Late night hosts unpack Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at Oscars

Los Angeles, March 29 : Late night show hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon among others were seen talking about Hollywood star Will Smiths controversial night at the Academy Awards and discussed the moment when the actor walked onto the ceremony stage to slap comedian Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

The incident between Smith and Rock stunned audiences, both inside the Dolby Theatre and watching from home, as it was not immediately clear whether the interaction was a staged part of the show or a genuine byproduct of a disagreement between the two, reports Variety.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!", which airs on ABC, the same network that broadcasts the Oscars, wasted no time before diving into the event that cast a shadow over the evening, beginning Kimmels monologue by showing footage of Smith slapping Rock.The programme also used broadcast footage of Smiths subsequent acceptance speech for best actor and a video of the actor celebrating his win at an afterparty later during the evening.

"Its now a part of our lives forever.We will never stop talking about this," Kimmel said.

"Even Kanye (West) was like, You went on stage and did what at an awards show?"Kimmel also took space to praise Rocks handling of the situation, expressing awe over the comedians ability to roll into presenting the best documentary feature award."Chris Rock handled it about as well as you could possibly handle being slapped on stage at the Oscars.

He didnt even flinch… I wouldve been crying so hard," Kimmel joked."No one did anything.Nobody lifted a finger.Spider-Man was there.Aquaman was there.Catwoman, all sitting on their hands.Nobody helped Chris Rock.

""Im a little bummed because Ive only hosted the second craziest Oscars of all time," he continued, alluding to the incident at the 2017 Oscars in which La La Land was mistakenly announced as the best picture winner over Moonlight.NBC went with a more coded approach on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, alluding to a dramatic incident during the show without directly recounting the events that took place.

"America may be divided, but it was kind of nice for us to come together to say holy crap at the same time," Fallons monologue began.Fallon dedicated space to congratulating his friend and colleague, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, on his win for best documentary feature.

Thompson directed the categorys victor, "Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)" and plays on The Tonight Show alongside his band the Roots.He stepped away from the band toFallon didnt mention Smith or Rock by name until later in the monologue."The Will-Chris thing, I was bummed, disturbed.I wish it didnt happen," Fallon said.

"But it didnt stop me from loving the business, what we do."In his acceptance speech for best actor, Smith apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees, though he did not address Rock during the evening.Smith later released an apology to Rock on Monday afternoon, expressing remorse over his actions.

"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive.My behaviour at last nights Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.

Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jadas medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally," Smith wrote."I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris.

I was out of line and I was wrong.I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."dc/svn/ #unpack #Smith #Chris #Rock #Oscars #Los Angeles #America #Hollywood.