Dolly Parton vs. Howard Stern
Country legend Dolly Parton isn't flattered by a recent Howard Stern parody, in which the satellite radio host mashed up Parton quotes to make it sound as if the singer were spewing offensive and racist remarks. In a post on her official website, Parton is quoted as saying she has "never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated" in her life, and even hints and at potentially suing the shock jock.
Parton was the victim of one of Stern's "audiobook" bits, in which celebrity quotes are pieced together to form chopped-up, raunchy sentences. In the past, Stern has remixed quotes from the likes of William Shatner and Oprah.
In the bit with Parton, which originally aired last week, Stern and his cohorts cut up Parton quotes in an attempt to make it sound as if the artist were saying a host of sexually explicit and racist remarks. Said Parton on her site: "In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth. They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing. Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this. If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this. Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."
While the explicit content of the Stern bit prevents me from linking to it, has Parton's response to the bit simply brought more publicity to Stern, or did the overtly racist content of the sketch warrant a response from the artist?
Photo courtesy AP
Well, Howard, you picked the wrong Girl to mess with on this one. I say lay low and get the checkbook ready.
Posted by: Dolly Fan | May 14, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Get over it. Anyone and everyone that listens to the show knows it's a joke.
Posted by: Me | May 14, 2008 at 08:20 PM
It's parody and protected free speach. By having the editted speach say such outrageous things, no reasonable person could believe it was her actually saying these things, therefore it does not hurt her reputation.
Does this make any Dolly fans appreciate her less? If Not, then no harm done.
Posted by: a free country | May 14, 2008 at 11:32 PM
i think its absolutely disgusting what he has done to dolly, i hope she sue's the life out of him !!!
Posted by: leighaun | May 15, 2008 at 02:00 AM
If he was the one saying that stuff, sure that would be his first amendment right to freedom of speech. He had someone piece together audio fragments to cause humiliation and embarassment. There is nothing in our Constitution that gives him that right.
I would have to say Dolly's fan base is much larger than that of Stern's. All she would have to do is call for a boycott of all of the sponsers of his show and that would hurt him in the long run.
I mean seriously, if your going to play with fire you better be darn aware that you may get burnt.
This is going to be fun watching it all play out.
Posted by: Bornnaked | May 15, 2008 at 02:11 AM
I honestly think that she really said those things
Posted by: GOATHEAD | May 15, 2008 at 04:28 AM
C'mon Dolly, get a life. Anybody listening to Stern knows this is his thing. He's done it to more relevant stars than you. At least someone is paying attention to you.
Anyone who doesn't have the brain power to know those aren't real, aren't the Stern demographic anyway.
Your insulting your own fans by saying they are not smart enough to know its manipulated.
With all that money, you should purchase a sense of humour.
Posted by: Brian | May 15, 2008 at 05:25 AM
This isn't even the first time that Howard and Co. have used the Dolly Parton audio book. Why is it a problem now? Because she's just now hearing it?
It's a funny bit and Dolly needs to back off into obscurity. Baba Booey!
Posted by: Beetlejuice | May 15, 2008 at 05:37 AM
Howard Stern is a jerk....I think she did the right thing. Someone needs to put him in his place. For some reason he has always thought he has a different set of rules to follow; some things are just wrong.
Posted by: debbie | May 15, 2008 at 06:30 AM
I hope and pray she sues! She has ZERO chance of winning and it would only bring more attention and publicity to the greatest entertainment invention of the past 20 years... Sirius Radio! I feel very bad for those of you who listen to terrestrial radio as you have no clue what you're missing. Bubba Army Unite!
Posted by: JackMayhoffer | May 15, 2008 at 06:33 AM
I think she did the right thing. Howard Stern enjoys making other people look bad. If he wants to say something-he should say it and leave other people out of it. I hope he gets what he deserves & learns a lesson...Don't mess with Southern Women!!
Posted by: debbie | May 15, 2008 at 06:34 AM
I think Howard Stern is a total jerk. I haven't heard one thing come out of his mouth that is funny. He is disgusting to look at, disgusting to listen to, and just a total a-hole.
Posted by: Sternsucks | May 15, 2008 at 06:53 AM
I am so dissappointed that we have not been rid of this socially inept neandrathal years ago. As to the above statement, Howard's checkbook is not big enough, but Dolly's follower base certainly is. I keep asking the same question over and over, why doesn't he get a real job?
Posted by: Mega Dolly Fan | May 15, 2008 at 07:14 AM
People need to get a life and learn how to take a joke.Stern rules you morons
Posted by: krh | May 15, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Don't you get it Dolly? Howard loves to poke fun at anyone who would actually take offense at his antics and anyone who takes themself too seriously-you fell into his hands beautifully Dolly-good job!
Posted by: rh | May 15, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Dolly-don't you get it at all? Howard loves to tease people who take things so seriously-you fell into his web perfectly didn't you-good job Dolly!
Posted by: rh | May 15, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Dolly-don't you get it at all? Howard loves to tease people who take things so seriously-you fell into his web perfectly didn't you-good job Dolly!
Posted by: rh | May 15, 2008 at 07:47 AM
I suspect that Ms. Parton is seriously running out of money. Why else would she sue Howard Stern over an obvious pieced together clip? This whole thing makes her look really petty and brings attention to something that very few people heard - until she made a big deal about it.
Posted by: Jen Johnson | May 15, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Are you really that humiliated Dolly? Real humiliation would be being forced to watch you ride Howards sybian-yucko
Posted by: Yucko the clown | May 15, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Are you really that humiliated Dolly? Real humiliation would be being forced to watch you ride Howards sybian-yucko
Posted by: Yucko the clown | May 15, 2008 at 08:06 AM
What kind of adolescent still listens to Howard Stern?
Posted by: DFC102 | May 15, 2008 at 08:28 AM
It's a parody. This is the same as when Jerry Falwell tried to sue Larry Flynt. Dolly hasn't got a legal leg to stand on.
Posted by: Alex | May 15, 2008 at 08:29 AM
A Dolly Parton wig has more class and more talent than Howard Stern has in his entire body! Stern realizes his lack of talent and spends his time ridiculing and demeaning others. What a sad life that must be.
Posted by: Dolly Fan | May 15, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Hoo hoo - I invented country music. Tell'em Fred!
Posted by: Howie | May 15, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Go ahead and sue. I can't wait to see her lose and Howard get more attention. It's parody and protected free speach.
Posted by: Me | May 15, 2008 at 08:59 AM