Entertainment

More people will watch Oscars because of Will Smith’s slap: poll

By
Brooke Kato
Published March 30, 2022
Updated March 30, 2022, 2:14 p.m. ET

“The slap” may have been the hit the Academy needed.

of 1,000 Americans, 63% said they expect to watch next year’s Oscars because of the Will Smith and Chris Rock feud.

To increase viewership and ratings at an otherwise snoozefest, the Academy attempted to cut down on runtime — despite still running late — b✱y pre-recording eight categories: Documentary Short, Film Editing, Makeup/Hairstyling, Original Score, Production Design, Animated Short, Live-action Short and Sound.

As per usual, the Academy was met with neg🐎ativity, this time for cutting award recipients because of time — but the drama was overshadow♑ed by the main event: Smith slapping Rock onstage.

Nearly one in 10 people surveyed only tuned into Hollywood’s biggest night post-slap, according to the poll, as news circulated online, bolstering ratings.

Oscars
In a new poll, Americans are more likely to tune into next year’s Oscars following on-stage slap. A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
“King Richard” star Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss. Getty Images

While people everywhere weighed in on the baffling altercation, others were quick to create memes and crack jokes online, making the bu🅺zzworthy moment even more of a smash.

The results of the poll also showed that the slap was a hit, now topping the list of most shocking Oscars moments, with 35% of the votes. In second place was the 2017 award for Best Picture, with 19% of the votes, when “La La Land” was mistakenly given the award.

Top 10 Most Shocking Oscars Moments