After years of struggling to win back viewers, the Oscars certainly got an audience boost this year — but not for the reasons the Academy was hoping.after a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith have lit up the internet, prompting heated discussion about Smith's actions — but also, the commentary that sparked it.
First, there was Rock's jibe that Javier Bardem, who was up for an Oscar alongside his wife Penelope Cruz — who was referred to only as "his wife" — was praying for his fellow nominee to win because if "she loses, he can't win". The gag apparently that Cruz was so high maintenance that Bardem would never hear the end of it.
Many have criticised the joke as ridiculing a medical condition, the same night CODA — a film about a deaf family with just one hearing member —It was not the first time Rock made a joke at Pinkett Smith's expense. During the 2016 ceremony, the comedian took aim at her decision to boycott the ceremony due to the lack of diversity among the nominees: "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited.
In 2013, Oscars host Seth MacFarlane was criticised for a slew of sexist material, the most memorable being an opening number where he sings about female actors.Loading"The sexism didn't bother me initially, what bothered me more was that it was a really cheap joke that we've all seen a million times before," says Sydney comedian Béa Barbeau-Scurla.
"These older comedians, male or female, they're just so out of touch. Chris Rock got his fame in the '80s and '90s, and I think it's really hard to progress from that. Maybe he's just doing what he knows, but we've moved past that type of comedy now."
Did comedian know of health issue ?
Actor, act, right? Best publicity stunt.
Maybe time to stop trying to make the Oscars ‘funny’ with lame, awkward, embarrassing, scripted ‘jokes’…..
Weird really a top Hollywood producer rapes women on the casting couch for years and they say NOTHING but a bloke says hey GFYS to bloke insulting his wife and the world is falling in.
When u keep getting braids wear wigs ur hair thins out. She had botch hair transplant surgeries and blames it on alopecia.
Will Smith should have been escorted from the premises immediately after the 'assault' took place. I am happy that he won the Oscar, well deserved for the nominated role he played, someone should have had to accept the award on his behalf though as he should have been exited.
It's easy to be politically correct when things are going your way, not so easy when YOUR values are challenged.
Who cares It’s the Oscars and they are all........actors!!
His not angry about his dog wife talking about getting piped by men half his age but is salty someone would talk about her chrome dome, the greatest travesty of the night was Smith winning an oscar without question though, absolutely destroying all credibility of the academy
If Will Smith got Best Actor, surely Chris Rock deserves Best Supporting Actor!
The joke wasn't sexist, some would say poor taste. In fact these people crave media attention until it doesn't suit there narrative. If it was a middle-aged white dude who slapped Chris Rock for insulting his wife there would be outrage that he had attacked an African American.
He shouldn't have got the award and been asked to leave his wife looked great but the dress look stupid if anything, but terrorble live on TV infront children just go's to show the hole world has gone made
The joke was not sexist 🙄
Bring back RickyGervais
When Rock's face was dusted, did they find fresh prints? *exit stage left
I would disagree by saying that the whole charade did exactly what it was scripted to do; draw attention to the narcissistic circle-jerk that is the Oscars, which has seen ratings plummet for the last few years
Thank you for being 'Upstanders' against violence Michael and Maddy. We teach our kids not to be bystanders and yet an entire Oscar's audience sat by and did nothing while 'Will-the-big-I-am,' physically assaulted another. Shame on the bystander audience and shame on you Will.
The slap looked like cheap fx on a movie set. Someone forgot to ad the sound on the editing table.
Not funny not nervous laughter but embarrassed laughter and definitely not right. Nothing more than bad behaviour fuelled by testosterone.
A joke is a joke. No excuses for not being able to listen to it and get on with it. Will Smith acted like a dick.
And don’t forget, the movie industry does not condone violence, either.
Sexist is not correct. Ableist is more accurate. The joke was awful but the violence displayed was not the correct response.
Idiots !
I'm keeping this ABC story as a record for anytime a person is assaulted. As apparently in some cases it is ok to just ignore violent assault. Will Smith is a weak person, not a man. Good on Chris Rock for being the bigger man. I for one am looking forward to GI Jane 2 lol
sick of all these people condoning violence because they didn’t like the joke. in comedy everyone is a target. can i go to your workplace and hit you. look at it from that angle. he was doing his job
Where's the sexist joke ABC? 🙄 I'm bald should I be Offended? Seriously, know the Difference.
Will Smith laughed at the joke then looked at his wife who wasn’t upset and then reacted violently, passive aggressive style - but the media and the audience fell for his tears (acting) and gave him a standing ovation - so this violent action is now justified and forgiven
For a second here, the Oscars was actually worth watching.
If she has alopecia where are the actual bald patches? Show me where
An appropriate reaction… let’s not get too PC. Smith gave him a slap for insulting his wife. Get off your high horse.
Violence is NOT ok !!
Just a slap, no one was hurt, get over it . No different to walking up to someone and giving them a big slap on the back. Chris Rock should know better to make fun out of someone's condition.
Real big stretch labelling this sexist. Are you trying to find ways to justify assault?
And Letterman thought he bombed with the Uma/Oprah joke. ChrisRock ouch
Only week people can't handle humour. Treat it negatively, coz she is not accepting herself. And uncontrolled anger and hatrate even worse.
Wasnt a ‘lame joke’ it was ablest
Oscars overrun by woke lefties and racists !
I think she rocks a no. 1! I wish I could pull off a hairstyle like that. She’s very beautiful.
I wonder if Amy Schumer had said the same joke would Will Smith have reacted the same way? And if he did would he have had the same level of support? equality
Lamest thing I’ve seen in a long time
I remember when audience boo’d Michael Moore for protesting the invasion of Iraq. These people live in a delusional bubble.
How was the joke sexist I wasn’t a great joke but it certainly wasn’t a cruel one. She’d be awesome as GI Jane
His MK ultra programming breaking down, same like many many many of their peers, who all met not so swell ending, ofcourse they all not here anymore, but hope he can get back in line & keep doing what the cabal want him to do for a long time to come!
How was the joke sexist? Can we only joke about men now?
Chris Rock meant it as a GI Jane reference about a strong woman. Just didn't work.
'For so many years women, queer people, people of colour, go through life smiling at these micro-aggressions because it's easier that way, but action and conversation only really comes from not responding politely.'
Sexist? What the fuck?
Smith & Rock 2 clowns staging fake attack for max media coverage, it's hoax silly
Lame joke yes, how is it sexist ?
Look what he said may be wrong because she is suffering but as usual abc’s article are so annoying you consult some cheap s**t people like that professor & comedian bar bea scurla who the f she is. So now these people are better performers than will and Chris rock get lost
The joke was about her bald head not “why” her head was bald So her bald head was used to take a crack at her lousy movie and are we getting GI Jane 2 Lousy joke but no way does Will Smith get excused He tried to solve a problem with violence Epic Fail Anybody see Gervais lately
He should have kicked him in the nuts. Guess Chris rock won’t smile too much now
We should never get to a place where we sit and watch a movie star hit someone on global television then, moments later, get a standing ovation while talking about love. CancelWillSmith Oscars
Where’s Joan Rivers when you need her. It was such a soft volley of a joke. People need to get a grip, but hitting someone in the face on stage! Why was he allowed to stay in the building?!
You would like us to believe the jokes were more hurtful than the assault?
That bitch-slap would have knocked Barry Hall out. Not okay Will Smith. Do the crime, do the time.
Maybe this is a well planned distraction
Why have you changed it from sexist to lame in in the caption?
Fake.
Chris Rock should be charging Will Smith with assault. No matter what was said there is no excuse for what Will done. Chris Rock was just doing what he was getting paid to do which was roasting celebs. No one deserves to be hit for doing their job.
Humor explained by people who will only issue you a permit to laugh at Hannah Gadsby.
I think tonight’s Oscars demonstrated all sides of the industry… the disrespect, the crude jokes and innuendo, the violent reaction and the polite ignoring by those watching as they celebrate wonderful pieces of art assault Oscars2022
Apparently, sometimes it is 🤷🏻♂️
Sexist? Are jokes about bald men also sexist? ...Well at least you can't say it was racist.
Sorry ABC remind me again why it’s sexist? 🤔
Smith was dancing after the show, showing no remorse at all. Violence should not be celebrated at all!
What went wrong? This was a case of domestic violence being perpetuated
His wife’s been shagging their sons friends, big Willy style was bound to snap.
Joke is not sexist, but its telling that the fact that the subject is a woman, it is automatically sexist to you.
all of us baldies are upset..
He laughed first, simped when he saw she was mad and then went Chris. 'Keep her name out your mouth' but put something else in there and he will just cry about it on her podcast.
That joke was deeply offensive, hurtful and mean. It was also an attack on a woman who is bald due to a medical condition. Rock went waaay overboard with that one.
Astonishing how far the Hollywood leftist elite have fallen.
. Yesterday ABC was reporting on how the Oscars was struggling to retain an audience and today, well... You be the judge. fake
Sexist?
Just wondering TheirABC , is a joke about a balding man also sexist? auspol
Too many pre show “refreshments “
Thought Demi looked awesome in that movie
Sexist joke?
Who cares? Bigger stories more worthy of your time and space surely. Try the domestic violence issues and murders of women by ex partners. Come on ABC - do better.
I see two Men here 😅
Will Smith getting an Oscar is what’s wrong
What a bizzare article. Complaining about jokes and barely mentioning Will Smith going crazy and assaulting someone on stage (then being awarded 'best actor')
He laughed 🤷🏻♂️
you should see him if his dinner is cold ...
At least we have the national broadcaster to explain to us poor ignorant folk what is funny and what is not.
Someone was assaulted? Just a guess
Talk shit get hit. Smith did nothing wrong. Rock is a washed up comedian, he deserved it.
ABC is advocating victim blaming now, Ita was the wrong choice.
Chris Rock told a joke that offended the target. It was a low joke aimed at her medical condition. Her husband smacked him in the mouth. Consequences are something to be considered.
It’s got people talking… worldwide. For about 2-3 days. Good distraction for ScottyTheGaslighter
How is it that you’re using the word ‘lame’ - AND when talking about ableism? Completely inappropriate.
best oscar's ever!
Distasteful jokes are no excuse for violence. Glad my kids weren't watching. Toxic masculinity!
Chris Rock came out on top, Jada on top of someone else probably
Sexist joke?
do we think he was still angry about the infidelity?