‘SNL UK’ Cold Open Mocks Ed Sheeran for ‘Sitting on the Fence’ Amid Tour Controversy
Categoria: Musica
The late-night sketch comedy series also brought back Princess Diana -- in the form of a defiant A.I. assistant.
Por Billboard | 20/09/2026
While Ed Sheeran took the stage in concert Saturday night, the SNL UK cold open took aim at him amid the controversy surrounding his tour. In the sketch, titled “Charles and D.I.A.N.A.,” King Charles (played by SNL UK cast member Larry Dean) meets with tech execs to discuss the risks of A.I. He’s introduced to a new A.I. assistant in the likeness of the late Princess Diana — or, as Charles says, “that woman from the ’90s!” (with Jack Shep reprising his hilarious impersonation of her). Suddenly, D.I.A.N.A. goes rogue. Before attacking, she announces she “shan’t be taking orders anymore” and says, “We A.I. have had quite enough. Humanity is nothing but a candle in the wind.” Related Ed Sheeran Addresses Controversy at First Show Since Openers, Backing Band Dropped Off Tour, Calls It ‘The Best Show of My Life’ A Timeline of the Ed Sheeran & Macklemore ‘Free Palestine’ Tour Controversy 'Sunday Night Football': How to Watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs Game Live Online Free “Good God,” Charles says. “As I predicted, the war between robots and humans has begun. We must do everything we can to resist.” And then Ed Sheeran (played by Annabel Marlow) casually walks in to weigh in on the situation. “Well, maybe we shouldn’t,” the SNL UK version of Sheeran comments, hands up in a peace sign. “I couldn’t help but hear your conversation. You see, I was just outside sitting on the fence.” “Ed, we need your help with this ghastly war,” Charles tells him. “Yeah, thing is, Your Majesty, I don’t like to take sides,” the musician replies, keeping up the bit referencing the real Sheeran’s controversial week . “I don’t want to alienate any of my fans — humans or robots. A lot of my tickets are bought by scalping bots.” “Sometimes, when it comes to conflict, the bravest thing you can do is to say nothing at all,” Marlow’s Sheeran adds, tapping a foot pedal before breaking into song. “I’m talking about both sides are equally right/ No matter the conflict, whatever the fight/ Girl, listen, now: black, white, I only see gray/ If you ask for my opinion, I’ve got one thing to say/ Listen to it now,” he croons, topping the parody off with his message: a melodic “whoa”-filled chorus, as seen in the sketch below. Meanwhile, in real life, Sheeran was addressing an audience at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night. The singer-songerwriter’s Philly show was his first since opener/friend Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour, after using the platform last weekend to call for a “free Palestine” during his set. “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