Netflix broadcast the comedy episode live from the Hippodrome
A year after the Oscar slap. Rock mocks Will Smith and his wife
Rock accused Smith of "selective anger." AFP
image
Comedian Chris Rock took a slap from Will Smith during last year's Oscars as the subject of ridicule in a special comedy episode that aired live, saying he "relished seeing Smith take the hits in his latest film."
Netflix broadcast the episode live from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, with Rock saying he watched "FaithConcept" or "Break Free" only to see Smith being beaten during the events of the film and cheering in joy: "Hit him again" and "There's a place where you didn't hit him."
In March 2022, Smith took to the stage of the Oscars and slapped Rock, after the comedian made a joke about the appearance of Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith, the hero of "King Richard," then returned to his seat in the audience and later won the best actor award.
Rock remained silent about the incident until near the end of the hour-long special episode, then accused Smith of "selective anger," the name chosen as the title for the special episode.
Rock said Smith's wife sowed tensions in partly because she called for a boycott of the 2016 Oscars, when Rock was the presenter. Pinkett Smith said she was protesting that her husband and other black actors were not nominated for the awards.
Rock mocked Pinkett Smith during the Oscars ceremony and mocked her again last year.
Rock also touched on marital issues that Smith and his wife have spoken about in public. Pinkett Smith acknowledged that she got into a relationship she described as a "dilemma" in 2020. Rock continued: "I didn't get into any trouble. I (Smith) hurt him far more than he hurt me."
Representatives for Smith and his wife did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Will Smith issued a statement apologizing to Rock and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, the day after the ceremony. The Academy banned Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years.
The Rock comedy special is Netflix's first live event, as the platform is testing the technology and considering expanding live broadcasts to other shows.
A source familiar with the matter said Netflix had agreed to pay $40 million for two special rock comedy episodes under a deal reached in 2016. The episode the day before yesterday is the second in the agreement.
What did my parents teach me?
Chris Rock spent most of the comedy episode, which aired live, talking about topics ranging from the British royal family to the Kardashians, abortion and his love life, and then ended the show by stating why he did not respond to Will Smith's reciprocal slap. "I have two parents and do you know what my parents taught me? Don't fight against whites."
40
One million dollars that Netflix agreed to pay for two special rock comedy episodes.