Violent outburst upstages Oscar's return from Covid-19 pandemic

The Academy Awards telecast was packed with much of what got left out of last year’s pandemic-hindered show, offering a trio of women hosts, a return to lavish musical productions and a big dose of comedy, much of it edgier than usual for the Oscars.

It was a bit of that testy humour, delivered by comedian Chris Rock and found offensive by actor Will Smith, that led to Sunday night’s biggest moment — a nominated actor slapping a presenter in the face in anger on live national television.

The unprecedented physical altercation upstaged the final half hour of the show and will