That was the greatest night in the history of television – Chris Rock on Will Smith’s slap

Almost everyone watching the Oscars live this year must have thought the slap was orchestrated. It sure did seem so. Chris Rock, in characteristic humour, was making a joke on Javier Bardem and his wife Penelope Cruz’s nominations – saying that even if Javier wins, he’ll lose. Rock then said that Will Smith should win, making a G.I Jane joke on Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett’s newly shaved head. While it was a G.I. Jane joke, it didn’t ring well with Will Smith, as his wife’s bald head is a result of alopecia, and not a movie character. He got up and slapped Chirs Rock across the face, and then shouted back, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*&#ing mouth.” Smith, this year, was nominated Best Actor for King Richard, which he won. But the damage had been done by then and although he apologised, the conversation firmly stayed on the slap, which Chris Rock called ‘the greatest night in the history of television’.

Will Smith: “I want to apologize to the Academy and I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees — this is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying about winning an award…it’s about being able to shine light.”#Oscarshttps://t.co/EViXaQY1NZ pic.twitter.com/NhyqzDtkf0

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 28, 2022

In the film, Smith has portrayed Richard Williams, the father of Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. In his acceptance speech, he drew parallels between himself and Williams, saying he was standing up for his family. “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” he said before adding, “Just like they said, I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.” And his final remark before leaving the stage was, “I hope the Academy invites me back.” Here is an uncensored version of what happened live via Japanese television:  

VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock pic.twitter.com/j0Z184ZyXa

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 28, 2022

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement following the Oscars alluding to the incident, saying that the person who was slapped declined to press charges. According to Deadline, “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the police said in a statement. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved (Chris Rock) has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”