Bill Maher Faces Backlash Over Crude Dolly Parton Tribute Joke

Bill Maher is drawing criticism after making what many viewers called a “crude” joke about Dolly Parton in the wake of her death.

The comedian came under fire over comments he made about the outpouring of tributes to the late country music icon during his opening monologue on Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher.

Maher pointed out that news of Parton’s death had commanded global attention, even as the war in Iran and trade tensions between the United States and Canada continued to dominate headlines.

“All this was going on and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton,” the comedian began.

“Everybody around the country, even around the world – London, they’re doing things, the Santa Monica Ferris wheel is lit up with hearts, the Empire State Building was put up in pink.”

He followed with the joke: “The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple.”

The line quickly triggered anger on social media, where critics accused Maher of showing disrespect during a moment of public mourning.

“Mocking our grief over losing Dolly Parton is just more proof that Trumpism [Bill Maher] is a soulless ghoul who wants his own Maher-a-Lago,” writer Tara Dublin posted, alluding to Maher’s dinner with Trump after the president signed a list of insults he had directed at the comedian over the years.

The Tennessee Holler also called Maher ‘an absolute a**hole.’ 

Others argued that Maher could never compare to Parton.

‘Dolly Parton will live through the ages. Bill Maher will be forgotten three months after her death. He doesn’t like that,’ one X user posted.

‘Bill Maher trying to get edgy about Dolly Parton is wild,’ another wrote. ‘Buddy, you’re not “telling hard truths,” you’re just the guy who looked at a national treasure and said, “How can I make this about my bitterness?”

‘Seeing a person who spent most of her life trying to unite people through music and basic decency and empathy being celebrated and revered all week must be a foreign concept to him,’ a third added.

Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems.

Her death was later confirmed in a heartbreaking Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.

Maher’s remarks came as Parton’s loved ones were seen gathering at her burial site, the Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville. 

Seaver has said the music icon would be laid to rest in high heels in the same mausoleum that houses the remains of her husband of over half a century, Carl Dean. 

Family insiders indicated a private service for close friends and relations would be held in Nashville at some point in the ensuing days.

It was unclear whether Parton was interred at the Friday event, where guests were spotted arriving in colored outfits rather than traditional funereal black.

Parton, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career spanning six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5. 

The fourth of 12 children, six of whom are now still living, Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946. 

Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing. 

She has since been remembered for not only her acting and music career, but also for her philanthropy, which included creating Imagination Library – an organization that provides free books to children from the time they are newborns to the age of five.

She has also donated millions of dollars to organizations including children’s hospitals and disaster relief.

Our News Outlet has reached out to Maher’s agents and HBO for comment.