On a recent episode of "The View: Beyond the Table" podcast, co-host Joy Behar ignited a lively debate over Dolly Parton's iconic rendition of "Jolene." The song, which has been remade by none other than Beyoncé, drew some strong opinions from Joy. Her take? Let's just say she had a few thoughts about the original lyrics and their message.
Joy Behar Weighs In on 'Jolene'
Let me tell you, Joy Behar isn't one to shy away from sharing her thoughts. At 81 years young, she told podcast host Brian Teta that while she appreciates Beyoncé's modern twist on "Jolene," she finds the original version a bit problematic. Here's why: Joy sees Dolly's rendition as, well, anti-feminist. She feels it revolves around a woman worrying about another woman stealing her man. Joy's point? If it's that easy for someone to take your man, maybe you shouldn't be holding on so tightly. Food for thought, right?
Beyoncé's Take on 'Jolene'
Brian, who's 47, chimed in and agreed with Joy. Joy continued her passionate argument, saying, "Beyoncé's version sends a completely different message. She's like, 'If you take my man, you're gonna regret it.' But I'm thinking, 'Go ahead, take him. Take him.'” Now that's bold! It's clear that Joy admires Beyoncé's empowered approach to the song.
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Joy and Dolly: A Feminist Connection
The conversation didn't stop there. Joy, known for her sharp wit and outspoken nature, took a moment to reflect on her interaction with Dolly Parton. She shared a story about how she convinced Dolly to embrace the feminist label. Joy said, "I asked her point-blank, 'Are you a feminist?' She hesitated and said, 'I don't think so.' So, I pressed her, 'Do you believe women should earn the same as men?' She said yes, and I told her, 'Then you're a feminist.'” It was a defining moment, and Dolly eventually agreed, saying, "Well, I guess I am." How about that for a conversation starter?
Wrapping up the discussion, Joy expressed her admiration for Dolly, calling her "the best." It's clear that despite their differences in perspective, Joy holds Dolly in high regard.
Reba McEntire Joins the Conversation
On Thursday, April 4, country music legend Reba McEntire found herself caught in the crossfire of this feminist debate. TMZ cornered Reba and asked for her take on Joy's comments about Dolly's "Jolene." Reba, ever the diplomat at 69, laughed it off and said, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Classic Reba—keeping things light and breezy.
Dolly Parton and Feminism
Now, let's dive into Dolly Parton's thoughts on feminism. In the past, Dolly has openly discussed her views, emphasizing that while she supports women, she doesn't necessarily identify with the feminist label. During the "Dolly Parton's America" podcast, which launched in October 2019, Dolly explained, "If being a feminist means I'm all for women, then yes, I must be one. But I don't feel the need to march or label myself. My actions and how I've conducted my life speak for themselves."
Dolly went on to express her concern about generalizing an entire group based on the mistakes of a few. She said, "The word 'feminist' sometimes carries this idea of hating all men. That's not me. Feminist leaders often turn personal pain into widespread social issues. They use the phrase 'the personal is political.'” Dolly's perspective is clear: she supports women but prefers to let her work and character do the talking.
