Comedian Ricky Gervais reacted to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards with a scene from the British version of The Office.
The Office was co-created by Gervais with Stephen Merchant and first aired in the UK on BBC Two in 2001, in which Gervais starred as David Brent. In response to the altercation between Smith and Rock at the 2022 Oscars, Gervais shared a scene wherein David Brent addresses a group of uncomfortable employees by saying, “Particularly for his wife, and she’s got alopecia. So, not a happy home life.”
The scene is a direct reference to a joke made by Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards poking fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, which she does due to her alopecia. Rock, who appeared at the Oscars as a presenter, made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, wherein he said, “Jada, I love you– G.I Jane 2, can’t wait to see it.” Pinkett Smith has spoken publically about her struggles with alopecia. Smith, in response to the joke, shocked the audience — and Rock — by walking on stage and slapping the comedian across the face.
While the audio of the broadcast was immediately censored following the blow, uncensored footage surfaced later online, in which Smith can be heard yelling, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” Rock has not publically addressed the altercation, though he has confirmed that he will not be pressing charges against Smith. Smith since issued a formal apology for the slap, which he called “unacceptable and inexcusable.”
In his statement, Smith explained that “jokes at [his] expense are part of the job, but a joke about [Jada Pinkett Smith’s] medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.” Smith apologized to Rock directly, saying, “I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.” Smith also apologized to “the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world.” Pinkett Smith also responded to the incident as well, sharing an image on Instagram that reads, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
About an hour after the slap, Smith was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences launched a formal review in response to Smith and Rock’s altercation, issuing a statement that “condemns the actions of Mr. Smith” at the ceremony.
Many of Hollywood’s elite have come to Rock’s defense, including Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, comedian Kathy Griffin, Rob, actor Sophia Bush, director Judd Apatow, Jim Carrey and Rock’s friend and frequent collaborator, Adam Sandler.
Source: Twitter
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