The daily gossip: Liam Neeson references racism controversy in Atlanta cameo, Frank Langella says he's 'been canceled' after Netflix firing, and more

1. Liam Neeson references his racism controversy in 'Atlanta' cameo

Remember that time Liam Neeson casually admitted he once wanted to commit a racist murder? Allow him to remind you. On the latest episode of Atlanta, Neeson plays a fictional version of himself and has a conversation with Brian Tyree Henry's character about "my transgression" — as in, that time the real Neeson in 2019 revealed that when a friend of his was raped by a Black man, he roamed the streets with a weapon hoping to get into a fight with a random Black person so he could kill them. In the episode, the fictional Neeson apologizes, but the scene takes a turn when Henry's character forgives him and says it's good to hear he doesn't hate Black people. "No, no, no, no, I can't stand the lot of you," Neeson says. "Well, now I feel that way because you tried to ruin my career." Clearly, poking fun at himself is included in Neeson's very particular set of skills.

The Daily Beast

2. Frank Langella says he's 'been canceled' after Netflix firing

Frank Langella has penned an essay on being fired by Netflix, and it takes no more than three words before cancel culture comes up. "I have been canceled," he opens a piece for Deadline. "Just like that." The Oscar-nominated actor was fired from Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher after allegedly being accused of misconduct on set. In the essay, he admits he ignored instructions from the ​​intimacy coordinator and touch a female co-star's leg during a love scene in a way they hadn't agreed upon. "Legislating the placement of hands, to my mind, is ludicrous," he claims. Langella says he was advised to show contrition and apologize in the wake of his firing, advice he also ignored by promptly complaining about cancel culture instead. "Cancel culture is the antithesis of democracy," he writes. If the actor hasn't already been contacted to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience, the invitation is surely coming.

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Deadline

3. Kim Kardashian changed from Marilyn Monroe dress into a 2nd Marilyn Monroe dress

Kim Kardashian is apparently going around assembling every dress that Marilyn Monroe ever wore like they're Infinity Stones and she's Thanos. The reality star made headlines when she went to the Met Gala this week in the actual dress Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to JFK in 1962. But on Friday, Kardashian said she changed out of that dress into ... another Marilyn Monroe dress, this time the one she wore to the Golden Globes in 1962. In her "quest" to find the "Happy Birthday" dress, Kardashian said she came across this other one — and, get this, she also got her hands on the Golden Globe award that Monroe received that night. Kardashian received a lock of Monroe's hair, too, so it's looking suspiciously like some sort of demonic ritual to bring her back to life is about to happen.

Page Six Variety

4. Kevin Hart says Chappelle attacker getting his 'a-- whipped' sent an important message

What happened with Dave Chappelle this week was "one of those things that needed to happen," comedian Kevin Hart says. Wait, let him explain. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian spoke about Chappelle getting attacked on stage while performing stand-up this week, declaring this is something that "needed" to happen — specifically, the attacker ending up in the hospital. "Somebody getting their a-- whipped sends a message to other people that were like, 'You know, I was thinking about doing that, but after seeing that, I don't really want to do that," Hart said. Chappelle, meanwhile, spoke about the incident again on Thursday night, revealing he has spoken with the alleged attacker and learned his motive was apparently to "draw attention to" gentrification. "At least you got smacked by someone of repute," Chapelle also joked to Chris Rock. "I got smacked by a homeless guy with leaves in his hair." Rock's response? "I got smacked by the softest [N-word] that ever rapped."

The Hollywood Reporter Variety

5. Selena Gomez to make her debut as 'SNL' host

Selena Gomez has her plans for next Saturday night set. The pop star and actress will make her debut as Saturday Night Live host on the May 14 episode, which will feature Post Malone as the musical guest. This will also be Post Malone's first time on the show. "Mom … I think I've made it," Gomez wrote on Instagram. "So grateful and so excited." She'll be following Benedict Cumberbatch, host of tomorrow night's episode. The SNL appearance will come ahead of the second season of her Hulu comedy Only Murders in the Building, which teams her up with Steve Martin and Martin Short. Perhaps she can get some hosting advice from the former Martin, a member of the five-timers club? Last month, Gomez revealed she has been disconnected from the Internet for four years, so there's a decent chance at least one joke of the Extremely Online variety goes slightly over her head.

Deadline Entertainment Weekly