2023 Oscars: Chris Rock refused to return as MC after slapping incident

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American comedian and actor Chris Rock confirmed that when approached by the organisers of the Oscars award and asked to be the MC for the 2023 Oscars of the awards, he declined the offer.

He said to a Phoenix comedy on Sunday that following last year’s incident at the Oscars where American actor Will Smith slapped him, accepting the offer would amount to returning to the scene of a crime.

Recall that at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27 last year, Chris Rock made offensive jokes about Smith’s wife Jada because of her shaved head. Responding angrily, the actor walked to the stage and slapped Rock. 

According to New York Post, the artiste told the crowd that going back to the Oscars would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where she left her eyeglasses before she killed, in a reference to the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who was acquitted in the case.

Rock also claimed he was offered — and turned down — a post-slap Super Bowl commercial.

In May, ABC’s President of Entertainment Craig Erich told Deadline that he would keep communication opened to have Rock back as host next year, which according to him, would improve ratings.

“Obviously, there was a lot of controversy [surrounding this year’s broadcast], which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show, but I was really happy with the program,” Erich stated. “It was the biggest bounce-back of any award show this season.”

However, after the incident, Smith tendered a public apology to the Rock, but he seems “not ready” to talk one-on-one about it.

“So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you,” he said with remorse. “My behaviour was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

Rock has been silent about the incident since, although during a few comedy shows in recent months, he has joked about the incident.

“Yeah, that s**t hurt, mother**ker — but I shook that s–t off and went to work the next day,” Rock declared while performing alongside Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle at Madison Square Garden, New York, in July. “Anyone who says ‘words hurt’ has never been punched in the face.”

“I’m not a victim, mother**ker. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut,” he said the following day in Holmdel, New Jersey.

The 2023 Oscars is billed to take place on March 12.

Source: vanguardngr.com

#2023 Oscar awards

#Chris Rock

#Will Smith