Film
Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer Say They’re “Traumatized” by Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock
Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer both say they are “traumatized” from watching Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. In an excerpt from an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show airing later this week, Sykes expressed her disappointment with the Academy for not escorting Smith out of the venue. “I just felt so awful for my friend Chris,” Sykes said. “And it was sickening, absolutely sickening. I physically felt ill, and I’m still a little traumatized by it… And for them to let him stay in that room and enjoy the rest of the show and accept his award, I was like, ‘How gross is this? This is just the wrong message.’” Advertisement Related Video Sykes continued: “We were the hosts, right? So this is our house, we’re inviting you in, we’re the hosts, we’re gonna take care of...
Chris Rock Addresses Will Smith’s Oscars Slap: “I’m Still Kind of Processing What Happened”
Chris Rock finally addressed Will Smith’s Oscars slap — but he didn’t have much to say. According to Variety, the comedian briefly spoke about the incident during his show in Boston on Wednesday night. “How was your weekend?” Rock began, reportedly drawing a standing ovation. “I don’t have a bunch of shit about what happened,” he said, “so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend.” Advertisement Related Video “I’m still kind of processing what happened,” Rock continued. “So, at some point I’ll talk about that shit. And it will be serious and funny.” “I’m going to tell some jokes. It’s nice to just be out,” Rock added before launching into his set Prior to announcing the winner for documentary feature during Sunday’s Academy Awards, Rock cracked a joke ...
Will Smith Refused to Leave the Oscars Following Chris Rock Slap
Will Smith was asked to leave Sunday’s Academy Awards after slapping Chris Rock, but he refused. The revelation came in a new statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Board of Governors, who met on Monday and voted to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith. “Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television,” the statement reads. “Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.” Advertisement Related Video “Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipate,” the statement continues. “While we woul...
Morbius Review: Maybe It’s Time for Sony to Give Marvel Back Its Toys
The Pitch: The first trailer for Morbius, the newest effort by Sony Pictures to hold onto the Marvel characters to which it still owns the rights, originally premiered in January 2020, in anticipation of its planned July 2020 premiere. That premiere didn’t happen for, y’know, reasons, but in the literal years since, new trailers for the film have continued to appear online and in theaters, with one of them buttoned by a reasonably funny joke: Its central character, in full monster face, growling “I… am… Venom!” at a thug, then abruptly shifting to a smile to say, “I’m just kidding! Dr. Michael Morbius, at your service.” That moment didn’t just name-drop a previous Sony/Marvel collaboration, but showcased a clever reversal on expectations, not to mention star Jared Leto doling out some very...
Jim Carrey Calls Hollywood “Spineless” for Applauding Will Smith at Oscars
While doing the press rounds in support of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Jim Carrey blasted the audience at the 2022 Academy Awards for giving Will Smith a standing ovation minutes after slapping Chris Rock. Carrey said he was “sickened” by the cheers when it was announced Smith won Best Actor for King Richard, and blasted Hollywood as a whole for being “spineless” about the incident. “I was sickened by the standing ovation,” the actor told Gayle King, after being asked to share his opinion on CBS Mornings. “I felt like Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we’re not the cool club anymore.” Carrey added that Smith “should’ve been” escorted out of the Oscars after slapping Rock and speculated that the comedian only declined to press char...
Ke Huy Quan on That Outrageous Fanny Pack Scene in Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All At Once star Ke Huy Quan seems like he’s living his best life right now; during a recent press day for the new A24 film, he’s downright giddy just to be talking to the press. “It’s been a really exciting time for me,” he says. “Ever since the trailer came out, and now the movie getting to come out the response, the reception has just been incredible. I’m so overwhelmed with joy right now. I’m really happy.” It’s a very human reaction that feels truly in line with the nature of the film, which is in a lot of ways about just what it means, to live a human life. Written and directed by the filmmaking team known as Daniels (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Everything Everywhere stars the legendary Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn, whose humdrum life taking care of her family an...
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, ...
