The program combined musical performances, comedy sketches and celebrity appearances while giving Parton greater creative control than she had received on her previous variety series.
‘Dolly’ Brought Together Music, Comedy and Major Guest Stars
Parton had already fronted a syndicated variety show called “Dolly” in 1976, but she left that program after one season following disagreements over its direction and the demands of production. When ABC developed the 1987 series, Parton was given substantially more control over the title’s creative direction. The format was built around the traditional variety-show model, an increasingly uncommon approach on American television at the time.
The guest list reflected the breadth of Parton’s appeal. The premiere featured Dudley Moore, Hulk Hogan, Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, Oprah Winfrey and New York City Mayor Ed Koch. The second episode brought Burt Reynolds, Whoopi Goldberg and country group Alabama into the mix. Bruce Willis, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt appeared in the third chapter.
The show was also designed to move between different styles of entertainment rather than rely exclusively on Parton’s music. Episodes included scripted comedy, audience questions, celebrity conversations, musical collaborations and segments that took Parton outside the studio.
The scale of the premiere demonstrated the level of interest surrounding Parton’s return to television. The opening episode drew 39.47 million viewers, a figure identified as the largest audience for a television series premiere at the time. The program initially performed strongly in the ratings, but its audience declined as the season progressed.
Parton subsequently adjusted the program, moving away from some of its more elaborate segments and toward a more intimate, country-oriented presentation. The changes did not reverse the ratings decline, however, and ABC ultimately canceled “Dolly” in May 1988, shortly after the final episode had aired. The show later received a home-video release in 2020, when selected episodes were included in “Dolly: The Ultimate Collection – Deluxe Edition.”