Jay Leno has given his take on Will Smith's violent outburst at last month's Academy Awards Ceremony.
The former Tonight Show host was one of the audience members who looked on in horror as Smith stormed on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith's slap was broadcast around the world and instantly became the most talked-about moment of the Oscar ceremony.
But according to Leno, it wasn't even the most shocking part of Smith and Rock's altercation.
The veteran TV host explained in an interview recently that what Smith shouted at Rock when he had returned to his seat - "keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth!" - had been far more "disturbing" for the audience members.
"To me, the thing that's most disturbing wasn't the slap, because he was kind of smirking after he slapped [Rock],"Leno told the Palm Beach Daily News ahead of a gig in West Palm Beach.
"It was the yelling of the obscenities. Then you go, 'Whoa. What's going on here? This is real anger,'" he explained.
Speaking of the probe into the incident, Leno added: "What are you investigating? It had to be the most recorded assault in history. I saw the back of his shoe, I saw Chris' ear. There were so many cameras on this incident. What are you investigating? I know sometimes things are just what they appear to be."
Since the now-infamous slap, Smith has apologized to Rock in a lengthy Instagram post, where he wrote: "I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."
He continued: "I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world."
Event officials said they planned to investigate the incident - a step which Leno went on to say was "unnecessary".
"What are you investigating? It had to be the most recorded assault in history. I saw the back of his shoe, I saw Chris's ear. There were so many cameras on this incident. What are you investigating? I know sometimes things are just what they appear to be," he said.
After convening, the Academy's Board of Governors issued an open letter in which they announced that Smith would be banned from Oscar's ceremonies for 10 years.
"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," read the letter per NBC News.
