The94th Academy Awardshave been controversial from the moment it announced its nominees for a number of reasons, so it is only fitting that the biggest talking point of the night had nothing to do with the winners and losers of the event, but for the slapping of hostChris Rockby award winnerWill Smithfor a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Following the incident, it was revealed by the Los Angeles Police Department that they were aware of the incident, which could be classed as assault, but would not be pursuing it as Rock had declined the chance to lodge a complaint.
During the ceremony, Rock made various jokes about the members of the audience, which is pretty much part and parcel of such events, with awards hosts such as Ricky Gervais often spending a lot of time roasting the celebrities in attendance, however after making a joke about not being able to wait to see Pinkett-Smith star inG.I. Jane 2.The joke was made in reference to the actress’s close cut hair, which is a result of her alopecia self-consciousness, and while it was a comment that was less cutting than some of the night’s jibes, it didn’t land well as was clear immediately to those watching, and led to Smith walking on stage to smack Rock and then continued to shout at him from his seat.
In a statement released by the LAPD, it was revealed that the comedian had “declined to file a police report” and they would not be pursuing matters. The statement read, “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. 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.”
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Will Smith’s Lashing Out Raises The Question of What Can and Cannot Be Made A Joke of by Comedians
While awards shows have always allowed comedians to really rip into the celebrities that turn up to potentially be bathed in glory, the incident at this year’s ceremony has once again raised the ever popular question of what can and cannot be used for comedy purposes by comedians in general.
Last year, Jada Pinkett-Smith made an announcement that she has shaved her hair due to suffering from alopecia, which causes uncontrolled hair loss in those with the condition. When Rock made his “G.I. Jane" joke, the camera showed Smith laughing as the comment was made, but to his side, Pinkett-Smith was clearly not taking it has a joke and, rolled her eyes in a suggestion that it is a comment she has been hearing for a long while.
While comedians always attempt to be edgy and brutal when it comes to their award show roasts, the incident has once again raised the question of what can be used as a joke and by whom, making comedy a very volatile genre to be in right now. Recently there have been many complaints about jokes linked to race, gender, sexual orientation and disability, and it seems that the issue is clearly one that is not going to be resolved anytime soon.
