Bill Maher Faces Backlash for Dolly Parton Joke

Bill Maher faced widespread criticism for a joke about Dolly Parton during his Friday night monologue on HBO's "Real Time," with many viewers and commentators calling the remark disrespectful and crude. The comedian's comments came just days after the beloved country music icon died at the age of 80. Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville following a brief battle with cancer, her representative confirmed. Her death prompted an outpouring of global tributes, with landmarks like the Empire State Building lit in pink and the Santa Monica Ferris wheel adorned with hearts.