Will Smith REFUSED to Leave Oscars Ceremony After ‘the Slap,’ According to New Report – Opinion

Some of you may be sick of the Academy Awards Sunday spectacle, in which Will Smith and Chris Rock slap each other. Yet, this story is one of those gifts that sheds light on how the creatures of Hollywood act–and sheds light on how they think they are untouchable. This is an interesting story.

So, move along if you are offended, I don’t want you to feel the need, or think you have the right to slap me.

Red State has extensively covered this story. Below is a sample of our coverage. Jeff CharlesHis post Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock Is Not PartisanThis is the same one that I wrote about Howard Stern’s absurd comparison of Smith and Donald Trump. Howard Stern again jumps on the Shark, Likening Will Smith To Donald Trump.

From my post on Stern…

“Not one person came out because he’s Will Smith,” said Stern, who pointed out that “this is how Trump gets away with s***. Trump is Will Smith. He decided he’s going to take matters into his own hands.”

“At a time when the world is at war, bad timing, man. Calm your f****** a** down,” Stern said, referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

After co-host Robin Quivers said, “It shows where we are as human beings. You can’t even say something in a room without a war breaking out,” Stern took a moment to reflect on Rock, whom he described as “flustered. He was obviously, his head, he got f***** over.”

Actress and Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell also compared Smith to Trump.

She said that “like the Trump years — we don’t hold accountable.” O’Donnell also described Smith as being a “narcissistic madman” and accused the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of not doing anything.

You know that when Rosie O’Donnell is making the same point you have fallen down a rabbit hole of stupidity.

Now, word has it that Smith’s actions on Sunday are being considered by the Academy for disciplining him. Yet the biggest part of this new story is that representatives of the Academy Awards ceremony reportedly asked Smith to leave… and he refused. It is notable because Smith accepted the Academy Award in Best Actor shortly after his incident with Rock.

Starting at The Hollywood Reporter…

“The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” the statement said.

Additionally, Smith will receive 15 days notice of a vote as well as an opportunity to be heard by written response, and at the next board meeting scheduled for April 18, the Academy may take action that could include “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.”

In their statement, the Academy also said “Mr. Smith refused to attend the ceremony after being asked. [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.” The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Smith for comment. Rock was also directly apologized by the Academy, along with nominees, guests, and viewers, in this statement.

Now, I don’t know anybody who actually believes that the Academy Awards Board of Governors is going to do anything to discipline Will Smith. They have no other options. They are not going to take away the award, and I don’t think they have any right to fine him any money.

For me, my humble opinion is that the larger story is this: If the officials from the ceremony ask him to leave, and he refuses, then it highlights the fact Will Smith feels he has no authority.

Chris Rock said some words that hurt the actor’s wife; Smith gets to go up and smack the guy, and strut back to his seat. Following the incident security comes to his aid and requests that he leave. Smith thinks to himself: I’m going to be collecting an award that kinda resembles my wife; I’m not leaving yet.

His megastar status and megaego means that he doesn’t need to behave like regular people. He is above it all– to hell with the consequences, as long as you issue a half-arsed apology.

They could have removed Smith from the ceremony. But they didn’t. They probably thought: Why create such a large scene in front of so many millions? Smith may suffer some public humiliation at the hands of memes and comics for years to come, but he will not face any real backlash from this–and the Academy not removing him is the clearest evidence of this.

Hollyweird has won another one. It is clear that the group thinks differently than mainstream America. That’s the way the system is, and as long as you’re honest about that, you can move on with your day not being bothered by it at all.

Don’t stop spreading those memes, though; some of them are absolutely hilarious.