Saturday Night Live UK took aim at Ed Sheeran and Macklemore’s Loop Tour controversy during the Saturday, September 19, live broadcast.
The British variety series began with a royal family-themed cold open, in which the late Princess Diana was reimagined as an artificial intelligence (AI) robot to assist her ex-husband, King Charles III, that soon escalated into an all-out war with technology.
“Good God. As I predicted, the war between robots and humans has begun,” Larry Dean, playing the 77-year-old king, said. “We must do everything we can to resist.”
An actor dressed as Sheeran, 35, subsequently replied, “Or maybe we shouldn’t.”
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. You see, I was just outside sitting on the fence,” faux-Sheeran quipped, rebuffing the king’s attempts to thwart an AI-induced war. “Your majesty, I don’t like to take sides. I don’t want to alienate any of my fans, humans or robots. A lot of my tickets are bought by scalping bots.”
The actor continued, “You know, sometimes when it comes to conflicts, the bravest thing you can do is to say nothing at all.”
Sheeran raised eyebrows after his Loop Tour opener Macklemore, 43, was kicked off the tour for chanting “Free Palestine” during two New Jersey concerts earlier this month. After alleged pressure from stadium owners hosting future concerts, the “Thrift Shop” rapper was dropped before his remaining scheduled eight gigs.
Sheeran, for his part, subsequently issued a statement denying that he was personally responsible for Macklemore’s departure. He also claimed that he was working to “build bridges.”
Sheeran’s comments further divided social media users and fans, with Macklemore’s fellow opening acts leaving the tour in solidarity with the rapper and the Palestinian people. The four-time Grammy winner returned to the Loop Tour solo on Saturday, September 19, at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where he apologized for making “mistakes.”
“I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised,” Sheeran began the concert, according to footage shared to his official social media pages. “I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal.”
He added, “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry. … This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet.”
Sheeran further stressed that he doesn’t want to “disappoint” any fans and vowed to continue making music.
“[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me,” he said. “Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am. That is why I’m here tonight — on my own — continuing my own tour.”
Saturday Night Live UK airs on Sky One live Saturdays at 10 p.m. BST.
