Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer and songwriter, is known for her love of animals and her philanthropic efforts. She has a pet line called Dolly’s Doggy Parton, which offers a range of products for dogs, from clothing and accessories to toys and treats. She also supports various animal welfare organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Dollywood Foundation.
On February 21, 2024, Dolly Parton and her dog, Doggy Parton, hosted a two-hour variety special on CBS, called Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala. The show featured exclusive performances by some of the biggest stars in music, such as Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson, and KC of the Sunshine Band. It also showcased a one-of-a-kind runway of doggy fashion, inspired by Dolly’s most iconic looks and her pet line.
The Performances at Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala
The show opened with Dolly Parton singing her classic hit, “9 to 5”, accompanied by a chorus of dogs wearing outfits from her pet line. She then introduced her co-host, Jane Lynch, the Emmy-winning actress and comedian, who is also an animal lover and activist. Lynch joked that she was there to keep Dolly in line, and to make sure that the dogs behaved themselves.
The show featured a mix of solo and duet performances, as well as medleys and mash-ups of Dolly’s songs. Some of the highlights included:
- Lainey Wilson, the rising country star, singing “Jolene”, Dolly’s signature song, with a twist. She changed the lyrics to “Doggy, Doggy, Doggy, please don’t take my man”, and had a dog dressed as Jolene on stage with her.
- Carly Pearce, the award-winning country singer, performing “I Will Always Love You”, Dolly’s most famous ballad, which was also covered by Whitney Houston. She dedicated the song to her late dog, June, who passed away in 2023.
- Chris Janson, the multi-talented country singer and musician, playing the harmonica and the guitar, while singing “Islands in the Stream”, Dolly’s duet with Kenny Rogers. He was joined by Dolly herself, who sang Kenny’s part, and they had a dog wearing a sailor hat and a life jacket on stage with them.
- KC of the Sunshine Band, the disco legends, bringing the funk and the groove to the show, with a medley of “That’s the Way (I Like It)”, “Get Down Tonight”, and “Boogie Shoes”. They also incorporated Dolly’s “Puppy Love” into their mix, and had a dog wearing a disco ball costume on stage with them.
The Fashion at Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala
The show also featured a runway of doggy fashion, where the dogs modeled outfits from Dolly’s Doggy Parton pet line, as well as recreations of Dolly’s most iconic looks. Some of the outfits included:
- A pink and white gingham dress, with a matching hat and a basket of flowers, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “9 to 5”.
- A red sequined jumpsuit, with a feather boa and a microphone, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Rhinestone”.
- A blue denim jacket, with a white shirt and a red bandana, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Steel Magnolias”.
- A yellow and black plaid coat, with a black hat and sunglasses, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Straight Talk”.
- A white lace dress, with a pearl necklace and earrings, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Joyful Noise”.
- A rainbow-colored dress, with a matching wig and a butterfly brooch, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Dumplin’”.
- A black leather jacket, with a red shirt and a guitar, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Heartstrings”.
- A gold sequined dress, with a matching cape and a crown, inspired by Dolly’s look in the movie “Christmas on the Square”.
The show ended with Dolly Parton and Jane Lynch thanking the audience, the performers, the dogs, and the crew, for making the show a success. They also encouraged the viewers to support animal welfare causes, and to adopt, foster, or donate to their local shelters and rescues. They then sang “Here You Come Again”, Dolly’s upbeat song, with all the dogs joining them on stage.
Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala was a must-watch event for animal enthusiasts, as well as for fans of music and fashion. It was a celebration of Dolly’s legacy, her generosity, and her love of animals. It was also a showcase of the talent and the charm of the dogs, who stole the show with their adorable and stylish outfits. It was a night to remember, and a night to make a difference. 🐶
You can watch the full show of Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala on CBS or Paramount+. If you have a Paramount+ subscription with SHOWTIME, you can watch it live or on-demand. If you have a Paramount+ Essential subscription, you can watch it the next day. You can also stream it on fuboTV or Hulu + Live TV in the US. I hope you enjoy the show! 🎶
