ABC’s Talk Show The View is currently under severe criticism for dressing up a child as the infamous ‘Oscar Slap’ with a bloody handprint for a Halloween skit based on the Smith-Rock controversy.
In the episode, one segment summed up all the hot topics of 2022 and featured several children dressed up, reflecting all the prominent events that happened this year.
According to Variety, “the segment was hosted by Ashley Alderfer Kaufman, who serves as wardrobe supervisor on “The View.” Kaufman told viewers as the costume was unveiled, ‘We do not want to endorse violence of any kind, but we couldn’t help but talk about one of the hottest topics of this year.'”
“The show trotted out a young boy dressed as the Oscars slap. The costume was a gold body suit to make the kid look like an Oscars statue, plus a red handprint painted on his face to emulate Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock.”
On March 28, 2022, on the eve of the 94th Academy Awards, the world witnessed an iconic slap by Will Smith. When presenter Chris Rock joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, initially, everyone laughed, including Smith himself. But a few moments later, the actor stood up from his seat and went on stage, where he smacked Chris and said, “keep my wife’s name outta your ****ing mouth.”
Later, The Pursuit of Happyness star took to his Instagram and wrote an apology post.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear, and I reacted emotionally.”
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. “
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees, and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
Despite his public apology, Smith was banned from attending any Academy events or programs for the next ten years.
In the aftermath of The View’s latest stunt, many social media users lashed out at the show producers and said that it was extremely inappropriate.
“Gross. They made a kid into the Oscars slap. ‘We don’t want to endorse violence of any kind, but’ we couldn’t help it…They call it ‘beautiful.’” Journalist Nicholas Fondacaro wrote on Twitter.
“Not a fan of that Oscar slap costume.” Another said.
“The Oscar Slap for a hot topic for Halloween on the view? Next time just pass on this suggestion!” a third user said.
“Bad taste on the Oscar slap. You did validate violence, Ashly,” someone else commented.
What do you think about this Halloween costume? Was it really bad in taste? Let us know your views.
Sources: Variety – Instagram – Twitter – Featured Image Credits: ABC
How about a father teaching a child to disrespect his own mother