Bill Maher Gives Unsavory Dolly Parton Tribute While Criticizing Media Coverage of Her Death

During the Friday episode of Real Time , Bill Maher addressed Dolly Parton’s death in an unsavory manner.

He began his monologue by discussing current events of the week, specifically the United States’ trade war with Canada. “All this is going on, and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton,” Maher said.

“Everybody around the country, even around the world” was honoring the late singer, he said. “London, they’re doing things. The Santa Monica ferris wheel is lit up with hearts. The Empire State Building was put up in pink. The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple.” Related Stories TV Bill Maher's Jab About Ariana Grande's Weight Leads to 'Real Time' Studio Audience Groans TV No, Netflix Didn't Cut a Trump Joke From Whitney Cummings' Set at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony

Parton died Tuesday after a “brief battle with cancer,” a rep announced. Her death has sparked a plethora of tributes as people around the world have continued to honor her legacy. Among those who remembered Parton were Miley Cyrus , Taylor Swift , Beyoncé , Sabrina Carpenter , Billy Ray Cyrus and many more.

One tribute, like Maher’s, that drew negative attention was that of Ricky Schroder, who portrayed Parton’s father in two biopic movies based on her childhood. “I didn’t agree with her advocating for Transgender & Covid Vaccine support … but Loved her anyway. Thank you for choosing me Dolly to be your Movie Daddy,” he wrote online.

In a follow-up post after the backlash from his initial comments began, Schroder reportedly posted a clip on his Instagram Stories about the two-time Oscar nominee’s support of the COVID-19 vaccine, writing, “I warned Dolly to not support the Experiment. Wished she listened.”

Fox Sports South Florida co-host Josh Cohen , in response to Schroder’s post, wrote on X, “Congratulations to former child TV actor Ricky Schroder on becoming the first person to disrespect Dolly Parton in her passing. What an absolute douche.”