Bill Maher criticised for comment during Dolly Parton tributes
Dolly Parton fans slam Bill Maher over tribute joke during his show's opening monologue on Friday
Bill Maher is facing criticism online after making a joke about the tributes since Dolly Parton's death.
During his show's opening monologue on Friday, Maher acknowledged how much public attention her passing received, listing several tributes that took place around the world before making a joking remark referencing a Las Vegas landmark.
"All this was going on and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton."
He went on, "Everybody around the country, even around the world – London, they’re doing things, the Santa Monica Ferris wheel is lit up with hearts, the Empire State Building was put up in pink."
He then jibed, "The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple."
The comment quickly drew backlash from viewers and fans online, with many accusing Maher of being disrespectful during a moment of mourning and calling the joke unnecessary or in poor taste.
"Mocking our grief over losing Dolly Parton is just more proof that Trumpsimp [Bill Maher] is a soulless ghoul who wants his own Maher-A-Lago," writer Tara Dublin tweeted, referring to Maher’s dinner there with US President Donald Trump.
"In a world of a******* why be the biggest one? Dolly Parton > Bill Maher," another person posted.
"Dolly Parton will live through the ages. Bill Maher will be forgotten three months after his death. He doesn’t like that," another user added while someone else predicted, "The Dolly Parton 'joke' is gonna bite you in the a**, Billy. Buh-bye."
One more person wrote, "Bill Maher trying to get edgy about Dolly Parton is wild. Buddy, you’re not 'telling hard truths,' you’re just the guy who looked at a national treasure and said, 'How can I make this about my bitterness?’"
The backlash didn't end there as even Variety branded it "the lamest" tribute to Parton so far.
Parton's family confirmed that she was laid to rest on Friday during a private service in Nashville, where she was buried alongside her late husband, Carl Dean, who passed away last year.
