Bill Maher has come under fire after making what critics called a “crude” joke about Dolly Parton in the wake of reports of her death.
The comedian drew criticism over remarks he made during Friday’s opening monologue on Real Time with Bill Maher, where he addressed the outpouring of tributes to the country music icon.
Maher pointed out that news of Parton’s death had dominated public attention around the world, even as major stories such as the war in Iran and trade tensions between the United States and Canada continued to unfold.
“All this was going on and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton,” Maher said as he opened the segment.
“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 joked that: ‘The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple.’
The remarks sparked fury online, with Maher accused of being disrespectful.
‘Mocking our grief over losing Dolly Parton is just more proof that Trumpism [Bill Maher] is a soulless ghoul who wants his own Maher-a-Lago,’ writer Tara Dublin posted, referencing Maher’s dinner with Trump when the president signed a list of insults he’s lobbed at the comedian over the years.
Bill Maher is facing backlash for a joke he made on Friday night about the tributes pouring in for the late Dolly Parton
Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems
Dolly Parton’s loved ones were seen gathering Friday morning at her burial site, the Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville
The Tennessee Holler also called Maher ‘an absolute a**hole.’
Others argued that Maher could never compare to Parton.
‘Dolly Parton will live through the ages. Bill Maher will be forgotten three months after her death. He doesn’t like that,’ one X user posted.
‘Bill Maher trying to get edgy about Dolly Parton is wild,’ another wrote. ‘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?”
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‘Seeing a person who spent most of her life trying to unite people through music and basic decency and empathy being celebrated and revered all week must be a foreign concept to him,’ a third added.
Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems.
Her death was later confirmed in a heartbreaking Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
Maher’s remarks came as Parton’s loved ones were seen gathering at her burial site, the Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville.
The intimate group of mourners included Parton’s nephew and head of security Bryan Seaver, who announced her death at the age of 80 on Tuesday
Writer Tara Dublin blasted Maher as a ‘soulless ghoul’ for his remarks
Seaver has said the music icon would be laid to rest in high heels in the same mausoleum that houses the remains of her husband of over half a century, Carl Dean.
Family insiders indicated a private service for close friends and relations would be held in Nashville at some point in the ensuing days.
It was unclear whether Parton was interred at the Friday event, where guests were spotted arriving in colored outfits rather than traditional funereal black.
Parton, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career spanning six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5.
The fourth of 12 children, six of whom are now still living, Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946.
Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing.
She has since been remembered for not only her acting and music career, but also for her philanthropy, which included creating Imagination Library – an organization that provides free books to children from the time they are newborns to the age of five.
She has also donated millions of dollars to organizations including children’s hospitals and disaster relief.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Maher’s agents and HBO for comment.