I was hit by a girl once, she thought that I had called her some very rude names (not going to elaborate on what she thought I called her, but they were vicious rumours started by a group of jackholes). When she actually hit me, I'll be honest, I didn't feel a thing. I actually started to laugh, mainly because I was twice her size, and she should have known better than to hit me (literally no reason to retaliate because she sprained her wrist when she hit me).
Luckily she apologized after she found out it was a bunch of lies spread by total asses. I basically told her that she didn't need to apologize, because she's the one who got hurt, and we actually became friends (untill I moved away two years later, damn parents finding new jobs).
If it really is part of the show, then he should not have slapped her. However, that being said the T.V. goon squad should not have ganged up on him, if anything the most they should have done is restrain him.