TV Legend Richard Madeley Called Chris Rock “Most Unpleasant, Rude, Aggressive, Unlikeable” Person He Ever Interviewed After Will Smith Oscars Slap
Chris Rock, the stand-up comedian and actor, earned fame in the 1990s when he appeared on Saturday Night Live. He has been awarded four Emmy Awards for his comedy specials; and has also produced and acted in several films, such as Head of State, Grown Ups, and Top Five. He has been making headlines since last year after he was assaulted by Will Smith as he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. As per the report, he was unaware of Jada Smith’s medical condition but this is not the first time he crossed the boundaries of humor and went on to some extreme path.
The controversy surrounding Rock’s joke highlights the issue of what is considered appropriate material for comedians. The unpleasant incident met several mixed reactions however the consequences were only borne by the Emancipation actor who was banned from the Academy ceremonies for a decade.
The Oscar Slap Controversy
One must be living under a rock to have not heard of the controversial Slapgate at the 94th Oscars Ceremony.
The controversy surrounding Rock began when he appeared on stage at the Oscars to present the award for best documentary feature. Though it wasn’t the hosting that caused controversy after the Oscars.
It was an incident that occurred onstage when Will Smith slapped the comedian after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s baldness. This controversial moment is known as “the slap“, and after that, the incident sparked common discussion and controversy. The controversy surrounding the joke about The Matrix Revolution actress’s health condition, unaware or not, is about a fine balance between comedy and pushing the boundaries of humor. This controversy triggers a conversation on the responsibilities of comedians and the conduct of humor and underlines the need for comedians to consider the impact of their words on their audience, especially when they target sensitive topics.
Richard Madeley’s harsh remarks about Chris Rock
A well-known TV personality Richard Madeley took the 58-year-old comedian’s interview back in 2005. After the Oscars incident went viral, he shared his remark about comedian Rock, tagging him as “He was the most unpleasant, rude, aggressive, unlikeable human being I’ve ever interviewed on camera,”
The TV host stated that his experience with Rock, while he took his interview for GQ Magazine, wasn’t a pleasant one. He explained,
“We edited around all the difficult bits and the interview that went out looked all right but actually his behavior was awful. In my book, he’s the most unpleasant celebrity I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet.. but I wouldn’t have punched him.“
He revealed this information the Monday morning after the last year’s Oscars took place while discussing it with his co-host on Good Morning Britain. The host even elaborated that though the slap was a wrong response, “If Judy had alopecia and someone used her condition as material, I’m not sure what I’d do.”
It’s worth noting that he is not the only person who has had negative interactions with Rock. Comedian and writer Judd Apatow also described a rigid experience in his book Sick in the Head, where they disagreed about the use of the n-word in comedy.
While it’s natural to have disagreements and conflicts with others, it is crucial to approach such situations with warmth and respect. Public figures are subject to criticism, but it’s not a permit for bullying. We should hold personally liable for our words and promote kindness.
Source: Yahoo
