Will Smith

[tiggerblue10]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60897004

Do you think Will was justified in slapping one on Chris Rock? I really like Will and will admit to having a wee crush on him but he shouldn't have resorted to violence. Having said that, Chris was an idiot saying what he said considering Jada has a medical condition, alopecia.

[andy-hughes]

No he was not justified - violence is never appropriate behaviour.

[anneasquith]

I think it was a set up ?

[aelmpvw]

why would will smith agree to a set up that leaves him in a very bad light?

[pastafreak]

Both were in the wrong...and slapping someone on stage for all the world to see is just stupid immature. Yet some condoned it.
I gather from another article I read that they have a long running feud.
I didn't know his wife had alopecia.

[237SJ]

Sounds like six of one and half a dozen of the other.

[anneasquith]

Ael. He has just published a book. His speech was all about protecting his family. ( conveniently had to protect his wife with the punch ?

[aelmpvw]

good job Ricky Gervais wasn't the compere, Will would probably have killed him . . .

[Peter Pedant]

I know a few with alopecia - it has the same effect as laughing about someone's cancer

Bad example....

[ladybirder]

I don't think Ricky would have said that though ael. Do you?

[Ken4155]

Whether the slap was justified or not, it didn't do much for Will Smith's tough guy image, did it? Chris Rock hardly flinched and actually laughed. Smith couldn't slap his way out of a paper bag :-J

[Ken4155]

Gervais attacks the ego, not the person.

[Deskdiary]

I like Will Smith a lot.

But....

Why hasn't he been arrested?

He has very publicly assaulted somebody - if I walked up to somebody and gave them a slap, I'd expect there to be repercussions (or does it work differently in the US?).

[ladybirder]

Chris Rock doesn't want him prosecuted.

[Deskdiary]

^^^So.

It may be different in the US (I haven't a clue), but in the UK a crime victim not wanting the perpetrator to be prosecuted doesn't mean they won't be.

[davebro]

he shoulda followed up with a left hook!

[Barsel]

I don't think it was staged. Take a look at the video on this clip and what Will Smith shouted out when he went back to his seat.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10658211/Oscars-2022-Beyonc-kicks-Oscars-pre-taped-performance.html

[bednobs]

it IS different in the us (bearing in mind all my us legal knowledge is gained from judge judy)

[brian j john]

I don't think the slap actually made contact

[davebro]

looked like a closed fist to me

[Ken4155]

Having watched it again, i'm not sure the slap landed either. And, when the camera cuts to the Smiths immediately the joke has been told, they are both laughing?