Off Topic Discussion Megathread

[Vahlnir]

Kinda frustrating and disappointing to see so many people defend Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.
I do understand getting upset about it but people are unironically making the argument that the joke was the '' initial assault '' and that the slap was in retaliation ( retaliation is illegal in most civilized places of the world... ).
Will seem'd to have laughed at it until he noticed his wife was upset and then went up to slap him even.

It's cliche but lets be real here if Chris had been a female comedian people would've lost their shit it would've become an insane controversy.
I do think it's worse because of the physical difference, even if Chris is a smaller guy than Will.
But just because it'd be worse doesn't mean it isn't wrong in this case and it's disappointing to see people who otherwise parade around as progressive just laugh hysterically and make excuses for a man being attacked.

But yeah... Just the response to it is really frustrating, everyone is treating it like a joke and/ or are making excuses for why it was justified.
I dunno why it's so damn hard to just say that it was wrong.
Like even if you think it's funny you can still admit that it was wrong.

The joke was in poor taste, but...that's also part of being a pro stand up comedian who's got a vulgar side, and most of them do. They're gonna roast people left and right, and it IS going to be offensive. It's just a thing. lol Most celebrities take it with grace and move on with their lives. The biggest part of comedy is being able to laugh at oneself. Will's wife is also kind of a horrible person, so there's that. Will Smith did not conduct himself in a respectable manner (and honestly, he hasn't for a while now), so this is entirely on him. I fully support defending the honor of one's significant other, but this was not the time or place for a physical altercation. Will could have pulled him aside after the show and said "man, that wasn't cool" and that would have been the end of it. Personally, I'd pay good money to hear what Chris Rock was holding back when he said "Oh I could... *shakes head* nah" but then stopped himself to keep the show rolling. He clearly had at least a few jokes in his comedic arsenal that he was dying to use. But he did handle the situation like a champ, so good on him. He's a better man than I. I lost respect for Will Smith, but I now feel a lot more for Chris Rock. It's a shame too. I practically grew up watching Will Smith's movies and such. This situation would have been akin to watching Robin Williams punching George Carlin over an offensive joke. Just...uncalled for, given their professions. Rip both of those guys. At least one of them is probably rolling over in their graves over this.