[moovova]

They’re actors.

That’s what they do.

[BenLurkin]

[TexasGator]

“And because Tom Hanks has finally been jailed for his crimes,”

LOL!

[Verginius Rufus]

What’s that about Tom Hanks? Are they mixing him up with someone else?

[spacejunkie2001]

totally agree that it was staged.

[alstewartfan]

I think it was real,——a rich, entitled punk acting like a punk.

[ScottinVA]

No way was that real. The slo-mo video put the lie to the whole narrative. It was clear Rock knew exactly what was coming, as he braced himself for the coming “hollywood slap,” a la the Three Stooges. That “slap” only minimally made any contact with Rock’s face. But the whole incident sure got the trending-on-Twitter effect the producers wanted.

Remember, folks... these are actors... doing an acting bit... that’s all it was.

[ifinnegan]

This is meant as satire.

[llevrok]

If it was staged and that's the Academy’s way to get more viewers next year (watching ill-bred people act like ill-bred people), well then, that explains our 2022 “culture”.

And yes, I'm glad I only have a few more years left. I could not live my life again in the "modern" world.

[noiseman]

In slow motion it looks like he never actually connects with Chris Rock’s face, and the exaggerated head turn that occurs looks exactly like a Hollywood stunt. If someone unexpectedly slaps you, it’s not going to completely turn your head around, and the impact is probably going to cause you to stagger back some. Rock never moved his body at all, other than the head turn. His face also never looked like it had been hit after that.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

I did not watch this idiot program but when I read about the ‘slap,’ my very first thought was, “This was a set up.”

[dila813]

Let’s pretend Will Smith is white

[xp38]

My concern for Will Smith and his public persona, wife and career is close to zero. I’ve never been a fan. I’ve laughed at some of Chris Rock’s stuff over the years but not lately as I’m pretty much over big entertainment. Wasn’t watching at the time but was here on FR and read about the incident and subsequent commentary. Not interested enough to even watch a clip of this. Have seen a couple of still photos. I give this incident about a week before it becomes old news.

[bert]

N on N is not news

The Oscars, Walmart or McDonalds, N on N is their culture

[Caipirabob]

What if a pimp slapped someone over his ho and no one cared?

[Steve_Seattle]

There are reasons to think it was fake:

1. As the author points out, Will Smith's reaction turned from laughter to rage in about three seconds. Really?

2. The loud "bop" at the moment of contact sounded more like a sound effect, not the result of a slap.

3. Chris Rock's IMMEDIATE reaction was not pain, shock, or concern, but a huge smile.

4. Actors are trained to pull punches, and to fake being hit by a pulled punch.

5. The struggling Oscars were in need of publicity, and this gave it to them, so much so that it will probably carry over until next year and beyond.

[jimmygrace]

Well, if it was staged, they read the room. Everyone likes to see a smart-assed comic get smacked. I’m still puttimg my money on Elon vs Vlad. PPV would recover the Russian economy.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Smith can clearly be seen laughing at Rock remarking that he will soon be seeing Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in a "G.I. Jane" sequel on account of her bald head.

Alternative theory: Smith is mentally unstable. Would explain his actions just as well.

[LastDayz]

Real.... there were too many other indicators for it to be otherwise.

[dirtymac]

They were just presenting the ‘Jesse Smollett’ award for the worst acting in a staged event.