“Will Smith unjustly slapped Chris Rock – there’s no excuse for violence” – Polly Hudson

Polly Hudson says that when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, the dangerous message that when a man loves you, he’s violent around you, was reaffirmed to women everywhere

First things first: It was a terrible joke. Unacceptably mean, ridiculously dated (GI Jane came out in 1997) and just not funny. But that doesn’t matter. There is never an excuse for violence. The end.

Will Smith thought he was defending his wife, but she didn’t look like she needed defending. She’s not a helpless damsel, she’s a strong, independent woman, successful in her own right. Her reaction to the gag – a scathing eye roll – was perfect, all that was needed. She had already taken matters into her own hands.

Her husband, who resorted to physical attacks, was the lowest of the low. That the ugly moment was broadcast around the world also means that the dangerous message that if a man loves you, he’ll be violent around you has been reaffirmed to women everywhere.

Will Smith has been in show business long enough to know how it works. Awards ceremonies – where the most privileged people on the planet are rewarded even further – are made more bearable by the hosts roasting the stars.

The celebrities smile and laugh, pretending to be good athletes, even if they are seething inside. That’s the way it goes. If Will was really upset, he should have pulled Chris Rock aside at the party afterwards and talked about it like a civilized adult.

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As a result of this slap in the face, will comedy show viewers jump on stage and smack comedians who make a joke that from now on will offend them? Does that sound like a good precedent, a positive way forward for us as a society?

Will Smith has always been a nice guy, still pretty down to earth in a shallow business full of narcissists, decent guy. I guess he deserves that Oscar after all because he’s clearly a brilliant actor.