Jimmy Kimmel Jokes About Will Smith’s Oscar Slap During Monologue

Jimmy Kimmel wasted no time in addressing last year’s infamous incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the Academy Awards.

During his opening monologue at the 2023 Oscars, the late-night talk show host made light of the situation, stating that he wanted everyone to “feel safe” and that “if anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point in this show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor and permitted to give a 19-minute-long speech.”

Kimmel continued by referencing the Academy’s decision not to kick Smith out of the auditorium last year and then honor him for “King Richard” moments after the incident. Kimmel joked that if anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, the audience should just do what they did last year: “Sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”

To add some humor to the situation, Kimmel called out his impressive backup, which included Michael B. Jordan, Pedro Pascal from “The Mandalorian,” and Andrew Garfield from “Spider-Man.” He warned anyone thinking of getting “jiggy with it” that they would have to go through his friends first.

For those living under a rock and don’t know the full story, Will Smith, who was attending the Oscars with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, slapped Chris Rock over a joke about Pinkett Smith being cast in “G.I. Jane 2.” Despite apologizing twice on social media, PageSix reports that friends close to the situation claim that Smith has yet to personally reach out to Rock to make amends.

As the 2023 Oscars continues, it remains to be seen if any other incidents will arise. Nevertheless, Kimmel’s lighthearted approach to the situation is sure to be well-received by fans and critics alike.

What did you think of Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes about the infamous Will Smith and Chris Rock incident at the 2022 Oscars? Do you agree with the Academy’s decision not to kick Smith out of the auditorium and honor him moments later for “King Richard”? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.