1 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to My Favorite Murderer, the Minnesota. Y'all. Hey, y'all. 2 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:23,140 Speaker 2: Hey, y'all. 3 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:25,980 Speaker 1: This is a very special minisode today. This is the 4 00:00:26,070 --> 00:00:27,750 Speaker 1: Dolly Parton tribute minisode. 5 00:00:27,790 --> 00:00:30,650 Speaker 2: That's right. And we got so many emails from you guys. 6 00:00:30,770 --> 00:00:33,530 Speaker 2: Turns out everyone has a Dolly Parton memory or thought 7 00:00:33,570 --> 00:00:34,269 Speaker 2: or feeling. 8 00:00:34,530 --> 00:00:34,990 Speaker 1: Completely. 9 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:36,019 Speaker 2: They were so good. 10 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:38,780 Speaker 1: I mean, there's so many to choose from. It was 11 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,659 Speaker 1: like we could do about 18 of these. And thank you. 12 00:00:43,460 --> 00:00:46,560 Speaker 1: A listener suggested this. I think multiple listeners suggested it. 13 00:00:46,620 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 2: What a great idea, listener. 14 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,659 Speaker 1: Yeah. We're doing it. We did your thing. 15 00:00:49,740 --> 00:00:51,420 Speaker 2: We do what the people tell us to do. 16 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:51,980 Speaker 1: We always do. 17 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,220 Speaker 2: Once every decade. 18 00:00:54,420 --> 00:00:54,980 Speaker 1: Want me to go first? 19 00:00:55,020 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 2: Yes. 20 00:00:55,380 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: Okay. So the subject line of this is, another reason 21 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,660 Speaker 1: why Dolly Parton is a goddess. Hello from the U.K. 22 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:07,620 Speaker 1: I love Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and I'm happy to 23 00:01:07,690 --> 00:01:09,850 Speaker 1: talk about the difference it has made to the children 24 00:01:09,890 --> 00:01:12,700 Speaker 1: in the U.K., Oh, my God. Have you ever even 25 00:01:12,740 --> 00:01:15,819 Speaker 1: thought of this? Yeah. I work for an early years 26 00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:18,060 Speaker 1: education charity in the U.K., and we were put in 27 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,350 Speaker 1: touch with the U.K. branch of the Imagination Library. The 28 00:01:21,390 --> 00:01:24,970 Speaker 1: Imagination Library has over 300 community partners in the U.K. 29 00:01:25,350 --> 00:01:28,090 Speaker 1: with over 7 million books shared here since 2007. Oh, 30 00:01:28,390 --> 00:01:31,390 Speaker 1: my God. Anyway, I think you probably don't want a 31 00:01:31,410 --> 00:01:33,679 Speaker 1: bunch of facts and figures. Why not? 32 00:01:33,860 --> 00:01:36,759 Speaker 2: We love numbers. That's what this podcast is all about. 33 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,190 Speaker 1: Let's go ahead and look at the chart. Okay. Because 34 00:01:40,230 --> 00:01:41,810 Speaker 1: you can just look that up. So I will focus 35 00:01:41,850 --> 00:01:44,530 Speaker 1: on the key things that I believe make the Imagination 36 00:01:44,580 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: Library different from other language and literacy support programs out there. Firstly, 37 00:01:49,540 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: and most importantly, the program must be set up by 38 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,630 Speaker 1: a community partner. This is usually the local council or 39 00:01:55,670 --> 00:01:59,370 Speaker 1: a local charity, etc. The community partner signs up to 40 00:01:59,390 --> 00:02:02,130 Speaker 1: the program and pays a small fee per child in 41 00:02:02,170 --> 00:02:06,150 Speaker 1: their catchment area. This is much better than the facts 42 00:02:06,190 --> 00:02:09,170 Speaker 1: and figures. Explain to us how civics work. 43 00:02:09,290 --> 00:02:11,790 Speaker 2: Us people with no children need to know. 44 00:02:11,850 --> 00:02:15,450 Speaker 1: Please, who's the partner in this? But basically they're saying 45 00:02:15,770 --> 00:02:18,530 Speaker 1: the rest is covered by the imagination library. That means 46 00:02:18,830 --> 00:02:21,420 Speaker 1: that every child in the area is enrolled in the 47 00:02:21,460 --> 00:02:25,060 Speaker 1: program and they all get the books. This is really important. 48 00:02:25,460 --> 00:02:28,660 Speaker 1: It isn't a program for quote-unquote poor kids or for 49 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:31,060 Speaker 1: rich kids or for kids with additional needs or any 50 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,850 Speaker 1: one specific type of family. It is for everyone. There 51 00:02:34,940 --> 00:02:39,619 Speaker 1: is no stigma associated with getting these books. Everyone gets them. 52 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:42,750 Speaker 2: That's what an idea. That's it. Yeah. That's it. 53 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: True equity. Some preschools and community groups even use the 54 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,700 Speaker 1: books as part of their curriculum of activities because they 55 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:53,070 Speaker 1: know that every family has them. Because as Dolly says, 56 00:02:53,490 --> 00:02:55,190 Speaker 1: I just want everybody to be treated good. 57 00:02:56,419 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 2: All right. Oh, yeah. How many? Oh, I forgot to. 58 00:02:58,300 --> 00:02:59,500 Speaker 2: How many times is Karen going to cry? 59 00:02:59,580 --> 00:03:00,540 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, listen. 60 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:01,940 Speaker 2: It has to be once per story at least. 61 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: So that's six. I'm already unstable. 62 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:04,820 Speaker 2: Okay. 63 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:07,060 Speaker 1: This is a great thing to cry over. 64 00:03:07,090 --> 00:03:07,630 Speaker 2: That's true. 65 00:03:07,750 --> 00:03:11,410 Speaker 1: Because somebody said this on social media. And wait, I 66 00:03:11,450 --> 00:03:12,609 Speaker 1: may have already said this on the show. 67 00:03:12,710 --> 00:03:12,870 Speaker 2: What? 68 00:03:13,410 --> 00:03:15,950 Speaker 1: But the thing of this is a person who broke 69 00:03:16,010 --> 00:03:19,230 Speaker 1: records in the music industry. And all anyone's talking about 70 00:03:19,290 --> 00:03:20,250 Speaker 1: is this shit she did. 71 00:03:20,310 --> 00:03:21,290 Speaker 2: How wonderful she was. 72 00:03:21,590 --> 00:03:23,340 Speaker 1: It's just crazy to think about. 73 00:03:23,780 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 2: Aspirational. 74 00:03:25,020 --> 00:03:25,180 Speaker 1: Yeah. 75 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 76 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:28,950 Speaker 1: So then it says, then something that people don't often 77 00:03:28,990 --> 00:03:32,030 Speaker 1: think of, this program helps kids, sure, but it also 78 00:03:32,090 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: stimulates language and literacy skills across whole families. The average 79 00:03:36,740 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 1: reading age in the UK is around the level of 80 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: a 10-year-old, so it shouldn't be forgotten that this program 81 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: can be great to build confidence in reading for adults, too. 82 00:03:46,140 --> 00:03:49,190 Speaker 1: And it was her father's illiteracy that led Dolly to 83 00:03:49,250 --> 00:03:52,530 Speaker 1: set up the Imagination Library. Families who are sent the 84 00:03:52,570 --> 00:03:55,870 Speaker 1: books report reading more at home, going to the library 85 00:03:55,910 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: more often, and just generally reading more books with their children. 86 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: Did you know kids who read one book a day 87 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:06,900 Speaker 1: will hear about 290,000 more words by age five than 88 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:08,970 Speaker 1: those who are not regularly read to? 89 00:04:08,990 --> 00:04:09,630 Speaker 2: Wow. 90 00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:13,950 Speaker 1: Huge. And a child's development by 22 months serves as 91 00:04:13,990 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 1: a strong predictor of educational outcomes at age 26. Wow. 92 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,500 Speaker 1: Giving away books to children under five and encouraging more 93 00:04:21,540 --> 00:04:24,420 Speaker 1: families to read at home is an absolute game changer 94 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:30,140 Speaker 1: when it comes to opportunities in adulthood. Anyway, Dolly forever. Grace. 95 00:04:30,500 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 2: That's so beautiful because she could have just started any 96 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,020 Speaker 2: kind of charity she wanted and moved on. But she 97 00:04:36,060 --> 00:04:39,790 Speaker 2: made it so specifically to be fair and be inclusive. 98 00:04:40,710 --> 00:04:43,570 Speaker 2: And to help throughout your entire life. Like, she didn't 99 00:04:43,589 --> 00:04:44,789 Speaker 2: need to do that. 100 00:04:45,150 --> 00:04:47,490 Speaker 1: Right. And it's like, but she was like, well, if 101 00:04:47,550 --> 00:04:49,940 Speaker 1: I have this money and that means it could do 102 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:54,300 Speaker 1: this thing that then can, it's like seeding a forest. 103 00:04:54,339 --> 00:04:55,580 Speaker 2: Yeah. Amazing. 104 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:58,740 Speaker 1: And what I think is really beautiful is that in 105 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,900 Speaker 1: lieu of flowers, the Dolly Parton estate asked that people 106 00:05:02,060 --> 00:05:06,500 Speaker 1: donate to the Imagination Library. So we are going to donate, 107 00:05:06,620 --> 00:05:10,070 Speaker 1: in the name of murderinos, $ 10, 000 to the Imagination Library, 108 00:05:10,150 --> 00:05:13,150 Speaker 1: which is part of the Dollywood Foundation. Imagine how many 109 00:05:13,210 --> 00:05:14,230 Speaker 1: little books that can buy. 110 00:05:14,250 --> 00:05:16,029 Speaker 2: Oh, my God. Teeny, tiny little books. 111 00:05:16,050 --> 00:05:19,630 Speaker 1: Little books for little kids. They love the children. 112 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 2: Love the books. The children love it. Learning. This one's called, 113 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,469 Speaker 2: my first one's called, I Once Sniffed Dolly Parton. Oh, wow. 114 00:05:30,190 --> 00:05:31,410 Speaker 1: I want to hear all about this. 115 00:05:31,810 --> 00:05:33,870 Speaker 2: And this was sent before Dolly died, but there's an 116 00:05:33,970 --> 00:05:37,029 Speaker 2: update about it, which is really sweet and some photos. 117 00:05:37,810 --> 00:05:41,390 Speaker 2: Ladies and furballs, I once sniffed Dolly Parton. Do I 118 00:05:41,430 --> 00:05:44,010 Speaker 2: have your attention now? She's the queen of the South, 119 00:05:44,130 --> 00:05:46,250 Speaker 2: and as I live in East Tennessee, it had always 120 00:05:46,290 --> 00:05:48,740 Speaker 2: been my dream to meet her. The summer after my 121 00:05:48,770 --> 00:05:50,940 Speaker 2: sophomore year in college, a friend called me to say 122 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 2: that Dolly was coming to Dollywood and staff were going 123 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: to have their pictures taken with her. I suddenly realized 124 00:05:56,779 --> 00:05:59,500 Speaker 2: that I lived close enough to Dollywood, the happiest place 125 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,090 Speaker 2: on earth, And if I move fast enough, maybe I 126 00:06:02,130 --> 00:06:04,990 Speaker 2: could have a picture taken with my hero. And as 127 00:06:05,050 --> 00:06:07,740 Speaker 2: luck would have it, I got hired. She went and 128 00:06:07,770 --> 00:06:12,299 Speaker 2: got a job. At Dollywood? At Dollywood. Too neat. 129 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: So she was definitely going to be there when Dolly 130 00:06:14,300 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: was there. 131 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:17,220 Speaker 2: I got hired as a ride attendant in time for 132 00:06:17,260 --> 00:06:19,380 Speaker 2: Dolly's visit to the park. And that day, I raced 133 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,979 Speaker 2: over to where staff were getting their photos with her. 134 00:06:22,460 --> 00:06:24,039 Speaker 2: We were all in our seats in one of the 135 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,300 Speaker 2: big theaters in the park as it was explained to 136 00:06:26,380 --> 00:06:29,060 Speaker 2: us that we would be in groups of 20 on risers. 137 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,620 Speaker 2: So it's like a group photo. and Dolly would alternate 138 00:06:31,660 --> 00:06:34,700 Speaker 2: between two sets of them to make the process go faster. 139 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,180 Speaker 2: Dolly came out on stage, and my heart beat faster 140 00:06:38,260 --> 00:06:40,979 Speaker 2: than ever before. She said something amazing like, I hope 141 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:41,990 Speaker 2: y'all brushed your teeth. 142 00:06:44,410 --> 00:06:46,130 Speaker 1: That's so cute. 143 00:06:46,450 --> 00:06:50,250 Speaker 2: And they started putting folks on stage. To my delight, 144 00:06:50,290 --> 00:06:52,169 Speaker 2: when I got up there, I realized they were sending 145 00:06:52,250 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 2: tall guys to the back. I'm neither tall nor a guy, 146 00:06:55,700 --> 00:06:57,660 Speaker 2: and I lingered until I was on the front row. 147 00:06:58,240 --> 00:06:58,460 Speaker 1: Oh, crap. 148 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 2: I sniffed Dolly Parton. And it says she smelled like 149 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 2: a wonderful church lady in case you wondered. And in 150 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:04,460 Speaker 2: case you did wonder.... 151 00:07:21,060 --> 00:07:21,300 Speaker 1: No. 152 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,350 Speaker 2: Look what Kate was able to track down for us. 153 00:07:23,410 --> 00:07:25,690 Speaker 2: It's a little. This truly is her perfume. Sample of 154 00:07:25,710 --> 00:07:27,870 Speaker 2: Dolly's perfume. Don't spray it. I'll get a headache. 155 00:07:28,210 --> 00:07:28,350 Speaker 1: No. 156 00:07:28,950 --> 00:07:31,950 Speaker 2: Nothing personal. I can't do smells. 157 00:07:32,250 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: My old roommate used to put on perfume before she 158 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,220 Speaker 1: left for school. And it's just like you just filled 159 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:40,020 Speaker 1: the room with like the worst, heaviest. We had a 160 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: guy who came over. 161 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 2: Never mind. Okay. This is for the main episode. 162 00:07:42,780 --> 00:07:43,020 Speaker 1: Not now. 163 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:44,670 Speaker 2: This is come on. 164 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,180 Speaker 1: Isn't that amazing? So good. 165 00:07:47,380 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 2: In 2009, Dolly was given an honorary doctorate from the 166 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 2: University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a friend of mine 167 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:54,820 Speaker 2: was asked to interview her for a local radio station. 168 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,620 Speaker 2: Knowing my love for the queen of country, she called 169 00:07:57,660 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 2: me and asked if I would be her sound tech 170 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,060 Speaker 2: for the interview, assuring me it wasn't that hard, just 171 00:08:03,100 --> 00:08:05,580 Speaker 2: pointing a microphone, and I jumped at the chance. As 172 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:08,620 Speaker 2: everyone gathered for the interview, her security team insisted on 173 00:08:08,750 --> 00:08:13,060 Speaker 2: no fan pictures. Only interview questions, no autographs, etc. So 174 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 2: I was a little disappointed. But Dolly soon came out 175 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,700 Speaker 2: and all was forgotten. My friend's interview came and I 176 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 2: bent down to position the microphone in front of Dolly 177 00:08:21,260 --> 00:08:25,070 Speaker 2: like I'd been shown. And she looked at me and said, hello. 178 00:08:25,830 --> 00:08:28,370 Speaker 2: I forced myself to get over my nerves and said, hello, 179 00:08:28,670 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 2: back with what I'm sure was the biggest smile ever. 180 00:08:32,660 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 2: Dolly and my friend had their interview, and after, Dolly 181 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,420 Speaker 2: actually took a photo with me. Ha ha, suck it, 182 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 2: security guys. And said, why, you're a little like me. 183 00:08:42,100 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 2: You want a pair of shoes? Why am I trying 184 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:44,179 Speaker 2: to do her accent? 185 00:08:44,210 --> 00:08:46,170 Speaker 1: It's really good, though, because it's that kind of like, 186 00:08:46,370 --> 00:08:49,370 Speaker 1: she just had so many funny little quippy kind of things. 187 00:08:49,390 --> 00:08:51,820 Speaker 2: Totally, because everyone wanted that from her, and she gave it. 188 00:08:51,830 --> 00:08:52,870 Speaker 1: You want a pair of shoes? 189 00:08:52,890 --> 00:08:53,590 Speaker 2: You want a pair of shoes? 190 00:08:53,610 --> 00:08:53,690 Speaker 1: Yeah. 191 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:56,699 Speaker 2: I'm pretty sure I giggled, yes, and still have that 192 00:08:56,740 --> 00:09:00,380 Speaker 2: photo with my family photos. No shoes, though. Stay sexy 193 00:09:00,450 --> 00:09:03,130 Speaker 2: and do meet your heroes, Courtney. And then here's an 194 00:09:03,210 --> 00:09:06,090 Speaker 2: update from Courtney. I lost my mom in May, and 195 00:09:06,110 --> 00:09:08,270 Speaker 2: it may sound silly, but losing Dolly in the same 196 00:09:08,330 --> 00:09:10,990 Speaker 2: year has been such a blow. However, at least my 197 00:09:11,050 --> 00:09:14,250 Speaker 2: mom never knew a world without Dolly. She was born 198 00:09:14,340 --> 00:09:16,939 Speaker 2: two years after Dolly was born. My mom took me 199 00:09:16,980 --> 00:09:19,420 Speaker 2: to Dollywood for years, just she and I, when I 200 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:21,620 Speaker 2: was younger, and I did the same for her when 201 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,500 Speaker 2: I got older. Ugh. Now that both she and Dolly 202 00:09:24,540 --> 00:09:27,340 Speaker 2: are gone, my Dollywood trips will be a little bittersweet, 203 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,490 Speaker 2: but I hope they're both looking down on me. Here 204 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: are the pics. And here are her. 205 00:09:32,090 --> 00:09:33,929 Speaker 1: At Dollywood? 206 00:09:33,970 --> 00:09:34,489 Speaker 2: Both of them. 207 00:09:34,910 --> 00:09:35,650 Speaker 1: Oh, my God. 208 00:09:35,670 --> 00:09:38,449 Speaker 2: That's the Dollywood. Oh, here, yeah. I knew what it 209 00:09:38,470 --> 00:09:40,849 Speaker 2: would be. I'm like, that's a murderina. That's clearly a murderina. 210 00:09:40,870 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 2: This is too cute. Look at Dolly. 211 00:09:43,010 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: You're a little like me. You're a little like me. 212 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:45,579 Speaker 1: You want a pair of shoes? 213 00:09:45,740 --> 00:09:48,780 Speaker 2: And then there's the one from the interview. Look at 214 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:49,780 Speaker 2: her makeup. 215 00:09:50,059 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: I know. 216 00:09:50,540 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 2: It's flawless. 217 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,089 Speaker 1: Also, just it's like that's a woman just having a 218 00:09:54,110 --> 00:09:54,650 Speaker 1: great time. 219 00:09:54,670 --> 00:09:54,750 Speaker 2: Yeah. 220 00:09:55,309 --> 00:09:58,929 Speaker 1: Just really enjoying. Yeah. Enjoying what she's been given or 221 00:09:59,390 --> 00:09:59,970 Speaker 1: what she's earned. 222 00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:02,780 Speaker 2: Amazing. Great job, Courtney. You met her twice. Courtney. 223 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:08,540 Speaker 1: And you held you held it together. Yeah. So this 224 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: is hilarious. We got this email and it's from your 225 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: friend and mine, Vicki Ernst. 226 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:14,820 Speaker 2: Oh. 227 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:16,420 Speaker 1: Who is one of my oldest friends. 228 00:10:16,470 --> 00:10:16,730 Speaker 2: Yeah. 229 00:10:16,970 --> 00:10:19,939 Speaker 1: I worked on Ellen with her for five years. She 230 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: was one of the producers on our HBO show, Upcoming. 231 00:10:22,850 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 2: Yep. Stay tuned. Oh, my God. 232 00:10:24,970 --> 00:10:27,510 Speaker 1: Vicky wrote in. Vicky wrote in because, of course, Vicky's 233 00:10:27,530 --> 00:10:31,250 Speaker 1: been working in talk shows for 20 years. So the 234 00:10:31,429 --> 00:10:33,590 Speaker 1: headline of this email is, Working 9 to 5 with 235 00:10:33,630 --> 00:10:37,179 Speaker 1: Dolly on my birthday, in brackets, from Vicky Ernst. 236 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 2: I love it. 237 00:10:39,100 --> 00:10:41,580 Speaker 1: And it says, Hi, Karen and Georgia. Before producing your 238 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: HBO series. 239 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:44,340 Speaker 2: Nice plug. Thank you. 240 00:10:45,210 --> 00:10:47,530 Speaker 1: Before producing your HBO series, I was a talk show 241 00:10:47,570 --> 00:10:50,630 Speaker 1: producer and I had the pleasure of producing Dolly twice. 242 00:10:50,710 --> 00:10:51,250 Speaker 2: Whoa. 243 00:10:51,290 --> 00:10:54,329 Speaker 1: That's incredible. That is the amazing part of working in 244 00:10:54,350 --> 00:10:58,329 Speaker 1: talk shows. It's a, every day is just a, it's 245 00:10:58,450 --> 00:11:02,079 Speaker 1: a carousel of big celebrities that you kind of are like, 246 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 1: like that, where you're kind of standing near them. If 247 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:06,620 Speaker 1: they feel like talking to you, maybe you get to. Totally. 248 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,220 Speaker 2: And then there's a dog that juggles next to them, right? 249 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: And a little kid that can limbo so low to 250 00:11:11,660 --> 00:11:13,790 Speaker 1: the ground on roller skates. Incredible. 251 00:11:13,830 --> 00:11:14,070 Speaker 2: Wow. 252 00:11:14,429 --> 00:11:18,590 Speaker 1: So the first time was on my 39th birthday in 2014. Ooh, 253 00:11:19,450 --> 00:11:22,510 Speaker 1: Vicky's giving it all away. Dolly was traveling, so instead 254 00:11:22,530 --> 00:11:25,030 Speaker 1: of doing our pre-interview by phone the day before, we 255 00:11:25,070 --> 00:11:27,220 Speaker 1: met in her dressing room on the day of the show. 256 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:30,579 Speaker 1: She introduced me to everyone on her team, many of whom, 257 00:11:30,620 --> 00:11:33,439 Speaker 1: if I remember correctly, were members of her family. Then 258 00:11:33,500 --> 00:11:36,179 Speaker 1: she asked everyone to leave so we could talk privately. 259 00:11:36,740 --> 00:11:39,220 Speaker 1: No one does this. Usually the whole team stays while 260 00:11:39,260 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 1: you attempt to focus in on what feels like Grand 261 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:45,410 Speaker 1: Central Station. Before I could start interviewing Dolly, she started 262 00:11:45,450 --> 00:11:48,730 Speaker 1: interviewing me. She asked about my life, told me she 263 00:11:48,790 --> 00:11:51,650 Speaker 1: loved jokes, and immediately shared one. There were racks and 264 00:11:51,710 --> 00:11:54,179 Speaker 1: racks of clothes and tons of wigs in the dressing room, 265 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: so I asked what she planned to wear for the show. 266 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,579 Speaker 1: She told me she had picked out something special. Then 267 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:02,980 Speaker 1: she said she was game for anything. Naturally, I decided 268 00:12:03,020 --> 00:12:05,420 Speaker 1: to test that theory. I asked if we could borrow 269 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,990 Speaker 1: one of those wigs for the segment. She said yes, 270 00:12:08,190 --> 00:12:10,730 Speaker 1: and suddenly I was going through wigs with Dolly Parton, 271 00:12:11,090 --> 00:12:13,770 Speaker 1: which is a completely insane thing to get paid to do. 272 00:12:14,890 --> 00:12:18,790 Speaker 1: The second time I produced her was remotely during COVID. 273 00:12:19,250 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: Remembering how much Dolly loved planning her wardrobe, I told 274 00:12:22,340 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: her team our set colors. Dolly selected an outfit. That's 275 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,679 Speaker 1: good producing. It's real good producing. Dolly selected an outfit 276 00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:33,180 Speaker 1: that matched so perfectly that Oprah commented on it during 277 00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:33,839 Speaker 1: the interview. 278 00:12:33,860 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 2: Wow. 279 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,380 Speaker 1: I attached a photo so you can see exactly what 280 00:12:38,490 --> 00:12:38,790 Speaker 1: I mean. 281 00:12:38,850 --> 00:12:41,829 Speaker 2: I need to see it. Oh, wow. She matches that 282 00:12:41,929 --> 00:12:43,910 Speaker 2: little chair perfectly. 283 00:12:43,929 --> 00:12:44,670 Speaker 1: It's so good. 284 00:12:44,750 --> 00:12:46,929 Speaker 2: Like down to her neck. Oh, my God, my ring matches. 285 00:12:47,050 --> 00:12:50,750 Speaker 1: Look. Yay. No, nice one. She was everything you would 286 00:12:50,790 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 1: hope Dolly would be. Warm, funny, thoughtful, completely genuine, and 287 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 1: perfectly dressed for any occasion. 288 00:12:56,540 --> 00:12:56,610 Speaker 2: Yes. 289 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: And the best birthday present of all, when Dolly asked 290 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: me during the first pre-interview, I told her it was 291 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,470 Speaker 1: my birthday. She immediately sang happy birthday to me. 292 00:13:05,570 --> 00:13:06,490 Speaker 2: Good God. 293 00:13:06,809 --> 00:13:08,790 Speaker 1: With just the two of us in her dressing room. 294 00:13:09,450 --> 00:13:11,610 Speaker 1: On my 39th birthday, I got paid to choose a 295 00:13:11,630 --> 00:13:13,810 Speaker 1: wig with Dolly Parton and got my own private performance 296 00:13:13,830 --> 00:13:16,750 Speaker 1: of happy birthday. I mean, how do you— this is Vicky's accent. 297 00:13:16,890 --> 00:13:17,510 Speaker 1: How do you top that? 298 00:13:17,550 --> 00:13:18,490 Speaker 2: Yeah, she's so New Jersey. 299 00:13:18,510 --> 00:13:21,209 Speaker 1: I mean, how do you top that? My best— Long Island. 300 00:13:21,410 --> 00:13:21,890 Speaker 2: Long Island. 301 00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:23,370 Speaker 1: Long— shit, sorry. Long Island. 302 00:13:23,450 --> 00:13:24,089 Speaker 2: Long Island. 303 00:13:24,390 --> 00:13:26,790 Speaker 1: Best birthday ever. I just wish I had hit record 304 00:13:26,850 --> 00:13:29,910 Speaker 1: on my iPhone. I'm still mad at myself about that. 305 00:13:30,270 --> 00:13:31,910 Speaker 1: And then it says Vicky from Long Island. 306 00:13:34,010 --> 00:13:37,510 Speaker 2: Vicky! Vicky. I love when, like, people we know join in. 307 00:13:37,530 --> 00:13:39,189 Speaker 2: Has that happened before? Because I feel like nobody listens 308 00:13:39,210 --> 00:13:40,130 Speaker 2: to this podcast. 309 00:13:40,470 --> 00:13:42,189 Speaker 1: Everyone I know is like, you're what? 310 00:13:42,210 --> 00:13:42,450 Speaker 2: Yeah. 311 00:13:43,290 --> 00:13:46,740 Speaker 1: Vic, thank you, Vicky. That's hilarious. 312 00:13:47,059 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 2: That's great. And yeah, I highly recommend you hang out 313 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:52,020 Speaker 2: with people who produce talk shows because they have the 314 00:13:52,059 --> 00:13:54,060 Speaker 2: best stories. Like when we were on tour with her 315 00:13:54,220 --> 00:13:56,340 Speaker 2: and you, you'd be like, remember when we met? And 316 00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: it's just like the most random. 317 00:13:58,100 --> 00:13:58,610 Speaker 1: So crazy. 318 00:13:58,620 --> 00:14:00,870 Speaker 2: And you find out who's actually an asshole and who's not. 319 00:14:01,290 --> 00:14:01,750 Speaker 1: That's right. 320 00:14:01,790 --> 00:14:02,370 Speaker 2: Pretty rad. 321 00:14:02,550 --> 00:14:04,470 Speaker 1: That's all in the fan cult, everybody. 322 00:14:04,550 --> 00:14:07,970 Speaker 2: Yeah, wait for my tell-all. This was also sent before 323 00:14:08,330 --> 00:14:09,610 Speaker 2: Dolly passed. 324 00:14:10,340 --> 00:14:14,020 Speaker 1: I love that we had emails about meeting Dolly Parton before. 325 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:18,450 Speaker 2: Enough to do, like, yeah. My BFF, Dolly Parton. Hello, everyone, 326 00:14:18,490 --> 00:14:22,270 Speaker 2: including all fabulous pets. After this week's Famous People conversation, 327 00:14:22,450 --> 00:14:24,550 Speaker 2: I thought I would share my story about Dolly Parton. 328 00:14:25,210 --> 00:14:27,890 Speaker 2: I live in Blaine, Tennessee, which is about 30 minutes 329 00:14:27,950 --> 00:14:29,150 Speaker 2: from Sevier County. 330 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:31,170 Speaker 1: Sevier County. I want to go there. 331 00:14:31,350 --> 00:14:32,790 Speaker 2: Home of Dollywood. You've been there. 332 00:14:32,970 --> 00:14:35,190 Speaker 1: Oh, what a life I'm leading. 333 00:14:35,270 --> 00:14:36,010 Speaker 2: What else do you want? 334 00:14:36,290 --> 00:14:39,010 Speaker 1: I'd love to go to Sevier County. You got it. 335 00:14:39,030 --> 00:14:39,470 Speaker 2: You got it. 336 00:14:39,530 --> 00:14:42,460 Speaker 1: The one place my eyebrows make sense. Sevier County. 337 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,620 Speaker 2: Dollywood used to be a park called Silver Dollar City. 338 00:14:46,260 --> 00:14:49,140 Speaker 2: In 1986, Dolly reopened the park as Dollywood. There was 339 00:14:49,180 --> 00:14:51,870 Speaker 2: a huge celebration. It was announced Dolly would be there 340 00:14:51,970 --> 00:14:53,910 Speaker 2: to cut the ribbon and make an appearance. 341 00:14:53,930 --> 00:14:54,170 Speaker 1: Oh. 342 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 2: As a young gay boy of nine years old, yes, 343 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:59,500 Speaker 2: I knew it then and I know it now, I 344 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 2: was ecstatic. I begged my parents to take me and 345 00:15:03,180 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 2: my siblings, even though back then it would cost the 346 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,050 Speaker 2: equivalent of a mortgage payment for us all to go. 347 00:15:08,590 --> 00:15:11,070 Speaker 2: My mom and dad took only me. My oldest brothers 348 00:15:11,210 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 2: didn't want to go. Of course. No. What? 349 00:15:14,460 --> 00:15:17,100 Speaker 1: Go where? But they're wrong about that. They would have 350 00:15:17,140 --> 00:15:18,180 Speaker 1: loved those rides. 351 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:20,540 Speaker 2: We stood in line for what seemed like forever to 352 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:22,620 Speaker 2: catch a glimpse of her. All of a sudden, we 353 00:15:22,660 --> 00:15:25,460 Speaker 2: hear an announcement. She was coming right past where we 354 00:15:25,500 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 2: were roped off. I look, and here comes Dolly, dressed 355 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:34,590 Speaker 2: in her best East Tennessee backwoods Barbie attire. I reached 356 00:15:34,710 --> 00:15:37,370 Speaker 2: up to touch her hand. She asked the driver to 357 00:15:37,450 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 2: stop the carriage, and she got down. She walked up 358 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,100 Speaker 2: to me after signing autographs and all caps, PICKED ME 359 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,620 Speaker 2: UP to hold me. I think I only picked ones 360 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:50,369 Speaker 2: that I have to pretend to be her voice. I 361 00:15:50,390 --> 00:15:51,050 Speaker 2: have to do her voice. 362 00:15:51,330 --> 00:15:51,750 Speaker 1: Act outs? 363 00:15:51,790 --> 00:15:54,510 Speaker 2: They're all act outs. She pinched my cheeks and said, 364 00:15:55,250 --> 00:15:58,810 Speaker 2: You have the prettiest cheeks I've ever seen. And put 365 00:15:58,890 --> 00:16:02,710 Speaker 2: me back down. I died. I had been touched by 366 00:16:02,730 --> 00:16:04,970 Speaker 2: an angel. You are crying again. 367 00:16:05,270 --> 00:16:08,229 Speaker 1: That little nine-year-old boy was like, Please, mother. 368 00:16:08,250 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 2: This is important. Gay in Tennessee, and it's the 80s. 369 00:16:12,050 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 2: That's not easy. 370 00:16:13,060 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 1: No. 371 00:16:14,340 --> 00:16:16,140 Speaker 2: And he gets to have this moment. 372 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: And she sees him. 373 00:16:17,620 --> 00:16:21,460 Speaker 2: Yeah, she sees him. Now, of course, living here my 374 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 2: whole life, Dolly has made hundreds of appearances at the park. 375 00:16:24,710 --> 00:16:27,770 Speaker 2: Back in 2016, Andy Cohen came to Dollywood to interview her. 376 00:16:28,070 --> 00:16:31,530 Speaker 2: I won tickets from SiriusXM. Are we allowed to say that? 377 00:16:31,550 --> 00:16:33,950 Speaker 2: To attend a town hall. I took my best friend, 378 00:16:34,010 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 2: and off we went. We walked into the amphitheater and 379 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 2: are told to stand in line. The woman with the 380 00:16:39,180 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 2: clipboard said, if you guys wait patiently, we're setting up 381 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 2: the step and repeat so you can have your photo 382 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,710 Speaker 2: taken with Dolly. Excuse me, I was not told this 383 00:16:47,790 --> 00:16:50,850 Speaker 2: when I won the contest. I lost my mind. About 384 00:16:50,850 --> 00:16:53,110 Speaker 2: 10 minutes later, it was our turn to have our 385 00:16:53,170 --> 00:16:55,630 Speaker 2: photo taken with her. She asked me where we were from, 386 00:16:55,710 --> 00:16:58,730 Speaker 2: and I told her, here. And she said, I love 387 00:16:58,770 --> 00:17:02,190 Speaker 2: my hometown people. Oh, it's so bad. I couldn't help 388 00:17:02,210 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 2: but tell her, Ms. Parton, I don't expect you to 389 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:06,500 Speaker 2: remember this, but when I was nine, you picked me up, 390 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 2: pinched my cheeks, and told me I had the prettiest 391 00:17:08,580 --> 00:17:11,820 Speaker 2: cheeks you'd ever seen. She smiles, in all caps, in 392 00:17:11,900 --> 00:17:15,580 Speaker 2: front of Andy Cohen, the entire Bravo crew, the audience, 393 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,139 Speaker 2: and producers. She pinches my cheek again and says, and 394 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:23,100 Speaker 2: you still do, sugar. And you still do, sugar. 395 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:25,879 Speaker 1: You found your character. You found it. 396 00:17:26,340 --> 00:17:27,700 Speaker 2: I was really hoping you'd come in here in a 397 00:17:27,740 --> 00:17:30,020 Speaker 2: fucking Dolly wig today. What? 398 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:32,220 Speaker 1: I forgot what I meant to do. 399 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:33,899 Speaker 2: Oh, my gosh. You have a Dollywood sweater. 400 00:17:33,980 --> 00:17:35,699 Speaker 1: I literally was like, oh, I'm going to bring it. 401 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: I'm going to wear it. I'm going to do this. 402 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:39,460 Speaker 2: Let's start over. Yeah. 403 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:39,959 Speaker 1: Cut. 404 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:42,420 Speaker 2: Can we get wardrobe? 405 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 1: I completely forgot about this. But look at what the best. 406 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,340 Speaker 1: So I got this when we went to Dollywood recently. 407 00:17:47,380 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: It's a pink sweatshirt. 408 00:17:48,340 --> 00:17:48,419 Speaker 2: What? 409 00:17:51,010 --> 00:17:52,190 Speaker 1: Oh, my God. This is going to be so hot. 410 00:17:52,250 --> 00:17:53,750 Speaker 1: I'm going to immediately need to take it off. 411 00:17:53,770 --> 00:17:54,450 Speaker 2: Oh, it's got pocket. 412 00:17:54,470 --> 00:17:55,790 Speaker 1: It's fucking got pocket. 413 00:17:55,850 --> 00:17:58,970 Speaker 2: It's not a hoodie and it has the like hoodie pouch. Right. 414 00:17:58,990 --> 00:18:01,229 Speaker 2: That is fucking. She knows. She knows. 415 00:18:01,470 --> 00:18:03,130 Speaker 1: And also the best color combination. 416 00:18:03,170 --> 00:18:06,619 Speaker 2: It's so good. Pink and burgundy-ish, brownish. 417 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:07,360 Speaker 1: I'd say so. 418 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:08,460 Speaker 2: Amazing. Yeah. 419 00:18:08,740 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: I had to wait till the end of this episode 420 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: so that so I didn't die. Right. 421 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:17,820 Speaker 2: Okay. And you still do sugar. Needless to say, everyone 422 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:20,800 Speaker 2: started laughing and I started crying. Even if she didn't 423 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:23,050 Speaker 2: remember for real, she knew how important it was to 424 00:18:23,090 --> 00:18:25,449 Speaker 2: me that she did. It made my day. I have 425 00:18:25,470 --> 00:18:29,449 Speaker 2: attached said picture for evidence and jealousy purposes. Love you 426 00:18:29,590 --> 00:18:32,409 Speaker 2: all at MFM. Stay sexy and become best friends with 427 00:18:32,450 --> 00:18:37,290 Speaker 2: your idols. Jason. And here they are. Jason. He looks 428 00:18:37,310 --> 00:18:40,270 Speaker 2: so nervous. Oh, he's got a dolly shirt on. They 429 00:18:40,290 --> 00:18:40,770 Speaker 2: both do. 430 00:18:40,790 --> 00:18:40,990 Speaker 1: Yeah. 431 00:18:41,130 --> 00:18:42,050 Speaker 2: That's so cute. 432 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:44,460 Speaker 1: I wish we had the nine-year-old picture, too. 433 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,460 Speaker 2: I know. That's got to be somewhere in the archives 434 00:18:47,500 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 2: of Dollywood, like, celebration. 435 00:18:49,180 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: Her picking up a little boy and just being like, 436 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:51,859 Speaker 1: look at this. 437 00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:52,160 Speaker 2: Yeah. 438 00:18:52,460 --> 00:18:53,060 Speaker 1: So cute. 439 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:53,699 Speaker 2: So cute. 440 00:18:53,960 --> 00:19:00,490 Speaker 1: So exciting. Okay. Here's my last one. Similar. The subject 441 00:19:00,510 --> 00:19:03,129 Speaker 1: line is, please don't embarrass me in front of Dolly Parton. 442 00:19:03,810 --> 00:19:06,649 Speaker 1: Karen Georgia and the whole MFM crew. Hey, y'all. I 443 00:19:06,670 --> 00:19:09,109 Speaker 1: started writing this email on the day of Dolly's passing, 444 00:19:09,230 --> 00:19:11,649 Speaker 1: tucked away in a conference room at work, tears in 445 00:19:11,690 --> 00:19:14,230 Speaker 1: my eyes after hearing the news from the family group chat. 446 00:19:14,770 --> 00:19:17,370 Speaker 1: I put the email aside, unsure if this felt like 447 00:19:17,430 --> 00:19:20,490 Speaker 1: enough of a story to tell, despite this often being 448 00:19:20,590 --> 00:19:23,250 Speaker 1: used as my fun fact when needed. But since you 449 00:19:23,290 --> 00:19:25,470 Speaker 1: asked for Dolly stories, here's what I've got to share. 450 00:19:26,150 --> 00:19:28,490 Speaker 1: When I was in elementary school, my family was scouted 451 00:19:28,550 --> 00:19:33,170 Speaker 1: by a talent agent at church. Now, how those conversations 452 00:19:33,230 --> 00:19:35,910 Speaker 1: came together and what deal was signed was beyond me. 453 00:19:36,410 --> 00:19:39,090 Speaker 1: All I knew was that my little thespian heart was 454 00:19:39,190 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 1: thrilled to be in front of the camera. And while 455 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:44,100 Speaker 1: we only did a few small commercials for amusement parks 456 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,389 Speaker 1: and local spots, to me, I felt like I was 457 00:19:46,470 --> 00:19:49,970 Speaker 1: living the Hollywood dream. But all of that paled in comparison. 458 00:19:50,500 --> 00:19:54,380 Speaker 1: to the job offer, to sing in a Christmas commercial 459 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,730 Speaker 1: with the one and only Dolly Parton at Dollywood. 460 00:19:57,770 --> 00:19:58,890 Speaker 2: Holy shit. 461 00:19:59,090 --> 00:20:02,010 Speaker 1: As an East Tennessee kid and an avid Dolly fan, 462 00:20:02,130 --> 00:20:05,450 Speaker 1: my entire acting career of three months amounted to this 463 00:20:05,510 --> 00:20:06,169 Speaker 1: very moment. 464 00:20:06,190 --> 00:20:06,350 Speaker 2: Oh, baby. 465 00:20:07,190 --> 00:20:09,270 Speaker 1: On the day of the shoot, they rounded up me, 466 00:20:09,350 --> 00:20:11,990 Speaker 1: my three siblings, and the rest of the children's ensemble 467 00:20:12,380 --> 00:20:14,919 Speaker 1: to teach us the theme song, give us our cues, 468 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:17,660 Speaker 1: and set us at our marks. Bundled in jackets with 469 00:20:17,740 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 1: fake snow falling all around, I couldn't stop looking over 470 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:24,220 Speaker 1: at my older sister, Yasmin, and beaming. This was about 471 00:20:24,260 --> 00:20:26,649 Speaker 1: to be the best day of our little lives. When 472 00:20:26,670 --> 00:20:30,330 Speaker 1: it was finally time to start shooting, Dolly emerged. She 473 00:20:30,350 --> 00:20:33,790 Speaker 1: was a vision in a tight red velvet Mrs. Claus dress, 474 00:20:34,369 --> 00:21:02,990 Speaker 1: hair done up to heaven. Yeah. Not tears of joy, 475 00:21:03,070 --> 00:21:08,010 Speaker 1: dear reader. Abject horror. Uncontrollable fear. Now, in her defense, 476 00:21:08,130 --> 00:21:11,109 Speaker 1: Dolly in the flesh was a sight. She was short 477 00:21:11,150 --> 00:21:15,369 Speaker 1: and petite with the tiniest waist you've ever seen, big boobs, 478 00:21:15,590 --> 00:21:18,210 Speaker 1: a head of platinum hair piled high, and bright red 479 00:21:18,230 --> 00:21:21,740 Speaker 1: acrylics that were long as talons. In that moment, I 480 00:21:21,780 --> 00:21:25,220 Speaker 1: was ready to disown my sister swiftly and without regret. 481 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:28,919 Speaker 1: But Dolly, being Dolly, took it all in stride. She 482 00:21:28,980 --> 00:21:31,530 Speaker 1: mused that it was probably pretty crazy to see a 483 00:21:31,590 --> 00:21:33,909 Speaker 1: Barbie doll come to life and start talking like that. 484 00:21:35,730 --> 00:21:38,350 Speaker 1: After a quick rearrangement of the kid choir, making sure 485 00:21:38,390 --> 00:21:40,870 Speaker 1: my sister was still at the front, but far from Dolly, 486 00:21:41,250 --> 00:21:42,409 Speaker 1: we shot the commercial. 487 00:21:42,430 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 2: She was scared of Dolly. 488 00:21:43,340 --> 00:21:45,159 Speaker 1: She was fucking scared of Dolly. 489 00:21:45,619 --> 00:21:47,140 Speaker 2: Oh, my God. It's like when you go to see 490 00:21:47,180 --> 00:21:49,300 Speaker 2: Santa at the mall and the little kid loses it. Yes. 491 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,060 Speaker 2: It's the same kind of idea where it's like, I 492 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:54,070 Speaker 2: don't know. This is It's too far beyond my understanding 493 00:21:54,119 --> 00:21:55,010 Speaker 2: of reality. 494 00:21:55,230 --> 00:21:57,850 Speaker 1: And don't you think with a star like that, there's 495 00:21:58,090 --> 00:22:00,169 Speaker 1: a vibe that's coming three feet in front of her 496 00:22:00,210 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: and like a little kid's just like, what? How did 497 00:22:02,540 --> 00:22:03,340 Speaker 1: the temperature change? 498 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,300 Speaker 2: Here she comes. Yeah, I'm sure it was overwhelming. Yeah. 499 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:08,020 Speaker 2: No excuse. 500 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: So it says for 20 plus years, I've been telling 501 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: this story and everyone's immediate response is, where can I 502 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: watch this commercial? I have scoured the internet, but since 503 00:22:18,020 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: it was a local production shot in 2007, I assumed 504 00:22:21,380 --> 00:22:24,740 Speaker 1: it would never materialize online. That is until the day 505 00:22:25,020 --> 00:22:28,590 Speaker 1: Dolly passed away. As my family and I were reflecting 506 00:22:28,730 --> 00:22:31,540 Speaker 1: on Dolly's legacy and what she meant as our hometown hero, 507 00:22:31,950 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: my younger sister, of all people, found a link to 508 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,460 Speaker 1: the video, which had been uploaded just last year. It 509 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: felt like a little parting gift from her to our family. 510 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:46,719 Speaker 1: So I present to you Dollywood Toyland Commercial Spot 2007. 511 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:48,780 Speaker 1: Holy shit. 512 00:22:48,859 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 2: Get ready. Oh, my God. That's her. 513 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:01,530 Speaker 1: Screaming child over on the side. Holy crap. So it says, 514 00:23:01,609 --> 00:23:05,250 Speaker 1: we are scattered in this scene. Me, Mads is the writer. 515 00:23:05,770 --> 00:23:09,149 Speaker 1: My older sister, Yasmin. My younger brother, Macon. And my 516 00:23:09,170 --> 00:23:10,830 Speaker 1: younger sister, Autumn. Wow. 517 00:23:11,210 --> 00:23:12,690 Speaker 2: So Yasmin's right next to her. 518 00:23:12,710 --> 00:23:16,190 Speaker 1: That's amazing. Yeah. Yasmin's right there. 519 00:23:16,210 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 2: But is it. 520 00:23:17,710 --> 00:23:18,490 Speaker 1: Who was the crier? 521 00:23:18,510 --> 00:23:21,100 Speaker 2: Autumn, I think. Yeah, Autumn. It's always Autumn. 522 00:23:21,150 --> 00:23:24,179 Speaker 1: They're like, push Autumn to the front. It's always Autumn. 523 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:29,310 Speaker 1: So basically it says... Dolly lived fearlessly, advocated for the underdog, 524 00:23:29,390 --> 00:23:32,430 Speaker 1: and refused to be anything but herself. May we all 525 00:23:32,490 --> 00:23:35,490 Speaker 1: learn to live a little like her. Stay sexy and 526 00:23:35,510 --> 00:23:37,109 Speaker 1: don't be afraid to be in on the joke. 527 00:23:37,470 --> 00:23:40,970 Speaker 2: Mads. Oh, my God. That was great. 528 00:23:41,070 --> 00:23:41,649 Speaker 1: So good. 529 00:23:41,670 --> 00:23:43,270 Speaker 2: I love all these memories. 530 00:23:43,530 --> 00:23:45,409 Speaker 1: And we have so many. I think we could do 531 00:23:45,450 --> 00:23:48,260 Speaker 1: this more. Like once a month if we need it 532 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 1: or once a quarter. 533 00:23:49,980 --> 00:23:52,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, whenever we're feeling down and need like a pick-me-up. 534 00:23:52,820 --> 00:23:53,980 Speaker 1: You know what we need right now? 535 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,710 Speaker 2: I need a Dolly story. What if we just ended 536 00:23:56,750 --> 00:23:58,929 Speaker 2: every like real episode with a Dolly story? 537 00:23:59,450 --> 00:24:00,030 Speaker 1: Done and done. 538 00:24:00,050 --> 00:24:00,929 Speaker 2: That's our fucking hooray. 539 00:24:00,950 --> 00:24:01,290 Speaker 1: Yeah. 540 00:24:01,590 --> 00:24:05,330 Speaker 2: Like comment in on social media your little quick story 541 00:24:05,350 --> 00:24:07,270 Speaker 2: about Dolly or what Dolly meant to you and we'll 542 00:24:07,310 --> 00:24:09,590 Speaker 2: read them. Yes. Just read one or two at the 543 00:24:09,630 --> 00:24:10,110 Speaker 2: end of every episode. 544 00:24:10,170 --> 00:24:11,920 Speaker 1: It'll be the end of the main episode. We'll call 545 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,419 Speaker 1: it Here You Come Again with another Dolly story. 546 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:15,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. DM us. 547 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:16,860 Speaker 1: Yes. That was a song. 548 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 2: We'll work on it. No, I'm just kidding. I'm kidding. 549 00:24:20,180 --> 00:24:21,360 Speaker 2: I'm kidding. 550 00:24:21,700 --> 00:24:23,900 Speaker 1: You know, let's keep spitballing. We'll get there. 551 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,939 Speaker 2: Okay, my last one is called Dolly Parton Tribute Story. 552 00:24:28,619 --> 00:24:30,910 Speaker 2: Dear Karen and Georgia, I never got to meet Dolly 553 00:24:30,950 --> 00:24:33,030 Speaker 2: in person, although I did get to attend her tour 554 00:24:33,090 --> 00:24:36,820 Speaker 2: in 2002. But I feel like I have. In 2019, 555 00:24:36,810 --> 00:24:39,149 Speaker 2: during a period of great upheaval in my life, I 556 00:24:39,210 --> 00:24:42,100 Speaker 2: started to see a new therapist. She suggested we form 557 00:24:42,140 --> 00:24:44,540 Speaker 2: an emotional support team that I could bring into my 558 00:24:44,580 --> 00:24:49,180 Speaker 2: consciousness and help me during times of intense distress. At first, 559 00:24:49,260 --> 00:24:52,159 Speaker 2: I was embarrassed by this visualization technique and had trouble 560 00:24:52,220 --> 00:24:55,030 Speaker 2: picking anyone, probably due to my trust issues more than 561 00:24:55,109 --> 00:24:57,669 Speaker 2: anything else. Then one day I was staring into space 562 00:24:57,810 --> 00:25:00,550 Speaker 2: at work and realized that I had the perfect person already, 563 00:25:00,950 --> 00:25:04,629 Speaker 2: one Miss Dolly Parton. From that moment on, I had 564 00:25:04,670 --> 00:25:07,790 Speaker 2: Dolly help me with everything, from revisiting old traumas where 565 00:25:07,850 --> 00:25:10,190 Speaker 2: she would help escort me out of bad memories to 566 00:25:10,650 --> 00:25:12,750 Speaker 2: to having her watch over my younger self when it 567 00:25:12,770 --> 00:25:15,070 Speaker 2: was too painful for me to do. I came to 568 00:25:15,109 --> 00:25:17,090 Speaker 2: know the dolly in my head so well. She was 569 00:25:17,210 --> 00:25:21,050 Speaker 2: always by my side, kind, never judgmental. So when I 570 00:25:21,090 --> 00:25:23,369 Speaker 2: heard the news of her passing, I was shattered. How 571 00:25:23,410 --> 00:25:25,750 Speaker 2: could my favorite person in the whole world be gone? 572 00:25:26,130 --> 00:25:28,850 Speaker 2: I quickly realized, of course, that she would never leave me. 573 00:25:29,330 --> 00:25:32,330 Speaker 2: Dolly would be with me forever. Sure, my dolly might 574 00:25:32,390 --> 00:25:34,950 Speaker 2: not be the same dolly everyone else knew, but that's 575 00:25:35,010 --> 00:25:37,990 Speaker 2: okay too. In a time when I was incredibly lost, 576 00:25:38,170 --> 00:25:40,670 Speaker 2: she helped me find my true self. If you ever 577 00:25:40,750 --> 00:25:43,250 Speaker 2: miss her and want to say hi, I know exactly 578 00:25:43,290 --> 00:25:45,869 Speaker 2: where she'll be waiting for you. We've all got a 579 00:25:45,910 --> 00:25:49,020 Speaker 2: dolly in our heads and in our hearts, just waiting 580 00:25:49,060 --> 00:25:51,459 Speaker 2: with a giggle and a beautiful song to get us 581 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:52,740 Speaker 2: through the tough times. 582 00:25:52,859 --> 00:25:54,300 Speaker 1: Oh, God. 583 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,860 Speaker 2: Stay sexy and remember to give back to others, Crystal. 584 00:25:58,700 --> 00:26:00,869 Speaker 1: Crystal, my God. 585 00:26:01,090 --> 00:26:01,449 Speaker 2: Got me. 586 00:26:02,670 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 1: Crystal, Crystal, you broke Georgia. Yeah, that's a good one. Amazing. 587 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:07,460 Speaker 2: Yeah. 588 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:09,119 Speaker 1: It's such a beautiful idea. 589 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:09,800 Speaker 2: Totally. 590 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:12,260 Speaker 1: It's very smart of her. But I also want to 591 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:16,100 Speaker 1: say to Crystal, you are Dolly Parton because it was you. Totally. 592 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:18,500 Speaker 1: You were, that was just the idea of it, but 593 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 1: you were the one doing that with yourself. And that 594 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: was your, you solved that internally. 595 00:26:23,340 --> 00:26:23,980 Speaker 2: You are Dolly. 596 00:26:24,180 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 1: With Dolly, with Dolly's help, but it was you. 597 00:26:27,100 --> 00:26:29,179 Speaker 2: And if you ever need like to go crazy and 598 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:31,820 Speaker 2: steal some shit, call us. Yes. In your mind. We'll 599 00:26:31,859 --> 00:26:32,360 Speaker 2: come with you. 600 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:33,340 Speaker 1: We'll be in your mind. 601 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, think of us. And we'll be like, do it. 602 00:26:34,580 --> 00:26:34,780 Speaker 1: Do it. 603 00:26:34,780 --> 00:26:37,020 Speaker 2: You should totally steal that Revlon lipstick. Why don't you. 604 00:26:36,859 --> 00:26:40,580 Speaker 1: Think you should drink during the day? We are the worst. 605 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:44,740 Speaker 2: Depends on what you need us for. That's right. 606 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:46,180 Speaker 1: It depends on what you're going through. 607 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:49,090 Speaker 2: Wow, that was so great. I love this. 608 00:26:49,109 --> 00:26:49,869 Speaker 1: That was the best. 609 00:26:50,109 --> 00:26:50,950 Speaker 2: My favorite dolly. 610 00:26:50,970 --> 00:26:53,409 Speaker 1: We want to give credit where credit is due. Von 611 00:26:53,490 --> 00:26:56,310 Speaker 1: Nahr on Instagram is the listener who wrote in and 612 00:26:56,350 --> 00:26:58,670 Speaker 1: was like, you better do an all dolly mini-sode. So 613 00:26:58,690 --> 00:27:00,500 Speaker 1: Von Nahr. We hope you're happy. 614 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:02,620 Speaker 2: Thank you. We hope you're fucking happy. 615 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 1: We hope you're fucking happy. Thank you so much. This 616 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:06,419 Speaker 1: was a joy. 617 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:09,020 Speaker 2: Love it. That's right. Dollywood. 618 00:27:09,940 --> 00:27:10,399 Speaker 1: Stay sexy. 619 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:13,210 Speaker 2: And don't get murdered. Goodbye, y'all. 620 00:27:13,369 --> 00:27:13,950 Speaker 1: Goodbye, y'all. 621 00:27:14,550 --> 00:27:15,530 Speaker 2: Elvis, do you want a cookie? 622 00:27:23,540 --> 00:27:25,360 Speaker 1: This has been an Exactly Right production. 623 00:27:25,540 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 2: Our managing producer is Molly Smith. 624 00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:29,420 Speaker 1: Our consulting producer is Kate Schellenbach. 625 00:27:29,540 --> 00:27:31,290 Speaker 2: Our creative lead is Allison Agosti. 626 00:27:31,590 --> 00:27:34,330 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Tessa Hughes, and our editor is 627 00:27:34,450 --> 00:27:35,630 Speaker 1: Aristotle Acevedo. 628 00:27:35,850 --> 00:27:37,949 Speaker 2: This episode was mixed by Liana Squalacci. 629 00:27:38,230 --> 00:27:41,750 Speaker 1: Email your hometowns to myfavoritemurder at gmail.com and follow the 630 00:27:41,810 --> 00:27:43,950 Speaker 1: show on Instagram at My Favorite Murder. 631 00:27:44,150 --> 00:27:47,330 Speaker 2: Listen to My Favorite Murder on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 632 00:27:47,430 --> 00:27:48,909 Speaker 2: or wherever you get your podcasts. 633 00:27:49,230 --> 00:27:52,609 Speaker 1: Or watch new episodes every week on Netflix. Search for 634 00:27:52,650 --> 00:27:55,200 Speaker 1: My Favorite Murder, Add us to your list and hit 635 00:27:55,220 --> 00:27:56,460 Speaker 1: the double thumbs up button. 636 00:27:57,109 --> 00:27:57,790 Speaker 2: Goodbye.