When I saw what Will Smith did and how it completely shifted the Oscars, I thought of Forrest Gump’s line, “sorry I had to fight in the middle of your Black Panther Party.” In the scene, Forrest Gump found himself in the most unlikely of places defending his toxic love interest, Jenny. I couldn’t help but think that something in Will Smith’s life came to a head on Sunday night. One the cusp of winning his first Academy Award, he did the most unthinkable thing and given the incessant news cycle and pundits available for commentary, this news cycle may last for weeks.
What if Will is finally tired of hiding his true feelings? What if Will Smith wanted to be the bad guy for once in his life? Considering the scene, precedence and potential repercussions, he couldn’t have chosen a bigger stage to turn heel. He’s been the bad guy before, just not in the court of public opinion. Forcing Janet Hubert out on the world famous sitcom? Nah, we still gave him a pass and since they’ve made up, it’s like it never happened. Sunday night was a first for Will Smith and we hope it will be his last. In professional wrestling, when one of the good guys does a bad thing or sides with the bad guys, it’s called turning from “face to heel.” Hulk Hogan did it and in the attitude era of the WWE, it was hard to tell from week to week, which side either of the stars were on.
It’s hard to not love Will Smith, but he forgot a major lesson on Sunday night: Time.Place.(Tact)ic. It was the wrong time to confront Chris Rock, the stage was the wrong place (backstage would have been preferable) and his tactic of slapping him was downright criminal. In the streets, there’s a rule that you handle disrespect when and where it happens. They weren’t in the streets though, they were in the vaunted Dolby Theatre for the biggest night in Hollywood. The assault on Chris Rock was met with incredulity and disproval from many, though it was celebrated by many more as they opined about in online. You know you’ve really messed up when you get some semblance of “The People’s Eyebrow” from Dwayne Johnson.
Thankfully, we’re nearing the end of the news cycle for the Sunday night’s Smackdown. You’re tired of hearing about it and journalists are probably tired of talking about it. Before the cycle ends, I do want to share a final thought in regard to why what happened Sunday can’t happen again. It’s not that Will Smith can’t take a joke, it’s that he couldn’t take control of himself in that moment. Will smith is king of clean and is quite hilarious so it’s safe to say that he acted out of character Sunday night. He delivered many jokes on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” with Carlton and the Banks family as the punchline so we know he can both make and take a joke.
Still, making jokes of illness and physical deformity aren’t funny even though they regularly make it into comic routines. Rap, film and mostly everything Will Smith does is easily digestible by the public but what he did to defend his wife’s honor has many heads scratching and stomachs churning. Don’t get me wrong, he got much high praise for it, but it can’t happen again.
On the biggest night in Hollywood and perhaps the biggest night of his film career (he won his first Academy Award), he sauntered on stage and slapped Chris Rock following an off-color joke about Jada Pinkett’s hair calling her “G.I. Jane”. The joke was in bad taste but what ensued was worse. Will smith slapped Rock and continued with a verbal assault once he returned to his seat. Lupita Nyongo’s facial expressions were the consummate reaction to the out of character moment for Smith. Incredulity abounded while Rock kept rolling and returned to the script as the room and viewers collectively begged the question, “what in the world just happened?” Much unlike professional wrestling, public assaults aren’t taken lightly. Will IS a good dude and one who normally takes it on the chin when jokes are made about him, just keep his wife’s name…by now, you know the rest of that statement!
“It’s the choices that make us what we are… and we can always choose to do what’s right.” -Peter Parker, Spider Man 3
Though Chris Rock could have returned blows and showed he can back up the trash talk, he opted to continue with the night’s production in turn, outclassing America’s favorite nephew. Notwithstanding, the Will Packer produced show was flawless except for Will Smith’s emotional outburst. This leads me to my final point, tactic. Will was up for a major award which rock joked about before the hair joke aimed at Jada.
No honorable man would evade the responsibility of the defense of his wife’s honor. The juxtaposition on Sunday night was that of a man in a moment inside a bigger moment. In mere seconds he had to choose which moment was bigger and because he didn’t, his big win will forever be sullied by a momentary lapse in judgement. This moment even overshadowed another brother from Philly Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and his big moment as “Summer of Soul” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, presented by Chris Rock.
Yes, Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry were there to show grace amid a teachable moment. Yes Chris rock declined to press charges, but why jeopardize your shining moment with this darkness, Mr. Smith? IN hindsight, Sunday night will be a major teachable moment for millions of people in the days to come because a manifestation of the negative perception of our people and culture usurped the memorability of the night. To quote Will from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, “you brought this on yourself…”
Sunday night’s Oscars was a win for the culture and an opportunity to prove that black excellence belongs on the same stage, deserves the same consideration and belongs in the same conversation with white productions and actors. Still, there’s always that one person you’ve got to watch out for ruining your moment and Sunday night for Will Packer, that person was Will Smith. Lessons have been learned and we’re moving forward with wisdom in tow, thanks for reading!
Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure, Little) and LaKeith Stanfield (FX’s Atlanta, Sorry to Bother You) connect in a romance where a woman must learn from the secrets in her mother’s past if she is to move forward and allow herself to love and be loved.
When famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Rae) hurt, angry and full of questions. When a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother’s early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block (Stanfield).
“This Movie Is Love!”
From writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) from her original screenplay comes a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it may lead you. The Photograph is produced by Will Packer, blockbuster producer of Girls Trip, the Ride Along franchise, and ten movies that have opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office, including Night School, No Good Deed and Think Like a Man, and by James Lopez, president of Will Packer Productions. The film is executive produced by Meghie, Erika Hampson (co-producer Late Night, Life Itself) and Rae.
The film also stars Chanté Adams (Roxanne Roxanne) as Mae’s young mother Christina, Y’lan Noel (HBO’s Insecure) as Christina’s secret love, and Rob Morgan (Mudbound) as Isaac Jefferson, a New Orleans fisherman with a mysterious connection to Mae’s mother.
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the start of production in Atlanta of the new multigenerational family saga “Ambitions,” produced by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate and Lionsgate-owned distributor Debmar-Mercury, and starring Robin Givens (“Riverdale,” “The Fix,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”), Essence Atkins (“Marlon,” “Half and Half”), Brian White (“Ray Donovan,” “Scandal”), Kendrick Cross (“Acrimony,” “Tales from the Hood 2”), Brely Evans (“Turnt,” “Being Mary Jane”) and Erica Page (“Ozark,” “Bad Dad Rehab”). Multiple award-winning writer/EP Kevin Arkadie (“The Quad,” “New York Undercover”) has joined as showrunner. Created by executive producer/writer Jamey Giddens (“The Rich and The Ruthless”) from an original idea by Packer, “Ambitions” will debut on OWN in 2019, with the pilot episode directed by Benny Boom (“All Eyez on Me,” “Black Lightning”).
“Ambitions” is a multigenerational family saga centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
Robin Givens stars as ‘Stephanie Carlisle,’ the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (Brian White), whose true loyalty is to her own family’s prestigious law firm, where she is the latest in a long line of distinguished lawyers. Stephanie desperately wants to be in charge of the Carlisle family law firm and quietly fumes about her father Stephen’s condescending assertion that she’s simply not ready yet. Givens is represented by PANTHEON.
Essence Atkins plays the role of ‘Amara,’ a lawyer in U.S. Attorney’s Office who has newly arrived in Atlanta with her husband, Titus (Kendrick Cross). Originally from Texas, she is quickly gaining attention from the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a diligent prosecutor but disappoints her supervisor by turning down the offer to run point on a major local case. Atkins is represented by Buchwald and Kathy McComb Management.
Brian White has been cast as ‘Evan Lancaster,’ the Mayor of Atlanta, who is married to attorney Stephanie Carlisle (Robin Givens). Evan’s political ambitions seem to cloud his judgement as he is willing to do anything to get to the next level in his career. White is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency, Zero Gravity Management and attorney Eric Feig.
Kendrick Cross stars as ‘Titus,’ an attorney who recently moved with his wife Amara (Essence Atkins) to Atlanta. Titus has been hired as in-house counsel for a big pharma company run by Hunter Purifoy, who is fighting a class action suit brought by the powerful Carlisle family. Cross is represented by Houghton Talent.
Brely Evans plays the role of ‘Rondell,’ Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster’s (Brian White) sister, who runs a not-quite-profitable restaurant called Thelma’s Place. Evans is represented by J Pervis Talent.
Erica Page plays the role of ‘Bella,’ a fashion designer in Atlanta who designs all of Stephanie Carlisle’s (Robin Givens) dresses for her. Page is represented by Houghton Talent.
Kevin Arkadie is the co-creator of the series “New York Undercover.” Last season, he Co-Executive Produced season two of “The Quad.” Previously, he was a Producer on “Chicago Hope”; Supervising Producer on “NYPD Blue”; Co-Executive Producer on “The Shield”; and Executive Producer on “Soul Food: The Series” and “Rescue 77.” Arkadie scripted the Emmy®-winning miniseries “The Temptations” and is the recipient of the Golden Globe® Award, Writers Guild Award, Image Award and the Christopher Award as well as a nominee for multiple Emmy® and Humanitas Prizes. He is the Writer/Producer/Director of the documentary “FESPACO.” He began his writing career on the much-acclaimed series “I’ll Fly Away” as a story editor.
Jamey Giddens is an award-winning writer, producer, entertainment journalist, publicist, and podcast personality. He is the co-owner of the wildly popular soap opera-themed website DaytimeConfidential.com. Giddens co-wrote the first season of Urban Movie Channel’s breakout summer hit dramedy “The Rich and The Ruthless.” Giddens worked for 10 years as a communications specialist for the Centers For Disease Control and Protection (CDC), helping to create social media messages alerting the public to such major health events as the H1N1, Zika Virus and Ebola outbreaks.
Situated in Atlanta, the award-winning writing staff includes Jamey Giddens (“The Rich and The Ruthless”), Susan Dansby (“As The World Turns,” “The Young and The Restless”), Michele Val Jean (“General Hospital,” “The Bold and the Beautiful”), Trey Anthony (“da Kink in my Hair,” “How Black Mothers Say I Love You”) and Jazmen Darnell Brown (“The Citizen,” “Saints & Sinners”).
“Ambitions” is produced for OWN by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate and its producer-distributor Debmar-Mercury. Will Packer is executive producer. Kevin Arkadie is executive producer/showrunner. Writer Jamey Giddens and Will Packer Media’s Sheila Ducksworth also serve as executive producers. Benny Boom directs the pilot episode.
About Benny Boom For nearly two decades, award winning director Benny “Boom” Douglas heavily influenced the visual landscape of popular music. Global superstars like Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, David Guetta and many more trust his creative eye and consistent work ethic to bring their artistry to life. Known as “Boom” to his contemporaries, the Philadelphia native made his feature film directorial debut in 2009 with the now cult classic, “Next Day Air” starring Donald Faison (Scrubs), Omari Hardwick (Power), Yasiin Bey (Dexter) and Mike Epps (Uncle Drew). In 2017, Boom helmed the much anticipated Tupac Shakurbiopic “All Eyez On Me”, which has grossed over $70M world-wide for Lionsgate Films. A graduate of Temple University, Boom holds a B.A. in Film. He is a founder and principal of Groundwurk Studios, a content production and distribution company based in Culver City, CA.
About Will Packer Media Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience, with an urban millennial core. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with nine opening at number one at the box office.
About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey’s heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel. OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today’s most innovative storytellers. OWN’s original scripted series include popular dramas “Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf,” “Love Is __,” “The Have and Have Nots, “If Loving You is Wrong,” popular sitcom “The Paynes,” and upcoming drama series “David Makes Man” from Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and family saga “Ambitions” from box office hit-maker Will Packer. OWN’s Saturday night unscripted programming lineup includes “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “Book of John Gray,” “Black Love,” “Chad Loves Michelle” and the new dating series “Ready to Love.” OWN connects with its audience wherever they are, inspiring conversation among a global community of like-minded viewers on social media and beyond. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime, anywhere on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and https://press.discovery.com/us/own/.
About Lionsgate The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content leader whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, video games, esports and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate’s content initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global sales and distribution infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company’s worldwide consumer base.
About Debmar-Mercury Debmar-Mercury, a leading media company specializing in syndication, network, cable and ancillary markets, produces and distributes The Wendy Williams Show and, with co-producer Citylife Productions, Caught in Providence, debuting nationally in September 2018. It has U.S. distribution rights to FremantleMedia North America’s Steve Harvey-hosted Family Feud; off-Netflix episodes of BoJack Horseman from Michael Eisner’s privately held media and entertainment company, The Tornante Company; as well as U.S. distribution rights to Schitt’s Creek, the critically acclaimed half-hour, single-camera scripted comedy created by Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy that ranks as the No. 1 original series on Pop TV; the 10/90 sitcoms Debmar-Mercury pioneered including Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and spinoff Meet the Browns; Revolution/CubeVision’s Are We There Yet? (starring Ice Cube); and the Debmar-Mercury / Lionsgate Television comedy Anger Management (starring Charlie Sheen). Debmar-Mercury is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next-generation audiences around the world.
