Kelsey McKinney on Ed Sheeran v Macklemore— Dingus of the Week Podcast #41

<html><p>Who would have thought we'd be talking about the moral clarity of the popping tags guy? You know what? Never mind. We're glad you're here, Macklemore. </p><p>He's been using his tremendous platform as an opener for Ed Sheeran to speak out about the ongoing Palestinian genocide. But those in power made sure there were costs to being on the right side of history. </p><p>Macklemore was <a href="aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/14/macklemore-droppe…; target="_blank">dropped from the tour</a>. According to his Instagram post recounting the events, it resulted from a pressure campaign waged by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who <a href="aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/14/macklemore-droppe…; target="_blank">confirmed he barred him</a> from the shows at Gillette Stadium. Sheeran's side pointed to the tour's promoter, who said <a href="washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2026/09…; target="_blank">venues wouldn't allow Macklemore to perform</a>.</p><p>It did not go well. Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe <a href="aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/16/the-artists-who-p…; target="_blank">pulled out of the tour</a>, and the whole lineup went with them. That leaves a pop star who rose to fame as a collaborator, now alone on stage with his guitar, repeating his defense that he's not political. That he's not complicit...</p><p>On this episode of D<strong>INGUS OF THE WEEK,</strong> hosts <strong>LYZ LENZ</strong> and <strong>ZACHARY OREN SMITH</strong> welcome Defector staff writer and Normal Gossip founding host <strong>KELSEY MCKINNEY</strong> to break down how the Thrift Shop Guy somehow became the moral compass. Who would have thought. </p><p><strong>DINGUS OF THE WEEK</strong> is a weekly comedy news podcast where writers Lyz and Zach light a fire under the American rogue's gallery to see who comes spilling out. If you're tired of doom-scrolling but know ignoring the problem doesn't get us anywhere, this is your new weekend listen. New episodes every Saturday morning.</p><h3><strong>SUPPORT THE SHOW by </strong><u><strong><a href="patreon.com/cw/LyzLenz"; target="_blank">subscribing on Patreon</a></strong></u><strong>.</strong></h3><p><strong>👑 $5/month</strong> - <u><a href="patreon.com/checkout/LyzLenz?rid=26928874"; target="_blank">Not a Dingus tier</a></u> (3 weekly newsletters, 1 podcast, and our entire archive)</p><p><strong>👑👑 $10/month</strong> - <u><a href="patreon.com/checkout/LyzLenz?rid=26928880"; target="_blank">Definitely Not a Dingus tier</a></u> (all the above + polls and topic submissions, a chat community, weekly discussions, comment access, and our love)</p><p><strong>SEND US YOUR DINGUS.</strong> <u><a href="memo.fm/dingus"; target="_blank">Record a voice memo</a></u> and tell us who your dingus of the week is. Make it good and you'll hear your voice on the show. You can also email those to <u><a href="mailto:menyellatme@gmail.com" target="_blank">menyellatme@gmail.com</a></u>. </p><p><strong>FOLLOW DINGUS OF THE WEEK</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="youtube.com/@DingusoftheWeek"; target="_blank">Youtube</a></p></li><li><p><a href="instagram.com/dingusoftheweek/"; target="_blank">Instagram</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>LYZ LENZ</strong> is the HBIC of MYAM Media. </p><p><strong>ZACHARY OREN SMITH</strong> <u><a href="instagram.com/zachosmith/#"; target="_blank">writes about politics</a></u> for Iowa Starting Line. Follow his work on Instagram (<a href="instagram.com/zacharyorensmith)" target="_blank">instagram.com/zacharyorensmith)</a> and TikTok (<a href="tiktok.com/@zacharyorensmith)." target="_blank">tiktok.com/@zacharyorensmith).</a></p><p><u><strong><a href="laurabenitezandtheheartache.com/index.html"; target="_blank">LAURA BENITEZ</a></strong></u><u><a href="laurabenitezandtheheartache.com/index.html"; target="_blank"> wrote the theme song.</a></u></p><p><strong>SHOW RUNDOWN:</strong></p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:15 - Guest intro: Kelsey McKinney of Defector and Normal Gossip</p><p>1:50 - Dingus: Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and the Bob Kraft phone call</p><p>10:33 - The Thrift Shop Guy's moral compass</p><p>12:12 - Why Sheeran didn't have to step in</p><p>25:40 - "People depend on me": just pay the crew</p><p>26:00 - "Not complicit" and "I'm not political"</p><p>28:29 - Art can't be apolitical: the Chicks, Dylan, Nina Simone, and AI slop music</p><p>34:26 - Game: Name That Dingus NFL Owner</p><p>42:31 - Paper fortunes, lawn chair heiresses, and the inventor of the strawberry clamshell</p><p>46:40 - Joy: Kelsey on rewatching Vanderpump Rules; Lyz on Blacktail; Zach on Sleater-Kinney at Codfish Hollow</p><p>52:17 - Outro</p></html>