FRISCO, TEXAS – MAY 11: Singer Dolly Parton arrives for the 58th Academy of Country Music awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 11, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/FilmMagic)
FilmMagic
Viewers who missed ABC and CBS’ tributes to Dolly Parton Tuesday night now have a second chance to watch the specials on streaming.
Parton’s family announced on Tuesday that the Queen of Country Music, actress and philanthropist died at age 80 in Nashville, Tenn. The family later confirmed that Parton had died after a short battle with cancer.
Parton’s lifelong accomplishments were highlighted in network specials from ABC and CBS on Tuesday, with another on the way from NBC.
ABC’s special programming — Dolly Parton: An American Original – Special Edition of 20/20 — aired Tuesday night on the network at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The special was hosted by ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir and featured Parton’s interviews with Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts and the network’s late broadcasting legend Barbara Walters. In addition, the Dolly Parton: An American Original special features tributes from the likes of Parton’s 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda, country music star Keith Urban and actress Keke Palmer.
Dolly Parton: An American Original – Special Edition of 20/20 is available to stream on Hulu on Disney+.
A CBS News Special: Dolly Parton – An American Icon also aired Tuesday night on CBS at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The special was led by CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King and CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, and also featured the network’s senior culture and senior national correspondent Anthony Mason and a report from Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Like the ABC special, CBS’ tribute to Parton features interviews with the showbiz legend with network broadcasters past and present. Among the footage is the late Morley Safer’s 2009 interview with Parton for 60 Minutes in 2009, as well as Norah O’Donnell’s CBS News Person to Person chat with the singer, actress and philanthropist in 2023. The special also features Parton’s interviews with Dokoupil and Mason, as well as commentary from the entertainer’s showbiz contemporaries.
A CBS News Special: Dolly Parton – An American Icon is streaming on Paramount+ for both Essential and Premium subscribers.
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: Photo of Dolly PARTON (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
Redferns
NBC’s Dolly Parton Special Airs On The Network Wednesday Night
Like ABC and CBS, NBC is airing an hour-long special about Dolly Parton. Hosted by former NBC News anchor and current Dateline correspondent Lester Holt, Dolly: An NBC News Special will air Wednesday night at 9 ET/PT.
Offering a comprehensive look at Parton’s life and career, Dolly: An NBC News Special will feature reports from NBC News correspondents Hoda Kotb, Andrea Canning, Keith Morrison and Josh Mankiewicz. Also, singers Lauren Alaina and Bill Anderson, The Wonder Years star Danica McKellar and NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt are set to take part in the special.
While NBC did not indicate in its press release whether its Dolly Parton tribute Dolly: An NBC News Special would be streaming on Peacock, it likely won’t appear on the NBCUniversal platform any sooner than Thursday.

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