Joe Hildebrand: Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock exposes Hollywood’s elite

Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock has highlighted how hypocritical A-listers really are, says Joe Hildebrand.

If Will Smith wanted to teach Chris Rock a lesson he certainly achieved that. Unfortunately that lesson was “How to act like a total douchebag” and I’m not sure that’s a skill Chris was particularly eager to acquire.

However Smith also provided at least one community service: He exposed to the world just how nauseatingly dumb, hypocritical and up their own arses Hollywood elites really are.

Just to recap for any Martians not yet aware, the musclebound Smith physically attacked the slight comedian on stage during the Oscars because he didn’t like a joke about his wife’s hair.

The slap that shocked the world. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

If Smith had done this in a bar he would have been thrown out by security. If he had done it in a football game he would have been charged. But he did it in Hollywood and so he got a standing ovation.

This is a so-called show-biz “community” that endlessly prattles on about being opposed to violence but offers comfort when it’s perpetuated by one of its own.

It especially condemns violence against black men but apparently it’s fine if it’s a big black man beating up a smaller black man.

And it constantly bangs on about speaking up to power yet shamelessly takes the side of a newly crowned king of Hollywood who just king hit the court jester.

Will Smith celebrates his Oscar win for King Richard. Picture: AFP

In a culture supposedly newly awakened to bullying no one in Hollywood stood up to the bully. Instead they stood up for the bully, and they literally clapped him on.

They applauded after he whinged about himself being a victim even as he was holding Hollywood’s greatest prize. They applauded after he apologised to all the powerful Hollywood interests but not to the person he just assaulted. And they rushed to console him to see if he was okay after bashing someone.

What disgraceful snivelling suckholes. But we all know bullies and their sycophants are the biggest cowards of all.

Just imagine if it wasn’t Chris Rock but The Rock who made the same banal joke. Can anyone imagine Smith would have taken a swing at someone bigger?

Didn’t think so. At least he’s finally exposed Hollywood’s true courage.

Watch Joe’s new show The Blame Game — 8.30pm Fridays on Sky News or stream on demand at flashnews.com.au

Originally published as Joe Hildebrand: Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock exposes Hollywood’s elite