‘Make Will Smith Host: ‘SNL’ Has The Perfect Punishment For Academy’s Newest Exile

“The Weekend Update” cohost Colin Jost took aim at actor Will Smith once again, referencing his recent self-imposed exile from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and accompanying ten-year ban from the annual awards ceremony itself.

Jost argued that banning Smith from the lengthy ceremony wasn’t much of a punishment — and that if the Academy truly wanted to make him sorry for his actions they would force him to host next year.

Colin and Che talk Ben Affleck & JLo’s engagement and Will Smith’s 10-year Oscar ban pic.twitter.com/dxXcHX2csE

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) April 10, 2022

Smith earned his exile when he slapped comedian Chris Rock — over a “G.I. Jane”-themed joke aimed at his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith – during the 94th Academy Awards presentation. He has since resigned from the Academy, and the organization has banned him from attending the Oscars for a further ten years.

“Is that a punishment?” Jost asked. “He can still be nominated, and even win an award. He can even go to the after party. He just doesn’t have to attend the four-hour ceremony where someone is definitely going to make fun of his wife again.”

“Honestly, I think a real punishment would be to make Will Smith host next year’s Oscars. Because, trust me, nothing will make you question your choices in life more than hosting an awards show,” Jost added.

The “Weekend Update” host went on to mention Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s video message at the Grammy Awards, saying, “It was a heartfelt, impassioned plea to help the people of Ukraine but missed an opportunity for a legendary G.I. Jane joke.”

Prior to the the Oscars, cohost Amy Schumer told talk show host and actress Drew Barrymore that she had wanted to share a video message or arrange a remote appearance for Zelensky as well, but that the show’s producers had said no.

As The Daily Wire reported:

“I think there is definitely pressure in one way to be like, ‘This is a vacation, let people forget, we just want to have this night,’ but it is like well we have so many eyes and ears on this show,” Schumer explained. “I think it’s a great opportunity to, you know, at least comment on a couple of things. I have some jokes that kind of highlight the sort of current condition. I mean, there are so many awful things happening that it’s like — it seems hard to focus on which one.”

She then told Barrymore that she had already pitched the idea, but that the show’s producers had turned her down.

“I actually pitched, I wanted to find a way to have Zelensky like satellite in or make a tape or something just because so many eyes get on — there are so many eyes on the Oscars. I am not afraid to go there, but it’s not me producing the Oscars,” she said.

“That’s why I love you,” Barrymore replied.

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