Chris Rock is set to finally address the Will Smith slap in a Netflix special on Saturday (4 March.)
It comes after last years incident at The Oscars where Will Smith walked on stage and slapped host Chris Rock across the face.
Will’s response was due to a joke that Chris made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will was subsequently banned from all Academy events for 10 years.
READ MORE: Oscars 2023 implement ‘crisis team’ after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage
A source close to the broadcast told Page Six : “If you were waiting to see Rock on tour address the infamous Will Smith slap situation… the comedian is waiting to spill his humorous take on it on his live Netflix stand-up special”
The insider also said Chris has been working with “veteran comedy writers” to ensure his jokes about the slap are “solid and funny.”
(Image: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
They explained that Chris has been working on some material with one line seeing him say: “The thing people wanna know … did it hurt? Hell yeah it hurt. He played Muhammad Ali! I played Pookie. Even in animated movies I’m a zebra, he’s a f—ing shark.
“I got hit so hard, I heard ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears.”
Another source added: “People need to tune in till the last joke, they will not be disappointed.”
It comes after academy chief executive Bill Kramer announced that a “crisis team” has been formed for the 2023 Oscars.
(Image: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Bill Kramer told Time magazine: “We have a whole crisis team, something we’ve never had before, and many plans in place.
“We’ve run many scenarios.
“So it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we’re planning for just in case it does happen.”
He also explained that this years host Jimmy Kimmel will be an asset as as he is “used to dealing with things that don’t go to plan” on live TV.
The “crisis team” comes after the president of the Academy, Janet Yang, said the response to the “unprecedented” Will Smith slapgate incident had been “inadequate.”
(Image: Instagram)
Speaking at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon earlier this month, Janet said the Academy had learned to be “fully transparent and accountable in our actions.”
The Oscars exchange between Will and Chris took place after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, saying: “Jada, I love you, G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it!”
Will then shouted at the comedian and walked up on stage to slap him.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
