As we ALL have been made aware by now, Will Smith stormed onto the Oscars stage on March 27 and struck comedian Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident sparked a social media craze, with millions of people wondering how Rock would use it in his standup routine.
Last month, the comic signaled that — at least for the moment — he would say nothing. “I’m okay, I have a whole show, and I’m not talking about that until I get paid. Life is good. I got my hearing back,” Rock said during an April show in Indio, California.
Many industry personalities, notably comedians, criticised Smith’s actions after he assaulted Rock on live television at the Oscars.
Others have even stated that the now-infamous slap, which did not result in Smith facing charges or being jailed, may create a precedent for future comedians on stage, since bystanders will assume that they, too, can get away with the same action if they hear jokes they don’t like.
Comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Will Smith hitting him at the Oscars during a gig in Los Angeles on Thursday, commiserating with Dave Chappelle, who was also assaulted on stage just a few weeks ago.
The two comedians chatted onstage two days after Chappelle was attacked by an armed gunman during a performance at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl.
In one key exchange, Chappelle reportedly told Rock, “At least you got smacked by someone of repute.” Rock quipped back, “I got smacked by the softest n***a that ever rapped.”
