Sykes on the slap: ‘It was sickening’
Wanda Sykes said she felt physically ill after
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock across the face at the Oscars, and she’s angry Smith was permitted to stay and collect his award.
Sykes, who co-hosted with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall on Sunday, told Ellen DeGeneres in an interview set to air
April 7 that she missed the confrontation live as she walked between her trailer and the theater after a costume change.
“Then someone showed me on the video,” Sykes said, “and I just felt so awful for my friend, Chris. It was sickening. I physically felt ill, and I’m still a little traumatized by it.”
Smith walked up to
Rock and slapped him after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Soon after, Smith won his first Academy Award for “King Richard” and gave a tearful acceptance speech in which he apologized but not directly to Rock. That came in a statement on Monday.
Sykes, in a video released of her interview by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” said letting Smith stay and accept his award should not have happened.
“This is the wrong message. You assault somebody, and you get escorted out the building, and that’s it. But for them to let him continue, I thought it was gross.”
Schumer, in a sincedeleted Instagram post, said she was “triggered and traumatized” by what happened.
“I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro. Stayed up there and gave an Oscar to his friend @questlove and the whole thing was so disturbing,” she wrote. “So much pain in @willsmith anyway I’m still in shock and stunned and sad.”
Fox News hires Jenner:
Fox News Channel says it has hired Caitlyn Jenner as a contributor, and her first appearance was set for Thursday on Sean Hannity’s program.
The network said
Jenner will offer commentary and analysis across various Fox News Media platforms. Jenner won the Olympic gold medal in the decathlon in 1976. She later came out as a transgender and identifies as a female.
She said in a statement she was “humbled by this unique opportunity” to speak directly to Fox’s audience.
Moynihan to release picture book:
Bobby Moynihan, the former “Saturday Night Live” star, has written a children’s book. Moynihan’s picture story “Not All Sheep Are Boring!” will be published Sept. 20 by Putnam Books for Young Readers. Julie Rowan-Zoch is providing illustrations for a book featuring adventure-seeking, jetpack-wearing sheep.
“I am pleased as punch to help this little Toad tell his story, ‘Not All Sheep are Boring!’ Also, just a
reminder to keep an eye on Pierre the Sheep. He’s shifty,” Moynihan said in a statement Thursday.
Baldwins expecting
7th child: After a nearly monthlong social media break, Hilaria Baldwin announced Tuesday on Instagram that she’s expecting her seventh child with husband, Alec.
Hilaria Baldwin said she’s due this fall. Alec Baldwin quickly reposted her reveal.
“We were pretty sure our family was complete, and we’re beyond happy with this surprise,” Hilaria wrote.
Alec is also the father of daughter, Ireland Baldwin, 26, with his first wife, Kim Basinger.
April 1 birthdays: Actor Don Hastings is 88. Actor Ali MacGraw is 83. Singer Rudolph Isley is 83. Actor Annette O’Toole is 70. Singer Susan Boyle is 61. Actor Jessica Collins is 51. TV host Rachel Maddow is 49. Actor David Oyelowo is 46. Actor Taran Killam is 40. Actor Matt Lanter is 39. Singer Hillary Scott is 36. Actor Asa Butterfield is 25.