Hello? Is Anyone in Charge Here?
A question about industry leadership in eight parts
Precis
The Slap might be the most over-discussed pop culture moment in history. But as far as Hollywood goes, as it might have been brought on by some sort of psychic break in its perpetrator, it seems to have triggered a break in its community — as though the tear in Smith's psyche leaped from his brain and created a rift through the very seam of Hollywood.
The Slap has exposed how rudderless, and more important, how leaderless Hollywood is.
It was a shocking moment, but it should have been a fairly straightforward matter to respond to and address. Instead, we are in the midst of Week Two of finger-pointing, ass-covering and half-measures. And no one is capable of bringing any of it to any resolution.
i. Consequences? What consequences?
So let's take this a piece at a time. I'm not sure what the consequences should be, but I'm 100 percent positive what the consequences will be.
Nothing. Nada. Not a thing.
Oh to be sure, at some date somewhere down the road, The Academy may get around to some impressive-looking punitive action, finally, after careful study, get around to some half-measure, after he's already pre-empted them.
If it looks like his popularity has taken a lasting hit, projects might (or might not) be canceled; as you would with expensive projects that are no longer a sure thing.
CAA might even drop him eventually.
But to paraphrase, standards delayed are standards denied.
What happened could not be plainer or clearer. He walked on stage and assaulted the presenter. What's the confusion?