Will Smith punches Chris Rock at Oscars

[Lisafuller]

Anybody catch the Oscars? I didn’t but saw clips online of Will Smith punching/slapping Chris Rock in the face after he made what seemed like a pretty harmless joke about Smith’s wife Jada. Not sure if it was staged, what do you think?

[smoulder]

It looks staged. Who slaps another man like that?

[Lisafuller]

It looks staged. Who slaps another man like that?

That’s what I thought too, especially since he was laughing at first. But hearing him yell after it seemed really serious.

[Myasis Dragon]

Almost certainly not staged. The next day, Will Smith made a full and unreserved apology today, closing by saying, "I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

This was the right thing to do. While his actions were wrong, he models accountability for his actions with these statements. It is what we must learn as progressive humans... accountability and responsibility.

[abbby]

I think it's real...i saw the video on youtube, both totally at fault, Chris was insensitive with his words and Will was rash in his action, 50/50.

[malcontent]

I think it's real...i saw the video on youtube, both totally at fault, Chris was insensitive with his words and Will was rash in his action, 50/50.

Watch Chris’ body language as Will approaches him on stage… he leans out, like someone readying themselves to get slapped, then hurls himself back… sorry, I know good acting when I see it - - plus there is clear motive: the Emmy awards badly needed the publicity. I’m just not buying it. Not in a million years.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Chris didn't insult her at all. In fact what he did was give her props. All the wimps who've never done any military service, let alone the US Marine Corp, wouldn't know what it took to shave their heads and go through a man's version of hell on this earth and still wear it in public takes an enormous amount of strength. She could have just as easily wore a wig and not appear as strong, beautiful proud woman, and that is why Chris actually complimented her for her strength. Personally I'm with Mal on this. And a growing body of people are actually starting to see it for what it was. A very elaborate hoax/skit. I've watch that full clip at least a dozen times, and it all starts with the jibe and Will smiling/laughing at it and only then when the timing was right, got up and started the skit.

I worked in a 94% black population major city for 7 years during a time when they tried to burn the city down (Washington DC during the long hot summer that was the 1970's). I've seen more than my share of Friday night fights there between their own as I had two offices in NE DC. I have NEVER seen a black man 'slap' another black man. PUNCH/STAB/SHOOT yeah, but not slap. Neither have I ever seen a black man stand there and literally walk into the slap when the slapper was raising his arm before ever getting to the slapped person. No warding off of the blow or any attempt to and striding to Will with HIS ARMS behind his back and a slight smile on his face. I also have never seen someone hit who did not even try to strike back or flinch even, but stood there, still with arms behind his back tell all that he was just slapped. The whole thing was just too artificial. Lets also remember, Will Smith just won an Oscar. That means he's a pretty damned good actor and Chris Rock has also paid his dues. Jada is also a well know actress so could have played her role to a 't' just as well. And to avoid any ongoing recriminations a day later a "public" written apology to Chris could close the chapter and the skit was over. I personally think the Academy may well have been advised on it too.

[Lisafuller]

Almost certainly not staged. The next day, Will Smith made a full and unreserved apology today, closing by saying, "I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

This was the right thing to do. While his actions were wrong, he models accountability for his actions with these statements. It is what we must learn as progressive humans... accountability and responsibility.

True, but then after people were speculating that it was staged since some of the pictures taken at the event showed Chris with what looked almost like a prosthetic cheek (far fetched, I know). The trouble is they’re both actors so I don’t know what to believe.

[Lisafuller]

I think it's real...i saw the video on youtube, both totally at fault, Chris was insensitive with his words and Will was rash in his action, 50/50.

Watch Chris’ body language as Will approaches him on stage… he leans out, like someone readying themselves to get slapped, then hurls himself back… sorry, I know good acting when I see it - - plus there is clear motive: the Emmy awards badly needed the publicity. I’m just not buying it. Not in a million years.

You meant Oscars right? That’s what I heard online too, but something I think about is why he would risk getting so much online backlash just to bring more attention to the event. After all, when people now watch replays it’s just clips of the incident they watch, not the whole show.

[Lisafuller]

I think it's real...i saw the video on youtube, both totally at fault, Chris was insensitive with his words and Will was rash in his action, 50/50.

Still not sure if it’s real, but you’re right. The joke was definitely insensitive, but Will’s violent response was completely inappropriate.

[Lisafuller]

Chris didn't insult her at all. In fact what he did was give her props. All the wimps who've never done any military service, let alone the US Marine Corp, wouldn't know what it took to shave their heads and go through a man's version of hell on this earth and still wear it in public takes an enormous amount of strength. She could have just as easily wore a wig and not appear as strong, beautiful proud woman, and that is why Chris actually complimented her for her strength. Personally I'm with Mal on this. And a growing body of people are actually starting to see it for what it was. A very elaborate hoax/skit. I've watch that full clip at least a dozen times, and it all starts with the jibe and Will smiling/laughing at it and only then when the timing was right, got up and started the skit.

I worked in a 94% black population major city for 7 years during a time when they tried to burn the city down (Washington DC during the long hot summer that was the 1970's). I've seen more than my share of Friday night fights there between their own as I had two offices in NE DC. I have NEVER seen a black man 'slap' another black man. PUNCH/STAB/SHOOT yeah, but not slap. Neither have I ever seen a black man stand there and literally walk into the slap when the slapper was raising his arm before ever getting to the slapped person. No warding off of the blow or any attempt to and striding to Will with HIS ARMS behind his back and a slight smile on his face. I also have never seen someone hit who did not even try to strike back or flinch even, but stood there, still with arms behind his back tell all that he was just slapped. The whole thing was just too artificial. Lets also remember, Will Smith just won an Oscar. That means he's a pretty damned good actor and Chris Rock has also paid his dues. Jada is also a well know actress so could have played her role to a 't' just as well. And to avoid any ongoing recriminations a day later a "public" written apology to Chris could close the chapter and the skit was over. I personally think the Academy may well have been advised on it too.

You do make a good point, but I think one thing you haven’t considered is the fact that all this happened publicly. What was Chris to do other than walk right into it? Fight Will? I am leaning towards the whole thing being staged since they’re both great actors and the whole thing seemed to go as fast as it came. Either way, Chris did take it like a champ.

[smoulder]

Chris didn't insult her at all. In fact what he did was give her props. All the wimps who've never done any military service, let alone the US Marine Corp, would know what it took to shave their heads and go through a man's version of hell on this earth and still wear it in public takes an enormous amount of strength. She could have just as easily wore a wig and not appear as strong, beautiful proud woman, and that is why Chris actually complimented her for her strength. Personally I'm with Mal on this. And a growing body of people are actually starting to see it for what it was. A very elaborate hoax/skit. I've watch that full clip at least a dozen times, and it all starts with the jibe and Will smiling/laughing at it and only then when the timing was right, got up and started the skit.

I worked in a 94% black population major city for 7 years during a time when they tried to burn the city down (Washington DC during the long hot summer that was the 1970's). I've seen more than my share of Friday night fights there between their own as I had two offices in NE DC. I have NEVER seen a black man 'slap' another black man. PUNCH/STAB/SHOOT yeah, but not slap. Neither have I ever seen a black man stand there and literally walk into the slap when the slapper was raising his arm before ever getting to the slapped person. No warding off of the blow or any attempt to and striding to Will with HIS ARMS behind his back and a slight smile on his face. I also have never seen someone hit who did not even try to strike back or flinch even, but stood there, still with arms behind his back tell all that he was just slapped. The whole thing was just too artificial. Lets also remember, Will Smith just won an Oscar. That means he's a pretty damned good actor and Chris Rock has also paid his dues. Jada is also a well know actress so could have played her role to a 't' just as well. And to avoid any ongoing recriminations a day later a "public" written apology to Chris could close the chapter and the skit was over. I personally think the Academy may well have been advised on it too.

You do make a good point, but I think one thing you haven’t considered is the fact that all this happened publicly. What was Chris to do other than walk right into it? Fight Will? I am leaning towards the whole thing being staged since they’re both great actors and the whole thing seemed to go as fast as it came. Either way, Chris did take it like a champ.

The natural instinct would be to block the *slap*. Especially since Chris had a good long look at Will strutting up a mile towards him!

[malcontent]

I think it's real...i saw the video on youtube, both totally at fault, Chris was insensitive with his words and Will was rash in his action, 50/50.

Watch Chris’ body language as Will approaches him on stage… he leans out, like someone readying themselves to get slapped, then hurls himself back… sorry, I know good acting when I see it - - plus there is clear motive: the Emmy awards badly needed the publicity. I’m just not buying it. Not in a million years.

You meant Oscars right? That’s what I heard online too, but something I think about is why he would risk getting so much online backlash just to bring more attention to the event. After all, when people now watch replays it’s just clips of the incident they watch, not the whole show.

LOL… that adds to my point, Oscars, Emmys…nobody is paying attention to these award shows anymore, myself included!

There was a meme online saying - I wouldn’t have known the award show even happened had it not been for the slap!

[Lisafuller]

Chris didn't insult her at all. In fact what he did was give her props. All the wimps who've never done any military service, let alone the US Marine Corp, would know what it took to shave their heads and go through a man's version of hell on this earth and still wear it in public takes an enormous amount of strength. She could have just as easily wore a wig and not appear as strong, beautiful proud woman, and that is why Chris actually complimented her for her strength. Personally I'm with Mal on this. And a growing body of people are actually starting to see it for what it was. A very elaborate hoax/skit. I've watch that full clip at least a dozen times, and it all starts with the jibe and Will smiling/laughing at it and only then when the timing was right, got up and started the skit.

I worked in a 94% black population major city for 7 years during a time when they tried to burn the city down (Washington DC during the long hot summer that was the 1970's). I've seen more than my share of Friday night fights there between their own as I had two offices in NE DC. I have NEVER seen a black man 'slap' another black man. PUNCH/STAB/SHOOT yeah, but not slap. Neither have I ever seen a black man stand there and literally walk into the slap when the slapper was raising his arm before ever getting to the slapped person. No warding off of the blow or any attempt to and striding to Will with HIS ARMS behind his back and a slight smile on his face. I also have never seen someone hit who did not even try to strike back or flinch even, but stood there, still with arms behind his back tell all that he was just slapped. The whole thing was just too artificial. Lets also remember, Will Smith just won an Oscar. That means he's a pretty damned good actor and Chris Rock has also paid his dues. Jada is also a well know actress so could have played her role to a 't' just as well. And to avoid any ongoing recriminations a day later a "public" written apology to Chris could close the chapter and the skit was over. I personally think the Academy may well have been advised on it too.

You do make a good point, but I think one thing you haven’t considered is the fact that all this happened publicly. What was Chris to do other than walk right into it? Fight Will? I am leaning towards the whole thing being staged since they’re both great actors and the whole thing seemed to go as fast as it came. Either way, Chris did take it like a champ.

The natural instinct would be to block the *slap*. Especially since Chris had a good long look at Will strutting up a mile towards him!

I think if anything he would’ve thought Will was coming up to defend Jada, not slap him.

[Lisafuller]

Watch Chris’ body language as Will approaches him on stage… he leans out, like someone readying themselves to get slapped, then hurls himself back… sorry, I know good acting when I see it - - plus there is clear motive: the Emmy awards badly needed the publicity. I’m just not buying it. Not in a million years.

You meant Oscars right? That’s what I heard online too, but something I think about is why he would risk getting so much online backlash just to bring more attention to the event. After all, when people now watch replays it’s just clips of the incident they watch, not the whole show.

LOL… that adds to my point, Oscars, Emmys…nobody is paying attention to these award shows anymore, myself included!

There was a meme online saying - I wouldn’t have known the award show even happened had it not been for the slap!

Exactly why I think it might not have been a publicity stunt… the added attention was only to the incident not the show.