Millions of people watched the Oscars this year and then millions more watched the only moment we’ll remember from the awards show. It’s the slap that keeps on slapping. Take a look then scroll down for more awkwardness.
Was this the beginning of the end of Will Smith’s acting career? Time will tell. But he’s sure not doing himself any favors by posting an apology video 3 months later. This was posted a few days ago in response to the slap, the backlash, and his soul-searching since then.
Is this damage control or a sincere apology? It’s hard to say but in Will’s defense, he’s generally thought of as a nice guy. Well, he WAS generally thought of as a nice guy. After watching the apology video a couple of times, I kind of wish he wasn’t sorry. Chris made fun of your wife and you defended her. Own it. Post a response video saying that if anyone else makes fun of my wife, I’ll slap them, too. But as it is, slapping Chris then crying about it is just kind of soft. Borderline pathetic. I mean, if you were defending the honor of your spouse, what’s there to be sorry about?
So, for me, the apology video just adds to the turbulence and confusion. I don’t think it does anything to repair Will’s image and so far it doesn’t appear to be repairing his relationship with Chris and his family.
The video’s also cringe-y in other ways. Can we talk about the composition? Who’s idea was it to put a white, round lamp behind Will’s head? YouTube viewer Gravewolf said it best, “Will is so lucky to have Jada’s boyfriends as the camera crew.” There’s the lamp, and then there’s the microphone to Will’s right, as seen in the side angle shot. It’s so distracting! How hard is it to move a mic and a lamp?
Ok let’s forgive the lamp and mic thing. But then there’s the merchandise. It’s kind of like those cars that have way too many Crimson Tide stickers on the back. Ok, we get the point, you love Alabama. It’s a bit much, though, to have a bumper sticker, license plate frame, and a sticker on the window, right? This video is another example of these distasteful (and annoying) trifectas. First, the hat. Will is wearing a hat representing his media company Westbrook, which he owns with wife, Jada. The water bottle (a company called ‘JUST Water’) is owned by the Smith’s, as well. And rounding out the overkill is in the description of the YouTube video.
I can only hope the writers of the synopsis were being jovial as they included this in the description:
“Will” is the story of how one person mastered his own emotions, written in a way that can help everyone else do the same.
He mastered his own emotions, huh? This, after just a few months ago he slapped a man on live TV. OK, sure. I have a feeling that no one who needs emotional help is going to, nor should they, buy this book!
If only Uncle Phil was still around to “slap” some sense into Will.
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 