Chris Rock Shuts Down Audience Member Cursing Out Will Smith at His Comedy Show in Boston

Chris Rock maintains his upbeat attitude.

On Thursday, the 57-year-old comedian returned to The Wilbur in Boston after two standup shows the night before, during which he broke his silence over the 94th Academy Awards.

On Thursday, Rock returned to the stage, dressed in an all-white attire similar to the night before, and began his concert by addressing the weekend once more. (At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith punched Rock in the face when the presenter made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s appearance.)

“F—- Will Smith!” screamed a member of the audience at this specific show. Rock, who had ignored the “Will Smith” cries the night before, replied this time by shutting it down right away. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

Rock said he was “still processing what happened” over the weekend at his performances on Wednesday, his first appearance since speaking at the Academy Awards. “I haven’t talked to anyone, despite what you heard,” he assured the crowd during his late-night act.

Despite claims earlier this week that Sean “Diddy” Combs indicated the two had made apologies, he didn’t mention Smith by name at either event on Wednesday, and seemed to hint that he hasn’t spoken with the King Richard star personally. (It was later alleged that Combs communicated to each other privately, but no reconciliation was ever confirmed.)

According to secondary ticket seller TickPick, following Sunday night’s televised incident, ticket sales for Rock’s upcoming Ego Death tour dates noticed a rise in popularity.

Rock presented the Best Documentary Feature award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, taking time to throw a few jokes, including one about Smith’s wife. He made a joke about her hair matching Demi Moore’s shaved head in G.I. Jane, which Pinkett Smith recently revealed was the result of her suffering alopecia.
Pinkett Smith, 50, rolled her eyes from her seat, clearly unamused by the prank.

Seconds thereafter, Smith, 53, rushed onstage and smacked Rock in the face in front of the audience and millions watching at home. “Keep my wife’s name out of your f——-g lips,” Smith yelled at a surprised Rock as he returned to his table. For the rest of the night, Smith sat at his table with his wife. Rock chose not to pursue charges.

Later in the ceremony, when Smith won Best Actor, he apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but he did not mention Rock. He spoke about acting out of love and protection in his impassioned address, stating, “Love makes you do insane things.”

Smith apologized to Rock in a message posted on Instagram on Monday, writing, “I was both out of line and incorrect. I’m embarrassed, and my actions do not reflect the guy I aspire to be. Violence has no place in a world of love and peace.”

He went on to say, “Violence is poisonous and harmful in all of its manifestations. My behavior at the Academy Awards last night was both terrible and inexcusable. Jokes about my medical condition are part of the work, but one about Jada’s illness was too much for me to handle, and I reacted emotionally.”

“… I’d also like to express my regret to the Academy, the show’s producers, all of the attendees, and everyone watching across the world. I’d like to express my regret to the Williams and King Richard families “Smith continued. “I am very sorry that my actions have marred what has otherwise been a wonderful adventure for all of us. I’m still working on myself.”

In a statement released on Monday, the Academy said, “Mr. Smith’s conduct at last night’s show were condemned by the Academy. In compliance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct, and California law, we have begun a formal investigation into the occurrence and will consider further action and repercussions.”

The Academy stated on Wednesday that Smith was asked to leave following the altercation but “refused.”

“Things unfolded in ways we could not have predicted,” the company said in a statement to PEOPLE. “While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was requested to leave the event and refused, we equally understand that the matter may have been handled differently.”

“The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” the Academy said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Academy may take any disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, or other consequences permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct, at the next board meeting on April 18, according to the statement.

Will Packer, the Oscars producer, will appear on Good Morning America on Friday to provide T.J. Holmes his account of how the catastrophe developed on Sunday’s awards presentation, following the Academy’s announcement that Smith had been asked to depart.

Source: yahoo.com