Oscars 2022

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Do they really have a history?

Cause then it turns it into a final straw type scenario.

Still absolutely the wrong course of action, but that would be Smith's only lifeline here. Otherwise he looks like an unstable maniac, because the joke alone didn't justify the response. People in the industry will be taking second thoughts before working with the guy now I'm sure.

"Well, ya do crazy things for love" isn't an apology.

The history is from a joke Chris Rock made a couple years ago at the oscars about Jada, she was boycotting the Oscars and said she wouldn't attend and he made a joke about she had to be invited before she could decline to attend. So no, not really a history.

[photon]

I started thinning in my late 20's. I haven't slapped anyone over someone making fun of it, though I also haven't won an Oscar.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The backlash over the joke is dumb, but it’s not surprising. A lot of people simply don’t get or like standup comedy.

I mean, let's be fair here, it was a ####ing lame joke. Like, embarrassingly bad for a stand up comedian to think that was worth putting out in the world with his voice behind it. I actually thought Jada's exaggerated eye-roll was the perfect reaction.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I am generally surprised that Rock is getting any backlash. He was doing his job which is to make jokes good or bad. It's like a large portion of the population is largely ignorant of comedians and roasts. This is 100% on Will Smith and if anything my admiration of Rock has grown as he has taken the high road.

I was also surprised so many people thought it was fake.

I was impressed by Rocks reaction afterward. He regained his composure so quickly. You could tell he was shocked it happened, especially as he fumbled for a second before getting back on track for his presentation.


It's almost funny how many people, especially women who you'd think normally would be against toxic masculinity were like "good for you Will, standing up and defending your woman"

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The backlash over the joke is dumb, but it’s not surprising. A lot of people simply don’t get or like standup comedy. They feel it’s too mean. Or it’s fine when the target of a joke is someone they hate, but they turn into humourless scolds when they disapprove of the target.

Yup. To these people, they're only jokes when they're saying something they agree with. The second it comes around the other direction now they're not jokes, they're taken as statements.

And every single one of them sounds the same. "Listen, I have a great sense of humour. I find x funny, I find y funny, but this, this was not funny. It's mean and 'insert outrage here'"

Yes, if you take all context away from the situation, it would be mean. But you can't strip away context. You have to go 'Is that person a comedian? Oh so he's just screwing around'

You certainly don't have to find it funny or agree with it, but you don't get to tell the rest of us what's a joke and what's a statement. That's just so arrogant

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The people who were immediately skeptical of it are interesting... Particularly remembering that Seth MacFarlane "we saw your boobs" song he did, where he had a bunch of actresses reacting in exaggerated horror at the notion of people mentioning movies they'd been in topless - they weren't even wearing the same clothes as on the night of, it was all pre-recorded, and yet a shocking number of people published articles or went online and lamented how MacFarlane had clearly offended all the people mentioned in his song based on those shots. How people manage to be so credulous in that case, but so skeptical in this one, is really odd.

Originally Posted by btimbit

Yup. To these people, they're only jokes when they're saying something they agree with. The second it comes around the other direction now they're not jokes, they're taken as statements.

This is especially true, though, when it comes to scientologists. Isaac Hayes is the epitome of "everything is fair game, it's all funny, comedy is about - wait, you made fun of MY thing?!"

[btimbit]

And that's not to say there is no line, but the line's certainly not 'ha ha you're bald'

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The people who were immediately skeptical of it are interesting... Particularly remembering that Seth MacFarlane "we saw your boobs" song he did, where he had a bunch of actresses reacting in exaggerated horror at the notion of people mentioning movies they'd been in topless - they weren't even wearing the same clothes as on the night of, it was all pre-recorded, and yet a shocking number of people published articles or went online and lamented how MacFarlane had clearly offended all the people mentioned in his song based on those shots. How people manage to be so credulous in that case, but so skeptical in this one, is really odd.

This is especially true, though, when it comes to scientologists. Isaac Hayes is the epitome of "everything is fair game, it's all funny, comedy is about - wait, you made fun of MY thing?!"

I'd love to know the thought process for Will Smith.

They did a cut shot and he was doing the "everyone is watching, I'll do the good natured laugh" thing.
what happened in the next 5 or 10 seconds to make him get furious, and go up to hit Rock?

Maybe he thought he'd get more props for being a bad ass instead of Mr. Nice Guy? just weird.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I mean, let's be fair here, it was a ####ing lame joke. Like, embarrassingly bad for a stand up comedian to think that was worth putting out in the world with his voice behind it. I actually thought Jada's exaggerated eye-roll was the perfect reaction.

It was pretty much par for the course for the Oscars though. A hacky reference to a 25 year-old movie.

If not for Smith's reaction, it's the sort of joke that likely wouldn't have even made any of those "best and worst jokes of the Oscars" lists.

[btimbit]

Yeah it's a throwaway bit, it wasn't even supposed to be a huge laugh, it just moves things along

[Swift]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The backlash over the joke is dumb, but it’s not surprising. A lot of people simply don’t get or like standup comedy. They feel it’s too mean. Or it’s fine when the target of a joke is someone they hate, but they turn into humourless scolds when they disapprove of the target.

Jada Pinkett Smith wasn’t the only one furious at Chris Rock’s Oscars gag. I know how traumatic hair loss is

What is really astonishing, though, is how someone was struck in the face while doing their job in public, and they’re not considered the victim of the incident. That people can twist themselves into such knots trying to strike a pose as defenders of decency that an act of actual violence gets disregarded.

That wasn't the only ridiculous take in the Guardian today - White outrage about Will Smith's slap is rooted in anti-Blackness. It's inequality in plain sight People of all colours have condemned his actions, and people of all colours have supported them, so I'm not sure where race comes into it at that point.

The best article I've seen on the whole thing is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's - Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The backlash over the joke is dumb, but it’s not surprising. A lot of people simply don’t get or like standup comedy. They feel it’s too mean. Or it’s fine when the target of a joke is someone they hate, but they turn into humourless scolds when they disapprove of the target.

Jada Pinkett Smith wasn’t the only one furious at Chris Rock’s Oscars gag. I know how traumatic hair loss is

What is really astonishing, though, is how someone was struck in the face while doing their job in public, and they’re not considered the victim of the incident. That people can twist themselves into such knots trying to strike a pose as defenders of decency that an act of actual violence gets disregarded.

Or how this has turned into a thing about violence against black women and white supremacy when everyone involved is black and rich.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The backlash over the joke is dumb, but it’s not surprising. A lot of people simply don’t get or like standup comedy. They feel it’s too mean. Or it’s fine when the target of a joke is someone they hate, but they turn into humourless scolds when they disapprove of the target.

Jada Pinkett Smith wasn’t the only one furious at Chris Rock’s Oscars gag. I know how traumatic hair loss is

What is really astonishing, though, is how someone was struck in the face while doing their job in public, and they’re not considered the victim of the incident. That people can twist themselves into such knots trying to strike a pose as defenders of decency that an act of actual violence gets disregarded.

I’m firmly of the opinion that you should be able to joke about anything – but if you’re going to wade into sensitive territory, then you’d better be clever about it. “Ha ha, she’s bald and looks like GI Jane, ha ha ha,” is the sort of comment a toddler makes. It’s not funny, it’s just mean.

I don't know who this lady is but good grief. Who is she to lecture comedians on how to do their job? This article makes no sense at all.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by peter12

Or how this has turned into a thing about violence against black women and white supremacy when everyone involved is black and rich.

I get a kick out of the comments on some forums about "hood rules" and things like that, which for some reason, should give them more latitude. These guys are both extremely wealthy and have been living the Hollywood life for a long time. Most of Will Smith's life has been that of a Hollywood star since he was a teenager and the dude is 53 now for crying out loud. He doesn't live by "hood rules".

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't know who this lady is but good grief. Who is she to lecture comedians on how to do their job? This article makes no sense at all.

LOL yup exactly what I mean. There's always that qualifier

"I have a good sense of humour, but..."

"I love comedy, but..."

"I’m firmly of the opinion that you should be able to joke about anything, but..."

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Swift

The best article I've seen on the whole thing is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's - Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing

Great read.

[Strange Brew]

I liked this statement in Kareem's piece:

"I don’t want to see him punished or ostracized because of this one, albeit a big one, mistake. I just want this to be a cautionary tale for others not to romanticize or glorify bad behavior. And I want Smith to be the man who really protects others—by admitting the harm he’s done to others."

Smith doesn't need to be arrested or have awards taken away IMO. Sometimes the punishment for doing something incredibly stupid are the natural consequences that follow.

[CaptainCrunch]

"Ok that's it people, next year at the Oscars, its all knock knock jokes, and we pray that impatient cow isn't in attendance"

[dino7c]

Two black guys walk into a bar....


They enjoyed a couple drinks, paid the bill with a handsome tip, and left without incident.

[zamler]

Dwayne Johnson is no angel he's made some "over the line" jokes himself.