Film
A Timeline of Will Smith and Chris Rock’s Fair-Weather Friendship
As if the Hollywood gods knew we were overdue for a scandal on live television, all of the regular expected awkwardness at the 2022 Academy Awards was eclipsed by Will Smith slapping Chris Rock across the face for the entire world to see, after the latter made a joke at Jada Pinkett Smith‘s expense. But a little violence didn’t stop the Academy from giving Smith the Best Actor Award for his role in King Richard, where he plays Richard Williams, father and coach of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said during his speech, holding back tears — almost as if to give Rock an ever-so-subtle fuck you. But being two comedy legends of the ’90s, Rock and Smith’s relationship goes way back, as both friends and on-screen collaborato...
The Academy Launches “Formal Review” of Will Smith’s Conduct at Oscars
The Academy has launched a “formal review” of Will Smith’s conduct at last night’s Oscars. In a statement released on Monday, the organization “condemned the actions of Mr. Smith,” and will “explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.” During Sunday’s telecast, Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock after the comic cracked a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Advertisement Related Video The US broadcast quickly cut the sound, but the international feed captured the full interaction. Rock said, “Wow, Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.” Smith returned to his seat, where he shouted out, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” It appears Smith will face some sort of disciplinary action in response ...
Oscars 2022: Norm Macdonald, Bob Saget Omitted from In Memoriam Segment
Every year, the Oscars honor the stars who passed away in the year before the event, and every year, they forget to mention at least one deceased legend. This time around, the big names omitted from the Academy Awards In Memoriam segment included Norm Macdonald, Bob Saget, and Ed Asner. While Macdonald, Saget, and Asner primarily worked in television, the comedians’ deaths still left a major gap in the industry. Macdonald — who passed away in September following a nine-year battle with cancer — is perhaps best known for his time on Saturday Night Live, but he also appeared in films like Grown Ups, Back to Norm, and Dirty Work — the latter of which was directed by his good friend, Bob Saget. Saget, who died of head trauma while on tour in January, appeared in films like ...
Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock After Slapping Him at Oscars
Will Smith has issued a statement apologizing to Chris Rock for slapping him during Sunday night’s Oscars. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” wrote Smith in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday evening. “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. 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.” Prior to announcing the winner for documentary feature, Rock cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair, prompti...
Kristin Chenoweth “Ready” to Play Dolly Parton in a Biopic or Broadway Show
Considering her career has spanned over half a century, the world is long overdue for a Dolly Parton biopic. But one of the first steps toward getting the project off the ground is finding its star, and Broadway veteran Kristin Chenoweth had a straightforward response when she found out she was being considered: “I’m ready Dolly.” Parton discussed her plans for a biopic or Broadway show during her recent appearance on Mr. Nashville Talks. As it turns out, the multi-hyphenate has wanted to adapt her life story for a long time, but naturally, the pandemic shifted her plans. “I’ve been talking about doing my Broadway musical and we were really, really way out ahead of that, and then COVID hit and that changed my mind about a whole lot of things,” Parton said. “I do intend someday to be o...
2022 Oscars: Encanto Cast Perform “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” with Megan Thee Stallion
Although “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” wasn’t up for an Oscar at tonight’s ceremony, the viral sensation has been the Encanto track that’s had everyone talking. During Sunday’s telecast, the cast of Disney’s smash animated hit were joined by Megan Thee Stallion, Luis Fonsi, and Becky G for the debut performance of the No. 1 hit. Fonsi revealed the plans for the star-studded musical number on the red carpet, teasing, “It’s gonna be a party. I mean, there’s really no other way to explain it. It’s gonna be a very colorful, uptempo Latino party. I’m honored, honored to be a part of this special version of the song that we all know, to be able to meet the cast, and to add a little different Oscar version with Meg Thee Stallion and Becky G.” Written by Hamilton mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda, ...
2022 Oscars: Billie Eilish and FINNEAS Perform “No Time to Die”
Now, here’s a performance to die for: Billie Eilish took the stage at the 2022 Academy Awards — alongside her brother and collaborator FINNEAS — to sing “No Time to Die,” her Oscar-winning James Bond theme. The performance followed a 60th anniversary tribute to Bond held earlier in the evening. FINNEAS accompanied his sister on piano, singing backup vocals as she commanded the stage in a dramatic black blouse and trousers. As she crooned the delicate melody, a laser light show cut through the air around here, and a full orchestra swelled to meet the moment. Watch Eilish’s performance below, and check out the full winner’s list here. From the film of the same name, “No Time to Die” went on to win Best Original Song this year (it’s also accumulated trophies at the Golden Globes, Cr...
Oscars 2022 Review: Well, That Was a Hot Mess
“There’s, like, a different vibe in here.” So remarked host Amy Schumer towards the end of the 94th annual Academy Awards, after an emotionally exhausting night that did deliver a lot of surprises. Perhaps not the kinds of surprises that anyone watching was hoping for, because as the show creeped past the three-and-a-half-hour mark, what was striking was how the Oscars managed to make the handing out of actual Oscars feel like an afterthought. In the minutes before the Oscars began this year, the vibes were not great due to the controversial choice to eliminate eight categories from the live broadcast (instead handing those awards out an hour before the official ceremony started, and then editing the winning acceptance speeches into the show later). In concept, an idea which might trim som...
2022 Oscars: Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock: “Keep My Wife’s Name Out of Your Fucking Mouth”
After presenter Chris Rock joked that Jada Pinkett Smith looked like “G.I. Jane 2,” with her shaved head, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped Rock across the face. Before Rock presented the award for documentary feature, he began by roasting members of the audience. But his crack about Pinkett Smith was deeply personal, hitting on her well-documented struggles with the autoimmune disorder alopecia, which can cause hair loss. The joke prompted her husband Smith to rush Rock and strike him. The US broadcast quickly cut the sound, but international broadcasts captured the full interaction. Rock said, “Wow, Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.” Smith returned to his seat, where he hollered, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” Advertisement Related Video “Wow,...
BTS Share Their Favorite Musical Film Moments in Surprise Oscars Appearance: Watch
BTS (Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook) made a surprise appearance at the Academy Awards on Sunday (March 27th), sharing their favorite musical moments in film. The group spoke highly of Disney-Pixar classics, with Jimin and RM revering Coco as “a real masterpiece.” “I watched it three times, and I cried a lot,” RM said. “Disney movies stimulate emotions well,” Jin added. Advertisement Related Video As for J-Hope, the singer said he prefers Aladdin, prompting RM to shout out Will Smith for his portrayal of the Genie. Of course, this was before Smith’s own 2022 Oscars moment, which was a little less family friendly. Perhaps after the cast performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, the K-pop group will add Best Animated Feature winner Encanto to their list of Disn...
Oscars 2022: Funniest Moments from Hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall
The 2022 Academy Awards ceremony was the first in four years to have an official host, and the Academy tripled the funny by enlisting Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes to share the gig. In their joint opening monologue after Beyoncé’s remote performance of “Be Alive” from King Richard, the comedians landed laughs about everything from the Best Picture nominees to the scandal-ridden Golden Globes. “I watched that movie three times, and I’m halfway through it,” Sykes deadpanned about 12-time nominee The Power of the Dog, before Schumer hilariously murdered that other awards show with, “Know what’s in the In Memoriam package this year? The Golden Globes.” Advertisement Related Video Sykes also couldn’t resist a barbed shout-out to Florida amid the state’s ongoing efforts to pass the d...
Chris Rock Declines to Press Charges Against Will Smith
It was the slap seen around the world, and yet Will Smith will walk away from the 2022 Oscars with an Academy Award trophy and no criminal charges. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (via Variety), Chris Rock has declined to file a police report against Smith, despite being slapped on stage by the actor. Prior to announcing the winner for documentary feature, Rock cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair, prompting her husband Smith to walk up to Rock and strike him with his open hand. Advertisement Related Video The US broadcast quickly cut the sound, but the international feed captured the full interaction. Rock said, “Wow, Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.” Smith returned to his seat, where he hollered, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” “Wow, d...
