5 chapters across the catalog
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards after a joke regarding Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head. The event is analyzed as a potential "news cycle reset" to distract from the war in Ukraine and inflation. A 1991 clip from the Arsenio Hall Show is referenced to show Will Smith previously mocking a bald bass player, contrasting with his reaction to the Oscar joke.
Hollywood Coven, Power Dynamics, In Memoriam Segment
The power dynamics of Hollywood are characterized as being ruled by a "coven" of influential women, including Jada Pinkett Smith and Rihanna. The "In Memoriam" segment of the 2022 Oscars is criticized for poor production quality, specifically the inability to read the names of the deceased due to camera zooming and stage lighting.
The hosts contrast CNN anchor Don Lemon’s recent claims of skepticism regarding the Jussie Smollett case with his earlier supportive texts to the actor. Footage shows Lemon previously expressing deep sadness and solidarity with Smollett before the incident was revealed by Chicago police to be an orchestrated hoax.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Oscar Boycott, Aunt Viv Response
Actress Janet Hubert, known for her role as "Aunt Viv" on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, criticized Jada Pinkett Smith's call for a black actor boycott of the Oscars. Hubert argued that the boycott is a personal reaction to Will Smith not being nominated and that actors have more pressing financial concerns than award show politics.
Ronan Farrow and the "I Am Jada" Social Media Campaign
MSNBC's Ronan Farrow promotes the #IAmJada hashtag to support a victim of cyberbullying and sexual assault. The hosts criticize this form of "slacktivism," comparing it to previous viral campaigns that they claim fail to produce substantive real-world change.
