The infamous Slapgate incident involving Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars will forever be a source of humor for generations on end. Despite time passing, the moment remains a cultural touchstone, ripe for jokes, memes, and references. Even his namesake, Slow Horses creator Will Smith, could not resist taking a swipe at the King Richard star, proving that the slap heard around the world will forever be a punchline. 

The incident's enduring infamy ensures Will Smith's name is synonymous with the slap that keeps on giving.

Creator and showrunner, Will Smith, took home the Emmy 2024 for Best Writing in a Drama Series for Slow Horses and kicked off his acceptance speech with a chuckle. "First of all, relax, I come in peace," he quipped, sending the audience into a laugh fest. It was clear that this Will Smith was bringing humor, not drama, by referencing the infamous 2022 Oscar Slapgate, where an angry Will Smith stormed the stage and smacked Chris Rock down. 

Will Smith later apologized in his Best Actor acceptance speech. However, it was already too late to contain the drama, which had turned into a full-fledged controversy by then. Nonetheless, by poking fun at his shared name, writer Will Smith playfully distanced himself from the controversy, reminding audiences that not all Will Smiths come with a side of slapstick drama.

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As the jibe came from Will Smith at the King Richard actor, the Emmy audience was nowhere near a pause. 

Will Smith's clever jab at his namesake's Oscar incident sent the audience into hysterics, with attendees struggling to contain their laughter. Meanwhile, fans online seized the moment, unleashing a tidal wave of memes and puns on X. The hashtag #WillSmith has taken over the trends with witty fan reactions and humorous comparisons between the two Will Smiths flooding timelines. 

A user even confessed how the announcement had them in the first half, just by the name, Will Smith. 

Following Selena Gomez’s reference to Taylor Swift’s cat, this moment came as the second viral sensation at the 2024 Emmys. The espionage drama is finally living up to its ironic name, with unprecedented success. The show has secured nine Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series, after four seasons. Following Will Smith's Emmy win, Slow Horses seems to have propelled the series to new heights, particularly in season three.

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What do you think of Will Smith's playful jab at his troublesome namesake? Let us know in the comments below.