Entertainment Blog

Slapping Down Entertainment Hypocriscy

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Writers Note: For those expecting to read my Final Four preview, that will be posted Wedndsday.

By Erich R Pilcher

The Oscars. This name evokes many emotions. For me, I remember when it was about honoring the best in cinema. This was done without political agendas being forced down our throats and sadly that has trickled down to whoever wins the awards. It is a woke crackpot pie (a few people have said they like that saying) of the highest order.

Ever since The Shape of Water robbed Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri for Best Picture, I have had no interest in viewing the ceremony. I just merely read the recap and sigh, longing for the days of it just being about the films and performances. That was until last night when something caught my attention.

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards 3/27/2022.
Photo Courtesy: EW.COM

Comedian Chris Rock was on stage presenting an award. Per custom, presenters often chide celebrities in attendance. And either the celebrities laugh it off or look angry but nothing comes of it. That was until Rock, made a joke regarding Jada Pinkett-Smith being bald (it is allegedly due to a disease called Alopecia). Her “husband” Will Smith took the stage and smacked Rock and then went on an obscene rant about keeping “His wife’s name out of his mouth”.

The takes flooded social media. And then I saw people defending the action. Not entirely shocking given the fact that wokeism, often defends crime in defense of their agenda. But these same people were the ones that were attacking Michigan Head Men’s Basketball Coach Juwan Howard for slapping an opposing head coach following a game (Howard was subsequently suspended for the final five games of the regular season). The hypocrisy, as is in most of these cases, runs way deeper than that.

I’m all for men defending their wives (as they should in marriage). But as a man, Smith should have approached Rock after the show and spoke about it. Not acting like someone upset because they had their shoes stepped on in the neighborhood. Worth noting is actress Regina King earlier in the show also took a shot at the Smiths earlier the show and was kept safe from the question “What did the five fingers say to the face? (the answer is a slap by the way)”

Then we turn our focus to Smith’s “marriage.” This past September Smith spoke that he and his wife had an open marriage. This came following reports that Jada had had an affair. Now, call me old-fashioned, but if you cannot follow the very tenants of marriage by being true to each other, then you cant pull the defend my spouse card when it is convenient.

Will Smith letting the woke, crocodile tears flow after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. Shortly after assaulting Chris Rock during the show. Photo Courtesy: NPR.org

I wish I could say that this was all resolved, but it was not. Later in the evening, Smith won Best Actor for his performance in “King Richard”. This would have been the opportunity to apologize for his actions. Instead, Smith went on an incoherent, crocodile tear rant about how he is a defender and wants to spread love. Hard to take that seriously when earlier he was spreading five fingers across Rock’s face in unmitigated rage. But at least he passed these values onto his kids, his son Jaden tweeted out “That’s how we do” right after Smith attacked Rock. Nothing like extolling values that misdemeanors are acceptable to your children.

Will Smith’ woke spawn Jaden Smith advocating the violence his father comitted on Twitter. Nice morals passed on down to his children. Graphic Courtesy: Twitter

Sadly, we shouldn’t even be shocked about this. We “common people” put these celebrities on a pedestal. What that does is when these things happen, celebrities have an aurora of invincibility to them. That they can do anything they want and their fans will still accept them and even cheer these acts, criminal or otherwise.

Unfortunately, Rock refuses to press charges. I honestly feel he should have. What Smith did was a criminal act and should be handled as such. If we accept this now, these actions will continue. We preach non-violence towards others, but if we condone this, it is words shrouded in complete falsehood.
It is time we take a stand and smack down the hypocrisy at play.


In regards to this situation, it appears this will make The 2022 Academy Awards memorable for all the wrong reasons. Despite my ambivalence toward the awards, it is sad that those that this action takes away from those that won. Their moment is overshadowed by Smith’s heinous actions. Most of the winners deserve better, except for Smith. His win deserves to be clouded, but it is the one that will be most honored. And that is the one statement that shows the sordid state of the entertainment world. If you do not see that, then you are a part of the problem and then there will never be a solution.

Slacking Towards Our Desires

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By Erich R Pilcher

WRITERS NOTE: This blog is tied into my most recent appearance on WPYP TV and most recent Classic Film Review on Matt Connarton Unleashed and WMNH Radio, Animal House. You may click the links to view and listen

Slackers for the most part are often looked at in an unfavorable light. They are viewed as lazy, uninspired burdens. Depending on your opinion, you may look at them favorably or unfavorably. While here in the “real world” the view is unflattering, there is one area where they are revered, loved, and even cheered for.

That world is in cinema, where slackers are heroes in the same vein as any cinematic hero you may enjoy.

From the start of slackers in film (as early as the old vaudeville stage shows) to current hit movies, these individuals find ways to tug at our heartstrings. As we watch the plot unfold we find ourselves drawn to these individuals, we want to see them succeed. Even if the means are nefarious.

The Delta’s from the film Animal House. They are quite beloved, but should they be?
Photo Credit: IMDB.COM

For example, in the film Animal House, most viewers root for the Delta fraternity. The general thought is “Who are they hurting?” When we analyze their actions, outside of the raunchy slapstick episodes we find they are somewhat deplorable. One takes advantage of a young girl, they destroy the city, they even suggest insurance fraud. However, I have never seen any of this brought up in any analysis of the film.


Adam Sandler as Billy Madison. Sandler, is most known for his slacker portrayals
Photo Credit: Universal

This is not just an issue with Animal House either. We can look at other films and see the same issue. Adam Sandler is one of the greatest slacker actors (after Chris Farley). In Billy Madison, he is essentially a spoiled rich kid that doesn’t have to do anything. His charmed life is only dictated by “nudie magazine day” and drinking by the pool. In Happy Gilmore, he is a neer do well hanging on the dream of playing professional hockey, despite having no talent. He is quick-tempered and foul-mouthed. Again, on the surface, the redeeming qualities are low to non-existent.


Beavis and Butt-Head often are looked at as just being juvenile toilet humor. But could they be idiot Savants? Photo Courtesy: MTV

Our final example does not come from film, but the world of television. Beavis and Butt-Head (one of my personal favorites) are generally antagonistic, if only through being morons. They terrorize their neighbor Mr. Anderson and show no care for anyone’s wellbeing in their selfish endeavors. I realize we are following a trend. If these characters are so horrible and non-appealing, why do we root for them, love them and why do they have this endearing presence about them that transcends decades?

Through reviewing Animal House for Matt Connarton Unleashed on WHMN Radio (can be listened to here) I realized why this is, at least for me. It is we want to be them. Not so we may commit nefarious acts (although I’m sure that is a selling point from some sad, sick individuals). We want to be them because we want to have this life where we can just be. That is ultimately where slackers came from. We want a life free from responsibility (or where we can just ignore it). We desire to have our needs met through limited effort and just have things work out.

Finally, we want to have our shortcomings appreciated and beloved. Not be ridiculed and diminished for them. There is this desire to have people laugh with us when our shortcomings show up, not at us. In the cases I have presented, the characters’ shortcomings lead to them being victorious over their oppressors.


Beavis and Butt-Head often point out the flaws within society through their mental incapacities. Both Sandler film characters can use their shortcomings to succeed and be victorious. Finally, those raucous, loveable Deltas defeat their enemies at the end and live successful lives. While their enemies meet horrible circumstances.

Ultimately, these slackers show us what we all want out of life. To be loved, respected, and appreciated for who and what we are. We want our fallacies to be embraced as much as our great traits. We want that overall acceptance. There is nothing wrong with that either. We may have possibly been viewing slackers all wrong. Instead of viewing them as lesser than, we should follow their lead. Because their needs are the same as ours.