“Wait, we can punch people?” – Academy told to clarify rules on ceremony violence

The Academy has been urged to clarify the rules on punching people after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage.

“I didn’t know we could do that,” said Jonathon Pryce, nominated for Best Actor for 2020’s The Two Popes.

“I mean, I’ve had a long and distinguished career, that should have been topped off with an Oscar for a classy production about some popes and I got beat by a guy playing a comic book baddie? I could really have done with punching someone that night I can tell you.

“If I knew that we were allowed to hit people, I’d have gone and had a word with young Joaquin, let me tell you.”

TV networks also called on the Academy to clarify its position.

“Okay, if they’re going to have some regular physical violence, then they need to clarify that, because we’re certainly going to want to show the awards, if that’s the case,” said a spokesperson for CBS.

“We can put an ad break in the dull bits with people saying thank you and opening envelopes, and then be there live for all the violence. This could seriously save the Oscars. They need to just let us know.”

Viola Davis, Bradley Cooper, and Willem Dafoe have also called on the Academy to clarify whether hitting is allowed and, most importantly, if there will be time given over at the next awards for some retrospective punching for past injustices.