Chris Rock; Will Smith.Photo: Getty (2)
Chris Rockjoked about that controversialWill SmithOscars moment nearly one year later in his new comedy special.
On Saturday night, the comedian performed Netflix’s first-ever live broadcast, a comedy special titledChris Rock: Selective Outrage, from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.
At one point in the show, Rock, 58, addressed the incident when Smith, 54, hit him onstage at last year’sAcademy Awardsceremony on March 27, 2022, after making a joke about his wifeJada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head while presenting an award that night.
“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” he said early in the set, saying he’ll try not to “trigger” anyone.
Kirill Bichutsky/Netflix
Over the course of the wide-ranging special, Rock also name-checked celebrities likeSerena Williams, Elon Musk, the Kardashians, Blac Chyna, Beyoncé, Dave Chappelle, Doja Cat and O.J. Simpson.
Though Rock hasn’t spoken out about the incident in interviews or on social media sincethe Oscars, he didreference it several times while on his comedy tourin the monthsdirectly after the incident.
Smith, who went on to win Best Actor that same night, has since apologized for the outburst and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which also banned him from attending its events for 10 years.
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Jada, 51,addressed the Oscars momentduring an episode of herRed Table Talkshow back in June, saying that her “deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk this out and reconcile.”
“With the state of the world today, we need ‘em both, and we all actually need one another more than ever,” the actress added at the time. “Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and that’s [to] keep figuring out this thing called life together.”
RELATED VIDEO:Will SmithApologizes to Chris Rock in New Video: ‘I’m Here Whenever You’re Ready to Talk’
Then, in July,Smith shared a video apologyon his social media, shedding more light on that night and explaining that he has tried to reach out to Rock. (Smith also spoke aboutthe Oscarswhile on his press tour forEmancipationin November, including anemotional interview with Trevor NoahonThe Daily Show.)
He said in his video, “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
Smith explained at the time that he is “trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself,” adding: “I’m human. I made a mistake and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of s—.”
Chris Rock: Selective Outragewill also be available for streaming on Netflix following the live event.
source: people.com
