Jimmy Kimmel mocks Oscars audience’s reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock
The IndependentGet our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jimmy Kimmel appeared to call out the Academy and the audience’s response to the Will Smith slap during his Oscars 2023 opening monologue. At the end of his opening monologue, Kimmel said: “We want you to feel safe – and, most importantly, we want me to feel safe, so we have strict policies in place: if anyone in this theatre commits an act of violence at any point, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech.” Kimmel was alluding to the fact that, moments after he hit Rock, Smith won Best Actor for King Richard and delivered a tearful speech that resulted in a standing ovation from everyone in the audience. Jimmy Kimmel hosting the 2023 Oscars The 2023 ceremony saw big wins for Everything Everywhere All at Once, which took home seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Meanwhile, host Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the Los Angeles event with an opening monologue that saw him poke fun at Avatar director James Cameron, last year’s Will Smith slap and, in what was deemed a “low blow” by viewers, the poor box office performance of Babylon.