Dixie Disappearance
Summary
This episode examines the controversy surrounding Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, which faced criticism for sanitizing Civil War history and ignoring slavery. After backlash from writer Aisha Harris and the 2017 Charlottesville unrest, Dolly removed the word "Dixie" and altered the show’s imagery to be more inclusive. The narrative also features Tennessee State Representative Jeremy Faison, who advocates replacing a Confederate general’s bust in the state capitol with one of Dolly Parton to better reflect the state’s diverse heritage.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Dolly Parton's America and Pigeon Forge
Inside Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner theater
Criticism of the show's sanitized history and Aisha Harris's article
Dollywood's decision to remove 'Dixie' from the show's name
Neo-Nazi protests and local reactions to the name change
Discussion on Confederate monuments and rewriting history
Dolly Parton explains her reasons for changing the name
The show's evolution to a North Pole vs South Pole theme
Rep. Paul Faison suggests replacing Confederate busts with Dolly
Conclusion and preview of the final episode
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