Bill Maher is facing significant backlash after making a joke about Dolly Parton during the opening monologue of his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, days after the country icon's death.
What Maher said
Referencing the wave of global tributes following Parton's passing, including a King's Guard performance of "9 to 5" outside Buckingham Palace, Maher ran through a list of tributes cities had put on, including the Empire State Building lighting up pink and the Santa Monica Ferris wheel displaying hearts. He then joked that the Sphere in Las Vegas had "added a nipple," a remark that drew some laughs from his studio audience but was widely criticised online afterward.
The backlash
Reaction on social media was largely negative. Author Tara Dublin accused Maher of mocking public grief over Parton's death, while Memelord.com founder Jason Levin argued the joke wasn't a "hard truth" in Maher's usual style, but simply an attempt to make Parton's death about his own cynicism. Other users pointed to Parton's reputation for kindness and generosity as reasons the backlash felt particularly sharp, with some questioning why Maher continues to have a platform.
Not everyone agreed the joke deserved the level of criticism it received, with some suggesting Parton herself, known for her own sense of humour, might have found the joke amusing rather than offensive.
Not the only tribute controversy
Maher isn't the only public figure to draw criticism following Parton's death. Her former co-star Ricky Schroder faced backlash after posting a tribute that referenced disagreeing with some of Parton's political views, specifically around her support for transgender rights and Covid vaccination, drawing accusations of insensitivity from her fans. Schroder defended his comments in a follow-up post despite the criticism.
