I realized this morning, after sleeping on it, that I had not said much about the most controversial thing that happened last night, arguably the most controversial thing ever to happen at the Oscars -- or at any awards show perhaps.
I'm referring, of course, to Will Smith not liking the joke Chris Rock had just made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her shaved head. Apparently, Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia and as a result had to shave her hair off.
Whether Rock was aware of this fact or not, he made a joke about her playing the G.I. Joe 2 lead, a crass reference to the role played by Demi Moore years ago, for which she famously shaved her gorgeous black mane.
Regardless of the appropriateness of such a joke, which was clearly in bad taste, Smith barging onstage and hitting Rock was completely out of line. He continued berating him once he made his way back to his seat, coarsely swearing at him. Rock, for his part, looked genuinely shocked by Smith's actions, but decided to move on and carried out his duties as presenter of an award in a professional manner.
Smith clearly crossed a line here, one that should NEVER, EVER be crossed, and that is embracing violence to deal with a situation you disagree with or find annoying. Violence is never justified, especially at an awards show that is meant to recognize excellence, or against a comedian whose job it is to make fun of situations whether the audience finds it laughable or not.
If Smith had kept his composure, like his wife proudly did, and later simply commented on how he found Rock's joke offensive, given his wife's condition, the press would have turned on Rock like sharks, and he would have been vilified. Smith, had he chosen to follow such a course of action, would also have been able to fully enjoy the triumphant moment he finally clenched an Academy Award.
Instead, Smith is now the villain and Rock the victim, and rightly so. Some have argued that Smith simply defended his wife, but we all know that the offense was just a joke, hardly warranting resorting to violence. Others have argued that Smith set a really bad and dangerous precedent here, because what's preventing someone else who doesn't like a joke from a comedian from going up to him or her and hitting them or, worse, shooting them? This is America after all.
Rock has declined to press charges when interviewed by the police, but apparently the Academy's governing body will convene to discuss the issue and potentially take action against Smith. Some even voiced revoking the award he won only minutes after the incident. Though unlikely, I would welcome such an unprecedented move, given the gravity of Smith's actions.
Still, hopefully some severe repercussions will befall Smith, because while Rock's joke might have been rude, Smith's response was inexcusable and unforgivable.
Smith was clearly flustered during his acceptance speech, which likely got thrown off course as well, and did attempt to apologize for what had just happened, but it was too late. He tried to joke about whether the Academy would invite him back, clearly hoping that would be the case, but he never mentioned Rock by name or apologized to him directly, at least so far.
My guess is he'll have to forgo basking in his moment of glory and instead hunker down for a long while, until this all dies down. Then the rehabilitation process will begin, because really, Hollywood can't afford to lose one of its most bankable stars.
Giving in to his temper, a great star and performer ruined the night for everybody, besmirched both his name and his upcoming foretold win, and set a very bad example that all too many will be certainly tempted to follow in the future.
What a shame.
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