Oscars 2023: Jimmy Kimmel Roast Will Smith Slack in opening monologue

The 95th Academy Awards kicked off Monday at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. And, of course, Will Smith’s infamous Oscar smash had to be mentioned. Host Jimmy Kimmel didn’t hold back when it came to addressing the Oscars elephant in the room. As he had previously hinted, he started the event by joking about what would happen if someone threatened physical violence during the broadcast of the awards show.

“Five Irish actors have been nominated tonight, which means the chances of a fight have increased enormously,” Kimmel joked.

“We want you to have fun, feel safe and, most importantly, we want me to feel safe. So we have a strict policy. If anyone in this theater commits a violent act at any point during the performance, you will receive the Oscar for Best Actor and be allowed to give a 19-minute speech. But seriously, the academy has a crisis team. If something unpredictable or violent happens during the show, sit back and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the attacker a hug,” he continued.

Watch the video here:

Here’s the portion of Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue where he referenced Will Smith’s punch from last year’s show! 😂#Oscarspic.twitter.com/2ksrwAnRJa

– Screen Off script (@ScreenOffScript) March 13, 2023

He then enlisted some people who might be able to offer him protection, citing fictional characters such as Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the Mandolorian (Pedro Pascal), and Spiderman (Andrew Garfield).

And if one of you gets mad at a joke and decides you want to go jiggy with it — it’s not going to be easy. You’re going to have to get through the heavyweight champion, Adonis Creed, you’re going to have to deal with Michelle Yeoh… you’re going to have to mess with Spider-Man, you’re going to have to get messed up with Fabelman, and then you’ll have to get past my right hand Guillermo”, Mr. Kimmel concludes his monologue.

In 2022, Will Smith shocked everyone by punching comedian Chris Rock onstage. Mr Rock made a controversial joke about Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, which she shaved after a diagnosis of alopecia. Mr Smith was given a ten-year ban from attending the Academy Awards after the controversial incident.