Bill Maher has his thoughts on Will Smith’s physical interaction with Chris Rock at the Oscars.
“It was not a good look for Will,” Maher began while speaking to TMZ.
“I could make a case that we’ve all be under a lot of pressure and a lot of emotion — and I understand a lot of emotion running through him, but that was just out of line and it re-enforced the idea that jokes are the enemy.”
“It was sort of like cancel culture encapsulated,” he continued, “because at first you saw he was laughing at the joke, right? This is what happens a lot with cancel stuff. At first: ‘Oh, it’s funny.’ And then you look around: ‘Oh wait, I’m supposed to be offended.’ And then there’s the [subsequent] overreaction. He was like the Twitter mob come alive.”
“Chris Rock is the hero here,” he concluded.
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In addition, fellow comedians have rallied behind Rock — including Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Howard Stern and Kathy Griffin who have also publicly denounced Smith for his actions.
Smith went on to post a public apology to Rock as well as the Academy —- who just announced they are currently investigating the interaction.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
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“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. 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. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
The Academy plans to hold a disciplinary hearing for the actor, who recently resigned from the Academy. This will affect his ability to vote for potential nominees and “may include private reprimand, public reprimand, temporary or permanent loss of privileges to attend and participate in Academy events or activities, temporary or permanent loss of eligibility to receive or hold or revocation of Academy awards or honors, temporary or permanent loss of eligibility to hold Academy service and volunteer roles, or other sanctions that the Academy in its sole discretion may deem appropriate.”
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