I grew up in Tennessee. I am 66 and watched Dolly all my life. She is self made which makes her true in my book. Such a talent. Love Dolly.

It's always about her looks. But we all know there is much more beneath the physical beauty. Male interviewers reveal their focus often. But, Dolly always bypasses their male attention and shows her intelligence, integrity, honesty and pride in who she is and where she comes from. She is in complete control of any derogatory intentions from women and men.

Dolly is so real and her comment that she sees all like family? This is the best example of being human. Loving, giving, smart, and beautiful. Thank you Dolly.

I love that she is who she is; she makes no apologies and she owns it! She can indulge herself in silly things one minute, and she is generous and humble in the next, or at the same time.

Boy, I didn’t know what a jerk Donahue was until now. Dolly is a gem! Anointed by the Lord!

I love this woman! I could have the worst day and after listening to Dolly speak, an instant smile comes on my face!

Wow very personal stuff they're asking and shes being so classy about it. I didnt know she couldn't have children. I love her. Always have.

Just how amazing is Dolly! Smart, beautiful, gifted and such a sweetheart. God's gift to earth.

I wish more showbusiness stars could be like Dolly, glamorous but down to earth and not completely full of themselves.

Not only beautiful....beautiful inside and out .she is a coat of many colours ...she is a rare diamond.

She’s SO SO wonderful!

Such charm and intelligence , Dolly is so humble while being a musical prodigy .

She's so open. I respect that.

Donahue is super condescending. Dolly - wonderful, as always

I can't believe I used to think Phil Donahue was interesting to watch. But Dolly can make any show sparkle.

Interrupt Dolly one more time...

She is a doll. Such a classy lady. I am in love

I always watch Donahue when I was sick because he helped me fall asleep :)

It’s so rude to ask questions about her boobs, hair, weight loss, her overall “trashy” look (she doesn’t look trashy)....it’s just not nice.

And since this, Dolly's done wonderful thing with Dollywood, and should be applauded!

I love this interview!! Dolly is so honest and genuine

I enjoy seeing how people used to dress. I was a baby when this came out so I missed this but it’s cool to see how everyone did their hair and makeup.

She is so damn smart & beautiful both then & now...💜🤓

Dolly is such an inspiring communicator! I wish I could answer questions that well.

That's the way that the 80's were...…. Nothing condescending about Phil.... that was his above normal sense of humor. I grew up with Dolly on the Porter Wagnor show...…. and watched her break away. She has soared and has a beautiful heart!

Dolly your my idol!, very strong , kind woman & so talented!!. Love you!!

Love her. All these years later she's still the same goodhearted person.

Her voice.... amazing.

Dolly has the sexiest smile.

Dolly is very intelligent. Don't be dismayed by her Smokey Mountain simpleness. One can grow up poor, but still have intelligence. She has made 500 million & controls her empire. She owns the rights to anything she does not record companies. She is very talented and has a brilliant business mind. (Judy Garland lost all her $$ to managers & husbands.)

She is lucky to have such a supportive understanding husband. Many women do not. Love that dress.

The best human been I justo love her

I love Dolly . It's ironic how real she really is.

This wouldve been painful with anyone else because of how gross the interviewer was but…SHE’S INCREDIBLE!!! SHE IS SO SPARKLY AND WONDERFUL

Thanks for this! Totally agree in that I don't care much for Donahue, but Dolly is always the best, and I can relate to anyone devoted to her!

A very beautiful lady and person with an amazing voice

I have ADORED this woman since I was a young teenager!

Love her! Thank you!

Fat, skinny, tall, short.....who does not just love Dolly! We love you DOLLY!!!!

OMG love all of your vids, thank u so much for uploadin' them!!! im soo addicted to her too

Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees wrote " Islands in the Stream" for Dolly and Kenny Rogers. I love Dolly though. "A Coat of Many Colors is my favorite by her.

Seriously can anybody say they hate Dolly ?? Nope, this woman is loved through and through ♥️♥️

Donahue was such a condescending jerk..at least he had a bit of class by doing this interview! Mrs. Parton has loads of class, respectful dignity and enormous musical TALENT. 🤔🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏽🔍😉🇺🇸

I cringe at Donahue's 1970's sexism and rudeness.

People like Phil said Dollywood wouldn’t work Hahahs now look at it. Lol.

She is a LADY. Such an intelligent beauty.

She is jolly, because of her upbringing. Plus, the beautiful place she was raised.

I'm from East Tennessee, and I've lived all over the country and i can tell you, her sense of humor is very typical of East Tennessee. There's not a lot we won't make fun about.

We love you, Dolly! You’re beautiful and brilliant!♥️

Carl Dean sees through the sparkles and the phony crap. But Dolly is royalty this is what she is, she’s one of a few that were born to be in this business because she’s real. Elvis and Michael Jackson are two others. See she can’t help it that she was born a diamond.

Amazing her business savvy smarts and she never had to go to college. Washed her clothes in the motel sinks and they were wrinkle free material, to save money she said. One of the greatest musicians to ever live

I adore you, Dolly!

I like dolly she's butiful person she looks like she would be Easy to talk to I love her laugh Love and prosper to you miss Dolly With the tip of a hat.

At 21:05 you see the most handsome, adorable gay man. (It takes one to know one.) I think of when this took place - 1986 - and truly hope he is still here enjoying Dolly. It’s such a shame that later movie with Jane and Lily was never made! It sounds great! Colin Huggins was an incredible writer. I have never had the pleasure of meeting Dolly - not yet - but I have met Jane and Lily and they couldn’t be kinder or more gracious to their supporters.

She created an image that sold while she built an empire. She’s a blessed soul and has given more to this country that any billionaire has ever tried. Dolly is the epitome of the American dream and doing well and not being greedy.

she’s such an inspiration to be true to yourself in a world that’s always sending mixed signals and standards. She’s so lovely 🥰

It’s wonderful seeing Dolly looking so ravishing at her age!!! Go Dolly

I just turned 40 last week. I'm a bit overweight not much and now's the time apparently. 👍🥰

Your truly a good hearted person Miss Dolly Pardon

With the passing of Miss Betty, Dolly is the new Queen of America. We must protect her at all cost. 🥰

I never knew you could interrupt a woman this many time with degrading sexist comments in 30 minutes.

How is Donahue going to interrupt Dolly and correct her when she’s talking to the black Emmanuel about getting into country music, like he knows the country music market better than her...🙄.

It sure would have been helpful if the audience actually listened so they didn't ask the same questions over and over again.

Self made creative brilliance. 💙

These are all really great questions.

She handles it with grace but I'd kill for an old interview that isn't obsessed with her weight

LOVE!!!

Dolly is anointed

Immense musical talent, gorgeous busty petite body, lovely looks, sexually mature, dignified, intelligent, wise, working class, family oriented, loving, kind, self effacing, respectful, genuine, honest. What an icon. She brilliantly guards her private life and never lies and it rightly stays private and she's entitled to it!

Phil is that a wig your wearing?

I love the question at 4:15!

Before she started Dolly Wood 💓

What a wonderful creation, God made to lift her voice.

amazing woman, so many amazing women get muted by idiots like Donahue, they're conditioned to be soft and their poise leads them to lose their ground and joy, Dolly's strong, so strong. I wonder if it's the humble and supportive environment she was brought up in that contributed to her great being. imagine if all humans were half as good as Dolly Parton

Dolly!!🤟💓

I'm glad Dolly is nothing like Jane Fonda. I don't believe she would have been near a popular! Jane is a holier than thou Hollywood feminist. Dolly is down to earth even with her wealth. Dolly's Heart is what makes her so beautiful . ❤️

She has a good heart. 🙂

Dolly is such a sweetie

Donahue always gave me the ick! Thank God Dolly has such class and humor or this interview could have been a disaster.

Ugh. Wow he's awful. Talking about her body. Also mentioning that he knows men that wouldn't let her out the house- disgusting like... she was and is hard working what's the point in saying that.

What a gem💚

Dolly Parton,I want everyone to know she has been my inspiration most of my life!! That is the phrase that I am sure she hears more often than not! So I have to go one step further....she was the rubber tube that someone throws out to you to save you from drowning . I was a little girl when she gave her first concert with Porter Wagoner ,in Georgia! It was the only time I was ever going to. It saddens me because as much as I love her,I can’t afford to go to any of her events! I still pray for her ,as she will always be my inspiration in m life, even though mine didn’t turn out to be the best!

Donahue is really condescending, and a fair number of his questions didn't age well (all those comments about her weight!!!), but Dolly is the same delightful, kind, self-possessed role model she is now, 30 years later.

Donahue is unbearable. But Dolly is wonderful, like always.

I think Donahue proves the theory of the 'Mansplaining' phenomenon!

I get the feeling the woman at 3:01 (not clapping) isn't a woman's woman or very happy.

Multiple people asking the same question...

Never thought about how much I’ve missed Donahue in the afternoons. I wonder what he’s working on now?

She is so cute isn't she!

“Get back in your truck and do your job!” Donahue is such an arrogant elitist.

Class act

I like Dolly Parton

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT DOLLEY, I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF, AND YOUR SINGING WAS SO BEAUTIFULL. I WAS GOING TO A SHOW YOU WERE TO BE IN IN WHEELING WEST VIRGINIA. YOU CANCELLED DUE TO A TREAT TO YOUR LIFE. SO DARN IT NEVER GOT TO SEE YOU IN PERSON. LOVE YOU ANYWAY, GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS.

What is the original air date of this particular episode of the Phil Donahue Show?

Dolly is definitely her own person and her husband Dosnt control her !!

What was the year of this video?

Omg! I didn’t realize how awful he is

He’s a lefty that knows everything and knows what’s best for all of us! HA!

Everything is about her husband and her looks, dude a creep

Pretty rude, personal questions. She responded with both class and "street" (as we say in my country)