Bill Maher gets salty: 'All America could talk about' was Dolly Parton's death
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Bill Maher appeared frustrated by the widespread attention surrounding Dolly Parton’s death, questioning why so much focus had been placed on the country music icon during a week filled with other major news.
During the Friday, August 28, episode of 'Real Time', Maher complained about the tributes being staged for Parton and joked about one of the more unusual displays.
Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
It's the six-month anniversary of our "little excursion" into Iran. This war just goes on and on, with both sides almost losing interest; it's like fucking on coke. pic.twitter.com/6YoQXbASUx
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) August 29, 2026
Bill Maher complains about Dolly Parton tributes
Maher was discussing the week’s headlines, including the US trade dispute with Canada, when he turned his attention to the reaction to Parton’s death.
“All this is going on, and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton,” he said in a clip shared on X.
Maher then pointed to the number of tributes that had appeared following her death, including displays outside the United States.
He mentioned that London was honoring Parton, while the Santa Monica Ferris wheel was illuminated with hearts, and the Empire State Building was lit up in pink.
In the clip being shared online, the audience laughs as Maher continues to rant over global tributes to Dolly Parton.
Parton’s death has generated an extensive response from the entertainment industry and political figures.
Her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, along with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Sabrina Carpenter, were among the entertainers to remember her publicly.
President Donald Trump and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also paid tribute.
Parton was also honored and remembered at Buckingham Palace, where The King's Guard played an instrumental version of Parton's iconic hit '9 to 5'.
Ricky Schroder also criticized Dolly Parton
Maher’s remarks came after actor Ricky Schroder also drew attention for comments he made following Parton’s death.
Schroder portrayed Parton’s father in the biographical movies 'Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors' and 'Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love'.
Following her death, he said he had disagreed with some of her public positions, including her support for transgender causes and COVID-19 vaccination, while saying he still loved her.
He received massive backlash over the post but refused to back down.
Schroder later posted another message on Instagram stories criticizing Parton’s support for the COVID-19 vaccine, saying he had previously warned her against it.
