Dolly Parton’s Favorite TV Shows: Our Best Guesses
Dolly Parton is a true entertainment icon who has conquered the worlds of music, movies, theme parks, and business. However, the 77-year-old legend has remained relatively tight-lipped about one aspect of her life – her favorite television shows.
Parton hasn’t done many interviews diving deep into her TV viewing habits or revealing the shows she loves to watch in her downtime. But based on her incredibly successful career spanning over six decades, along with her warm public persona, we can make some educated guesses about the types of programs that may be among Dolly’s must-see TV.
The Shows That Launched Her Career
It’s likely that Parton has a soft spot in her heart for some of the very first shows that helped launch her incredible career in the entertainment industry back in the 1960s. Before she became a Grammy-winning music superstar, the young performer from rural Tennessee got her big break as a featured singer on The Porter Wagoner Show.
This weekly country music variety series aired from 1960-1981, carrying Parton to national fame as she sang duets and performed alongside the legendary Porter Wagoner himself. While their professional relationship was famously tumultuous at times, with Parton eventually going out on her own, she has spoken fondly of Porter over the years and the opportunities his show provided her.
In her 2020 Netflix series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, one episode titled “JJ Sneed” dramatized her emotional goodbye to The Porter Wagoner Show in the 1970s. The care put into recreating those moments from her life hints that Parton still holds a great appreciation for the program that kicked off her rise to stardom on a national stage.
Just a few years after departing that show, Parton returned to TV as the star of her very own variety series aptly titled Dolly! The show only lasted one season in 1976-77, but it allowed Dolly to take center stage and showcase her diverse talents as a singer, comedian, actor, and all-around entertainer.
While it failed to achieve high ratings and was canceled, Parton has said she still took great pride in having her own TV program at such a pivotal point in her career. She got toindulge her creative whims, perform with many of her famous friends, and give her fans a closer look at her bubbly personality. Dolly likely still has fondness for reliving that unique phase whenever the show happens to air in reruns.
Celebrating Her Country Roots
As someone who takes great pride in her humble rural beginnings and her status as an ambassador for country music, it stands to reason that Parton might be a fan of scripted TV shows celebrating the country genre and lifestyle.
Two prominent examples from recent years include the musical drama Nashville, which aired on ABC and CMT from 2012-2018, and the new Fox series Monarch starring Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins as the heads of an iconic country music dynasty.
In Nashville’s case, Parton was actually supposed to make a guest appearance during the show’s final season on CMT. However, her cameo ultimately had to be cut for time. This scrapped but planned involvement hints that Dolly was at the very least interested enough in the show’s celebration of country stars and songwriters to negotiate an on-screen role.
She’s yet to appear on or publicly discuss Monarch. But as someone steadfastly devoted to promoting and uplifting country music, it’s easy to imagine Parton tuning in weekly to support the new show’s heightened look at the genre’s biggest luminaries both past and present.
Dolly as the Ultimate Trendsetter
When you have a career as prolific as Dolly Parton’s and become one of the most recognized celebs on the planet, there’s a good chance that pop culture often imitates aspects of your own life. This has certainly been the case for Dolly, whose public image and country girl-next-door background were famously embodied by the makers of the 1980 hit movie 9 to 5.
The film starring Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin was actually based on a speculative 1972 book pondering what would happen if office workers tried to overthrow their sexist, overbearing boss. It seemed tailor-made for Parton to step into at the time, as she was riding a commercial high thanks to a series of chart-topping crossover country-pop albums.
9 to 5’s massive success spawned a short-lived TV series adaptation of the same name that aired in the 1980s. And in the decades since, Parton has remained instrumental in efforts to bring 9 to 5 to the stage as a hit Broadway musical as well. Her enduring love of the property indicates she likely got at least a kick out of watching it make the transition to the small screen, even if only for a brief time in the 1980s.
More recently, Parton helped inspire another workplace sitcom that paid obvious homage to her signature look and public image. The NBC series Young Rock, based on the early life and wrestling days of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, featured a recurring character clearly meant to evoke Dolly’s signature appearance and mannerisms.
Portrayed by Ana Tuisilia, the character of Dolly Parton even sported huge blonde wigs, buxom tight outfits, and spoke with exaggerated Eastern Tennessee twang while running a local pawnshop. It was such a direct impersonation that Parton herself acknowledged the character in an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.
“I was kinda pissed at first, I thought a–hold on I’m gonna have to pay her some money or something, but I thought she did a good job,” Parton joked of Young Rock’s over-the-top “Dolly” character.
While she played it off with good humor as is her way, it’s hard to imagine Parton doesn’t at least occasionally tune in when a new show or character arrives directly paying tribute to her iconic career and image. More than perhaps any other living celeb, Dolly’s current massive popularity and knack for bringing people joy means she’s never too far from pop culture’s mind when depicting an accessible yet trailblazing female star.
From Smart Comedy to Heartwarming Reality
Of course, Parton is far more than just a trendsetter when it comes to music, movies, and Broadway shows imitating aspects of her life. At her core, she’s a proud Tennessee native known for her self-deprecating humor, infectious positive outlook, and seemingly neverending well of creativity across multiple mediums.
Because of this, it’s quite plausible that if Dolly is indeed an ardent TV watcher in her downtime, some of her favorite shows could simply be smart, heartwarming, family-friendly comedies that bring laughter and joy without being too risque or cynical.
Two prominent long-running network sitcoms immediately come to mind fitting that mold – The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family.
The Big Bang Theory, which aired on CBS from 2007-2019, centered on a group of socially awkward but endearing scientist friends in their 20s and 30s trying to navigate careers, relationships, and the world at large. It’s a show that celebrated the virtues of intellectual curiosity and close-knit friendships through a gently sharp comedic lens.
Modern Family, meanwhile, aired on ABC from 2009-2020 and earned widespread praise for its progressive, satirical yet ultimately huge-hearted take on the evolving dynamics of family life in the 21st century. With its memorable characters and winky sense of humor, the show emerged as a crucial milestone for positive LGBTQ representation in the mainstream as well.
Both of these hit comedies appealed to viewers across all demographics thanks to their kind spirit and avoidance of mean-spirited humor. Their legacy of bringing families together to simply enjoy amusing, relatable stories without constant controversy or raunch could make them fitting picks for Dolly’s must-watch list.
Another potential favorite show for Parton could be The Great British Baking Show (or Bake Off, as it’s known in the UK). This ultra-charming and addictive reality competition series following amateur bakers as they vie for culinary supremacy with their confections and pastries has become a global sensation for all the right reasons.
Much like Dolly herself, the series manages to be uplifting, positive, and a great source of warmth and comfort. The competitors and hosts simply seem like wonderful people you’d like to spend time with. In essence, The Great British Baking Show serves up everything Parton likely seeks out when she wants to relax and be reminded of the simple joys in life.
Paying Homage to History and Classic TV
In addition to all these contemporary shows, Parton also seems like the type who would get a kick out of seeing her own industry’s rich heritage commemorated and analyzed from fresh perspectives. As such, she might be a fan of modern documentary/docuseries examining legendary stars and programs from Hollywood’s classic eras.
Several high-profile shows instantly come to mind that could pique Dolly’s interest on this front, starting with Netflix’s Actresses. This anthology docuseries has featured episodes providing insightful career retrospectives on pioneers like Lena Horne, Mae West, Hedy Lamarr, and Jane Fonda among its first two seasons.
Given Parton’s own trailblazing status and women’s rights advocacy, she’d likely be all about a documentary diving into the lives of stars who helped continue paving the way for greater inclusion and shaking up the status quo in their own times.
Similarly, one can imagine Dolly enjoying PBS’ recent documentary series exploring the Golden Age of television with The U.S. and the Holocaust and Anita Bryant’s Playboy Interview. The latter in particular chronicles a pivotal 1970s era-defining media moment, which seems right in Parton’s wheelhouse.
If digging even deeper into the heritage of television and comedy itself, the CNN original docuseries The Story of Late Night and Showtime’s Laugh-Off look at quintessential TV institutions they still impact the medium and culture to this day. Parton has spoken before about her admiration for comedy legends like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett who helped kick doors open for women in all aspects of entertainment.
Given her all-encompassing passion for show business, it feels likely Dolly would get a kick out of being a virtual fly on the wall, learning little-known stories behind the programs and personalities who have most shaped television, movies, and comedy over the decades.
Inspiring Tales of Self-Made Success
While all these reality shows, dramas, and documentaries would fit Parton’s myriad interests, it’s also possible some of her true TV favorites are those highlighting other trailblazing individuals and entrepreneurs displaying gumption, drive, creativity, and an unrelenting will to succeed against all odds.
After all, Dolly herself was born into impoverished circumstances, yet managed to become one of the most prosperous and beloved entertainers of all-time through sheer force of talent, perseverance, and business savvy. Her estimated $650 million net worth and prosperous ownership of the Dollywood theme parks, production companies, and other assorted business ventures paints her as the ultimate rags-to-riches Cinderella tale.
Because of this, it stands to reason Parton would be drawn to property shows like Shark Tank, the long-running ABC series where entrepreneurs get to pitch their ideas to potential prominent investors. Beyond just the nuts and bolts of the pitches, the show provides an invaluable window into the gutsy mindset it takes to bet everything on your latest vision.
Likewise, Dolly may also find great inspiration in biography series profiling other celebs and public figures who built their empires and personal brands from the ground up. Recent shows quickly coming to mind include Oprah Winfrey’s own Life in Focus series and Janet Jackson’s Lifetime/A&E event documentary.
Both of these specials provided in-depth looks at the singular lives, careers, and philanthropic efforts of two iconic entertainers and Black women who have built their public images and fortunes through sustained laser-focused work over decades. It’s easy to imagine Dolly seeing at least a little of herself in such driven, larger-than-life figures not intimidated by the potential challenges of rising from nothing to top of their respective fields.
In an adjacent vein, Parton would potentially also be riveted by shows centering on everyday individuals across all walks of life striving to better themselves too. Programs like Undercover Boss or Shark Tank spinoff Million Dollar Idea provide satisfying arcs of humble hardworking souls simply trying to provide for their loved ones yet being miraculously rewarded at the end of their journeys.
From rags to riches and grass roots to glory, stories like these feel spiritually aligned with Parton’s ethos of taking nothing for granted, valuing integrity over all else, and creating opportunities for uplifting communities. Her well-documented history of philanthropy and giving back indicates she’d be happy to see those messages amplified for others.
Heartwarming Holiday Specials
The holiday season is such a special time for Dolly Parton on so many levels, it only makes sense that she’d be drawn to watching some of the festive TV specials programs airing during this time of year.
Parton has released several beloved seasonal albums of Christmas/winter songs spanning back to the late 1980s and 1990s. Those releases have become staples during the holidays both on the radio and increasingly as featured artists performing on TV holiday special blocks.
For example, Parton participated in CBS’s A Home for the Holidays event in 2021 alongside fellow country music star Amanda Shires. The special celebrated families and children who are part of the annual Children’s Action Network holiday event.
Dolly also notably had a major role singing beloved Christmas tunes during NBC’s annual lighting the Rockefeller Center tree special in 2019. She joined the likes of legendary singer John Legend and country artists Brett Eldridge and Che Quintero in helping kick off the holiday festivities at one of America’s most iconic festive backdrops.
With TV musical specials and appearances like these being such highlights for Parton during the winter holiday season, it stands to reason she relishes tuning in and catching some of the all-time classics during this period as well. Perhaps she makes a tradition of gathering family around to enjoying beloved annual airings of animated staples like How the Grinch Stole Christmas or A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Beyond that, Dolly may take pride in watching TV movies continuing to amplify the positive spirit of the season. Productions like CBS’ recent Fit for Christmas charming tale of a woman discovering a second chance at love or other made-for-TV Hallmark/Lifetime romance movies with uplifting messages could be right in her wheelhouse.
After all, Dolly herself is working on providing the book source material for an upcoming holiday movie musical theatrical film – a Chritsmas gift from her to the world as she sees it. Clearly the season has weight and meaning to the country icon, so finding respite and joy in comforting holiday TV programming alone or with loved ones seems quite plausible.
An Ambassador for Education and Dreams
While many of Dolly’s possible TV favorites may provide simple escapist pleasures or heartfelt nuggets of inspiration, as one of the world’s most fervent champions of reading education, she might also reserve select prime viewing time for shows intent on instilling a love of learning from an early age in kids.
PBS’s long-running Reading Rainbow and more recent Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum series stand out as likely contenders for holding a special place in Parton’s heart. Childhood literacy has always been a charitable cause extremely dear to Parton, with her Imagination Library organization having gifted over 175 million books to kids worldwide.
The prospect of tuning in to acclaimed children’s shows hopefully sparking similar passions for knowledge and reading in young viewers seems like it could be a pure source of joy for Dolly given her lifelong advocacy for this issue.
Beyond that, Parton has forged a kinship with many young stars and artists inspired by her empowering, live-your-dreams ethos. It’s easy to imagine she takes pride in checking out programs celebrating the hustle and innovative spirit of youth much like she once embodied herself when launching her career.
Several TV projects immediately come to mind Parton may have taken a special liking to in recent years for those very reasons. Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series delivering a wonderfully meta tribute to chasing performance ambitions. Or Netflix’s edgy rap musical drama The Quintez Brown Story shedding deserved light on an immensely talented upcoming Black artist and dreamer.
At the end of the day, Parton’s persona has always been synonymous with keeping your childlike sense of wonder alive while championing the kinds of grit and artistic passion that can make the wildest ambitions become reality. Programs providing engaging escapes yet still nourishing the imagination with lessons of fulfilling your aspirations seem destined to be TV comfort food for her generous spirit.
A Kindhearted Escape for Everyone
The reality is with a career as expansive and inspiring as Dolly Parton’s, the types of television shows potentially resonating most with her could be every bit as varied and eclectic as the myriad trailblazing accomplishments filling out her historic resume.
From nostalgic reflections on the entertainment institutions and figures who shaped the TV/film industry in the first place, to contemporary feel-good comedies providing simple pleasures, to programs reinforcing the rewards of chasing your dreams no matter how lofty, Dolly’s palette as a pop culture connoisseur is likely filled with myriad choice viewing options.