topic Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap in TV and Movies

USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

ECBG — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:39:15 GMT

Chris Rock declined to file a police report Sunday after Will Smith slapped him onstage at the Academy Awards, Los Angeles police appeared to confirm.

But now the Academy says it will investigate on its own, releasing a statement Monday afternoon: "The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show. We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law."

This goes one step further than what the Academy said just after Sunday night's show, which basically said it didn't condone violence.

The moment that shocked Hollywood and millions of viewers around the world came after Rock made a joke about a “G.I. Jane” sequel, referencing Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. (Actress Demi Moore appeared in the 1997 movie with a shaved head.)

Smith appeared to laugh at first, before walking up to the stage, slapping Rock, returning to his seat and yelling, “Keep my wife's name out of your (expletive) mouth.”

Pinkett Smith was seen rolling her eyes after Rock's joke at the awards show.

In 2018, she confirmed that she was diagnosed with alopecia, an autoimmune skin disease that can cause hair loss on the scalp and on other parts of the body.

'This is just a wild night': Social media is stunned about Will Smith smacking Chris Rock

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that it was “aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program.".

“The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the LAPD said. “The individual involved 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.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Rock’s representatives for additional information.

Still, the slap seen around the world spurred much discussion from viewers. Will Smith face charges? Can the Academy rescind his Oscar?

Here is what we know.

Can Will Smith face assault charges?

Smith's slap was assault and battery under California law, and any watching police officer in the building could have immediately removed Smith from the stage, according to legal analyst Aron Solomon, who says he checked California statutes after the incident witnessed by millions.

"The immediate question (online) is was it a crime, and statutorily it's clear it was assault and battery – there was actual physical contact – and that's a misdemeanor," says Solomon, chief legal analyst for Esquire Digital in Philadelphia, which helps lawyers grow their practices. "Generally both are punishable by a fine of $2,000 and up to six months in county jail."

But if Rock doesn't press charges, a prosecution may be unlikely.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Love my grandkids — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:48:42 GMT

And these two idiots are getting more publicity with this staged performance than from any movie. Just what they wanted. So glad I didn't watch it.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Mz iMac — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:06:45 GMT

**Personal Opinion:** I believe it was "staged" for publicity because.....

GROWN men do not "slap, sucker slap, etc." another GROWN MAN. Especially if a "SO" is involved.

GROWN men PUNCH!

WS "sucker slapped" CR.

What occurred has resulted in the most publicity the Oscars has received in decades!

The Acadamy Award Show will now be known as the "slap heard/seen from around the world."

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

BlueFinch — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:09:34 GMT

It's too bad Chris doesn't want to press charges. Will could use a little quiet time in jail to reflect on his behavior. You know, how to REALLY embrace peace and love.

That said, although Chris was wrong going after Jada, he handled the situation well, preventing further escalation. He's a comedian, and although socially inappropriate, he didn't break the law. Will did.

There needs to be some type of negative consequences for Will. What we saw instead was a coveted award handed to him, with him partying down, into the night, celebrating afterwards.

The King was back in action. No! A wrong message for all observing.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Flika13 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:14:11 GMT

Another planned distraction????????

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:18:17 GMT

Oh, come on ..... A slap is NOT a punch.

While Chris Rock's comment was planned or premeditated, I'm not sure Will Smith's slap was. Or maybe they were having a little fun to shake things up.

I think it's ridiculous that anyone would think Chris Rock would file a police report.

Well, if the Academy wanted a little "excitement" for people to talk about, they got it.

Maybe Will Smith will get a "slap on the wrist" ... pun intended.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Sooner — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:19:06 GMT

It's all about the pub and the $$$$$$. Nobody's going to jail.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:21:14 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
It's too bad Chris doesn't want to press charges. Will could use a little quiet time in jail to reflect on his behavior. You know, how to REALLY embrace peace and love.

That said, although Chris was wrong going after Jada, he handled the situation well, preventing further escalation. He's a comedian, and although socially inappropriate, he didn't break the law. Will did.

There needs to be some type of negative consequences for Will. What we saw instead was a coveted award handed to him, with him partying down, into the night, celebrating afterwards.

The King was back in action. No! A wrong message for all observing.

@BlueFinch

What are you talking about? Who's the king? And since when is slapping someone "against the law"? Good grief.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Cwoldie — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:22:25 GMT

Assaulting is against the law.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:22:54 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
It's all about the pub and the $$$$$$. Nobody's going to jail.

@Sooner

Who do you think is making money on this?

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Jk9 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:25:12 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 Slapping someone is assault and battery and breaking the law.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Kachina624 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:28:38 GMT

Chris Rock's joke was tacky and done in deplorable taste. As a veteran entertainer, he should have known better. I've no doubt Will Smith's anger was real; did you see the expression on his face afterwards? I don't think it was staged.

However, his rushing the stage and hitting set a poor example for young people watching, or any impressionable audience members for that matter. It would have been far more appropriate for him to demand a public apology from the Academy and Chris Rock. In the end it would have been more effective and more humiliating to Chris Rock.

Will Smith's actions backfired in that he actually drew attention to his wife's condition which I'm sure was the last thing she wanted.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Snoopp — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:29:06 GMT

An FYI:

Slapping someone is a battery. And it is a criminal offense.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Sooner — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:35:53 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
It's all about the pub and the $$$$$$. Nobody's going to jail.

@Sooner

Who do you think is making money on this?

@Tinkrbl44 Publicity (good or bad) equals sales and notice and that engenders money. People either have to pay for publicity or make it happen--get the buzz going.

The Kardashians live off of publicity, so do some certain couples who will do anything to get in the headlines. This was a great stunt. It's all over the news and internet--everyone is talking--it's worth millions.

Anything for attention. Like all the ugly but buzz worthy clothing at awards shows now. Those people don't have to look like that. They want to!

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

SilleeMee — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:39:27 GMT

Had it occurred behind closed doors then maybe it would not have come to this. But since millions of people saw it, that sort of puts it into the Academy's hands and puts them in a position to take action. If the Academy doesn't take action then how would that make the Academy look? ...maybe not so good regardless of whether the slap was a publicity stunt or not.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Shelbelle — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:43:55 GMT

So ironic that 40 minutes later Smith wins Best Actor, can the Academy take his award away from him now??

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

pieman — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:46:59 GMT

Chris took the high road and for that I applaud him.

He was a model for his daughters on behavior.

However, I do think he should have been arrested during the commercial break and removed from the building.

People are so concerned about being Woke these days, here was your perfect example, not to mentiong his language blurted out for all to see and hear.

Oh all things to defend his wife on, its risiculous.

How about their open marriage and all the men she has been with?

Why not go after many of them, because it wasn't televised for all to see?

Sorry, if it were me, I would have sent him flying out into the audience with one punch, then called for "Clean up on aisle 2"...

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Group 5 minus 1 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:51:03 GMT

Think it was staged.

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

Shelbelle — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:57:39 GMT

Today on The Talk they said that Diddy reported that right after the show the 2 men made up and al lis well. Who knows?

Re: USA Today Report On Oscar Slap

stevieb — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:59:56 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
So ironic that 40 minutes later Smith wins Best Actor, can the Academy take his award away from him now??

Well, considering it was somewhat of a gift in the first place, you'd like to think so, but it'll never happen. Pretty clearly, those awards are as much about ideology as they are about the performances.