Celebrity news has been abuzz this past week in the wake of last Sunday’s Academy Awards, and more specifically, the slap that took place in the middle of the show, Will Smith getting up on stage to lay one on Chris Rock.
While many stars have been happy to share their opinion , others have stayed quiet, such as actor and director Mel Gibson. During an appearance on Fox News, anchor Jesse Watters hoped to get a statement from him on the matter.
Fox News anchor Jesse Watters tried something sneaky while interviewing Mel Gibson this past Friday.
The two were meant to be discussing Gibson’s upcoming film, Father Stu , and had been to start. After a few minutes of that, Watters swiftly transitioned into a new subject, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The week had already been filled with various celebrities voicing their opinion, and Watters wanted Gibson’s take.
However, apparently both Watters and Fox News as a whole had been told that Gibson didn’t want to talk about that.
“You understand it probably better than a lot of people, with your career,” Watters began, sliding into the hot topic question, “And I was wondering if, you know, you had been the one that jumped up out of his seat and slapped Chris Rock, if you would have been treated the same way, Mel?”
Gibson doesn’t answer.
Though he does grin, then he points his finger to the camera before opening his hand and shaking it, a gesture akin to a, “No, don’t,” sentiment. An off-camera voice says, “Hello, Jesse? Uhm, Thank you. That’s our time.”
Watters tries to press further, asking, “Have you ever thought about that?”
Again the off-screen voice cuts in, “Uhm, I’m — thank you, Jesse. Uh, we — that is our time.”
Gibson stayed looking at his lap until Watters thanked him for his time, after which he looked up and waved.
This interview aired just an hour after Will Smith’s resignation from the Academy.
In his statement regarding his resignation, he stated that he will accept any other punishment the Academy board deems fit, which could include being barred from future nominations or even the revoking of his Oscar.
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The Academy plans to meet again later this month to discuss the matter.
In the meantime, we’re sure to hear many more stories about various actors being pressed for their thoughts, and though many celebrities are eager to give their point of view on the debacle, not all of them feel the same, no matter how badly news anchors want that sweet, sweet soundbite.
h/t: The Wrap
