[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.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

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

You know who that happens to a lot? Crazy people. If it's a choice between staged and crazy, I'm voting crazy.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

1. As the author points out, Will Smith's reaction turned from laughter to rage in about three seconds. Really?
He didn't get the joke initially. Didn't get that his wife was upset.

2. The loud "bop" at the moment of contact sounded more like a sound effect, not the result of a slap.
Hard to hear clearly. Haven't heard many full-contact slaps between men to make a good judgement.

3. Chris Rock's IMMEDIATE reaction was not pain, shock, or concern, but a huge smile.
Goofy, embarrassed smile. Something a comedian knows how to pull off when he doesn't have anything else.

4. Actors are trained to pull punches, and to fake being hit by a pulled punch.
Not that it would be impossible, but Chris Rock is not an action-movie actor.

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.
Can't argue with you there.

[Boogieman]

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

That was the sound of Chris Rock’s microphone being struck (probably pinned to his jacket lapel).

[Hildy]

You are so very sure about something you have no idea about. So you are saying that Will Smith would risk his reputation, the year he is slated to win an Academy Award, the first of his career, so that the Academy’s ratings will be better? You know he wrote a long apology post, right?