They’re trying to get ahead of any drama.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will have a “crisis team” on standby at the 2023 Oscars, a year after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in a shocking moment that overshadowed Hollywood’s biggest night.

Bill Kramer, who took over as CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in July 2022, has revealed that the designated team will ready to spring into action at the March 12 ceremony if things go awry.

“We have a whole crisis team, something we’ve never had before, and many plans in place,” Kramer told Time. “We’ve run many scenarios. So it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we’re planning for just in case it does happen.”

Kramer also told the outlet that telecast host Jimmy Kimmel is a crucial component.

“Absolutely. And that’s why you want someone like Jimmy on stage who is used to dealing with live TV: Things don’t always go as planned,” he said. “So you have a host in place who can really pivot and manage those moments.”


  Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022. AFP via Getty Images Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022. AFP via Getty Images

A year ago, “Men In Black” star Smith, 54, walked onstage and slapped the 58-year-old “Everybody Hates Chris” alum after he made a jokeabout Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, 51, and her bald head.

Rock reportedly did not know that Pinkett Smith suffers fromalopecia, a disease that causes hair loss.

No action was taken against Smith until days after the viral incident. Instead, he delivered atearful acceptance speech for his first-ever Oscar win and sang along to his own songs at an afterparty.

But the move ultimately resulted in Smith being suspended from the Academy for 10 years.

The “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” rapper publicly apologized to Rock in July and claimed the “Grown Ups” funnyman was “not ready” to talk with him one-on-one.


  This year’s Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air on March 12 on ABC. Getty Images This year’s Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air on March 12 on ABC. Getty Images

Rock, meanwhile, has reportedly turned down opportunities — including a Super Bowl commercial alongside Smith and a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey — to publicly address the slap, instead reflecting on it at his comedy shows.

He was also reportedly asked to host this year’s Golden Globes and Oscars — but declined.

At the organization’s luncheon hosted for this year’s Oscar nominees, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Janet Yang spoke about last year’s disastrous disruption.

“I’m sure you all remember we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars,” she said, according to Variety.


  Will Smith referenced the slap and his Oscar win on TikTok. TikTok/Will Smith Will Smith referenced the slap and his Oscar win on TikTok. TikTok/Will Smith

“What happened onstage was fully unacceptable, and the response from our organization was inadequate,” Yang declared.

“We learned from this that the academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions — and particularly in times of crisis you must act swiftly, compassionately and decisively for ourselves and for our industry. You should and can expect no less from us going forward.”

Two-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel will once again front this year’s awards show live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 12 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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