Written by CNN Staff Writer
Sheeran’s “Perfect” is the most streamed song of the week on Spotify. He has four Grammy wins to his name. And he has over 53 million followers on Twitter. Sheeran has it all.
And now he’s ready to conquer this space-age lounge room known as “TV OT.” The “Let It Go” singer is the guest on BBC’s “In Bed With Ed Sheeran” this week.
Pop surrealist Jane Austen? Why not.
Here’s what’s on tap — along with the reasons why:
Ed Sheeran vs the Rabbit
We’re practically obsessed with this much-discussed gag from Sheeran’s award-winning “Divide” album. How can you argue with something as delightful as this? The two-minute sketch harkens back to a classic “Mr. Bean” episode, in which the scamp impersonates someone else for comedic effect. Sheeran takes a page from his own book, and quite literally, “fakes” the interaction. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it’s him talking to someone he’s seen before, when the video is pointed out to the amused YouTube viewers and fans of his music. (Sheeran has previously apologized for using the name “Rabbit,” writing on Twitter that he would never do it again.)
The Creepies
In his new documentary series, “Ed Sheeran: Selling Sunset,” Sheeran explains how he was tasked with expanding the BBC’s BBC Dance schedule (a smaller version of the corporation’s national television channel) with a pop-up club. He’s focused on new, up-and-coming hip-hop and dance acts, and for the last couple of years he’s also followed up an album’s official release with a fan appreciation event. That’s when he meets the UK’s “Creepies,” acts of art-house in a suburban setting.
Ed Sheeran vs “Game of Thrones”
For Sheeran, this example of creativity and appeal is “House of Cards.” In the “Game of Thrones” episode “Beyond the Wall,” a “feast” of ice and fire is enacted. Sheeran chimes in here, saying that he’s all about the pantomime here.
Ed Sheeran vs Sue Perkins
In a recent interview, Perkins tells Sheeran that she’s been “a life-long fan.” This led to Sheeran singing a few lines of “Smiler” from his album “Divide.”
Ed Sheeran vs ‘Orange Is the New Black’
The British songwriter is a good talker, like his “Castle on the Hill” character Artful Dodger. If he wants to prove it to Perkins, he’ll be joined in the TV studio by several cast members from “Orange Is the New Black.”
Ed Sheeran vs snow
We’re also featuring the most popular song right now in “Where the Wild Things Are,” which just got caught in Snowmageddon. Perhaps an appropriate moment to hear “Galway Girl.”
We can’t wait.