The world has been mourning Dolly Parton after the entertainment icon died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief cancer battle.
The country music star who sang hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You,” among many others, was revered across all genres, with her popularity transcending politics, borders, and oceans.
Parton’s deserved legend status prompted ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News to break in with special reports announcing her death during the 2 p.m. ET hour.
Kyra Phillips anchored the special for ABC News at 2:01 p.m. ET; NBC Nightly News’ anchor Tom Llamas was on hand for NBC News, delivering its report at 2:06 p.m. ET; and CBS News’ report was anchored by CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil at 2:08 p.m. ET, with a packaged obituary from Anthony Mason, the network’s senior culture and national correspondent.
ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir hosted Dolly Parton: An American Original – Special Edition of 20/20, which celebrated Parton’s extraordinary life and legacy with unforgettable interviews with Robin Roberts and Barbara Walters over the years. The tribute also included footage of friends, family, and those who knew her best.
In addition, ABC News and CBS News produced primetime tributes in her honor on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET, with NBC News airing its primetime special on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.
It was a CBS This Morning reunion on CBS News’ special, Dolly Parton: An American Icon, as CBS Mornings’ Gayle King, Dokoupil, and Mason spoke about their interviews with Parton. The special also dipped into the network’s vast archives, looking back at the entertainer, including a 2009 60 Minutes interview with Morley Safer, a 2023 CBS News Person-To-Person interview with Norah O’Donnell, and featured additional commentary from country music’s biggest stars and those who knew her best.
Meanwhile, Dolly: An NBC News Special will be anchored by Dateline’s Lester Holt on Wednesday night and will look back at her extraordinary life and legacy. The special will feature reports from Hoda Kotb, Andrea Canning, Keith Morrison, and Josh Mankiewicz, as well as reflections from Parton’s collaborators and close friends.
Lester Holt anchors Dolly: An NBC News Special airing Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.