Oscars 2023 producer explains reason behind Will Smith jokes

The 95th Academy Awards featured some Will Smith jokes, but an executive producer of the show explains why there weren't more.

One year after Smith smacked Chris Rock on stage after Rock, 58, jocularly joked about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jimmy Kimmel, 55, hosted the event on Sunday night.

Molly McNearney, Kimmel's wife and an executive producer of this year's show explained why her husband did not go "harder" even though jokes about the incident were prevalent.

"We didn't want to make this year all about last year," McNearney, 45, told Variety. "I cannot tell you how many Will Smith jokes we had that then we got rid of. We think that only the best for that room made it. There were certainly some that went harder, but we didn't think that was our place to do that. That should be Chris Rock, not us."

Still, they didn't like to overlook the incident wholly. "We really liked the idea of making fun of the reaction to it last year," said McNearney. "I think we're all still in a bit of shock of how that went down and how after watching that violence everyone had to then sit through an acceptance speech."

Jimmy Kimmel quipped about Will Smith's slap:

When Smith, 54, walked the stage to claim his Best Actor award for his work in King Richard the previous year, he opted not to expressly apologise to Rock during his moving acceptance speech.

Kimmel joked during his opening monologue on Sunday night, "We know this is a special night for you. We want you to have fun. We want you to feel safe. And most importantly, we want me to feel safe. So we have strict policies in place. If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor and permitted to give a 19-minute-long speech."

Kimmel went on to mention in jest people who were present when the iconic slap occurred last year before continuing.

"Seriously, The Academy has a crisis team in place. If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony. Just do what you did last year: nothing," he said. "Sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug."

Kimmel added that for those who "get mad at a joke" and want to respond adversely, it is "not gonna be easy" this go round.

"There are a few of my friends you are going to have to get through first," he continued before mentioning some fictional figures, such as Michael B. Jordan's Adonis Creed from Creed and Pedro Pascal's Mandalorian character.