Will Smith

[Ridha]

Changing topic for a moment. I find genetics incredibly interesting in a total lay-person kind of way, eg how Emilio and Charlie look nothing like eachother and yet both look so unmistakably like Martin Sheen, just totally different aspects of Martin. Similarly, I am reminded how fascinating it is that Trey Smith (Will’s son from his first marriage) is so drop dead gorgeous, nicely built, and also just like a head screwed on adult. I guess his mum made a huuuge difference both genetics/nature wise, and nurture wise.

Jaden really got the short end of the stick, genetics wise. I don’t find Will Smith good looking or even pleasant looking at all, and he got Will’s face and Jada’s build. In contrast Trey got his father’s build (possibly the one attractive feature Will has), and his mum’s gorgeous face. I’d feel bad for Jayden, except, he’s an insufferable ass so.

I also do NOT get Zoe Kravitz comments (which have resurfaced on the net today after years, 7 or so I believe), raving about how handsome and cool Jayden was. Zoe is the nature and nurture product of 2 of the most truly beautiful and truly cool people (seriously Lisa Bonet is my girl crush for life), and the nurture product of a 3rd, and I’m kind of astounded and disappointed that she of all people would be taken in by Jayden’s cringe, albeit years ago. I feel he looks and behaves like a 2022 version of Game of Thrones’ Joffrey.

[cremetangerine82]

Apr 2, 2022 13:59:58 GMT -4 prisma said:

Yesterday I listened to the first Marc Maron podcast that was recorded post-slap. I was interested to hear his take on it since he, like Chris, is a working stand-up comedian. He had a lot to say that I appreciated but one nugget that stuck with me is he called it the most spectacular act of self-sabotage that he had ever witnessed. Which is true. Will has spent decades building this nice-guy image, which had finally culminated in an Oscar, and now it's pretty obvious to everyone how much a veneer that is for a wounded egomaniac who temporarily lost his mind while the world was watching.

Fantastic point made by Marc Maron, prisma. I will also mention the fact that for decades, Will Smith was the rapper who didn’t swear in any of his music, and was the safe alternative to rappers that were much more “threatening” and “dangerous“. He was the rapper that your conservative parents could like, and was the more acceptable alternative for those who were skeptical or hated rap.

Unfortunately for all of Will Smith’s notable success in his rap career, he has always had that “corny” tag that never gave him any street cred, especially with the rise of “gangsta” rap and superlative rappers (Tupac, Nas, the Notorious B.I.G.) that showed Will’s weakness in his rhymes and flow.

The Slap^TM is probably not just about his unresolved anger issues, toxic masculinity (strong benevolent sexism vibes) and being in a deeply unhealthy marriage, but his frustration of probably not being taken seriously as a rapper.

What also could fuel his anger is the string of stink burgers he was in such as After Earth, Collateral Beauty, Winter’s Tale, Seven Pounds, Gemini Man, and Bright. The live action remake of Aladdin, Focus, and Suicide Squad were box office successes, but were panned or had mixed reception from critics. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still upset about his Oscar nomination snub for Concussion.

I agree with the Razzies Redeemer Award Will received this year for his performance in King Richard, but now that award (and Will’s Best Actor Oscar) have permanent asterisks to them because of The Slap^TM.

Shallow note: Has anyone talked to DJ Jazzy Jeff yet?

[hildymatildy]

I think the reasons behind The Slap^tm (per Cremetangerine82), is fairly complicated. I think all those reasons lead up to the perfect storm for Will.

I think one of the biggest factors that made him feel "safe" to exhibit such behavior was because he was with his peers, his equals so to speak. I doubt he would have had the same reaction in a venue with "civilians". He felt he was in a safe space. On top of that maybe he sincerely felt that he was doing the right thing, that other people would support him. He is Will Fucking Smith after all.

There was a huge level of entitlement which showed not only in his refusing to leave the ceremony when asked (if that really happened), but also in his acceptance speech when he won the Oscar. He justified his actions as that of a "protector" like King William. I feel, that this loose parallel he drew was a quick idea to minimize the damage because method actors get away with a lot of bad behavior by claiming to be "in character" See: Dustin Hoffman slapping Meryl Streep or Jared Leto mailing gross things to his co-stars (which imho is absolutely unacceptable but people let them get away with it because...art?). I will not be surprised if he uses method acting and "still being in character" as an excuse.

Either way, the mask dropped for a moment and we saw the face of the real Will Smith, an entitled, violent asshole trying to impress his wife who doesn't want to be faithful to him. It's really sad and pathetic when you boil it all down to that and I feel sorry for him in that regard. It must be humiliating to know your wife sleeps with your son's friends. This doesn't excuse his behavior or his assholery, but it's still really sad.

[jvegg]

Everyone comforting Will really made my jaw drop. As ugly and gross as the slap and standing ovation was, the fact that they were rushing to WS. And completely ignored Chris. Not even Questlove or anyone else that was on stage after the assault interacted with Chris. I expected someone to pat his back or speak to him as they walked off stage but nothing. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying Quest love did anything wrong but it just shocked me that so many were more concerned about the person who just assualted someone rather than the victim.

[Ridha]

Video of that perennial suck up Trevor Noah hugging and talking at length in Will’s ear at an Oscars after party, and with Will guffawing. Dicks.

I do love Bill Maher’s take on it. As well as on the standing ovation. I tend to love his take on most things.

Jimmy Kimmel was pretty good too.

Corden was meh, as ever, but he did bring it up.

What has the other late shows reactions been? Haven’t found anything for Fallon, Meyers, or unsurprisingly Noah.

I’m impressed by Bardem and Cruz sitting out the standing o. Disappointed and turned off by Cumberbatch and Cooper. Anyone else know/saw who sat and who stood?

jvegg yes the footage of Chris on stage after the slap looking a bit dazed just breaks my heart and makes me want to hug him. He looks like a little boy who’s just been bullied at school but is trying to take the high road and get out of there. I liked him before and now I love him. Will even tried to insert himself into Questlove win, hugging them as they reached the stage. Like fuck off and sit down and have enough shame to try and sink into your seat instead of acting like the benevolent king giving the lesser known commoners the largesse of your blessing for their win. Yes I wish of that group up on stage I had seen even one of them squeeze Chris’s shoulder or meet his eyes with a concerned look.

And honestly I’m not sure how far we can take the “it had just happened/people were in shock/heat of moment/unprecedented live situation” excuses (both on this board and mainstream shows commentary, as justifications for both the standing ovation and lack of support for Chris. Come on right is right and wrong is wrong. There have been way more high stake situations caught on video where regular people have, in the space of a few seconds, opted to help someone, or stand up for someone. Bystanders try to stop muggers getting away even at the risk of getting knifed themselves. They jump in to give CPR when they see someone gasping for breath. The richest, most privileged people in the world who were in no physical or other danger themselves should NOT need the benefit of a night to sleep on it and see which way the wind of public opinion is blowing before they instinctively just get they don’t applaud a bully, and they do reach out to a victim. Even if the former is having a pity party, and the latter is putting on a brave face.

[hildymatildy]

I agree with you Ridha. It says a lot about Hollywood and the cult of celebrity. We do need to consider that these people earn their livelihood in the public eye and as such they find it important to carefully curate their reactions to anything. Standing out in the crowd can work against them.

Most of them were probably still too shocked in the moment to know what to do so they continued with business as usual or followed the crowd's reaction. I don't necessarily think their reactions are bad or should be held as proof of supporting Will's actions.

There have been times in my own life when something shocking has happened between acquaintances where we tried to pretend things were ok afterward then later, once things calmed and I mulled it over, I was angry at myself for not reacting differently. I would like to think many of the people were either; too scared, felt not applauding would be rude, or were just taking cues from the crowd.

It says a lot about the people who refused to go with the crowd if more people had their ability to think quickly and overcome their instincts then the majority of the crowd would have stayed sitting.

I think it's unfair to judge most of the crowd as supporting Will's behavior. The ones who comforted Will outed themselves well enough, but just because Jessica Chastain stood (I don't know if she did), doesn't mean she agreed with Will's actions or is a horrible person.

Another thing we should consider the hosts and presenters are always antagonistic to the crowd. Oscar ceremonies about giving out roasts and awards and the crowd is usually a little antagonistic toward everyone on the stage except award winners so it kinds of make sense why Will felt he was right in his behavior and why so many people supported him in the moment. Most of them have probably had similar fantasies about popping a comedian in the mouth for their jests.

[Auroranorth]

Apr 3, 2022 17:02:45 GMT -4 hildymatildy said:

I agree with you Ridha. It says a lot about Hollywood and the cult of celebrity. We do need to consider that these people earn their livelihood in the public eye and as such they find it important to carefully curate their reactions to anything. Standing out in the crowd can work against them.

Most of them were probably still too shocked in the moment to know what to do so they continued with business as usual or followed the crowd's reaction. I don't necessarily think their reactions are bad or should be held as proof of supporting Will's actions.

There have been times in my own life when something shocking has happened between acquaintances where we tried to pretend things were ok afterward then later, once things calmed and I mulled it over, I was angry at myself for not reacting differently. I would like to think many of the people were either; too scared, felt not applauding would be rude, or were just taking cues from the crowd.

It says a lot about the people who refused to go with the crowd if more people had their ability to think quickly and overcome their instincts then the majority of the crowd would have stayed sitting.

I think it's unfair to judge most of the crowd as supporting Will's behavior. The ones who comforted Will outed themselves well enough, but just because Jessica Chastain stood (I don't know if she did), doesn't mean she agreed with Will's actions or is a horrible person.

I agree. While I'd like to think I would react quickly in this situation,* I have to admit that I might have been one of those, "Did that just happen?" people staring at my friends in shock and not knowing what to do. I expect trouble in my day job, but if I'm at a party and people start swinging on each other, that's not something I'm ready for right then.


*Public librarianship teaches fast reflexes when it comes to trouble. The patron causing a scene might be drunk/high, having a medical issue, having a mental health issue, or just a schmuck who wants to cause trouble and upset and scare people.

[seat6]

I noticed Bendyback Cumberbund stood for the ovation, but I also think that if he had stayed seated, his actions could have been interpreted as sour grapes that he didn't win. It would be hard to know if he were sitting to protest Will's behavior or because he was upset he didn't win. So he probably had to make a quick calculation that he would rather look like a gracious winner. Although as Ridha pointed out, Javier Bardem stayed seated and people seem to think it was because he disapproved of Will's immediate actions and not because he was a sore loser.

I do have quick reflexes and I have stepped in to help strangers before and I was completely bewildered by what had happened. I think because it was the Oscars, where there are often bits, from Rob Lowe dancing with Snow White to David Letterman trying to make Uma-Oprah a thing, many people, myself included, though that the whole thing was a very unfunny staged joke.

In watching the videos, you can really see that most people had no idea what was happening until Will started shouting. That's when his anger was apparent. It really sucked the life out of the room and changed the entire mood.

[cremetangerine82]

Hi, fellow librarian, Auroranorth! Yes, you have to deal with the riff-raff along with media (I was a librarian during graduate school)!

Meryl Streep didn’t just deal with being slapped right before a take. What Dustin Hoffman put her through was nasty, uncalled for, and he sucks for putting her through that. Dustin Hoffman is a POS!

OT: Also, since I don’t know about their open marriage arrangement, can we stop blaming Jada for Will’s actions? He’s an adult and he’s is 100% responsible for The Slap^TM. Thanks for the shout-out, hildymatildy!

I agree with jvegg, seeing people comfort Will (Denzel Washington talking about the Devil to Will? Way to not have Will not take responsibility for his actions!) but not Chris was gross. It’s indicative of the pecking order: screw the comedian who was just physically assaulted during a live event, what about the poor A-list Academy Award nominated actor who was predicted to win an Oscar tonight?

I also feel like people are again treating the courtesy of a standing ovation (which is standard at awards shows) as their acceptance of physical assault from their elite peer is a reach. I’m sure someone would call Benedict Cumberbatch not standing and clapping to be a sore loser (as mentioned by seat6) or if Jessica Chastain stood and clapped or not; the cameras weren’t in her direction, so I don’t know. Javier Bardem took the middleman ground by clapping but remained seated (along with Penélope Cruz).

Denzel and Tyler Perry acting like a Council of Black Men to calm down Will Smith is what pisses me off more. Producer Will Packer could have been more insistent on Will leaving, but he could’ve incurred more wrath from Will Smith and asked him to stay to try to keep the ceremony going without further interruptions.

Trevor Noah sucks, too!

[ladyboy]

Maybe Chris Rock is/was one of Jada's entanglements?