Chris Rock Could Host the Oscars Again Because He ‘Lives in Forgiveness’
Despite the disaster that headlined Chris Rock’s last gig at the Academy Awards, the Emmy-winning comedian says he’s not averse to hosting the Oscars for a third time because he believes in turning the other cheek.
It’s been nearly three years since Rock presented the award for Best Documentary Feature during the 94th Academy Awards and told the most physically dangerous joke of his entire storied career. The moment is etched into the memories of all who watched it live, just as it’s embedded in Rock’s cheekbone. While acknowledging actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Rock glibly remarked of Pinkett Smith’s bald appearance, “Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2.” In response, Will Smith stormed the stage, slapped Rock so hard that the comic saw more stars than just the Oscars crowd, returned to his seat and screamed, “Keep my wife’s name out your fuckin’ mouth!” Then, Rock had to hand out an Oscar to some deeply uncomfortable documentarians.
Don't Miss
Although Rock’s most recent speaking appearance at the Oscars was so catastrophic and damaging that he had to wait until his next stand-up special to even mention it, he maintains that, after hosting the ceremony in 2005 and 2016, he would be open to a third stint since he understands the power of forgiveness, healing and comedy’s rule of threes.
At the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty this past weekend, Rock spoke with E! News who asked him about the possibility that he could follow un Conan O’Brien’s celebrated hosting performance at the next Academy Awards. “You never know,” Rock non-answered, though he took the chance to clear the air about his feelings toward Oscar night post-Slap, saying, “This is what I would say, the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive. … And not just people, you have to forgive yourself sometimes. So, hey, you never know.”
Rock then directly addressed the issue of The Slap and its impact on his awards show legacy when asked if he’s moved on from Smith's high-profile battery of him. “I live in forgiveness,” Rock said of the injury now that he’s three years removed from the incident. “True love starts at forgiveness.”
While Rock’s remarks are certainly noncommittal when it comes to his possible future at the Academy Awards, his gracious response very well could catch the eye of the Oscars organizers who may yet court both Rock and record viewership by having him return to the big stage — with ample ushers and security guards standing between him and his joke targets. After all, forgiving isn’t the same thing as forgetting.
