“‘The Academy has a crisis team in place. If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, just do what you did last year: nothing . Sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.’”
That was 2023 Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel on Sunday, roasting the viewers and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scientists for primarily freezing throughout “The Slap” ultimately yr’s Academy Awards.
It ought to come as little shock that comic and late-night host Kimmel drew on probably the most surprising second in latest Oscars historical past for his opening monologue: when Will Smith responded to a joke that presenter Chris Rock made in regards to the “Ali” actor’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, by strolling onstage throughout final yr’s awards present and slapping Rock throughout the face. Smith then returned to his seat, the place he shouted “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth.” Twice.
He then gained the Oscar for greatest actor for enjoying Venus and Serena Williams’ father in “King Richard” later within the present, which was his first Oscar. And Smith gave a rambling speech whereas accepting his award. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father” mentioned Smith. “But love will make you do crazy things.”
So Kimmel joked throughout this yr’s ceremony that it was essential for the Oscar attendees — and, extra importantly, himself — to really feel protected throughout Sunday night time’s broadcast. He mentioned that the Academy had put a coverage in place the place, “If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point in the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute-long speech.”
And he added that, “If any of you get made at a joke and decide you want to come up here and get jiggy with it” — referencing Smith’s 1997 hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” — it’s not gonna be simple.
Last yr’s Oscar slap threatened to overshadow this yr’s awards present. Academy president Janet Yang was requested about “the elephant in the room” on the crimson carpet earlier than the awards started. “Our response was inadequate, and now we’re moving on,” she mentioned.
Kimmel additionally referenced the Smith slap earlier than the present, suggesting the swap from a crimson carpet to a champagne-colored one, “shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.”
Smith has been banned from the Oscars and all Academy Award occasions for the following 10 years. He launched a public apology video final July, saying, “I’ve reached out to Chris, and the message that came back is that he is not ready to talk. But when he is, he will reach out.”
Related: Will Smith admits ‘I lost it’ when slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars
He continued, “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. I’m human and I made a mistake and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of s—.”
Rock doesn’t appear able to let bygones be bygones simply but, as he took loads of verbal swings at Smith throughout his latest reside Netflix
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comedy particular.
Read extra: Chris Rock on why he didn’t hit Will Smith again: ‘I took that hit like Pacquiao’
Among his bits that night time, Rock mentioned that he had beforehand beloved Smith. “I rooted for him my whole life,” he mentioned. “And now I watch ‘Emancipation’ [the Apple TV+
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film in which Smith plays a slave] simply to see him getting whupped.”
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