It didn’t take more than a few moments for people to start making memes out of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars. Most of these images had to do with the slap itself, but some referenced what could have happened if Chris Rock had made a joke about someone else.
For example, they quipped that it was a good thing Rock didn’t choose to make fun of Alec Baldwin’s wife, otherwise he could have gotten a harsher reaction than a slap. This of course references the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchinson on the set of “Rust” when the prop gun Baldwin was holding fired and struck her.
Now, Baldwin is weighing in on the situation, saying it reminded him of the infamous daytime talk show, “The Jerry Springer Show.”
The 63-year-old “30 Rock” alum took to social media early Tuesday with a message for Rock.
“I am not reading much about how, or even if, the producers attended to Chris. But I love you, @chrisrock,” Baldwin shared. “And I’m sorry the Oscars turned into the Jerry Springer show.”
Alec Baldwin saying the Oscars are like a Jerry Springer show just weeks after settling a lawsuit with the man Baldwin punched in the face over a parking spot. pic.twitter.com/GYOrbzd46M
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) March 29, 2022
Baldwin wasn’t the only celebrity expressing his shock and disgust over the incident between Smith and Rock, however, some social media fans pointed out the hypocrisy of the actor commenting on lashing out physically after getting upset. They mentioned how Baldwin recently settled a court case with a man who sued the actor for allegedly beating him up during a fight over a parking spot three years ago.
Wojciech Cieszkowski accused the actor of assault and slander, saying the “30 Rock” alum punched him in the jaw and shoved him in 2018.
“Alec Baldwin saying the Oscars are like a Jerry Springer show just weeks after settling a lawsuit with the man Baldwin punched in the face over a parking spot,” journalist Emily Miller shared on Twitter.
It’s also worth noting that Baldwin’s temper has gotten the better of him multiple times. The actor stands accused of assaulting photographers on multiple occasions and was even kicked off an American Airlines flight in 2013 when he refused to turn off his cell phone.
As for the slap, Smith issued a formal apology last night.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” the 53-year-old actor shared on Instagram. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” he continued. “I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” he concluded. “I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will.”
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