Even if you’re not the least bit interested in Hollywood awards shows, I bet you’ve heard about the altercation on stage at the Academy Awards ceremony last weekend. It’s about the only “news” item this spring that’s been able to push Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine down the page.

Although the term is politically incorrect due to its misogynistic implications, what happened is accurately, if crudely,described as a “bitch-slap,” a particularly insulting form of interpersonal violence between men. If it had been John Wayne, say, instead of Will Smith, the hand would likely have been closed into a fist, it would be called a “sucker punch,” and Mr. Rock would probably have a broken jaw.

But, from where I sit, Mr. Smith’s slap was just the right thing, altogether appropriate and even deserved under the circumstances. It’s almost too bad that 17th century customs have fallen by the wayside, because that was the perfect prelude to a real duel between the two—and it’s interesting to speculate whether Rock would choose pistols at twenty paces or rapiers.

In my opinion, Chris Rock is not the only so-called “comic” who deserves such treatment. His schtick is not unique; in fact, much of it derives from a long line of such “comics” who have relied on insults as the basis for their “humor.” When I was growing up, the master of this was Don Rickles. I always felt that he should have had someone following him around, slapping him repeatedly until he learned a different approach to entertainment. Others since, whom I’ll not name, also have deserved such remedial training.

Yes, it’s true that Hollywood celebrities willingly and aggressively seek to put themselves in the public eye and are therefore less protected by privacy and libel standards thanare the rest of us. And it’s also true that free speech applies to cretins like Chris Rock – that he makes a lucrative living as a bottom feeder doesn’t mean that he has no legal protections. At the same time, there are certain lines that should not be crossed, anywhere, anytime, and when they are crossed some push-back is appropriate. And in this case, that slap was just right. No real harm resulted; Rock’s insult was repaid with interest; and the situation didn’t escalate.

It remains to be seen whether there will be additional fallout for Will Smith from either the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or from the law. It’s certain, however, that the publicity about the event will not fade soon, because it is in the best interests of all sorts of people and organizations to keep it on the front page as long and as prominently as possible. Assorted celebrities benefit from having their comments on the incident publicized widely, and assorted “news” outfits involved in that publicity garner viewers and webpage clicks.

That, my friends, is entertainment in the 21st century.

Howard Hanson, an Estes Park resident, is a member of the Trail-Gazette’s Editorial Board.