What did Chris Rock say about being slapped by Will Smith?

Many people have been waiting with bated breath to hear Chris Rock’s version of one of the most surprising events of the year. A joke in poor taste during Monday’s Oscars ceremony backfired and prompted an excessive reaction. Actor Will Smith strolled onto the stage at the Dolby Theater and slapped the comedian, for making a crude reference to the alopecia which his wife Jada Pinkett Smith is suffering from.

Related stories

The incident made headlines all over the world and cast a shadow over the film industry's most celebrated event. The repercussions are still being felt. Will Smith has publicly apologised on numerous occasions and the Academy, who have opened an investigation into what went on, are deliberating on what action to take.

Until now, no one had heard how Chris Rock felt about being physically attacked live on stage with millions of viewers watching in shock on television. The 57-year-old was back to work on Wednesday appearing in two sell-out shows at Boston's Wilbur Theater as part of a nationwide tour of 40 US cities showcasing his Ego Death World Tour. Out on stage, he mentioned Monday's run-in with Smith.

Rock opened with a cheeky one-liner, “How was your weekend?” which provoked chuckles from the audience at the Wilbur. The comedian only spoke briefly about “what happened” without directly mentioning either the Oscars ceremony, the Academy or Smith.

Related: Will Smith into rehab

What next? Will Smith resurfaces nine thousand miles from Hollywood

A full, funny explanation to come...

“I don't have a bunch of shit about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend. I'm still kind of processing what happened," Rock added. "So, at some point, I'll talk about that shit. And it will be serious and funny”.

He certainly didn’t seem to fazed about being assaulted live on stage just a few days ago. “Except for some other weird things, life is pretty good right now,” he mused later in his show. The reception from the public was warmer that Rock might have expected and he was treated to a rousing ovation at the end of his hour-long show. The television camera crews waiting outside the Wilbur interviewed dozens of punters as Oscars news stories continue to run but there was nothing more to add from Rock who left the theater in a limo with tinted windows - that will have to wait for another day.