According to Chris Rock, hosting the upcoming Oscars is like returning to a crime scene.
Chris Rock’s Arizona Comedy Show
In other words, the comedian declined the invitation to host next year’s award ceremony. Rock shared the news with fans during his show at Arizona Financial Theatre on Sunday night (August 28).
He told the crowd that going back to the Oscars would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant,” directly making a reference to the murder trial of O.J. Simpson. He made this comparison since Nicole Simpson’s murder began with her leaving a pair of eyeglasses at an Italian restaurant.
The comedian also revealed that he was offered the chance to do a post-slap Super Bowl commercial, but refused to do that. In an article by Arizona Republic, the infamous slap was referenced after someone in Chris Rock’s sold-out crowd shouted, “Talk about it.”
Rock said that the hit from Will Smith hurt. Considering the fact that the award-winning actor played boxer Muhammad Ali in a movie, he’s probably right. The comedian told his audience, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.
The “Slap Heard ‘Round The World”
Back in March, the 2022 Oscar awards left fans speechless. Chris Rock made a G.I. Jane joke poking fun at Jada Pinkett-Smith’s newly shaved head (due to alopecia). Almost immediately, Will Smith calmly walked onstage and slapped the comedian. Following this, he demanded Rock to keep his wife’s name “out your f— mouth!”
Smith’s Latest Apology
Last month, the award-winning actor returned to Instagram and shared a heartfelt video addressing the situation. In the video, Will Smith apologized to Chris’ mother, Chris’ brother and longtime friend Tony Rock, and everyone else who is indirectly affected by the incident.
Despite Will Smith being banned from the event for a decade, the new Academy CEO hopes to move on with the slap and create new experiences in the future.