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Mel Gibson's uncomfortable reaction to a question posed by Fox News reporter Jesse Watters regarding Will Smith left audiences wondering what on Earth was about to come out of his mouth before he was interrupted by his handler.
Gibson's rocky reputation for saying antisemitic, misogynist and racist comments can lead one to only imagine his response.
Watters asked the actor and filmmaker:
“I was wondering if you had been the one that jumped up out of his seat and slapped Chris Rock if you would’ve been treated the same way, Mel?"
You can watch Gibson's reaction to the question below.
Jesse Watters concludes a strange interview with Mel Gibson, where he had a number of odd mannerisms, by asking him if he would\u2019ve been treated differently if he was the one who slapped Chris Rock.pic.twitter.com/VyusbtUO2z— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1648861104
After making a sequence of painful faces, Gibson's publicist interrupted him before an answer could be muttered.
She said:
“Hello, Jessie?"
"Thank you. That’s our time.”
Watters, clearly realizing he was soliciting a controversial take, encouraged Gibson to answer the question anyway. The handler swooped in again concluding the interview.
Gibson appeared on the Watters' show Saturday to discuss and plug Father Stu, his new movie starring actor Mark Wahlberg. When things took an unexpected turn at the end of the interview, those watching couldn't help but wonder why the Braveheart actor reacted the way he did.
Mel Gibson was on Fox News and was asked how he\u2019d react if he was in Will Smith\u2019s seat at the Oscars. And his publicist said \u201cNOPE!\u201d We know Mel would\u2019ve given a couple curb stomps if he was Will.pic.twitter.com/3HL1FyQGqi— Foxx\ud83c\udfac (@Foxx\ud83c\udfac) 1649086856
One person commented:
"Fox News is going to ask every White actor if he would have been treated differently if he did what Will Smith did."
"They don't even pretend anymore."
Fox News is going to ask every white actor if he would have been treated differently if he did what Will Smith did.\n\nThey don't even pretend anymore.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1510059037370425346\u00a0\u2026— R. S. S. (@R. S. S.) 1648884559
Mel could have just told him he has no comment on the matter. Having your pr person jump in is a bit odd— Desertmedik (@Desertmedik) 1648924634
Others said Watters' question was inappropriate.
I normally enjoy Watters' interviews but dragging up Gibson's past like that was something I'd expect from CNN. Watters went down the wrong path.— Rashid Haddad (@Rashid Haddad) 1649012209
Others agreed Watters' question was "uncool:"
"I'd say pretty uncool of [Jesse Watters] to do that to Mel Gibson."
"Mel was there to talk about his movie, not get put on the spot about the Oscars fiasco which he clearly wanted no part of."
"Jesse just lost a lot of future interviews with that move. No one will trust him."
I'd say pretty uncool of @JesseBWatters to do that to Mel Gibson. Mel was there to talk about his movie, not get put on the spot about the Oscars fiasco which he clearly wanted no part of. Jesse just lost a lot of future interviews with that move. No one will trust him.— Scotth340 (@Scotth340) 1648909866
wow \u2026 @JesseBWatters @jesseprimetime that bating question at the end of the interview was very uncool\u2026— randi rivers (@randi rivers) 1648951379
Some thought the topic was flagged and Gibson shook the question off having been told not to answer, hence why the handler jumped in.
One person Tweeted:
"I bet Mel’s people set limits on the questions Watters could ask and the Oscars were off limits."
"Watters went ahead anyway."
"That’s why Mel does the finger wag & his publicist jumps in."
I bet Mel\u2019s people set limits on the questions Watters could ask and the Oscars were off limits. Watters went ahead anyway. That\u2019s why Mel does the finger wag & his publicist jumps in.https://twitter.com/jesseprimetime/status/1510042179162591240?s=21&t=3z-SbrtKoawrgOXtuYgN_Q\u00a0\u2026— popnursing (@popnursing) 1648876534
Well played Mel Gibson for not having a public opinion on the #WillSmith fiasco. He knew it was coming and his team knew that the topic was a prior "End the Interview" point. #MelGibson #ChrisRock #Oscars2022 #FoxNewshttps://twitter.com/jesseprimetime/status/1510042179162591240\u00a0\u2026— Jason Dadarria (@Jason Dadarria) 1649089535
Viewers are left to question what happened during Saturday's interview.
Whatever happened, almost everyone can agree about one thing.
It was cringe.