Comedian and talk-show host seemed to suggest Parton’s death was distracting from the United State’s trade war with Canada
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Bill Maher complained about the reaction to Dolly Parton’s death, aged 80, during a monologue on his show Real Time.
The comedian and talk-show host began the episode on Friday (28 August) by discussing current events, in particular the United State’s 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,” he said.
Parton died on 25 August following a “brief battle” with cancer, her family announced this week.
News of her death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world, as fans remember her musical legacy but also her many acts of generosity, from supporting LGBT+ charities and medical research programmes to donating millions to children’s literacy.
Stars including her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, pop stars Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Sabrina Carpenter, US president Donald Trump and former president Barack Obama have been among those to pay tribute.
“Everyone around the country, even around the world,” has been honouring Parton, Maher said, throwing in an obvious joke about the singer’s famous chest.
“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.”
The media has also been extensively covering the US’s trade war with Canada, including Trump’s signed order directing the federal government to call New York’s Lake Ontario “Lake America”.
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The two countries have been exchanging retaliatory measures over failed trade negotiations, with Trump reportedly considering additional tariffs or other actions in response to Canada taxing approximately $20bn in American products.
