The ongoing controversy involving Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and Robert Kraft took a satirical turn over the weekend when “Saturday Night Live UK” delivered brutal jabs at all three.
On the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, presenters Ania Magliano and Paddy Young mocked Kraft as a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” while calling Macklemore a “good guy with bad music.”
Meanwhile, Sheeran returned to the stage on Saturday in Philadelphia, but photos circulating on social media appeared to show rows of empty seats.
‘SNL UK’ Takes Aim At Ed Sheeran’s Tour Controversy
“Saturday Night Live UK” pulled no punches in a Sept. 20 segment about the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, targeting Robert Kraft with sharp-witted jokes that quickly circulated on social media.
The controversy began after rapper Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during his opening set on Sheeran’s tour a couple of weeks ago.
He was subsequently dropped from the tour after several venue owners reportedly refused to let him perform at their stadiums. In a later statement, Macklemore said Sheeran had told him that Kraft rallied the other owners against his continued involvement.
During the show’s news recap, host Ania Magliano opened by joking that the Israel-Palestine conflict “just got serious” because of the controversy involving the artists.
Robert Kraft Gets The ‘Wealthy Corpsemaxxer’ Treatment
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Magliano went on to explain how the “Shape Of You” singer was under pressure to cancel his tour, joking that the controversy was the worst thing to happen to his fans “since their head injury.”
Calling Macklemore the “good guy with bad music,” she recounted his removal from the tour at Kraft’s request as the billionaire’s picture appeared onscreen. She joked that it showed him “picking a coffin.”
Co-host Paddy Young took over, calling the 85-year-old a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” with a “checkered past.” Kraft was charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution in February 2019. Prosecutors dropped the charges in September 2020.
Young also took aim at Sheeran, showing a photo of the singer and joking about his eyes as he described him as “looking at both sides of the issue.”
He then noted the “Perfect” singer’s longstanding support for Ukraine, quipping that Sheeran was a passionate advocate of “causes that are allowed.”
Ed Sheeran Apologizes For ‘Mistakes’ Amid Tour Fallout
Meanwhile, Sheeran continued to face intense criticism after Macklemore was dropped from the tour.
He returned to the stage on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Philadelphia, where he addressed the situation and apologized to fans for making “mistakes,” per the BBC.
“I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran told the crowd.
The British singer noted that he was used to criticism. However, he said the events of recent weeks “were about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions – and I am making mistakes – and I’m so, so sorry.”
Sheeran Calls Gaza Conflict ‘Unjustifiable’
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The “Perfect Duet” singer also clarified his position, describing the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks as “horrific” and the conflict in Gaza as “unjustifiable.”
“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children’s lives, and this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he continued.
Sheeran said he was still exploring ways to help victims of the conflict while acknowledging gaps in his understanding of the situation.
Visibly moved to tears, he added that his concert was “still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views.”
Protesters Gather Outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia Show
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Although the show went ahead as scheduled, the controversy remained a focal point outside the venue.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to criticize Macklemore’s removal and urge Sheeran to take a stronger stand on the Israel-Gaza conflict, per the BBC.
Protest messages appeared on placards and merchandise, including a red baseball cap modeled after President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hat. Its message read, “Make Palestine Free Again.”
Tickets also remained available in the hours before the show began.
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