Comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg targeted musician Ed Sheeran in her opening monologue as host of SNL UK, calling him a 'red-headed puppet with a hand up his ass,' according to multiple outlets.
The joke was described as part of a broader monologue that outlets characterized as scathing or savage, with GB News reporting that it sparked backlash.
The New York Post connected the roast to recent drama involving rapper Macklemore, who was dropped as an opener from Sheeran's Loop Tour, though this context was not confirmed by other outlets.
Coverage of the monologue appeared across left-leaning, center, and right-leaning outlets, with most focusing on the specific insult and Dimoldenberg's delivery.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Independent and HuffPost both quoted Dimoldenberg's 'red-headed puppet' line directly.
- Left-leaning outlets characterized the monologue as 'scathing.'
“Comedian Rips Into Ed Sheeran: 'Red-Headed Puppet With A Hand Up His Ass'” — HuffPost
Center
- Billboard reported the event neutrally, describing Sheeran as being 'roasted' by Dimoldenberg.
“'SNL UK': Ed Sheeran Roasted by Amelia Dimoldenberg” — Billboard
Right
- GB News reported the monologue as 'savage' and noted it sparked backlash.
- The New York Post linked the roast to Macklemore being dropped from Sheeran's Loop Tour as an opener.
“Comedian roasts 'red-headed puppet' Ed Sheeran on 'SNL UK' after Macklemore drama” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What happened during SNL UK's monologue?
Host Amelia Dimoldenberg opened SNL UK with a monologue that included calling musician Ed Sheeran a 'red-headed puppet with a hand up his ass,' according to multiple outlets.
Why did the joke reference Macklemore?
According to the New York Post, the roast came after rapper Macklemore was dropped as an opener from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, though other outlets did not confirm this connection.
Did the monologue cause any backlash?
GB News reported that the monologue sparked backlash, though details on the nature or scale of that reaction were not specified by other sources.
How did different outlets describe the monologue?
Outlets across the political spectrum described the monologue as 'scathing' or 'savage,' with most focusing on the specific insult directed at Ed Sheeran.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- HuffPostLeft-leaningComedian Rips Into Ed Sheeran: 'Red-Headed Puppet With A Hand Up His Ass'
- The IndependentLeft-leaningEd Sheeran branded a ‘red-headed puppet’ by Amelia Dimoldenberg in scathing SNL UK opening monologue
- BillboardCenterEd Sheeran Roasted by ‘Chicken Shop Date’ Host Amelia Dimoldenberg on ‘SNL UK’: Watch
- GB NewsRight-leaningEd Sheeran branded 'red-headed puppet' by SNL UK host as savage monologue sparks backlash
- New York PostRight-leaningComedian roasts ‘red-headed puppet’ Ed Sheeran on ‘SNL UK’ after Macklemore drama