Will Smith defends his Wife with a Wallop! ?

I did read that the particular joke was not in the rehearsal, who knows what the real truth is but what example is that setting when one of his own children apparently tweeted something to the effect of 'that's the way we do it".

It's all very well to say that Jada Pinkett Smith is capable of standing up for herself and doesn't need her husband to wade in and defend her. It's true that she seems to be an independent and capable woman.

But think of something that you really feel sensitive about, maybe something that has made you feel ashamed and depressed even though it's not your fault. Then imagine that someone onstage had cracked a joke about it, in front of a worldwide audience, and the cameras were on you to witness your reaction. Yes, you might have the strength and presence of mind to answer back but it's equally likely that you would just wish you were dead.

Under those circumstances, if my loved one was the target of the joke, I might lash out and give their tormentor a smack in the mouth. I am not saying that I would be right to do it, just that I might do it anyway. No-one condones violence. We all know that it isn't the way to go. But it's not hard to understand why Will Smith reacted like that, if he looked at his wife and saw that she was hurting.

As for the idea that it was all a put-up job for publicity.. Well, if it was, then it worked really well.

So staged ,anything for attention

It seems he has apologised for hitting the other man, who deserved it in my opinion.

Making jokes about anyone's ill health is so appalling that I doubt that anyone capable of doing so would realise he was wrong unless he was slapped.

I would have done the same if I’d been Will - I love Will !

Well done will smith ….,, jokes at others expense is nothing but bullying! And I’ve learnt from experience there only one thing bullies understand! Again….. well done Will .

I’m really surprised that every woman on the planet doesn’t think he’s the greatest hero ever. I think he was wonderful and he’s gone right up in my estimation. He had to watch his mum being brutally beaten as a small child so I bet he has no time for mean bullies.

I suspect many of us have done things in the heat of the moment which we regret bitterly afterwards. I get the impression that Will Smith regretted his actions but Chris Rock didn't judging by the apologies being offered. I don't think Will Smith was right to hit out, there are better ways but I can understand that he was highly upset on behalf of his wife. We don't know but maybe he really goes through the mill if she is upset (she is quite a strong willed woman from what I have read) or maybe their marriage is in more trouble than we know about so he is more stressed than usual. Until we walk in his shoes, it is difficult to understand.

Will was laughing at Chris Rock's 'joke' but when Jada looked daggers at Will he immediately got up and hit Chris. I think Jada is boss in their relationship, he has to do what she tells him. He did it to look more macho to Jada, you can see that on his face when he walked offstage.

FannyCornforth

poshpaws and you wouldn’t burst into tears afterwards, I’ll bet!

FannyCornforth

you're entirely correct!

Rock was totally in the wrong with his hurtful and none amusing "joke" about Jade. If he had said that at his table it would still be in very poor taste but to tell it in front of all those people and the tv too, when Jade has to deal with a problem that she has no control over and was being , in my view, quite brave to go the the ceremony, was appalling and not acceptable, so although I do not approve of violence, particularly as it took away attention from some of the other awards like the one that the deaf man won, I do think he crossed the line and deserved what he got.

Grandmas70's
I agree.That was a' thugs way' of dealing with it. No answer to how he could have dealt with it but certainly not in that way.

I'm genuinely surprised at the many on here who think a violent smack across the face is an appropriate response to a cruel joke.

No wonder there's so much violence in our society when grandmothers are admiring of a swaggering display of testosterone.

Agreed, Riverwalk. It's shocking.

Both in the wrong but at least one of them apologised.

Shame this unedifying incident has dominated conversation about the Oscars this year.

Well said blue cat

Well done Will Smith! Chris Rock deserved a slap. Smith had nothing to apologise for, it should have been Rock apologising to him. I hate the way that so many so-called comedians try to get laughs by humiliating and belittling their audience. I know if someone made a 'joke' like that at my expense my husband (or sons) would floor them, if I didn't get to them first.

Sawsage What a nasty post ,he said in his speech that usually they just accept what people say about them and laugh along with the crownd BUT when he saw how visibly upset his wife was he knew that it had hurt(or words to that effect) .Thats why he reacted ,Not to look Macho .

They should stop the whole back slapping win an award thing. They get to do a job they love for the most earn a fortune. Stop it all together. The "joke" wasn't in the least bit funny infact Chris just looked like a jerk. Will Smith should have just told him to shut up.

Cheap jokes at the expense of others is not the sign of a talented comedian. WS was right to protect his wife but maybe not in that way

Missiseff
I completely agree with you.
Yes violence is wrong, but W S looked at the end of his patience
with that horrible Rock, who imo should have been on his knees apologising to Jade,
I can’t believe WS would have slapped Rock as a stunt,when he sat down and was shouting at Rock he was furious I know he’s an actor but nevertheless he was livid that this person was constantly making fun of his wife, Rock has gone too far this time.It’s time these supposed funny men/women were stopped
It’s a sign of lack of intelligence by these people that they can only make fun of people.
I am nearly 80 and long for the old days when comic’s were really funny without smut or insults and films were enjoyable not violent. Sorry rant over ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202203/medium-673094-34d63996-5886-46a6-928d-e6100e481f6a.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202203/medium-740488-a4a7a1d6-64d8-4665-ba1c-dfc906b5f69a.png

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I think they should have both just got up and walked out. There's nothing funny about hair loss.

very good Lucca

Maybe it wasn't the way yo go about it but, tbf, these 'comedians' seem to have it in for the Smith family lately.
That Aussie girl, I've forgotten her name, blonde, she found out what it was getting like when she made a joke and it didn't go down well with the audience. Jokes on her, as her face said all too clearly!!
Chris Rock hit well below the belt and poor Jada looked very upset, understandably!!
Although violence is probably not the answer, if I'd been Will I'd have punched not slapped and he'd have gone down like a Rock - pun intended!!
Maybe those 'comedians' are now learning enough is enough!!!