FCC Received 66 Complaints After Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The aftermath has been a quagmire of memes, controversy, and rumors of cancellation. Dozens of Americans were so offended by the act that they complained to the Federal Communications Commission.

TMZ obtained 66 complaints registered with the FCC in the aftermath of the slap heard around the world. The show aired on broadcast television, which falls under the agency’s oversight. Some of the complaints were outright racist, while others were the reaction of concerned families.

“The level of violence from one black man inflicted onto another over something he didn’t like hearing is intolerable!! Are you tolerating this??? Thought black lives mattered?? Obviously not!! Is that your message???? Smith should be fined & suspended!!!!”

“Obviously, the Oscar’s crossed a line last night. I should not have to worry about what my CHILDREN are going to hear during the Oscar’s presentation. Not delaying the broadcast for whatever reason was a FAILURE on your part. There needs to be fines and people need to be fired over this. Have we not learned anything in the decades since the Super Bowl debacle? Overall, you have a simple job. Do it!”

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Some of the complaints came from parents who were concerned about their kids being exposed to violence. Many complained that the incident led to uncomfortable conversations. One viewer in Oklahoma claimed their child asked if black people were always violent.

The FCC has not responded to any of the complaints yet. Many of them seem to have ulterior motives. Some were likely legitimately offended. Time will tell if there will be any repercussions from the broadcast watchdog group.

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