The slap that never happened…
Unfrosted stands out as a very fascinating subject in the domains of cinema and comedy, where the lines between satire and truth are frequently blurred. During his directorial debut, Jerry Seinfeld, combines the seemingly simple origin story of Pop-Tarts with a layered storyline that expertly navigates themes of humor, cultural reflection, and the occasional insanity inherent in the entertainment industry. Within this framework, a very bold creative decision almost came to fruition—one that jokingly references the infamous 2022 Oscars slap incident with Chris Rock and Will Smith.
Unfrosted and Unfiltered
At the core of Unfrosted is what could have been a meta-commentary moment—a parody of the Oscars slap that garnered global attention, offered by Seinfeld himself. The idea seemed intriguing in its recklessness: invite Chris Rock to present the film’s imaginary Bowl and Spoon Awards, where he would mock the very moment that had launched him into unexpected spotlight that year. This suggestion, although ultimately unrealized, stirs the pot of interest and invites an in-depth exploration of its possible impact – and not in a good way.
“The other thing I wanted to do, that I almost did, was Chris Rock was gonna be the emcee of the Bowl and Spoon Awards. We shot that right after the Will Smith slap, and I was gonna have somebody come up on the stage and have Chris punch them out.”
– Jerry Seinfeld
In determining if this spoof would have worked as intended, Seinfeld turned to fellow comedy vets and former Saturday Night Live co-stars of Chris Rock. Their perspective is important not just in understanding the delicate balance that comedy frequently requires, but also in identifying the changing dynamics of humor in response to societal events. Seinfeld wanted their input on if they thought the joke would have landed as it was originally written.
“Chris wasn’t … he wasn’t up to perform. He was still a little shook from the event. “But that was what the scene was going to be. But Cedric saved the day.”
– Jerry Seinfeld
“Without the Will Smith thing, I think it’s funny. It’s just sort of, there’s still kind of a residual darkness around that moment.”
– Carvey
According to Seinfeld, Rock was not prepared to address the Oscars moment when Unfrosted was filmed, but he did so later in his Netflix comedy special, Selective Outrage, the platform’s first live event.
The Pivot: Cedric The Entertainer
Ultimately, the film went in a different direction, casting Cedric the Entertainer as the awards show host. While this change altered the story’s course, it did not take away from the film’s ambitious attempt to tell a story that is both reflective as it is entertaining. The Bowl and Spoon Awards, under disguise of a bogus sponsorship by Kellogg’s, became not just a sarcastic jab at corporate competitiveness, but also a nod to the strange shift of pop culture, corporate America, and cinematic storytelling.
The decision to mock a moment of such immediate intensity within Unfrosted’s comedic groundwork is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates the film’s devotion to delving into the foolishness of show business and within the industry. Where real-life events often collide with the entertainment to create an experience that is both surreal and personal. Second, it illustrates the power of comedy as a lens through which society can reflect on its quirks, confrontations, and the sometimes blurred lines between public trauma and entertainment. What do you think the outcome would’ve been if the scene was included?
