Kerry Washington couldn’t help but acknowledge the elephant in the room as she hosted the most recent episode of Saturday Night Live.

The 36-year-old’s appearance on the long running sketch comedy show highlights a current lack in the series cast — a black female comedienne.

And SNL’s writers were certain to open Saturday night’s episode with a skit self-consciously satirising that very absence – as it had Kerry racing to change costumes in order to portray both Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey in one long set piece.

The show opener had Washington playing the First Lady as Jay Pharaoh impersonated Barack Obama. But soon a secret service agent announces that Oprah is on her way to see the President, and has to remind Kerry to change costumes as she is expected to play ‘many different black women’ as the current cast is lacking in diversity.

The Django Unchained star plays up the fuss to great comedic effect.

But she later feigns frustration when after appearing as Oprah she is then called to pretend she is Beyonce – underscoring the absence of a black female cast member. And the discussion of race only continued.

During Kerry’s opening monologue she and a few of the current SNL staples poked fun at her hit ABC series Scandal. Of her show, she deadpanned: “I’m so proud to be on a show that has the courage to cast a white man as president in 2013.”

— Daily Mail

Michael Jackson’s disgraced doctor sues to get licence reinstated

He has been out of jail just a few days but already Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, is determined to get his medical licence back. The 60-year-old was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after the King of Pop died under his care, but the former doctor is now suing the state of Texas.

Eager to retrieve his right to practise, the cardiologist filed suit last week.

In a statement, his attorney said his former patients are eager for him to work again.

Murray was released from a California jail on Monday after serving less than two years for involuntary manslaughter, and has accused the Texas Medical Board of prematurely revoking his licence. In court papers filed in Texas, Murray expresses concern that the revocation of his Texas licence could give California reason to take the same action. “The Texas Medical Board, in taking my licence, puts me in imminent harm of irreparable injury,” Murray said in court papers.

Brian Panish, an attorney for the Jackson family, has said Murray should not have “a chance to hurt anyone else” by practising medicine.

— Daily Mail

Melissa McCarthy defends controversial Elle cover

As Elle’s latest cover girl she unwittingly stepped into the centre of a storm with critics claiming the magazine had attempted to cover up her plus-size frame.

But last Friday actress Melissa McCarthy made light of the allegations of size-ism deploying the sense of humour that has made her one of Hollywood’s most popular comedic actresses. The 43-year-old was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where the veteran host raised the subject of her controversial Elle cover. The Bridesmaids star looked fabulous in an sophisticated ensemble consisting of cherry red trousers and a red and white structured top which she teamed with a pair of nude patent heels.

Leno complimented the actress’s appearance on the November issue of Elle magazine saying, “I thought this was a very sexy cover… I loved the hair”.

Melissa jokingly replied, “Well you know I wanted it to kind of look like the walk of shame!” Tonight Show host Leno commented, “Well to guys that’s the ‘just got out of bed look which is very sexy’ to which Melissa replied, “That’s what I was trying to go for!”

The Heat star went on to express her surprise about the “big to do” about her Elle cover saying it “kinda made me laugh” poking fun at the controversy that the magazine did her a disservice saying, “How dare someone put me in a three thousand dollar coat?! That’s terrible!”

— Daily Mail