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SNL UK Skewers Ye’s Wireless Ban and Melania Trump’s Epstein Denial in Cold Open

The cold open shows entertainment driving the conversation on accountability.

Overview

  • Saturday Night Live UK opened its fourth episode with a "Never Have I Ever" cold open that riffed on Kanye West’s scrapped Wireless headlining slot and Melania Trump’s Epstein remarks.
  • Wireless said on Tuesday, 7 April, the Home Office withdrew Ye’s electronic travel authorisation, a pre-travel pass for visitors, which blocked his entry to the UK and forced the festival to cancel with refunds.
  • It was reported the ETA was first cleared online before ministers intervened, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ye should never have been invited to headline.
  • In the sketch, cast members Jack Shep, Al Nash, and Annabel Marlow joked about "accidentally" booking a neo-Nazi, and Emma Sidi appeared as Melania after her surprise press conference denying any link to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Ye has drawn heavy criticism for praising Adolf Hitler, releasing a track titled "Heil Hitler," and selling a swastika T-shirt, and those actions were cited in political pushback to his Wireless booking.