Month: March 2022

Will Smith and the function of a slap – what it means for comedy and comedians

Will Smith and the function of a slap – what it means for comedy and comedians

Published by Sam Flores

If you teach a Monday morning class on comedy writing, like I do at Georgetown University, then Sunday night’s assault and battery on comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars provides some really ace material for “class discussion.” It’s like teaching a course on “Space Exploration” the day after Neil Armstrong bopped astride the surface of the moon. Actually, it’s more like teaching a course on “Nuclear Weaponry” the day after someone lobbed a missile into your campus. Which is my way of saying that Will Smith’s open-hand slap (about which more anon) is really bad for comedy and comedians. Then again, what’s bad for comedy and comedians, and most likely the country as a whole, isn’t necessarily uninteresting or without educational value. Let’s start with the generational divide that the incident brings to the fore. I was disheartened, but not surprised, to learn that every single one of my 15 freshman students – bright, thoughtful, people – felt that Mr. Rock’s joke should never have even been pronounced. They concurred that the quip about “G. …

Chris Rock’s history of Jada Pinkett Smith jokes, hair commentary and disability

Chris Rock’s history of Jada Pinkett Smith jokes, hair commentary and disability

Published by Sam Flores

On Sunday’s Oscar broadcast, actor Will Smith approached the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face as he stood on stage, shortly after Rock had joked about Smith’s wife, actor Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident was broadcast live at the 94th Academy Awards, a ceremony that saw several firsts, including the first deaf actor to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar (Troy Kotsur for CODA) and the first openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar (Ariana DeBose for “West Side Story“). The incident caused confusion in the moment, and is the ongoing topic of debate. But beyond dissecting who was at fault, there’s also the question of what in the comedian’s comment caused such a furor. RELATED: “Comedians are in danger everywhere”: “The View” weighs in on that Oscars slap Salon dug into the full context of Rock’s history mocking Pinkett Smith, her condition of alopecia and possibly even Rock’s own issues. Here’s what we saw — and what happened in the years before to lead to that moment. Unpacking Rock’s Oscar comment In …

The View” hosts side with Chris Rock after on-air Oscars slap: “Comedians are in danger everywhere

The View” hosts side with Chris Rock after on-air Oscars slap: “Comedians are in danger everywhere

Published by Sam Flores

The biggest moment from Sunday night’s Oscars telecast wasn’t Troy Kotsur’s historic win for best supporting actor, Jessica Chastain’s impassioned speech after securing the best actress award or the multiple Oscars won by “CODA.” Instead, it was Will Smith’s violent reaction to Chris Rock’s onstage joke — an unexpected incident that prompted “The View” hosts to weigh in. On Sunday night, Rock took the Oscar’s stage to present the award for best documentary feature and made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith and her alopecia. “Jada I love you,” Rock said. “‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.” Will Smith, displeased with his wife being targeted, walked up to Rock and smacked him across the face. In an uncensored clip of the broadcast, Smith can be heard yelling, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth!” twice. Smith later appeared on stage again to accept his award for best actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Richard Williams in “King Richard.” He addressed the altercation in his speech. “Richard Williams was a fierce defender …

“If Will Smith was a white guy…”: Right-wing Twitter reacts after Chris Rock slapped at Oscars

“If Will Smith was a white guy…”: Right-wing Twitter reacts after Chris Rock slapped at Oscars

Published by Sam Flores

Conservative commentators are challenging Hollywood and the left’s moral integrity after A-list actor Will Smith publicly slapped comedian Chris Rock for making an off-color joke about his wife while onstage at the Oscars. The shocking incident unfolded during the live taping of the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday, when Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia, prepping for a role in “G.I. Jane 2.” Smith, who first appeared to laugh at the joke, later stormed the stage after his wife appeared visibly upset by Rock’s quip and, without pause, slapped the comedian across the face. “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth,” Smith yelled at Rock after sitting back down at his table. “Wow dude,” Rock replied. “It was a G.I. Jane joke.” RELATED: Will Smith slapping Chris Rock made the 94th Academy Awards one to remember — for the wrong reasons  The exchange has since sparked significant dialogue online around whether Smith was justified in striking Rock, who has said that he will not be …

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock made the 94th Academy Awards one to remember — for the wrong reasons

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock made the 94th Academy Awards one to remember — for the wrong reasons

Published by Sam Flores

People talk a lot about refusing to let others steal our joy — Black folks especially. The originator of that term may be lost in time and a sea of memes, but during Sunday night’s Oscar telecast, the concept came to mind as I processed the sight of Will Smith striding onstage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre to slap Chris Rock. While presenting the award for best documentary feature, Rock cracked jokes about Jada Pinkett Smith’s baldness. What he may not have known is that Pinkett Smith has openly discussed living with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes rapid hair loss. For the record, Rock’s jokes weren’t creative or fresh; the punchline referenced “G.I. Jane,” a 1997 movie that’s faded from popular memory. Millions of slack-jawed people around the world won’t soon forget about this, though. ABC quickly muted the live feed, leaving an audio-free passage during which viewers tried to read Smith’s lips as he angrily yelled at Rock. (He screamed “keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth!” twice.) Soon the comedian regained …

17 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums and Creams for Hydrated Skin 2026

17 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums and Creams for Hydrated Skin 2026

Published by Sam Flores

If you suffer from chronically dry skin, odds are you’re familiar with hyaluronic acid. The popular ingredient absorbs moisture and draws it into your skin to hydrate it, dermatologists say. Though it’s especially useful for dry skin, it’s a great hydrator for all skin types, says Dr. Mary Stevenson, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health. “We don’t have a lot of products like that,” she says. I spoke to dermatologists about how to use hyaluronic acid in your skin care routine. I also gathered their recommendations for the best creams and serums to buy, plus NBC Select staff favorites. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best hyaluronic acid products in 2026 Best serum What we like Good for sensitive skin Hydrating For a lightweight hyaluronic acid serum, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Barry Goldman likes this option from The Ordinary. It’s fragrance-, alcohol- and oil-free, which is beneficial for those with sensitive skin, experts say. “I’ve been using this hyaluronic acid serum every day for …