Macklemore Dropped, EMMY's Winners, Sunday in the Park with George

Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s US Tour Following On-Stage "Free Palestine" Speech

Macklemore has been removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour following intense backlash over his on-stage political statements. Opening at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on September 4, the Seattle rapper delivered a two-minute speech dedicating his platform to Gaza and performing his pro-Palestine protest anthem "Hind’s Hall." Tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed the decision, stating that multiple stadium venues across cities including Boston, Dallas, and Atlanta threatened to cancel the shows entirely if Macklemore remained on the lineup, forcing stakeholders to pull him from the tour to protect the remaining dates.

Addressing his removal in a candid Instagram post, Macklemore revealed that the decision followed a week of "difficult conversations" with Sheeran, his close friend of 13 years. The rapper claimed Sheeran faced immense pressure from major venue owners, notably billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, who threatened to bar the tour if Macklemore wasn't cut. While acknowledging Sheeran was put in a "f*cked up position" that challenged his typically apolitical stance, Macklemore remained unrepentant about using his platform. "If those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on," he wrote, shifting focus back to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

'Widow’s Bay' and 'The Pitt' Dominate Main Stage as 2026 Emmy Winners Take All

The 2026 Emmy Awards crowned Widow’s Bay, The Pitt, and DTF St. Louis as the year's big winners across comedy, drama, and limited series. Noah Wyle's medical drama The Pitt picked up Best Drama Series alongside his Lead Actor win, while DTF St. Louis claimed top honors for Limited Series. Dark comedy Widow’s Bay swept its category, taking home Best Comedy Series along with writing, directing, and acting trophies for Stephen Root, Kate O'Flynn, and Matthew Rhys. Rhys made Emmy history by pulling off a rare double win in a single night, also picking up Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his role in The Beast In Me.

Meanwhile, several major contenders were shut out of top categories. Previous favorites The Bear and Abbott Elementary missed out on key comedy awards, which went instead to Widow’s Bay and Hacks star Jean Smart, who won Lead Actress in a Comedy. Drama contenders Slow Horses and The Diplomat were similarly overlooked in the main races, leaving Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, and Rufus Sewell empty-handed, though Allison Janney scored a supporting win for The Diplomat and Slow Horses took Best Directing. In the limited series field, Beef and Love Story lost out entirely to DTF St. Louis and Sally Field's Lead Actress win for Remarkably Bright Creatures.

ICYMI:

• Ms. Rachel has revealed that she was warned that she might lose partnerships and views for showing her support for Palestine.

• Taylor Swift appeared in a ‘Law & Order’-based skit at the Emmys.

'Sunday in the Park with George' Cancelled

The West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George has officially been cancelled for 2027 following the double departure of lead stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey. Planned for London’s Barbican Centre under director Marianne Elliott, the production was set to serve as a massive stage reunion for the Wicked co-stars. However, the show was thrown into jeopardy last month when Grande pulled out to take an extended break from the spotlight following her tour, followed shortly by Bailey stepping down in solidarity. While production company Empire Street Productions initially insisted the show would move forward with new leads, they ultimately conceded on Monday that the 2027 run will no longer proceed.

Despite the setback, producers haven't abandoned the revival entirely. In an official statement, Empire Street Productions confirmed they will retain the rights to the Sondheim classic with plans to officially stage the show in 2028 instead.

POP FACT: On this day in 2017, Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ hit No.1 on the Hot 100.

Bob Mackie, Legendary 'Sultan of Sequins' Who Styled Cher, Tina Turner, and Elton John, Dies at 87

Bob Mackie, the visionary costume designer dubbed the "Sultan of Sequins" whose extravagant, dazzling creations defined decades of pop culture, has died at age 87. A statement on his official Instagram confirmed he passed away peacefully on Monday, celebrating a career that earned him a Tony Award, nine Emmys, and three Oscar nominations. Mackie was instrumental in crafting the iconic visual identities of global superstars like Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Elton John, and most notably Cher, for whom he designed ground-breaking, belly-button-baring looks, including her legendary 1986 Oscar "revenge" outfit featuring a black feathered mohawk. Renowned for pushing fashion boundaries with outrageous showgirl glamour, Mackie leaves behind an indelible legacy that reshaped red carpets and stage performances forever.

ICYMI:

• A revival of ‘Annie’ is headed to Broadway in 2027, celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary.

• Charli xcx brought out Kim Petras to perform ‘Unlock It’ at her show in New York.

• Oasis have announced their 2027 dates, including nights at the iconic Knebworth.

— Katie Macbeth

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