What award show isn’t complete and not using a joke about Will Smith at this point?
Yes, Golden Globes 2023 host Jerrod Carmichael went there — invoking the enduring moment when “King Richard” Oscar winner Smith, 54, slapped Chris Rock, 57, on-air on the 2022 Oscars.
Carmichael, 35, quipped in the course of the broadcast Tuesday: “While we were on business, we actually presented Will Smith with the Rock Hudson award for best portrayal of masculinity on television, so please give it up for Will Smith. Please! Please!”
The shocked audience gave some faint applause and cheering as the following presenters were about to be read off.
Twitter had a field day with the joke, with many roasting the quip.
“Hey @goldenglobes bringing up Will Smith was not only in poor taste but hope you bought the memo by the solo clap of presenter. Still a tough pass. And the “masculinity” reference was very offensive,” someone wrote.
One other user added: “After #GoldenGlobes host #JerrodCarmichael delivered a scathing joke on Scientology, I’m wondering if #WillSmith jumped off his sofa & smacked the s- -t out of his television.”
One wondered: “Is Will smith allowed on the Golden Globes?”
“Y’all higher keep it cute about Will Smith before it gets nasty again #GoldenGlobes,” someone tweeted.
As viewers might remember, Smith smacked presenter Chris Rock on the coveted awards show this past March after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The “Men in Black” actor was subsequently banned from the Oscars for the following decade.