Maher's Parton Tribute Criticized for Crude Remarks on 'Real Time'

During the Friday episode of 'Real Time,' Bill Maher commented on Dolly Parton's death, noting the widespread mourning while making a joke about Las Vegas' Sphere adding a nipple. His remarks drew criticism, as did a separate tribute from actor Ricky Schroder, who had played Parton's father in biopics and made controversial statements about her advocacy. Schroder later doubled down with a post about her COVID-19 vaccine support.

Parton's passing drew an extraordinary wave of international remembrance, with tributes arriving from prominent entertainers including Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billy Ray Cyrus. Memorial gestures appeared across multiple cities, from London to Santa Monica, reflecting her global cultural reach. Her representative confirmed she died Tuesday following a brief illness.

Maher's monologue on Real Time opened with commentary on the US-Canada trade dispute before shifting to Parton's death, where his Sphere remark drew immediate criticism. Schroder, who played Parton's father in two biopics about her childhood, faced backlash for his social media posts questioning her positions on transgender issues and COVID-19 vaccination. Fox Sports co-host Josh Cohen publicly condemned Schroder's comments, calling them disrespectful to Parton's memory.