Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars for a third time Sunday evening and could not assist however reference final yr’s headline-making ceremony. “If something unpredictable or violent occurs in the course of the ceremony, simply do what you probably did final yr — nothing,” the comic and late evening host said during his monologue, referencing Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage on the 94th Academy Awards in 2022.
Whereas Rock was presenting the award for finest documentary, he made a joke about Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, shaving her head — which she did due to alopecia. After Rock in contrast her to “G.I. Jane,” Smith walked on stage, slapped Rock after which returned to his seat.
“Hold my spouse’s identify out of your f****ing mouth,” Smith then yelled from his seat within the viewers.
TV viewers and viewers members have been surprised by the surprising outburst, with many questioning if it had been a deliberate bit — and several other stars within the theater appeared confused and glued to their seats.
In his monologue Sunday evening, Kimmel joked that if something like that occurred once more this yr, attendees ought to “sit there and do completely nothing. Perhaps even give the assailant a hug.”
Kimmel additionally joked that this yr, there are “strict insurance policies in place” in case of one other violent outburst.
“If anybody on this theater commits an act of violence at any level in the course of the present, you can be awarded the Oscar for finest actor and permitted to present a 19-minute lengthy speech,” he stated, referencing Smith’s win in 2022 following the slap
As punishment for the slap, which Smith issued an apology for, he has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years.
Kimmel did not limit his slap jokes simply to the monologue. The host additionally seized the chance to carry up the incident forward of the very best documentary characteristic class, saying he hoped it could go off and not using a “Hitch,” referencing the 2005 romantic comedy through which Smith starred, taking part in the title position.
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Kimmel obtained in one other dig when mentioning the variety of Irish actors within the room, saying that the “odds of one other struggle on stage simply went approach up.” He additionally referenced Smith’s 1997 hit tune “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” whereas discussing the Irish forged of “The Banshees on Inisheran.”
