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Orlando Brown Makes Bold Claim About Oscar Slap Response

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In 2023, people are still talking about the “Oscar Slap”. Over a year has passed since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on stage at the Oscars. However, that has not stopped everyone from sharing their opinion about the incident, responses to it, the deeper meaning of the slap. Every single angle that could be possibly conceived of has been covered. Last month, Marlon Wayans even announced he was producing a documentary on the slap.

Many celebrities have shared their thoughts on the incident. People like Serena Williams and Sheree Zampino have advocated for Smith’s apology. Chris Rock’s brother says Will Smith never reached out. With an incident that public, everyone is going to have something to say about it. However, while some views are considered insightful, others are seen as people inserting themselves into the situation.

“He Waited For The Right Check”

In a recent interview, Orlando Brown shared his thoughts on the slap, specifically Chris Rock’s response to it. “I don’t mind Chris milking it, but a’ight, you milked it,” Brown argued. When the interviewer responded by saying that Rock “waited a while” to respond, Brown dropped his biggest claim. “He was waiting for the right check.” Brown went on to explain that in his eyes, Rock should have simply reached out to Smith and had a conversation about the incident. He also took issue with Rock’s comments about Smith’s “selective outrage”, which he saw as unnecessary and again, milking the issue for profit.

However, Rock waiting for a paid opportunity to speak out was the main crux of Brown’s argument. Rock was reportedly paid $40 million to produce a Netflix stand-up title Selective Outrage. While it was widely expected that Rock would address the slap in the special, Netflix reportedly edited out jokes about Smith. However, some content remained and the special got its name from comments Rock made about Smith. Selective Outrage was Rock’s first major public comment about the incident and if reports are true, he was paid handsomely to make them. However, Brown’s comments show that we are far from done with talking about what occurred at the 2022 Oscars.

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Every Original Series Cameo In ‘Bel-Air’

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Peacock’s Bel-Air just launched its second season, continuing its reimagining of the classic ‘90s sitcom that took the fish-out-of-water storyline to an epic level, infusing the show with comedy, music and social awareness rarely seen on other sitcoms.

How ‘Bel-Air’ Came To Be

Series creator Morgan Cooper went a roundabout route in pitching the show. Instead of scheduling the typical meetings and introductions with studio heads, Cooper created a YouTube trailer that went viral. It eventually captured the eye of the eponymous OG Fresh Prince, Will Smith.

Fast forward a few months and a few meetings later, and ‘the show Bel-Air is being carefully crafted around the original themes and narratives, while also being dedicated to its own time period and the issues that exist. Cassandra Freeman, who plays Aunt Viv, explains the show’s magic, stating that:

“We’re trying to show the world that it’s expansive to be black. Black is not just Crenshaw [Boulevard]. Black’s not just from Baltimore. Black is an expansive experience.”

With such a purpose and dedication, is it any wonder that stars from the original show are eager to grace the small screen again, revitalizing their original roles?

Aunt Viv and Aunt Vy Make a Nostalgic Return

Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played the second Aunt Viv, starred alongside her sister – Viola Smith, but lovingly known as Aunt Vy – played by Vernee Watson-Johnson. They starred in episode 9, “Can’t Knock the Hustle” from season 1 of ‘Bel-Air’ as members of the Art Council Board of Trustees.

As for the rest of the original crew, rumor has it that Will Smith will be making an appearance sometime in the second season, and fingers are crossed for additional cameos.

Ashley Banks Is Back As A New Character

Perhaps one of the most anticipated cameos belongs to Tatyana Ali, who played Ashley Banks. Ashley was the youngest of Phil and Vivian’s brood. Tatyana literally grew up before the eyes of American while on the show. She started as an adorable (albeit naive) girl, to a sophisticated young woman by the show’s end. On Bel-Air, she plays Mrs. Hughes, a teacher and mentor to Ashely Banks. Tatyana calls Ashley a role that Ali calls ‘meta’ in its retrospective significance.

‘Bel-Air’ Season 2 is available on Peacock, with new episodes premiering every Thursday.