While opening the 2023 Oscars, this year’s host Jimmy Kimmel joked about the Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars slap from last year.
2023 Oscars Host Jimmy Kimmel Jokes About The Will Smith & Chris Rock Slap From Last Year
Prior to the 95th annual Academy Awards airing on Sunday, March 12, 2023, it was reported that the controversial Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars slap would inevitably be addressed at the ceremony. Oscars CEO Bill Kramer had announced that there would be a “crisis team” on deck to intervene if something unexpected happens.
Kramer stated, “We have a whole crisis team, something we’ve never had before, and many plans in place. We’ve run many scenarios. So it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we’re planning for just in case it does happen.”
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, this year’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, was also asked about the situation. Jokingly, he threatened to “beat the sh*t” out of anyone who attempted to slap him on stage. He explained, “If somebody comes up on the stage and slaps me? Well, I’ll size them up, and, if I’m bigger than they are, I beat the sh*t out of them on television. And if it’s the Rock, I run.”
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Following his comments in the interview, Kimmel tweeted the following on the night of the ceremony, “The Academy has a crisis team in place and if anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, just do what you did last year. Nothing. Just sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.” – @/JimmyKimmel.”
During the 95th annual Academy Awards, Kimmel then roasted last year’s big moment, and had this to say about anyone who wanted to rush the stage. “Five Irish actors are nominated tonight, which means the chances of a fight just went way up. We want you to have fun, feel safe and, most importantly, we want me feel safe. So, we have strict policies in pace.”
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Kimmel continued, “If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech. But seriously, the academy has a crisis team in place. If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the show, sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”
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