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"CODA" has won best picture at the 94th Academy Awards but it's not what people are talking about after the ceremony.

The center of attention is the physical altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock that took place after the comedian made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

When the actor returned to his seat, he threw a tirade of f words at Rock who was visibly stunned by the exchange, but managed to keep it professional and continued on with his presentation.

The incident baffled the audience and viewers alike, and many are trying to figure out if it was part of the show or not.

Watch the exact moment Will Smith went on stage to smack Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife

Image credits: REUTERS

After the awards show ended, the Academy of Motion Pictures issued a statement on Twitter

Image credits: TheAcademy

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Jaguarundi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearing, her husband, Dr. Patrick Graves Jackson, gave her his full support and quietly comforted her. Like a good man should. They both demonstrated grace under pressure during this harrowing process.

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Reportedly, the conflict was not staged nor was it part of the show. It occurred after Rock pointed out Jada Pinkett Smith in the crowd and said, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referring to her bald head.

At first, Will Smith appeared to be laughing but Jada, who was diagnosed with alopecia in 2018 and has been vocal about her struggles about not being able to grow her hair, rolled her eyes at the joke and Will then walked up to Rock on stage and smacked him.

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Sum Guy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, that's how you've been conditioned to react when someone is making fun of you in a public setting, no matter if you agree with it or not... but when he saw his wife, his actual feeling came out

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Lynne Hammar
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, this! He is laughing after the punchline. What changed? Jada looked po'd. Did he suddenly notice she was not amused?

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Parmeisan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think so. I guess it quickly went from funny to not-funny when he realized she was really hurt by it. That's the charitable interpretation, at least.

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Remen Zack
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He deserves to win best performance next year because the switch from laughter to slap mode is wildddddd 👀

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was the first thing i saw! He really laughed while his wife was really disturbed so I'm guessing what we didn't see was her being very annoyed by her husband too

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Raena Celis
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he did laugh until Jada gave him the eye... Probably felt like he had to stand up for his lady or sleep on the couch

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Vetus Vespertilio
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he laughed because that’s what you’re conditioned to do in the setting he was in. He then realized how hurt she was, and it angered him to have someone hurt her. I doubt the couch came into the equation.

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Eternally Exhausted
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People laugh when they're uncomfortable literally all the time. Kind of weird how so many people seem to have forgotten that fact.

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Yayaboobo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right. I do this all the time. Then it sinks in. "Did they just say what I think they said?" He most likely thought the joke was on him at first.

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Tom Jacobs
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly thought it looked like quite an uncomfortable/uneasy laugh... like he was initially 'playing' along with what was being said.

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StarmanWaitingInTheSky
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this was an act. there were definitely cuts. Something's missing.

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Featherytoad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh for christ sake. Grow up and suck it up Will and Jada(who is only famous for being Will's wife.) It was an innocent joke. It's not like he was making fun of her disease, he just likened it to G.I. Jane is all. Quit being so sensitive. You're dealt the hand you're dealt. Get over it and deal with it. And if anyone is thinking "yeah, easy for you to say person with no disability", I have MS and sometimes you have to have a sense of humor.

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Jessica N
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its because the joke wasn't disrespectful. If someone had called me g.i. Jane while i went through chemo i would have laughed right along

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Vivian Roberts
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always loved Will Smith as an actor. I'm 57 yrs old and have watched almost every movie he has been in. I am so disgusted by his behavior of physical violence with Chris Rock. Rock is a comedian and simply did his part on stage, he wasn't trying to insult Jada. She shouldn't be so sensitive about her hair issues. I am a cancer survivor of 13 yrs, have had so many medical issues stemming from cancer. It isn't the diagnosis that is the problem, it is how you handle it afterwards. Accept it and make the best of it. You can still live, love, laugh and survive the worst of any situation. Plain and simple, Will Smith should go to jail for his actions! He is supposed to be an example of how to act even in tbe worst situations.

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FrancesCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree. I don't think he should go to jail, but Hollywood should censure WIll Smith if it truly "doesn't condone violence of any kind." Toxic masculinity playing out in violence is exactly what we are seeing in Ukraine right now. Ignoring talks of diplomacy in favor of violence.

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Marilyn Gorman
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was defending his wife. Rock joked but it truly was an insult. She has a medical condition causing her to lose her hair. When he saw his wife was upset he reacted. Now whether you agree with his reaction or not. It is what it is. Maybe Rock will think twice before insulting anyone.

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xolitaire
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh please. 1. The Oscars have been around for almost a hundred years, the celebrities know that they will be made fun of if the attend. 2. Jada is a grown, tough woman and could have defended herself. Having medical condition doesn't mean that you are permanently depressed about it or can't talk about it without breaking down. I know that from experience. It's not really hard to look at it with humor and move on. 3. Physical violence is not "defending your wife". Using "love" as an excuse to attack someone is a dangerous path to go down.

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Liz Eagle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're right! Look at his eyes - the laughter went out before the grin.

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Mama Panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right? I think Jada leaned over and said something to Will about him not defending her honor. I think that's what triggered him to get up and hit Chris.

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FrancesCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somehow I can totally see Ms. bad-a** Jada Smith defending herself. Will Smith is a bully. This was classic masculinity behavior; justifying that he was violent "out of love" is classic abuser language.

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Featherytoad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They both need to learn how to take a joke and chill out a little. The joke wasn't even bad or demeaning in my opinion. I have MS and I joke all the time about the way I walk. He decided to defend her only after he saw that she was offended. By the way, why is she even famous? I can't name one thing she's ever done. Just wondering.

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Jennifer Mcmahan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was wondering if it was staged.... He doesn't react as much as I think he shoulda

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Isabella Minter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he may not have. tv editors make cuts all the time. and if he did, seeing his wife's reaction was enough to spike that anger. i'm not defending him though

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backatya
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But when he saw his wife he knew he was going to be sleeping on the couch unless he did something about it. I hope they take the Oscar away from him

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Sandra Lent
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good point, that got me too. he laughs, then he looks at Jade, who is not laughing...then he goes crazy. this was some bad acting.

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xolitaire
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chris Rock got literally payed to make these jokes, it was his JOB. Celebrities know how the Oscar evenings go, and that they will be made fun of. It has been part of the Oscars for decades. This alone makes Smith's reaction ludicrous. And then there is the fact that he was laughing about all the jokes about the other celebrities and even when Chris Rock initially made the joke about Jada. It took a good long while for him to suddenly change his mind and stalk over to the stage. The fact that Smith was not immediately escorted out of there by security is ridiculous.

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Lola
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he got triggered when he saw his wife’s reaction. Nonetheless, the whole thing was tasteless from both sides.

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Kazó-Horváth Dóra
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It did not seem to be an honest laugh. When you are parodied you laugh because you are expected to do so.

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Bob Standen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a set up by both of them. Rock knows what is going to happen, he has his hands behind his back and leans forward to cop the open handed (pulled) slap. The Oscars were tanking for ratings, this got 50% more viewers. We all miss Ricky Gervais he's the best.

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Hawkmoon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you watch the start of the video, initial reaction of Smith was laughing, while his wife was clearly not. Ressorting to violence just after laughing, worse walking quietly to your target and then out of nowhere punching him, is not "the heat of the moment"

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Scagsy
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone did that in any decent theatre they would be forcefully ejected on to the street. Unless it was staged. The audience numbers have been falling for some time. Surely, Hollywood would not be so cynical. Or would they?

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About 40 minutes later, Smith won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance in King Richard, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. He referenced the moment while accepting it.

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"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said.

"I've been called on in my life to love people and to protect people, and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. And have people talk crazy about you. People disrespect you and smile like it's OK."

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RaroaRaroa
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Security should have been called to escort him out. They would have in a less privileged environment.

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Péter Rózsahegyi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy who makes a joke on somebody's illness is not a comedian but an insensitive jerk.

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RadiatorAnkleSpider
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the whole culture of award show hosts is vile and toxic. They are paid to stand up there and roast unsuspecting celebrities…

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"I wanna apologize to the academy, I wanna apologize to all my fellow nominees," Smith said with tears in his eyes during his Oscar speech.

He did not, however, mention Rock's name in his apology.

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Alanna Elric
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Tasteless joke" You can condemn Will Smith's actions without downplaying how inappropriate and cruel the joke was.

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DennyS (denzoren)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, Harvey Weinstien (i honestly don't care how his name is spelt) used to sit and get thanked constantly while being an absolute scum of a human....so not so strange from Hollywood's elitist.

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The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that they are aware of the incident and that Rock had declined to file a police report.

"If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report," the police explained.

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nurit Cohen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't make jokes about it or Will Smith might take offense and hit you

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Sum Guy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Chris rock owes Jada an apology for making fun of her sickness. That's why Chris isn't filling any charges, he knows he f****d up

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Marco Hub-Dub
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need a discourse on what is appropriate in comedy jokes. Rock has been going after her and all the Smiths incessantly. Making fun of Shumer for stealing jokes is edgy comedy. Making fun of an auto-immune disease or any body/health issue may eventually require a slap upside the head. Especially when more appropriate requests to stop have fallen on deaf ears. Will shouldn’t have done it to us viewers and the Oscars, but probably should have given the weasel a wake up call earlier on his harassment campaign. And what happened to CR? He used to be funny on his early stand up days. Now he’s a commercial actor or product shucker & tells weak sauce jokes. He’s worse than the comedians booked to perform on Disney cruises.

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Later, Smith said actor Denzel Washington pulled him aside after the incident, telling him, "At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."

Meanwhile, Smith's son Jaden tweeted, "And That's How We Do It."

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Shelli LotusFlower
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, this horrible event did show the world that Nicole Kidman’s face can move.

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#20

😅
#memes #willsmith #oscars #chrisrock #funnymemes #jokes #comedy #sarcasm

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Kimi Tomminello
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣 yup, that's all I've seen this morning. These exact 2 pictures.

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DUN DUN (she/her)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see his entire life, career flashing before his eyes in this meme

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that the votes were already there but he shouldn't be awarded yesterday! They should give it to the second runner up! We shouldn't approve those behaviours and the production of the awards should have better reflexes in these situations

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Kimi Tomminello
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This- nobody cares anymore. Rich actors congratulating other rich actors for being rich actors is not something a lot of people enjoy anymore.

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CJ Kelly
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he handled it pretty freaking well. Besides not apologizing to Jada for being out of line...

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Rijkærd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

JayZ be like...I got 99 problems but a slap from Will Smith aint one of them...

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Pattycakes 77
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After seeing that slap I can't help but keep replaying that Dave Chappelle skit with Charlie Murphy and Rick James in my head.

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