Bill Maher’s Dolly Parton Tribute Draws Criticism on Real Time
During Friday's episode of Real Time, Bill Maher referenced Dolly Parton's death in a brief monologue that was met with negative reactions, while other celebrities offered tributes.
Bill Maher mentioned Dolly Parton's passing during the Friday broadcast of Real Time, linking the news to his discussion of the United States' trade dispute with Canada. He noted that memorials were appearing worldwide, citing a heart-lit ferris wheel in Santa Monica, a pink illumination of the Empire State Building, and a modification to the Las Vegas venue known as the Sphere.
Parton died on Tuesday after a short illness, according to her representatives, prompting a wave of public remembrances from artists such as Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and others.
Another public figure, actor Ricky Schroder, also faced backlash for comments that mixed personal disagreement with Parton's advocacy on transgender issues and COVID-19 vaccination with expressions of admiration.
"I didn’t agree with her advocating for transgender and Covid vaccine support … but loved her anyway," Schroder wrote online.
He later posted a video clip on Instagram suggesting he had warned Parton against supporting the vaccine, further fueling the controversy.