‘Red Table Talk’ Sidesteps Oscars Slap, Jada Pinkett Smith Promises to Discuss on Show ‘When the Time Calls’
variety.comElizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentJada Pinkett Smith’s talk show, “Red Table Talk,” returned on Wednesday, and though there was a brief message for viewers alluding to the topic on everyone’s mind, the series sidestepped the elephant in the room: Will Smith’s Oscars slap.The episode began with a silent black screen and an introductory message, signed from Pinkett Smith, who thanked viewers for joining.“Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing,” the message read. “Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls.” The message continued, “Until then…The table will continue offering itself to powerful, inspiring and healing testimonies like that of our incredible impressive first guest.” The first guest was Janelle Monáe.
Once her conversation began at the table, no further mention was made of the Oscars saga in the episode.There’s no word on whether Monáe’s conversation was filmed before or after the Oscars, but insiders told Variety that some of “Red Table Talk’s” season did film prior to the Academy Awards.Wednesday’s episode of “Red Table Talk” was originally planned to premiere in the morning at 9 a.m.
PT, but instead made a last minute shift to launch later in the day at 12 p.m. PT. Variety has reached out to a spokesperson for the show to inquire whether the time change was due to a possible last-minute insert of Pinkett Smith’s message, but did not immediately hear back.
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