First things first: it was a terrible joke. Unacceptably mean, ludicrously dated (GI Jane came out in 1997) and just not funny. But that doesn’t matter. There is never any excuse for violence. The end.
Will Smith thought he was defending his wife, but she didn’t look like she needed defending. She’s not a helpless damsel, she’s a strong, independent woman, successful in her own right. Her response to the gag – a withering eye roll – was perfect, all that was needed. She had already handled it herself.
Her husband resorting to physical assault was the lowest of the low. That the ugly moment was broadcast all over the world also means the dangerous message that if a man loves you, he is violent around you has been reaffirmed to women everywhere.
Will Smith has been in showbusiness long enough to know how it works. Awards shows – where the most privileged people on the planet are even further rewarded – are made more bearable by the hosts roasting the stars.
The celebrities smile and laugh along, pretending to be good sports, even if they’re seething inside. That’s how it goes. If Will was genuinely upset, he should have pulled Chris Rock aside at the party afterwards and discussed it, like a civilised adult.
As a result of this slap, will people in audiences at comedy shows jump on stage and hit comedians who make a joke they decide to be offended by from now on? Does that sound like a good precedent to set, a positive way forward for us as a society?
Will Smith has always come across as a nice guy, still pretty down to earth in a shallow business full of narcissists, a decent bloke. Guess he deserved that Oscar after all, because he’s clearly a brilliant actor.
