On August 23, 2016, ten years ago this week, I was with Dolly Parton in New York City, and we were about to do a live segment on FOX & Friends.Just before we went on, I asked Dolly if I could take a selfie with her.She looked at me and said, "Why would you want a picture with little ol’ me?"DOLLY PARTON DEAD AT 80 AS COUNTRY MUSIC WORLD MOURNS BELOVED ICON WHOSE SONGS SHAPED GENERATIONSI laughed and said, "Hello…Dolly—you’re Dolly Parton!"That was Dolly.Over my years on "FOX & Friends," I was lucky enough to interview her probably half a dozen times.And here’s something people watching at home wouldn’t necessarily know: Dolly was always on time.
Always prepared.Always a professional.Dolly Parton and Steve Doocy at 'Fox & Friends' on Aug.
23, 2026.In morning television, where guests sometimes arrive moments before they’re supposed to be on live TV—or occasionally after—that matters!Dolly showed up ready to go.
And the minute the camera came on, so did that Dolly magic.She was funny, quick, kind and incredibly smart.She knew exactly what she wanted to say, but somehow never let an interview feel rehearsed.
You could ask her a serious question and get a thoughtful answer, then a few seconds later she’d say something hilarious that nobody saw coming.DOLLY PARTON'S CALIFORNIA RETREAT WITH WIG ROOM AND DOLLYWOOD BIRDHOUSE LISTS FOR $1.95MShe was simply great television.But what I remember most is that she was just as nice when the cameras weren’t rolling.For all her fame, Dolly always seemed to understand something important: being nice to people doesn’t cost a thing.Underneath the rhinestones, the big hair and that unmistakable Tennessee voice was a very savvy businesswoman.Dolly didn’t just build a career.
She built an empire.She understood her audience, understood her brand and, most importantly, understood people.
And somehow, through all that enormous success, she remained remarkably down-to-earth.A few years ago, I intervi...