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| Comedian Chris Rock Gets Bitch Slapped By An Angry Will Smith On Live Television. |
Yes, one and all, we're living in what I call The Era of Media Sensationalism. It's ugly, pervasive and we as a society love it. Take for example the drama that happened at the 2022 Academy Award Ceremony. That's where Will Smith took umbrage at Chris Rocks joke at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith expense. Rock looked at her and remarked " Jada, I Love you. G.I Jane 2,can't wait to see it. Smith strode up to Rock and bitch slapped him.
Isn't it strange that when Rock first made the joke, Smith was sitting there smiling. But when he saw his wife's disapproving scowl, that's when he went into action. And while many viewers reacted with shock, horror and disapproval, let's be real: how many of these indignant, self righteous people would have reacted with equal parts shock and titillation if Rock had fought back. Imagine if you will, Rock and Smith engaging in a fist fight on the stage, the security guards frantically running over to break up the fracas. A lot of folks would have stared transfixed to their television sets drooling over the drama that played out before them.
Shock, yes. Scowling with their arms folded in disapproval, most definitely. But at the same time, they would been licking their lips with salacious glee. You see: we are a voyeuristic society. We are the reason shows such as The Jerry Springer Show (which ended in 2018) or Maury Povich (who has also recently turned in his microphone) both thrived. We want to see human misery presented before us so that we can feel better about the trials and tribulations concerning our own lives. It is a Bread and Circuses aspect of out culture that has become most distasteful.
Naturally, this tasty little news item has been front and center for six days. Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock, Will Smith apologized to The Academy, other celebrities weight in with either approval or horror at the conflict, the Academy mulls over what discipline should be meted out to Smith for his egregious behavior, ect,ect,ect-ad nauseum.
In the meantime, gas prices are shooting up through the roof, inflation is on the rise, Russia is invading the Ukraine and what current event has people up in a lather? Will Smith slapping Chris Rock over a joke Rock made about his wife. Now, it's my understanding that The Academy approves any jokes that are made during the broadcast in advance. As for the joke, as far as I'm concerned it was not offensive at all. And Rock probably didn't know that Jada Pinkett Smith suffered from Alopecia, the reason she wore her hair so short.
While this incident was news worthy for a day or two, is it worthy for almost a week of constant scrutiny by all the new networks, tabloids and You Tube video's? No. No and no. Right now as a country, we have far more pressing matters at hand than Will Smith taking offence at a Chris Rocks joke about his wife and slapping him on national Television. As for myself, I have better, more important things in my life to think about. And so do you.
