Reba McEntire to Honour Dolly Parton at 2026 Emmy Awards
Reba McEntire will honour Dolly Parton with a special tribute at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday night.
McEntire is expected to sing a song by Parton during the telecast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Parton died at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The tribute will sit apart from the ceremony's main In Memoriam segment.
The ceremony airs live from the Peacock Theater on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock. Mariska Hargitay will host.
McEntire has a direct link to Parton's music. She appeared alongside Miley Cyrus and Lainey Wilson on a revamped version of Parton's 1977 song "Light of a Clear Blue Morning", released after Parton's death.
Noah Kahan will perform for the In Memoriam, the section of the show that remembers television figures who have died in the past year. His performance is separate from McEntire's tribute to Parton.
The night will also look back at two landmark series. Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz will reunite for the 30th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith will gather for the 50th anniversary of Charlie's Angels.
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is expected to appear in a pre-taped segment at the start of the telecast. Brunson will also host the Season 52 premiere of Saturday Night Live, according to Deadline.
For viewers, this means a broadcast built around both competition and remembrance. The medical drama The Pitt enters the night in front with 25 nominations.
Awards, reunions and two music performances will share one stage. McEntire's tribute is set to be its most personal moment.
