Comedians Fear For Their Safety On Stage After Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock At The Oscars

Comedians around the world have a growing concern for their safety after the Will Smith stunt at the Oscars 2022.

Many comedians and celebrities rightly feel that the Will Smith slap will have a trickle-down effect on comedy shows. 

Recently, Smith attracted headlines all around the world this week after he hit Chris Rock in the face at the 94th Academy Awards.

The physical assault came after the comedian made fun of Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith over her hairstyle. 

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Rock said: "Jada, can't wait for G.I. Jane 2," which prompted laughs from Smith until he saw his wife roll her eyes and look upset, which saw him storm the stage to slap the award presenter.

Smith's violent actions were criticized globally and comedians now worry for their safety.

Star Wars' jedi Mark Hamill summed the feeling up adeptly.

"Stand-up comics are very adept at handling hecklers," he said on social media. "Violent physical assault... not so much."

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Hamill’s tweet drew the distinction between speech and action, which American radio personality Howard Stern echoed on his SiriusXM radio show.

“You don’t hit people over speech, certainly not at the Academy Awards, and Will Smith’s got to contain himself," Stern said.

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Jim Carrey pointed out that 'if you want to yell from the audience and show disapproval or say something on Twitter [that’s ok]'.

"You do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face ‘cuz they said words," the comedy great added.

Meanwhile, Kathy Griffin shared how vulnerable comedians now feel.

“Let me tell you something,” Griffin tweeted, “It’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian.

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"Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theatres.”

Talking to LadBible, one Sydney-based comic on condition of anonymity said the fear of the audience clapping back is now alive and well in Australia.

"Most comedy rooms don’t have security of any description and nor should they have," the comic said. "And it takes just one drunk entitled d**khead.

"It’s one of the few areas where a woman can publicly call out a man on his behaviour and I shudder to think what could happen if it all went sideways."

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Melbourne comic Charisa Bossinakis agreed with this point, saying that there will always be a lurking fear that some may 'try to be the next Will Smith'.

"I definitely think some audience members will be influenced by Smith’s behaviour. Beyond being fearful, it's also a great shame because that’s not what comedy is about.

"If you don’t like a joke, take it up with the comedian or simply don’t laugh.

"In many ways, comedy is supposed to open up a dialogue about different issues; the intent is never to incite violence."