There is one thing about the now infamous Slap at the Oscars that isn’t getting enough attention – Will Smith’s technique. Really, he has impeccable form. He must have a lot of practice. Perhaps he’s been preparing to star in a movie about the World Slapping Championship – it’s a real thing. I have to wonder how many times has Smith smacked someone?
Equally as impressive, if not more so, Chris Rock took it like a champ. His composure snapped back almost as fast as his chin. Again, I had to wonder how many times has Rock been smacked?
Now, obviously I’m making light of the whole situation. Why shouldn’t I? I’m interested because it’s a spectacle. And this gets to the heart of what I find annoying about the moralizing that inevitably follows a public indiscretion by a famous person or someone who becomes temporarily famous for an unfortunate moment.
Yeah sure, what Will did was wrong. But, the idea that I should spend any energy wading into the judgments of strangers (or that the public nature of an action is somehow more revealing of character than what they do in private) irks me. Because, whether you judge Smith for a violent outburst or Rock for a tasteless joke or you just think the whole thing is hilarious – the only reason anyone is talking about it is because it’s entertaining.
On the list of important issues in the world and their impact on real people, this ranks pretty low. So let’s all get over ourselves, and leave the judgments and penalties to the people that are actually affected.
P.S. I am perfectly aware of my own hypocrisy as I finish off this sanctimonious rant about inconsequential things. But, at least I admit I’m just doing it for fun.