Academy Members Split On Will Smith's 10 Year Ban From The Oscars

Will Smith's 10-year ban from the Oscars has left many in the Academy with mixed feelings some think too harsh, others think too lenient and some think it's just right. several reactions from a handful of members none of whom are on the Board of Governors with many going on the record with how they feel about the decision doled out this week namely, making WS persona non grata at the ceremony for a decade. A good amount of these folks actually stuck up for Will, saying the punishment doesn't fit the crime including Stephen Potter of the Sound branch, Harry Shearer of the Actors branch and Beverly Walker of the Marketing/PR branch who all felt this was punitive. Harry (famous from "The Simpsons") says, in part If Will Smith, or any other A-list actor, had run on stage and simply pulled down his pants and defecated, I seriously doubt he'd/she'd be back on that stage in 10 years, or ever A decade-long ban seems oddly parental, as in, he'll have outgrown his slappin' phase by then. Beverly was firmly in Will's corner, or rather very much so NOT in Chris  or any other comedian the Academy might hire as a host/presenter to roast the crowd. She takes issue with "the Academy's longstanding habit of hiring comedian/hosts to march out and insult or make fun of the very people being celebrated," adding, "there have undoubtedly been some who would've liked to make some sort of protest and finishing by saying, "What Rock said was egregious and he had to know it would not be appreciated. Others took aim at Academy leadership itself especially Prez David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson whom many felt had screwed the pooch by failing to respond in the moment. And yet, even more came out swinging saying Will deserved more severe consequences, like criminal charges and maybe outright disqualification from all things Oscars, forever. Steven Scott summed it up like this I also am disappointed that Chris Rock and The Academy decided not to press charges for Will's attack. What message are we sending that when we're assaulted, it's best to just keep our 'composure' and not complain? He also addressed the whataboutism that has bubbled up with many drawing comparisons over what happened to Will with others who they feel have perhaps done worse. To that, Scott says Before someone tells me that other Hollywood A-listers have done awful things, yet kept their Oscars, none of them did their crimes live, on air, from the Academy home stage on our special night, in front of all the world to see.

SOURCE