Asked if Obama had really earned the peace prize, Smith's wife, actress Jada Pickett Smith who will co-host the concert with her husband, insisted: “All I can say is that our President has opened his arms to the world and he has been a huge symbol of change himself. So, I have to say that I was quite honored when he was bestowed the Nobel Peace Prize.” Will Smith chimed in with how “they've been giving out that award for a hundred and some years, so they get kind of good at picking” the honoree.
Audio: MP3 clip (30 seconds)
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CNN.com will stream the concert live at 2 PM EST on Friday. It will air early next year in the U.S. -- on A&E, I think.
From June of 2008: “Will Smith on Obama: 'First Time' in Years it's Good to Be an American.”
From the Thursday, December 10 Situation Room:
DAN LOTHIAN: Will and his wife Jada. They're the Hollywood power couple, longtime supporters of President Barack Obama. They're here to take part in the concert tomorrow night, the Nobel concert. You know, they have been, they're really excited about being here and I really asked them a number of questions about various different issues, but in particular, why was it so important for them to leave sunny Southern California to come here to frigid Oslo to take part in this special event.
WILL SMITH: It's a fantastic historical event, you know. Barack Obama as a person is a fantastic individual, but Barack Obama as an idea marks an evolutionary flash point for humanity, you know. So it's something that we absolutely, positively had to be a part of.
LOTHIAN: There's been a lot of criticism about the President get thing award when he essentially is still writing that script.
WILL SMITH: Absolutely.LOTHIAN: Is it a valid criticism, do you think? That he doesn't deserve this right now?
JADA PINKETT SMITH: Well, all I can say is that our President has opened his arms to the world and he has been a huge symbol of change himself. So, I have to say that I was quite honored when he was bestowed the Nobel Peace Prize.
WILL SMITH: They've been giving out that award for a hundred and some years, so they get kind of good at picking-
LOTHIAN: I know the President talked about it. If a movie is going to be made, he wants you to play Barack Obama.
WILL SMITH: Now that I can do that. Yeah. You know, that's what is, the ears...
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments Policy
"Flash Point" must mean
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:22 ET by Ryan Mc."Flash Point" must mean "nothing intelligent to say"
Re flash point
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:03 ET by slickwillie2001You mean like 'flash in the pan'? Isn't that a gold-panning term that comes from prospectors being fooled by Fool's Gold?
Yet again, a lib stumbles on the truth and doesn't realize it
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:22 ET by SickofLibsBrobama is in fact, just an "idea."
Not that I'd take anything a scientologist had to say seriously anyway.
As far as ideas go, there are GOOD ideas . . . and BAD ideas
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:25 ET by Galvanic“. . . but Barack Obama as an idea marks an evolutionary flash point for humanity,” gushed actor Will Smith.
Evolutionary flash point? What on Earth is this fool talking about?
What did he say?
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:46 ET by exLibDid Wil Smith say anything?
Yeah, when I talk to others about my wife or my kids.
Now as an idea, my son is awesome. Does that even mean anything? I think not.
Over 25 years ago I was leaving Chicago for College just as Chicago was electing it's first black mayor, and I think the first black mayor ever, but I could be wrong.
The guy was horrible and only got elected because Chicago was majority black at the time.
The guy was horrible and everyone knew it. Now the City has a white mayor although still a corrupt Dem.
Boston elected it's first black Gov, in an obvious move of defiance after realizing they had elected a white Mormon as Governor, who would leave his post after 4 years, and campaign as a conservative Republican. The city of boston acted as if they had been cheated on and lied to even though he never even tried to enact any conservative social programs. Gov Patrick is not going to get re-elected as he has proven his incompetence even to the left-wing loones that inhabit that state.
Image over substance
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:30 ET by GalvanicWhat the Nobel committee and Obama-worshippers like Smith are really saying is that they like the image that Obama carries -- a black American President who's promised to engage with the world, which is more than eager to persuade the inexperienced President to use American power and wealth to advance their noble causes.
The fact that Obama had neither domestic nor international credentials or accomplishments to warrant such hope is beside the point. Like American pop culture, it's all about image -- not substance.
But as a poll released yesterday suggests, the American people may be swayed by image, but they also demand performance. It took just under 11 months to matriculate, but 44% of those polled now prefer Bush -- who was very unpopular when he left office -- over Obama. Obama-lovers will no doubt attribute it to racism.
Obama's dilemma is that he not only lacked experience in executive roles, he is a very slow learner, and the public is getting impatient. I suspect that Nobel Peace Prize notwithstanding, the world will soon grow disenchanted with our President as well, as their expectations of him -- not unlike America's -- fall far short of being met.
Man these celebrities are
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:30 ET by ChristianRebelMan these celebrities are just begging me to stop supporting them and Hollywood!
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." -Ephesians 6:12
Oh, they have already
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:51 ET by general companyConvinced me,
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
What did he say?
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 06:25 ET by ohiochiliI learned to think for myself at about age 15. The guy pretends to be somebody else for a living.
To me, the image I got when I read 'flash point' is like the tiny gunpowder explosion one of my teachers did in science class..it made a brief light, some noise and smoke, then was gone. It did leave behind a smell, though.
Code for "he's a brother,
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:39 ET by buddycCode for "he's a brother, he can do no wrong. hell if we let a bro skate after 45 min deliberation after he hacked off his wife's head, we are certainly not goint to back out on a bro that is destroying the country."
Will Smith and his wife are racists, as are the 97% of the blacks in this country who voted based on skin color.
This is something I will never forget nor forgive.
racist alert, racist alert,
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:12 ET by criticalthinkingracist alert, racist alert, racist alert
Thank the heavenly father for Obama
Just another...
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:40 ET by richard...a**hole actor trying to sound educated. Neither you, or your wife have any credentials at all, to offer an opinion which means anything, except to yourselves. Just because you can memorize dialogue for some worthless movie, doesn't make you a brainthrust, anymore than being able to color between the lines make you an artist. Except for a lucky break, you'd probably still be trying to make it as a rapper. Take a step back, Will-I-Am.
National Barack Association
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:09 ET by azwildcatsActually it is Will Smith(Though both love our supreme leader)
For those who say blacks are racist there is proof. Remember the NBA last year during the last election? Most of the stars were out there(like LeBron) campaigning for him. Hmmm, I don't remember any of those stars campaigning for Kerry 4 years earlier, do I?
Other flashpoints in humanity: Xenu, the dopey alien
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:49 ET by SickofLibsarrives on Earth 75 million years ago - in a DC-8.
Look it up - it's true, people.
Can I leave you a brochure?
L. Ron Obama
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:18 ET by BeukeboomL. Ron Obama
She was right when she
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:14 ET by goldboughShe was right when she mentioned that Obama is change. Change for the worse. And just because the committee has been at this for 100 years doesn't mean they still know what they're doing. The USA is different than a few hundred years ago, but still the same country.
Hoax and change
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:18 ET by BeukeboomHoax and change
Say what?!?
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:16 ET by Beukeboom“Barack Obama as a person is a fantastic individual, but Barack Obama as an idea marks an evolutionary flash point for humanity,”
Barack Obama as a person is not a fantastic individual but a product of corrupt Chicago politics, cronyism, shady socialistic agendas, and typical liberal extremism frequently crossing into outright socialism. Barack Obama as an idea isn't a flash point but as is turning out is actually merely a fizzle which marks the beginning of a Presidency which will end up most likely being worse that Carter.
Will Smith is off the mark on this one.
I think hambone actor Smith meant
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:22 ET by Dr.DoctrineI think hambone actor Smith meant "as a DE-EVOLUTIONARY flashpoint"...but it is not new for Will to be half right.
Trust me, I'm a Doctor.
Great! Another Dipsh&t Actor
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:35 ET by yobobbybwho's movies I will take a pass on.
WILL SMITH: They've been giving out that award for a hundred and some years, so they get kind of good at picking-
Really Will? I went to McDonalds today and got a Nobel Peace Prize when I supersized.
"Barack Obama as a person
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 20:55 ET by Vivaldi5"Barack Obama as a person is a fantastic individual, but Barack Obama as an idea marks an evolutionary flash point for humanity...."
Silly Will, did you have your cousin Carlton Banks ghostwrite this line for you?
shut up and act! we don't
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:24 ET by right of wayshut up and act! we don't care what you think.
Flash bow
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:37 ET by clarkloonDid BHO bow to the Mayor of Oslo today?
No, I think it was the
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:00 ET by Radical1979No, I think it was the bathroom attendent he bowed to.
clarkloon--
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:27 ET by matthewdeanBest laugh I had today when I saw your question---
and then I read radicals post right behind yours.
Both funny and appreciated.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
"...our President has
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:40 ET by ProudAmerican58"...our President has opened his arms to the world..."
Unlike our other Presidents who kept their arms closed??? I don't see that the rest of the world likes us any more or or hates us any less since this new administration.
What are they talking about????
The world loves us so much
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:55 ET by Radical1979The world loves us so much because of Obama that we lost the 2016 Chicago Olympics in the first round. They love us so much the leaders of Iran have continued their progress toward nuclear armament.
As for Smith: From June of 2008: “Will Smith on Obama: 'First Time' in Years it's Good to Be an American.”
I'd say Will's had quite a few years when it's been good to be an American. This country has provided him the opportunity to work hard and make a lot of money. Good for him, but don't be biting the hand that feeds you, because I can live without seeing another Will Smith movie.
Will Smith
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:32 ET by doug1950does not have one dollar of my money in his pocket and now he sure as hell ain't ever gonna see any of it. In fact damn few actors have any of my money in their pockets.
kinda of good
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:01 ET by caveman1313kind of good at picking the winners?
i wonder if Mr. Smith could name 2 other winners besides MLKJ and The Goreacle.
Cult members
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:18 ET by david999They are both cult members - scientology
They are not of the right mind to be making judgments about anyone.
Flash Point
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:22 ET by chuckkAccording to Wikipedia..
The flash point of a volatile liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air.
Hmmm..
Hancock marked an
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:31 ET by Mitchell BlattHancock marked an evolutionary flashpoint for the degradation of Hollywood entertainment.
I May Get Pounded For This.......
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 22:54 ET by DaMama........but Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith would not be extolling these virtues on any other President if he/she wasn't black. Race IS the issue here. This couple is proof positive that Obama was elected because of the color of his skin, not in his accomplishments or experience.
gulp gulp GULP!
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:21 ET by leeanthonyvahollywood money buys a lot of kool aid!
WILL SMITH: They've been
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:26 ET by stratmanHmm, you mean like when the committee picked terrorist Arafat, the fraudulent Rigoberta Menchú Tum, scam artist Al Gore, Communist Lu Duc Tho, or the Jew-hating Jimmy Carter. Or is it that Gandhi never received the prize? Yeah, those Nobel peeps sure got jiggy wid dat.
Smith has been campaigning for this role since at least the Primaries. In this interview, Smith articulates the remarkably sapient elocutionary similarities between himself and Obama when each is talking off script/prompter.
Side note: Add a few pounds, a pair of heel lifts, an orthodontic to create an underbite, and some junk in the trunk and Smith's wife could credibly portray Michelle. She already has the scowling angry bit down pat.
stratman---
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:36 ET by matthewdeanUh, yer last para---
add, a wig---
and Will could play that role too, fo' shizzle !!
I have no idea what that means.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
I don't think it would be
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 00:56 ET by stratmanI don't think it would be the first time for Smith. Didn't he dress up in woman's clothing on his The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air show?
I would have preferred Sanford and Son's Aunt Esther but she died in 2002.
LaWanda Page was a wonderful character actress (I mean that wholeheartedly) and she was from Cleveland (my town).
stratman---
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 00:59 ET by matthewdean"Cleveland Rocks".
Courtesy of Drew Carey, et al.
MD
It used to rock a lot
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 01:34 ET by stratmanIt used to rock a lot more. Then again, I was a lot younger then.
I heard Carey still has his family home on the Westside.
BTW, it is good to be a Cleveland Browns fan tonite:
actors
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 23:48 ET by leeanthonyvai like actors. actors are funny!
OK, here's the situation
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 14:14 ET by Peter-in-NYCOK, here's the situation
My parents went away on a week's vacation...
The Fresh Prince was such a great comedy rapper, now he's grown up and trying to use big boy words! Fantastic. Just Fantastic.
This is how tyrants are made.
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 02:07 ET by JWFThese 2 are so enamored of the very idea of this man that can change humanity itself. They can never see the flaws of the very real man at the core of the idea.
As a result, they will follow him off a cliff. Is it something in the air in Hollywood? Or does Hollywood just attact airheads like this that were never grounded in reality in the first place?
Great...
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 07:09 ET by Army BratAnother batch of movies ruined for me. Every time I see his face now, I'll think of what he said and what that says about him.
Same with Danny Glover, Matt Damon...whoa. That would be one long list. This question is old and I think unanswered...what is it about Hollywood that it creates so much anti-American sentiment? What causes guys like Glover to embrace Chavez and his politics? Is it herding? What causes this aberration in group think?
To be so lost, so thoroughly indoctrinated and misinformed. These are the types that cling to Global Warming despite the clear evidence that the planet is and has been cooling, never mind Climategate.
These are the types that marry a whore and defend her regardless of the evidence that she is in fact a whore. The decision was made to marry her and lest he appear an idiot, by his own twisted logic, he must stand by the whore or appear a fool. To do this properly he's gotta believe his lie wholeheartedly. Being surrounded by an insane support group tends to deny realitys intrusion.
Is the answer out there? I mean...not all Californians are crazy.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Prior is still ok.
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 07:53 ET by JWFAnything made prior to the moment you learned Actor X was a hyper partisan liberal that thinks Republican/conservative/normal people eat puppies and poop purina.
You can rationalise it away. Well, they weren't like that when they made this movie. Something musta snapped since.
Careful, it is best not to pay much attention to Hollywood. The place is chock full of wackos nowadays. You will find yourself driving past movie theatres going hey, I used to go there back in the day.
Me. I turned the clock back. John Wayne is now my favorite actor. And they show his movies on the non-HBO/Showtime/Cinemax channels. Cheaper.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Mmmm. I wonder.
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:12 ET by tomchrisHow many of Obama-drooling multi-millionares like Smith are willing to have a large chunk of their money- as the left says- "redistributed?" Now that's a "flash point" for Will's accountant.
Yes, and a while ago when
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:21 ET by SemusYes, and a while ago when Smith was asked if he was afraid after the 9/11 attacks his response was " No " because, - he said - " I'm black ", so I guess it follows that the attacks were nothing compared to what he's had to deal with. I'm sure the interviewer nodded in agreement at this profound statement by a Hollywood Star. I know I hang on this sages every word.
When is someone going to have the courage to tell these Hollywood know nothings they're shallow, spoiled brats with no original thoughts?
Not all of them just too many of them.
You know, personal jet
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 09:26 ET by Tom PaineYou know, personal jet packs as an IDEA are great too. However, like proposals being spewed by our President, they are not practical, affordable or attainable.
Historical President
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:10 ET by mattmObama has evoked more ridiculous comments than any other president in history....even more than president underpants.
What a vacuous
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:15 ET by RogerCfromSDWhat a vacuous couple.
They simply cannot let go of this mythical image of Obama. Despite the fact the man has shown himself to be an anti-American racist with business being the Leader of the Free World.
A nation cannot be free without a free, unbiased media. We are not free.
good movies
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 15:50 ET by egutopia44will smith i still like your movies. however as for politics you are a dud!
Smith
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 11:14 ET by jessieHSmith is going to destroy his career with this crap.
I think
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 12:04 ET by doug1950he just did.