The infamous incident at the 94th Academy Awards in March sent shockwaves through Hollywood, a night that will forever be etched in the annals of entertainment history. In an electrifying and unprecedented moment, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The slap reverberated far beyond the Dolby Theatre, igniting a wildfire of controversy and debate.

The audience gasped, the world watched in stunned silence, and a bewildered Chris Rock stood his ground, embodying a pillar of composure amidst the chaos. The act was seen by many as an assault, not just on Rock but on the very bedrock of free speech itself. Yet, in a move that underscored his professionalism and perhaps a deeper understanding of the moment’s gravity, Chris Rock chose not to press charges, adding another layer of complexity to this dramatic encounter.

Public opinion remains fiercely divided. For some, Will Smith’s actions were a passionate defense of his wife, a chivalrous stand against insensitivity. For others, it was an indefensible breach of decorum, a violent outburst that marred the sanctity of the Oscars. The debate has raged on, with supporters ardently championing their respective sides.

Recently, comedian Joe Rogan and actor Adam Sandler delved into the incident’s fallout on Rogan’s podcast, episode #2187. In a riveting discussion, they suggested that the controversy might have unexpectedly bolstered Chris Rock’s career. Rock, who stood resilient in the face of such public humiliation, has emerged from the fray with a newfound gravitas, his reputation seemingly burnished by the ordeal.

Joe Rogan on Chris Rock’s life after the slap incident

Joe Rogan, a standup comedian himself, recently returned to the comedy scene after a six-year break with his Netflix special Burn the Boats. A strong advocate for freedom of speech and expression, Rogan praised Chris Rock’s response to the infamous slap incident in a podcast discussion. he admired how Rock took a brief hiatus from the spotlight and then made a powerful comeback with a live standup show Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.

Adam Sandler, who was a guest on the podcast, remarked, “His live special was F**k, I loved it.” Rogan went on to describe how Chris Rock became even more formidable after the slap incident. He added, “It was like was the best thing that ever happened to him because then he became wild again. It was outrageous; it was like the old Rock.”

In his Netflix special, Chris Rock directly addressed Will Smith and his family, particularly referencing Jada Pinkett Smith’s admitted affair with singer August Alsina, which Will Smith had publically discussed in Red Table Talk. Joe Rogan, who enjoyed Rock’s comedy show, expressed his appreciation for Rock’s performance and shared his reaction to it last year.

Joe Rogan comments on Chris Rock’s Netflix takedown

On March 4, 2023, Chris Rock unleashed a bombshell with a fiery performance after maintaining silence about the infamous slap incident. In his act, Rock took aim at Will Smith and his family, even poking fun at the warning Smith issued after the slap, cautioning him against making further comments about his wife. Undeterred, Rock went on to address Jadac Pinkett Smith in is Netflix special.

Joe Roga, during a podcast episode with Bert Kreischer last year, described Rock’s remarks as utterly ruthless. He said, “The sh*t about Will Smith was ruthless! Ruthless! It’s just like, imagine, you know in life you play chess, you move pieces around, you say, ‘I do this and the counter would be that.’ Imagine the thought like, ‘I’m just gonna slap Chris Rock, one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time. It’s not like he’s going to tear my very vulnerable life apart after I smack him, with some of the best comedy that anybody’s ever written.”

What are your thoughts on Joe Rogan’s remark about the slap incident was the best thing that happened to Chris Rock? Do you believe Will Smith’s slap ultimately worked against him and favored Chris Rock instead? Let us know in the comments below.