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It’s no laughing matter.
Comedy clubs are reassessing security measures within the wake of Will Smith’s stunning assault of Chris Rock on the Oscars.
The actor, 53, stormed the stage at Sunday evening’s occasion, slapping the 57-year-old comedian throughout the face after he made a joke about his spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, 50.
Now, venues throughout the nation are contemplating “adding security guards, pre-show warnings and even metal detectors” in concern of copycat assaults, in keeping with The Hollywood Reporter.
“We’ve never had anything like that in our history,” Noam Dworman, proprietor of New York’s iconic Comedy Cellar, informed the publication of the incident witnessed live by millions. “We’ve had audience members offended at personal jokes and who have had tiffs over the years, but very, very rarely have they [turned physical],” he added.
Meanwhile, Broadway Comedy Club in Midtown Manhattan informed The Post that they haven’t but beefed up security measures, as security guards have all the time been on-hand.
The Post additionally reached out to the Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club and Caroline’s on Broadway, however they didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Comedy Cellar’s Dworman informed the Reporter that his workers would “hold” any viewers member who storms the stage and would name the police to arrest them.
“There is no way we would let somebody go. He would be arrested, for sure. What happened to Chris was 100 percent wrong. It’s just crazy. Chris was doing the traditional role of an Oscar presenter,” he declared.
However, in Chicago, comedy membership president Curtis Shaw Flagg stated patrons have been extra aggressive than standard in current months — and fears Smith’s slap might embolden them much more.
“There are conversations happening as we speak about beefing up security, having someone that’s maybe near or by the stage,” Flagg — who’s president of The Laugh Factory Chicago — informed the Reporter.
“I’m going to talk to my staff, just for this weekend, and say, ‘We definitely need you by the stage now. That is your post.’ Just in case someone is just trying to recreate a moment or feels emboldened by what Will Smith did,” he added. “And it’s unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, well-known comedians have slammed Smith for his assault, equally saying it could put different comics at risk.
“Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters,” Kathy Griffin tweeted.
Let me inform you one thing, it’s a really unhealthy apply to stroll up on stage and bodily assault a Comedian.
Now all of us have to fret about who desires to be the subsequent Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022
“He could have killed him,” comedy director Judd Apatow wrote in a now-deleted tweet reposted by Variety editor-at-large Kate Aurthur. “That’s pure out-of-control rage and violence. They’ve heard a million jokes about them in the last three decades. They are not freshman in the world of Hollywood and comedy. He lost his mind.”
At the Oscars, Rock in contrast Jada Pinkett Smith — who suffers from alopecia and shaved her head final summer time — to Demi Moore’s bald character from the movie “G.I. Jane,” prompting the slap from Smith.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth!” Smith then shouted — twice — after returning to his seat.
A visibly shocked Rock continued together with his set earlier than leaving the stage. Just minutes later, Smith scooped up the Best Actor Oscar for his function in “King Richard.”
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees throughout his acceptance speech. At the time, he notably disregarded Rock’s identify, however he has since issued a formal apology, together with to Rock.
The Academy stated it’s investigating the incident in a “formal review” that may “explore further action and consequences.”
