Chris Rock claims he was asked to host Oscars, jokes about Will Smith slap at comedy show

PHOENIX – Chris Rock, who was famously slapped by Oscar winner Will Smith during the 2022 Academy Awards, said during his comedy show that he was asked to host next year’s awards ceremony, but refused the invitation.

Rock also said during his show Sunday at Arizona Financial Theatre that he had been offered the chance to do a Super Bowl commercial, but profanely said he declined that as well.

The actor/comedian compared returning to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime, referencing the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, whose ex-wife’s killing began with her leaving a pair of eyeglasses at an Italian restaurant.

Rock said returning to the award ceremony would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant.”

Will Smith and Chris Rock: Everything to know about the infamous Oscars 2022 slap

Tanya Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, was not pleased with Rock's joke.

On Instagram Wednesday, Brown slammed the comedian and called  his joke "beyond distasteful."

"Nothing funny about equating an Oscar host invitation to a double homicide," Brown wrote. "Stop using my sister, OJ and Ron part of your cricking comedy act. There are families behind this tragedy!"

Regarding the slap, Rock referenced the incident briefly and early on in his approximately 90-minute show, though the sold-out crowd seemed primed to hear him address it. Audience members' phones were ordered turned off and held in locked pouches by security.

As Rock mentioned how a person could get famous for being a victim, someone in the crowd shouted, “Talk about it.”

Rock said that the hit from Smith hurt, referencing how Smith had played the boxer Muhammad Ali in the 2001 movie "Ali."

“He’s bigger than me,” Rock said. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”

USA TODAY has reached out to both Rock and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for comment.

Last week during a conversation with Hollywood journalists, new Academy CEO Bill Kramer said plans are already underway for the 2023 Oscars ceremony (March 12) and remarked that "we definitely want a host,” after three of the last four Academy Awards shows were held without an emcee. “A host is very important to us, we are committed to having a host on the show this year and we are already looking at some key partners on that,” Kramer said.

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In April, the Academy banned Smith from the Oscars for 10 years for slapping Rock.

During the 2022 ceremony, Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her shaved head. Rock suggested she went bald for a movie role, quipping "G.I. Jane 2? Can't wait to see it." He was apparently unaware that Pinkett Smith has alopecia, which causes sudden hair loss.

Will Smith, who was seated by the stage, walked up to Rock and slapped him across the face, then returned to his seat and shouted at Rock to not say his wife's name.

In late July, Smith posted a video apology to Rock. "My behavior was unacceptable and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk," Smith said in the video.

Rock has referenced the incident during his Ego Death tour that started in April but as of yet has not done a full routine about it.

Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chris Rock claims Oscars invited him to host after Will Smith slap