• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Will Smith just threw a $50m punch

Tbe idea that this was staged based on the fact that Smith weakly slapped Rock instead of punching him hard, doesn't really hold up.

Smith may be impulsive and perhaps thin skinned, but he's not dumb. Even angry, he's not going to throw a serious punch to a comedians face on live TV. just because they made a distasteful joke about his family.

This was more like the old fashioned "I slap you in the face with my glove because you, sir, have insulted my honor."


gloveslap.png



 
Last edited:
People think Alec Baldwin intentionally murdered someone. I don’t think anyone’s outraged about Will Smith. They just find this interesting.

It's only interesting because it took place on one of entertainments biggest stages. The Hollywood royalty are flawed human beings, just like the rest of us. Most of the time their antics aren't seen live by millions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stewie26
It's only interesting because it took place on one of entertainments biggest stages. The Hollywood royalty are flawed human beings, just like the rest of us. Most of the time their antics aren't seen live by millions.
It’s interesting because it was so public and it’s even more interesting, to me, is that it’s Will Smith. He’s not just famous. He’s super famous. He’d get mobbed by people walking down the street anywhere in the world. That’s a different kind of famous. Alex Baldwin can, and does, walk down Manhattan streets like a “regular” person. This is “Gettin Jiggy With It” Will Smith. This is “welcome to earth”/punch an alien in his helmet Will Smith. He’s the unoffensive, family friendly, wise crackin jokester who made you cry in Pursuit of Happiness Will Smith. If Tom Cruise, who’s the same kind of super famous, sucker punched someone at an award show it wouldn’t be that surprising.
 
26293933[/URL], member: 317378"]No attempt to block because he expected Smith was going to speak to him, not hit him. You generally turn to face someone who is going to talk with you, don't you? Gosh aren't we all quick to see a conspiracy everywhere?

Jesus, I just thought it was funny. Deleted.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LBS-bass
Just a few observations from my own personal take on it.

1) If that was real and there were officers on premises, they have explaining to do. That was assault.

2) If it was real, Will wasn't right, but he wasn't wrong either.

2a) People forget that celebs have carefully crafted and tended personas. It's their job and Will has been better than most at cultivating his persona. Last night he let the person come to light. You see, you can take the man outta Philly, but you can't take Philly outta the man. I found it tragically amusing. Will took the joke in stride, even laughed. Then Jada gave him the dreaded "Really? You gonna laugh at that?" glare. Will had nowhere to go after that but into danger close and let the chips fall where they may. Jada could have had that conversation with Will later that night... On the mean streets, the unwritten rule is never talk about mammas, wifes/girlfriends and kids. When I heard "... name out your mfing mouth...." yeah I knew what was coming next. Still, acting like an 8 year old and lashing out, I have zero sympathy for any fallout. If John Doe slaps Chris Rock he's in cuffs and spending the night in a cell. If you're a rich celebrity you get to accept an award and go on about your night.

3) My thoughts on cancel culture track on this. I'm gonna guess they go the Will's a bully route. He's well liked and anything other wouldn't have legs, but him being the bigger dude and hitting a guy with his hands behind his back. That might have legs. For those that care about narratives.

As Gorn said, fascinating.
 
Immature. Period.

I would do anything for my wife or kids. If they were in danger, I would take a bullet without even thinking.

Hitting someone over words makes you and over grown 4 year old tantrum throwing @$$. Period.

He's an exceptional talent. I have no idea if he's a "bad person" or a "good person" under normal circumstances. I'm not judging his whole character.

But, if you can't control your impulses enough to prevent you from B slapping another human when you know millions are watching, you have at least one major character flaw.

There's no justification for that.

He could have easily done damage to Rock through the press by explaining why the comment was so hurtful. There were a dozen other ways to make his point.

That, however, was stupid.
 
Here it is, a blow slightly transformed
Just a bit of a break from the norm
Just a little something to break the monotony
Like slappin; a biotch and snaggin an Oscar, see
That jokes gonna expose the hypocrisy
A little outta control but I got's ta take a chance
But what about the boo's and fools and the fans?
all important topics
and if it gets broke I'll go about tryna fix it

Slappin' Slappin' Slappin' Time.
Time to haul back and unwind . . .
 
Now this is what I expect out of this thread. Well done sir.
Here it is, a blow slightly transformed
Just a bit of a break from the norm
Just a little something to break the monotony
Like slappin; a biotch and snaggin an Oscar, see
That jokes gonna expose the hypocrisy
A little outta control but I got's ta take a chance
But what about the boo's and fools and the fans?
all important topics
and if it gets broke I'll go about tryna fix it

Slappin' Slappin' Slappin' Time.
Time to haul back and unwind . . .
 
I like what Will Smith did. Comedians have this stuff coming to them. And I respect that he chose to make it a statement.

He obviously didn't mind any of the jokes himself, or at least acted that way, until he saw how someone was affected.

I also appreciate how Chris Rock has handled it, which is more than I would expect from the average comedian....I'll hold my tongue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: slapshot
5. There’s no such thing as bad publicity.


Sure there is. And this is an example of it.

Will Smith wishes he could go back in time and stay in his seat, because this publicity won't make him any more popular or gain him new opportunities. This can only damage his reputation and cost him some fans.

But, he'll publicly apologize, then do some kind of penance, like volunteering at a charity of some kind, and it will blow over in a month or two.
 

Latest posts