The View: Week of 3/28/2022

[Cozytea]

I just watched The Talk and they discussed the Assault on Chris Rock way better imo. They also showed a great clip of Jim Carey saying how Spineless Hollywood is for that standing ovation.  

Edited March 29, 2022 by Cozytea

[TheGreenKnight]

1 hour ago, tinkerbell said:

I agree.   If a comic tells a joke you don't like, there are a lot of options - booing, calling out that it was not funny, talking to him afterwards, going to social media afterwards, lots of options.  HITTING is not the only way to defend your wife from a joke, even if the joke was mean and insensitive. Responding in a civilized way, that the joke was hurtful, would make Chris Rock look like the bad guy.  PLUS, Smith, in accepting the award, was allowed to go on and on, way longer than these speeches are usually allowed to go on.  

The standing ovation almost seemed like the audience (academy members)  were applauding his actions, not just his award.  I can't help but imagine Chris ROck might have felt that too.   Smith should have been asked to leave once he returned to his seat after the slap.  

DRAGGED off stage?  sure, that would have been chaos.   But how about, once he returned to his seat and then began screaming expletives, having security show up to ESCORT (not drag)  him out of the building.  That would have sent a powerful message about violence.  And then he wouldn't have been given the chance to explain himself, but referencing the movie he won the award for, and talk about protecting his family.  His explanation would have had to come later, after he had time to consider what he had actually done.  He still would have won the award, since the votes were already counted, but that would have been a powerful message - not being there to accept an award because you lost control of your temper and assaulted someone.

Bottomline - isn't this what we teach our kids? feeling angry is OK, talking about anger is OK, hitting people because you're angry is NOT OK. 

I agree. I think Joy said that yesterday, that if he wanted to make a stateme, he should've walked out like she did years ago to Bill O'Reilly. No doubt it couldn't have been any worse. People would've still mocked him for not being able to take a joke, but the Oscar's would've had egg on their face when he was announced as Best Actor and wasn't there.

[Back Atcha]

20 hours ago, SusanM said:

Her husband was already the centre of attention that night, he was nominated, and subsequently won, an academy award - I am truly not understanding the hate for this woman and the need to make what Will Smith did her fault.

I'm responding to your comments addressed to me.

I don't hate "this woman."   What Will Smith did IS his fault; he would be the one arrested under most circumstances.   Many think that she is "the woman behind the man."  There are many comments that explain "a look" from her is all it takes for Will Smith to go into action.  Again, I don't know either of them, nor am I a "hater." Many  have followed her career and her gift for getting publicity...and they might be haters.

Edited March 30, 2022 by Back Atcha

[deirdra]

7 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

What is there to explain? He got mad and his anger resulted in physical violence. 

Will laughed heartily at Chris Rock's joke, but didn't get 'mad' until Jada glared at him.

Sunny was right yesterday noting that Will apologized to the Academy during his speech (probably so they wouldn't take away his statue) but did not apologize to the victim of his assault.  His 'public' apology to Chris was scripted after numerous outlets pointed out this lack of apology.

Chris Rock made a sensitive documentary called "Good Hair" in 2009, glorifying African American hairstyles, including bald/shaved ones.

Edited March 29, 2022 by deirdra

[Vanderboom]

5 hours ago, Ellis Bell said:

His behavior had to do with a strong sense of entitlement and a level of arrogance only an A-Lister would consider acceptable.  When people start making excuses (explaining) someone's behavior that's a sure sign they're in the wrong.  I seriously don't care that his dad was an abusive asshole, that does not give you an excuse to act out and physically harm another human being.

You're absolutely right, but no one has said this. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that Whoopi hasn't tried to explain away Will Smith's actions. She's been critical of his actions, and she probably sympathizes with Smith because of her recent suspension and public apology.

[bluegirl147]

One of my best friends said watching this Will Smith thing is like watching a sociological experiment.  Seeing how people are reacting differently to seeing the same event.  There are so many different elements to this it is fascinating to see someone else's opinion on things that is so different from mine.  I can't even say they are wrong because they are seeing things from a different perspective.  If any good comes from this I hope it is someone thinks before they say something that might be hurtful to someone and someone thinks before they react violently to something they don't like hearing.  

[Prairie Rose]

9 hours ago, Haleth said:

Other than Whoopi, does anyone believe Will wrote that statement? 

Surely you jest. Don't call me Shirley!! 😉😂

[KittyQ]

10 hours ago, Haleth said:

Other than Whoopi, does anyone believe Will wrote that statement? 

Of course, he didn't. He may have had some input though, based on the justification because of Jada's condition. I think that a PR person would have left that out as sounding a little too self-serving, but the customer has a lot of weight in these things. I found Jada's comment today to be too little as well. "Time for healing" indeed. I think the right thing would be for Will to deliver a sincere in person apology to Chris and then for both him and Jada to just lay low for a while and take whatever (probably lame) sanction the Academy imposes. Keep the award - that's for work done - but at least suspend his membership for some time. 

[darwin416]

On 3/28/2022 at 11:24 AM, Ellis Bell said:

Sunny, Will took focus away from ALL of the winners not just Questlove.  

I agree with Joy about the In Memoriam, I could barely see the deceased on the screen because they pulled too far back to showcase the singing group.

Whoopi is now becoming defensive about Will Smith.  Has this woman no moral compass?  

Sunny is a hypocrite. She said that Will Smith took away ‘the moment’ for all the Oscar winners for his own selfishness. I totally agree with that viewpoint. However, just a few years ago Sunny supported Serena Williams who took away Naomi Osaka’s ‘moment’ of winning the US Open. In fact she lauded Serena for her actions. Osaka looked so sad when she won and has never been the same player since.

[Pearson80]

21 minutes ago, darwin416 said:

Sunny is a hypocrite. She said that Will Smith took away ‘the moment’ for all the Oscar winners for his own selfishness. I totally agree with that viewpoint. However, just a few years ago Sunny supported Serena Williams who took away Naomi Osaka’s ‘moment’ of winning the US Open. In fact she lauded Serena for her actions. Osaka looked so sad when she won and has never been the same player since.

What Will did to Chris Rock and what happened between Serena and Naomi is apples and oranges.  

[MsTree]

16 hours ago, Ellis Bell said:

Apologist Whoopi giving us her sage observations on why Will was not removed from the stage which is complete bullshit as usual.  And stop making EVERYTHING about race.  

Thank you! Her remark about "removing the black man from the stage" was totally unnecessary since Will and Chris are both black.  What the hell was her point anyway?

[MsTree]

18 hours ago, SusanM said:

I am truly not understanding the hate for this woman and the need to make what Will Smith did her fault.

Jada didn't tell Will to assault Chris, but it's very clear that Will immediately laughed at the joke until Jade gave Will the side-eye or stink-eye (whatever you want to call it)...which was no doubt a signal for Will to do something about the joke Chris made.

So while she's not responsible for his lack of impulse control, she's responsible for whatever reaction he felt would appease her (aka defending his wife), which is a joke in and of itself.

[Back Atcha]

1 hour ago, MsTree said:

So while she's not responsible for his lack of impulse control, she's responsible for whatever reaction he felt would appease her (aka defending his wife), which is a joke in and of itself.

THIS SAYS IT ALL !!!    Thanks, MsTree!

[Back Atcha]

 

10 hours ago, Vanderboom said:

16 hours ago, Ellis Bell said:

I seriously don't care that his dad was an abusive asshole, that does not give you an excuse to act out and physically harm another human being.

You're absolutely right, but no one has said this.

But some said it on national TV yesterday and today. Not an "excuse," but a possible "explanation." A psychologist on one of the "entertainment" shows explained that 9-yr-old Will Smith's watching his father seriously beating Will's mother (covered in his recent book, "Will") may be a reason for deep-seated anger and control problems. He suggested that Mr. Smith needs therapy.  Joy Behar mentioned something similar (referring to the book) on "The View."  There were probably others.

 

 

[Back Atcha]

2 hours ago, MsTree said:

Jada didn't tell Will to assault Chris, but it's very clear that Will immediately laughed at the joke until Jade gave Will the side-eye or stink-eye (whatever you want to call it)...which was no doubt a signal for Will to do something about the joke Chris made.

And what's interesting about these two comments is that others would SWEAR Will was NOT laughing at THAT joke; he was laughing at the previous one.  We all watched it and we saw something different.  

10 hours ago, deirdra said:

Will laughed heartily at Chris Rock's joke, but didn't get 'mad' until Jada glared at him.

I'm in the same camp as MsTree and Dierdra ... and I think videotape will eventually convince many more.

[Back Atcha]

8 hours ago, KittyQ said:

I think the right thing would be for Will to deliver a sincere in person apology to Chris and then for both him and Jada to just lay low for a while

I love this...because I think Will might be able to "lay low," but Jada?  NO!!!  Isn't she the Chief of Smith Family Publicity?  Every "top interviewer" on the main networks will be romancing her to get that "Get."

[Sharper2002]

5 hours ago, Back Atcha said:

I love this...because I think Will might be able to "lay low," but Jada?  NO!!!  Isn't she the Chief of Smith Family Publicity?  Every "top interviewer" on the main networks will be romancing her to get that "Get."

I think they’ve already said they’re both going to discuss on her Red Table Talk show soon. They’re on it. 🙄

On to todays show, Joy always manages to crack me up. And I’m surprised Whoopi didn’t pull her “I can’t talk about it because I’m a member of the Academy” routine today. 

[Haleth]

 Sure, Sunny, people care about paid maternal leave and universal healthcare, but the most important issue for voters is rampant inflation. Until that’s under control nothing else will matter. 

[TheGreenKnight]

On that second topic, I don't feel like the two points are mutually exclusive. Tara is right that the U.S. is ultimately a moderate country and going further left is the wrong move, but Joy is right that AOC had a point that expecting the opposition or Manchin and Sinema to agree to anything was very naive on Biden's part--and that ultimately sunk the bill.

I was glad they focused more on Chris Rock today. I know perhaps he doesn't want much attention from the story, to be called a victim and all that, but he was.

[njbchlover]

I still can't stand Raven-Symone.....

[Bronzedog]

Thoroughly enjoyed Hannah Gadsby.

[Picture It. Sicily]

On 3/28/2022 at 5:09 PM, Ellis Bell said:

I just re-watched the video where Will shoves and slaps the Ukranian reporter.  The reporter tried to give him a kiss on both cheeks, which is normal custom in Europe and that's when Will freaked out.  You have major issues when your first instinct is to physically attack someone.

He was supposed to kiss another actor in Six Degrees of Separation and refused to do it. I think we can safely add homophobe to his list of character defects.

[Ellis Bell]

17 minutes ago, Picture It. Sicily said:

He was supposed to kiss another actor in Six Degrees of Separation and refused to do it. I think we can safely add homophobe to his list of character defects.

Soooo many rumors about him being a closet case which would explain his behavior.  Off topic?

[KittyQ]

I wish that anytime someone on this show used poll numbers to validate an argument that they had to qualify that with information about the poll (who did the polling, how many people responded, in what areas was the poll conducted). Just saying "X% approve of this, Z% are against that" is misleading, because obviously, we haven't ALL been asked these questions; only some percentage of people chosen by whoever runs the poll. For example, a response of 75% sounds great if you don't know that it was comprised of only 100 people at a hockey game on a Friday night.

[After7Only]

1 hour ago, Haleth said:

 Sure, Sunny, people care about paid maternal leave and universal healthcare, but the most important issue for voters is rampant inflation. Until that’s under control nothing else will matter. 

That's likely true.  But our elected officials don't have direct control of rampant inflation.  Inflation is the result of market forces primarily, so all Congress can do is pass laws that may or may not affect the market.    But Congress can directly affect paid maternity leave and universal healthcare.   

The Tara/Sunny fight was interesting.  Those 2 are a lot alike and I can see where they can be the type of friends that love debating each other.   

27 minutes ago, Picture It. Sicily said:

He was supposed to kiss another actor in Six Degrees of Separation and refused to do it. I think we can safely add homophobe to his list of character defects.

Will was around 20 years old at that time, 30+ years ago (not an excuse but added context)  He's since talked about that scene, recognized he was wrong and said he should have done the scene as written.   

[Haleth]

1 minute ago, After7Only said:

That's likely true.  But our elected officials don't have direct control of rampant inflation.  Inflation is the result of market forces primarily, so all Congress can do is pass laws that may or may not affect the market.    But Congress can directly affect paid maternity leave and universal healthcare.   

Oh, I know that (I have a degree in economics), but tell that to the voters. 

[deirdra]

7 hours ago, Back Atcha said:

 

But some said it on national TV yesterday and today. Not an "excuse," but a possible "explanation." A psychologist on one of the "entertainment" shows explained that 9-yr-old Will Smith's watching his father seriously beating Will's mother (covered in his recent book, "Will") may be a reason for deep-seated anger and control problems. 

9-yr-old Chris Rock was small and repeatedly bullied & punched by guys like Will Smith, yet he was able to control his response.  Will Smith also had his left fist in the air, presumably to pummel Chris with a left hook if he had fought back.

[deirdra]

8 minutes ago, After7Only said:

That's likely true.  But our elected officials don't have direct control of rampant inflation.  Inflation is the result of market forces primarily, so all Congress can do is pass laws that may or may not affect the market.    But Congress can directly affect paid maternity leave and universal healthcare. 

Congress could also tell Biden to stop printing money which immediately devalues the US dollar.

[Be nice]

Will was wrong to use violence, but I have not heard an apology to Jada for Chris’s rude remark for laughs at Jada’s expense or The Academy’s use of comedian’s who always use rude jokes or comments at other people’s expense.  They are not funny and the Academy should not give them the platform. So many times these funny rude remarks ends up with an apology.  We teach our kids not to be rude at the expense of others which is why I don’t watch these award shows anymore. We don’t need rude people making fun of people especially at their medical issues. 

[tinkerbell]

10 hours ago, MsTree said:

Jada didn't tell Will to assault Chris, but it's very clear that Will immediately laughed at the joke until Jade gave Will the side-eye or stink-eye (whatever you want to call it)...which was no doubt a signal for Will to do something about the joke Chris made.

So while she's not responsible for his lack of impulse control, she's responsible for whatever reaction he felt would appease her (aka defending his wife), which is a joke in and of itself.

Sorry, but I disagree with this.  I can tell my husband I don't like what someone said, but that doesn't mean I am responsible for what he does about it. 

Will Smith is responsible for his actions.  Just because he may have done it in a "defending her honor"  manner, doesn't take away the fact that HE stormed the stage, was violent, and then was loudly verbally aggressive.  He alone is responsible for those actions.  Holding his wife responsible, to me, echoes the "she made me do it" defense many domestic abusers use to defend their aggressive acts.  

When men commit acts of violence, they need to be held accountable.  It is not ok to blame women for men's acts of violence. 

[deirdra]

5 minutes ago, tinkerbell said:

Will Smith is responsible for his actions.  Just because he may have done it in a "defending her honor"  manner, doesn't take away the fact that HE stormed the stage, was violent, and then was loudly verbally aggressive.  He alone is responsible for those actions.  Holding his wife responsible, to me, echoes the "she made me do it" defense many domestic abusers use to defend their aggressive acts.  

He also looked very smug and proud of himself as he walked back to his seat. That & his laughing at the joke initially made his tears during his speech nauseating theatre.

[General Days]

On 3/28/2022 at 5:09 PM, Ellis Bell said:

I just re-watched the video where Will shoves and slaps the Ukranian reporter.  The reporter tried to give him a kiss on both cheeks, which is normal custom in Europe and that's when Will freaked out.  You have major issues when your first instinct is to physically attack someone.

That "reporter," Vitalii Sediuk, is a prankster, who sexually harassed several/assaulted celebrities -- to the point where he was eventually fired. Brad Pitt had to get a restraining order against him.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Smith knew that at the time, and that old slap is telling (because Smith slapped the guy after he pushed him off -- after he had time to think about it), but the prankster was not practicing a typical European greeting. 

Look:

Quote

 

Sediuk apologised to Smith afterwards, but has since tried to repeat the stunt on other celebs – including Brad Pitt, who went on to get a restraining order against him. 

In January 2014, he also grabbed Bradley Cooper around the legs at the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards, before also burying his face in Leonardo DiCaprio’s groin a month later at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. 

After crawling under America Fererra’s gown at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Sediuk was fired by Ukrainian TV channel 1+1. 

 

 

Read more: https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/reporter-who-was-slapped-by-will-smith-reacts-to-chris-rock-incident-20220328

 

On 3/28/2022 at 9:13 PM, Blissfool said:

I think they are contemplating removing him as a member of The Motiom Pictures Academy.

But I do hope they take his award away too!

 

I think stripping Will Smith of his award would be both an empty gesture and overkill. Yeah, the Academy expelled Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, but it did not strip even them of their Oscars.

What would stripping him of the award, accomplish?

Either there'd now be no Best Actor for 2022 (but everyone would still know Smith won), or they'd give it to the runner-up, who would know he only won, because Smith disqualified himself after the fact.

I can see the Academy suspending him for some amount of time, but at the end of the day it was just a slap.

It was a humiliating moment for all involved (and to those tangential to the action like Jada, Questlove, and the Academy), but it was a slap, not a pummeling, not a stabbing, not a shooting, not even a punch (which is what I first thought). It was a bitchy little slap. 

It's not hard to find examples of actors (and directors, and producers) acting much worse on film sets. The Academy would have to boot a not insignificant amount of its membership. It set "standards" to cover its butt, nothing more.

 

On 3/29/2022 at 1:56 AM, Ellis Bell said:

In 2017 after the Weinstein scandal, the board of governors set new standards of conduct and behavioral guidelines.  He violated their terms of conduct and should be dealt with accordingly.  I remember when Polanski's name was announced as Best Director people stood up and applauded.  I thought WTF is wrong with these people?   

 

They set guidelines, but even Weinstein and Polanski (who were expelled) still have their awards.

As to your question, I honestly think that amount of wealth and fame breaks people's brains.

 

10 hours ago, MsTree said:

Jada didn't tell Will to assault Chris, but it's very clear that Will immediately laughed at the joke until Jade gave Will the side-eye or stink-eye (whatever you want to call it)...which was no doubt a signal for Will to do something about the joke Chris made.

So while she's not responsible for his lack of impulse control, she's responsible for whatever reaction he felt would appease her (aka defending his wife), which is a joke in and of itself.

 

I disagree, and I watched (and rewatched, and rewatched) the moment. Jada Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and gave Chris Rock some (well-deserved, imo) stank-face, but that was really all we saw.

Will laughed at first but sometimes, you laugh at a joke until you think about what's said. Years ago, I went to see the live show of a comedian I (then) loved. He took a very raw turn in his comedy, ahead of that particular tour. Partway through his set, I realized I was only laughing, because the rest of the audience was laughing, but that I didn't actually find it funny. I wish I'd had the revelation after the show, because sitting through the rest of it, after my epiphany, was a miserable experience.

This is a long way of saying two things. That A (Jada's eyeroll) precedes B (Will's delayed reaction) doesn't mean A caused B.

The eyeroll might have made Will stop and think about what was said, but Smith is a 53-year-old man. She didn't "make" him do anything. He chose violence on his own, and he chose wrong.

I feel bad for Chris Rock, but I also feel bad for Jada Pinkett Smith, and I don't even like her. She was humiliated by both men, that night.

I feel bad for Smith too, because I think he looked like he had a few too many in him, and he made a fool of himself on an international broadcast. It sucks to be your own worst enemy.

[Ellis Bell]

1 hour ago, After7Only said:

That's likely true.  But our elected officials don't have direct control of rampant inflation.  Inflation is the result of market forces primarily, so all Congress can do is pass laws that may or may not affect the market.    But Congress can directly affect paid maternity leave and universal healthcare.   

The Tara/Sunny fight was interesting.  Those 2 are a lot alike and I can see where they can be the type of friends that love debating each other.   

Will was around 20 years old at that time, 30+ years ago (not an excuse but added context)  He's since talked about that scene, recognized he was wrong and said he should have done the scene as written.   

Will was advised by Denzel Washington not to kiss a male onscreen.  He took his advice.  He altered his opinion as times changed and the media and public opinion shifted and became more gay friendly.  He did this for no other reason than to protect his future in the industry in reference to roles.  

My younger brother is gay and he and his friends, to this day, don't care for Denzel or Will for this reason.   They felt it sent a negative message about gays.

[After7Only]

1 hour ago, deirdra said:

Congress could also tell Biden to stop printing money which immediately devalues the US dollar.

The President doesn't have sole power to print money.  Congress passes the budget including the need to print more money.   The President signs the bill.        

[General Days]

19 minutes ago, Ellis Bell said:

Will was advised by Denzel Washington not to kiss a male onscreen.  He took his advice.  He altered his opinion as times changed and the media and public opinion shifted and became more gay friendly.  He did this for no other reason than to protect his future in the industry in reference to roles.  

My younger brother is gay and he and his friends, to this day, don't care for Denzel or Will for this reason.   They felt it sent a negative message about gays.

 

As @After7Only noted, Will Smith was in his early 20s at the time. In the 80s and 90s there were plenty of gay performers who weren't out (at least officially) because being out would have ended their careers -- particularly in the wake of HIV/AIDS.

Even Rosie O'Donnell didn't come out until after 9/11. 

I'm surprised your brother and his friends don't understand why any actor would have been hesitant, back then, to have a same-sex kiss on screen. I don't think Smith was right, but I think his choice was understandable given the times. Are you and they very young?

 

2 hours ago, Ellis Bell said:

Soooo many rumors about him being a closet case which would explain his behavior.  Off topic?

Do you use the term "closet case" in front of your brother? I've come to think of it as a term gay people can use among themselves, but that straight people should avoid (just like some people of some races/ethnicities will reclaim slurs, but white people should avoid them).

Edited March 30, 2022 by General Days

[bluegirl147]

51 minutes ago, deirdra said:

He also looked very smug and proud of himself as he walked back to his seat. That & his laughing at the joke initially made his tears during his speech nauseating theatre.

Yes for everyone saying he snapped I don't see it that way. He was calm before he did it and calm after he did it.  He didn't act like a man who thought oh no what have I done.

[Ellis Bell]

1 minute ago, General Days said:

 

As @After7Only noted, Will Smith was in his early 20s at the time. In the 80s and 90s there were plenty of gay performers who weren't out (at least officially) because being out would have ended their careers -- particularly in the wake of HIV/AIDS.

Even Rosie O'Donnell didn't come out until after 9/11. 

I'm surprised your brother and his friends don't understand why any actor would have been hesitant, back then, to have a same-sex kiss on screen. I don't think Smith was right, but I think his choice was understandable given the times. Are you and they very young?

 

Do you use the term "closet case" in front of your brother? I've come to think of it as a term gay people can use among themselves, but that straight people should avoid (just like some people of some races/ethnicities will reclaim slurs, but white people should avoid them).

My brother and his friends understand why actors did not take so-called risky roles, it does not mean they have to respect their choices.  There were a few brave souls who took on roles without worrying about career suicide.  They were about the craft.  Will was about the climb.

RE:  Closet Case:  My brother uses the term.  Am I not allowed to express his opinion in his words?  He and his friends are the ones who have been saying for years Will and Jada were mutually bearding in their relationship in order to have successful careers.

[General Days]

I don't set the rules. I was just taken aback to see someone use the term in this day and age.

[RealHousewife]

36 minutes ago, General Days said:

That "reporter," Vitalii Sediuk, is a prankster, who sexually harassed several/assaulted celebrities -- to the point where he was eventually fired. Brad Pitt had to get a restraining order against him.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Smith knew that at the time, and that old slap is telling (because Smith slapped the guy after he pushed him off -- after he had time to think about it), but the prankster was not practicing a typical European greeting. 

Look:

 

Read more: https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/reporter-who-was-slapped-by-will-smith-reacts-to-chris-rock-incident-20220328

 

 

I think stripping Will Smith of his award would be both an empty gesture and overkill. Yeah, the Academy expelled Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, but it did not strip even them of their Oscars.

What would stripping him of the award, accomplish?

Either there'd now be no Best Actor for 2022 (but everyone would still know Smith won), or they'd give it to the runner-up, who would know he only won, because Smith disqualified himself after the fact.

I can see the Academy suspending him for some amount of time, but at the end of the day it was just a slap.

It was a humiliating moment for all involved (and to those tangential to the action like Jada, Questlove, and the Academy), but it was a slap, not a pummeling, not a stabbing, not a shooting, not even a punch (which is what I first thought). It was a bitchy little slap. 

It's not hard to find examples of actors (and directors, and producers) acting much worse on film sets. The Academy would have to boot a not insignificant amount of its membership. It set "standards" to cover its butt, nothing more.

 

 

They set guidelines, but even Weinstein and Polanski (who were expelled) still have their awards.

As to your question, I honestly think that amount of wealth and fame breaks people's brains.

 

 

I disagree, and I watched (and rewatched, and rewatched) the moment. Jada Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and gave Chris Rock some (well-deserved, imo) stank-face, but that was really all we saw.

Will laughed at first but sometimes, you laugh at a joke until you think about what's said. Years ago, I went to see the live show of a comedian I (then) loved. He took a very raw turn in his comedy, ahead of that particular tour. Partway through his set, I realized I was only laughing, because the rest of the audience was laughing, but that I didn't actually find it funny. I wish I'd had the revelation after the show, because sitting through the rest of it, after my epiphany, was a miserable experience.

This is a long way of saying two things. That A (Jada's eyeroll) precedes B (Will's delayed reaction) doesn't mean A caused B.

The eyeroll might have made Will stop and think about what was said, but Smith is a 53-year-old man. She didn't "make" him do anything. He chose violence on his own, and he chose wrong.

I feel bad for Chris Rock, but I also feel bad for Jada Pinkett Smith, and I don't even like her. She was humiliated by both men, that night.

I feel bad for Smith too, because I think he looked like he had a few too many in him, and he made a fool of himself on an international broadcast. It sucks to be your own worst enemy.

Wish I could like this post 10 times. I saw the clip and wondered if Will felt a creepy energy from the man. I've never hit anyone, but I've had people who get very touchy immediately who've creeped me out. I try to get away as quickly as possible. The last time it happened, it was someone at work who ended up being fired for harassing women. I was totally right to be creeped out, but I knew people wouldn't understand me being uncomfortable over a hug. I understand being against violence, but especially if you've had some kind of sexual trauma, people who are aggressive with hugs and kisses can be triggering. Men experience this too. 

Regarding Will initially laughing . . .

He may have thought "Chris has pissed me off in the past, I'm going to make a point to laugh at all his jokes. Hahahaha! Wait, he just insulted my wife on an issue she's sensitive about!" 

I also feel bad for everyone involved.

Of course I felt bad for Chris, who was the victim of an assault. He handled it well, and I hope nothing like that ever happens to him again. 

I did not care for the joke, and it's amazing to me that some folks don't even think Jada is allowed to roll her eyes at a joke about her looks. Yes, she's gorgeous, rich, famous and all that, but she's human at the end of the day. 

Will was wrong, but I do believe he's a good person who just has issues. He's been well-liked by almost everyone his many years in the business. He snapped, embarrassed himself and ruined what was a big night for him. It's not every day you get your first Oscar. 

As far as race being an element in this, not gonna lie, when I saw all the posts demanding his Oscar being taken away, my mind did go there. I'm not saying everyone who says that must be racist. I don't know the people on here in real life. But my first thought was um, you know how many people infinitely more problematic have kept their Oscars? There is a long, long list of Oscar winners we can strip of their awards before we ever get to Will Smith, and I say let's start with child molesters. 

[ForumLou]

1 hour ago, deirdra said:

He also looked very smug and proud of himself as he walked back to his seat. That & his laughing at the joke initially made his tears during his speech nauseating theatre.

Strutted back you mean.  I have a theory on the bitch slap.  I think right until the very last second, he had every intention of a closed fist punch.  At the very last second, he went opened handed flat slap.  Now I've heard before, cant tell its correct or even true.  But I've heard that there's different degrees of charges, were he to have been arrested.  Like a closed fisted punch would be worse than an open handed slap.  So last second he went with a slap.  Shrug just my thought

[HerkyJerky]

Speaking of Oscar jokes, I thought Amy Schumer's joke at the beginning was much more insulting than Rock's joke.  When she said that this year has really been tough on people; as a matter of fact look what Timothee Chalamet looks like now and they pan to JK Simmons.  It was funny but I'm sure not to JK.  (I'm JK's age so that one really hurt!)  LOL

[Gemma Violet]

1 hour ago, General Days said:

he looked like he had a few too many in him, and he made a fool of himself on an international broadcast. 

This is what I've been thinking.  He may have been drunk out of his mind or on some other substance.  If so, I hope when he sobered up he realized that he made an ass out of himself.  And Chris Rock's brother said he still hasn't apologized to Chris personally via a phone call---only that carefully-worded statement he his publicist released.

[GHScorpiosRule]

27 minutes ago, Gemma Violet said:

He may have been drunk out of his mind or on some other substance.

What? So now Will was drunk or high on drugs?

 

[Gemma Violet]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

What? So now Will was drunk or high on drugs?

 

I have no idea.  I was speculating.  (We do a lot of that here. 😊 ) 

[geekburger]

One thing I noticed Whoopi often does, is introduce a topic (condescendingly or blunders the slant) and quickly inserts her opinion that often undermines the topic completely. 

It’s frustrating the panel never pushes back on it and lets her mock or steer away from the topic itself. Not saying anything is agreeing but someone had to have picked the hot topic?

[Natalie68]

5 hours ago, Ellis Bell said:

Soooo many rumors about him being a closet case which would explain his behavior.  Off topic?

Back in the day he slept with my female roommate (after the 1988 MTV music awards, we hung out with him and Jazzy Jeff, HA!).

I don't like anyone slapping another person.  I think Will was very wrong.

2 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

What? So now Will was drunk or high on drugs?

 

30+ years ago, I was told from his body guard he didn't drink, smoke, do any drugs.  Not sure if that is still the case.

[GiveMeSpace]

2 hours ago, Natalie68 said:

Back in the day he slept with my female roommate (after the 1988 MTV music awards, we hung out with him and Jazzy Jeff, HA!).

This reminds me of the Yada, Yada, Yada episode of Seinfeld.  I can't help but think you Yada'd over some good parts. Spill it, Sis! lol

[Blissfool]

Does anyone know why Raven Simone said "What's up, Men in Black" when she sat at the table. Without any context, I can't help but think it was a shout-out to Will Smith. Especially after her statement about the incident came out today and she seemed supportive of Will.

 

[Blissfool]

 

Quote

As far as race being an element in this, not gonna lie, when I saw all the posts demanding his Oscar being taken away, my mind did go there. 

Your mind went there, mine didn't. 

[Back Atcha]

10 hours ago, After7Only said:

The Tara/Sunny fight was interesting.  Those 2 are a lot alike and I can see where they can be the type of friends that love debating each other.

Hey, Sunny!  Tara is THE PRETTY ONE!  That ought to set off her little competitive/jealous self.

I loved Joy's saying that Sunny has FOMO.  I wonder why she isn't embarrassed to ask for anything/everything when she hears that a host at the table has been gifted one/them.  Did she FINALLY get Joy's lasagna?  "I want one of those paintings!"  Like she didn't have many opportunities to purchase Raven's paintings...EVER!  Sunny is so deprived.