The American channel ABC, which broadcast the Oscars in the USA, cut the sound during the scene after the slap. But the dialogue was audible on foreign television, like Canal+ in France. “Wow. Wow. Will Smith just kicked my ass” “That was a joke on Equal Arms” dropped Chris Rock, visibly not losing his cool after his beating. “Leave my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth” replied Will Smith twice from his chair where he went to sit down again.
Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper, Nicole Kidman or even Lupita Nyong’o were shocked in the room. But wasn’t that a set-up for the sketch? The question arises a lot about networks. Especially when you know that the audiences for the Oscars have been struggling lately. However, Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter reported, with supporting images, that Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry went to speak to Will Smith during the commercial break. And he was really in tears, visibly touched by this story.
–
