Oscars Producer Will Packer Says Chris Rock Saved the Show After Will Smith Slap

Was Chris Rock an Oscars hero? That’s what Will Packer, the show’s producer, is saying. Packer paid tribute to the comedian for his calm reaction after being slapped by Best Actor nominee Will Smith. “Did he save the show? I think he did,” Packer told Good Morning America’s TJ Holmes. Packer said he was as stunned as anyone by the incident, but that he talked Academy honchos out of ejecting Smith from the ceremony.