I haven't talked to anyone on the inside but I'd bet that folks at the Motion Picture Academy are having discussions, trying to find some way to discipline or punish Will Smith without offending Will Smith or whatever studio will be releasing his next picture. People in the public debate keep saying things like, "Well, what would they have done if a costume designer had barged up on stage during the Oscars and slapped someone?"
We know what they would have done to that person. The question is what do you do if it's one of the top box office stars who you're probably about to honor with a Best Actor Oscar? It's like: What if you're halfway through shooting a movie and the star starts slapping people on the set, what are you going do to that star? Send him home, shut down production and lay everyone off?
Remember: Even while more and more women were coming forward to say they were raped by Bill Cosby, NBC was offering him a new series.
This morning, the Television Academy released the following statement…
There are an infinite number of unpredictable occurrences that can transpire in a television production, whether it's a series produced on location or a live awards show. But everyone working in television — or any part of the entertainment industry — deserves to work in an environment free from physical violence. The Television Academy supports creative freedom and expression, and no matter your field, you should never be made to experience the fear or threat of physical harm, much less actual abuse, in the course of doing your job — be in telling a joke or lighting a scene.
Okay. That looks nice at arm's length but, first of all, nobody who's not in any part of the entertainment industry should be made to experience the fear or threat of physical harm, much less actual abuse, in the course of doing their job…or walking down the street. The lady who makes sandwiches at my favorite deli has the same human right to not be assaulted as anyone who works in television. She doesn't even have a stunt double.
But what's really missing from this statement is the answer to this question: "So if someone — especially a Big Star on whom many jobs depend — kicks an intern or punches a stage manager, what is anyone going to do about it?" The statement from the TV Academy doesn't address that point, does it?