointed in Will Smith. Dang it! nt

[Takket]

81. omg here comes will lol

[AngryOldDem]

86. Here we go...

Still looks angry.

[Johnny2X2X]

87. He's making an ass out of himself

Playing the victim. He assaulted someone in front of a billion people and he’s the victim now. Apologize to the dude you hit.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

89. I assumed he would, but it hasn't happened...

... after a very long teary-eyed speech about protecting family.

[Johnny2X2X]

93. Talking about spreading love..

When he just assaulted someone for telling a poor taste joke. Give me a break.

If I were Chris Rock I’d make 2 hours of material about Will Smith and his wife and take it on tour.

[nini]

95. I guess I didn't see him hit someone

Being he is all high and mighty now.

[miyazaki]

97. Definately spreading the love in his open marriage.

[jalan48]

100. Wow-sad to see this. I've always liked Will Smith.

[exboyfil]

101. Not staged but I think Will Smith pulled his punch/slap

Otherwise Chris Rock would have been on his butt. Will Smith is a big, strong, athletic guy.

At least three people screwed up

1. The writer
2. Chris Rock for telling the joke
3. Will Smith for battery which he really should be arrested for. He could and probably should have responded verbally - you just can't be slapping people for what they say.

[MurrayDelph]

118. 4. The Academy

for not escorting Smith out.

[exboyfil]

119. You are very right

They should have just put his hardware in a Fed Ex box and tell him and Chris Rock that they are not welcome back.

[Duncan Grant]

137. My sentiments exactly. It was violence and absolutely unacceptable.

It’s stunning in the worst possible way and a horrible thing to witness. Will Smith should retire and disappear. He’s Mel Gibson as far as I’m concerned. Unconscionable behavior. And the acceptance speech? Good god, like he’s a victim? Total mind-f***.

[BlueCheeseAgain]

108. So weird

First, kind of a mean joke on Rock's part, but not over-the-top for these kinds of award shows.
Second, definite overreaction by Smith. You can't go around hitting people for that kind of thing.
Third, Rock handled it beautifully. Had Smith not followed up with the cursing, the audience probably would have thought it was a prank.

[harumph]

110. one rich actor/comedian hitting another rich actor/comedian

what a sideshow.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

120. No police report filed

Link to tweet

[exboyfil]

125. Where is Jussie Smolett when you need him

[BigmanPigman]

129. I hope his career and reputation are more damaging than getting arrested.

He is a violent psycho and should be in jail. No excuses!!!! He is a Hollywood Elite so nothing will happen to his craeer or reputation.

Now if you or I did the same thing we would be in jail and have to go through anger management programs.

They should have held back his Oscar until he has conpleted such a program. What's to stop someone from doing this in the future then claims "Will Smith did it and nothing happened to him" as a defense.

[pbmus]

138. ........Kathy says it best

Link to tweet

[BigmanPigman]

141. She has a point.

Will was laughing at the joke himself at first. Then he looked at his wife and she was pissy and that is when he went on stage. I think it was partly showing off for her...big man protector.

[UTUSN]

124. Who said the oscars were dead?!1

[Tree Lady]

127. I have been reading a bunch of articles about our mental health

All of us after the last two years, so this happening doesn't surprise me.

Will obviously shouldn't have hit him but it makes you wonder how many of us are close to snapping like that?

[ItsjustMe]

130. Download link for video

https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1508270563076321287/vid/1280x720/vdzWNtM23JVcaEtI.mp4

[eissa]

132. Will and Jada are such humorless jerks

Everyone gets roasted at these award shows. Ricky Gervais said FAR worse things when he hosted, yet no one stormed the stage and decked him because their feelings got hurt.

I don’t care how insensitive the joke was, you maintain your composure like an adult and address it later. Assaulting someone during a live telecast was boorish and stupid. I was disappointed with the standing ovation Smith got when he won - talk about rewarding toxic masculinity.

[OneBro]

133. Bizarre.

Will Smith initially seemed amused by the joke while Jada seemed stunned. The punch seemed fake. I wasn’t stunned until Will started yelling. My first thought was that he only felt the need to react after realizing Jada was unhappy with the joke.

Chris seemed underwhelmed by the punch or slap or whatever it was, but he was extra-whelmed by the yelling and cursing.

Sad if any part of it was real; sad if any part of it was fake.

[Curtis]

134. Alopecia is an illness.

My wife had a stroke at a young age. If someone was speaking at something we were at and they said they couldn't wait to see her in something highlighting her condition, I'd walk up on stage and flatten him. It wouldn't have been a slap.

[Diablo del sol]

136. My take - Rock told an insensitive joke

But fuck Will Smith and basically all entertainers who live for the Award show circuit and the adulation. This is very similar to the Robert Downey Jr. meltdown when Ricky Gervais was making fun of all of them when hosting. (obviously no physical altercation on that night)

But really who the fuck do these people think they are. The are GOD DAMN FUCKING ACTORS, they aren't Super Heroes, the play Super Heros. They make millions for entertaining and then get all pissy when offended.

They have a right to their opinions, a right to make a great living. But this award show bullshit pisses me off. I can think of a half dozen professions that deserve award shows and 25k gift bags over entertainers.

They need to grow the F up.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

139. LAPD Statement

Link to tweet

[usedtobedemgurl]

144. The Japanese version was not bleeped.

[Emile]

145. My take on it, Will Smith needs mental health!