If you’re a longtime viewer of the TODAY show, you know the morning show goes all out for Halloween every year. This year, the hosts dressed as country music superstars — which included Matt Lauer dressed in drag as Dolly Parton.
Reba McEntire kicked off the segment, introducing Carson Daly as Billy Ray Cyrus singing “Achy Breaky Heart,” only to be joined by the real Cyrus.
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Next, a grey-haired Al Roker emerged from a smoky pickup truck in a full-on Willie Nelson costume singing “On the Road Again.”
Megyn Kelly hit the stage in a bustier and and a short skirt to imitate Canadian country singer Shania Twain, singing her hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.”
Hoda Kotb sent fans into a frenzy dressed as Blake Shelton, only to have the real Shelton break out into his song “Honey Bee” with her. Kotb’s co-host Kathie Lee Gifford joined them as Miley Cyrus for a rendition of “Party in the USA.”
Finally, Savannah Guthrie hit the stage as the soon-to-be-retired Kenny Rogers, who was quickly joined by Matt Lauer dressed in drag as Dolly Parton for the duo’s hit “Islands In the Stream.”
As fans may know, Lauer has spent many a Halloween dressed in drag, and the reactions to his latest costume were strong.
Dolly gave her nod of approval
After dressing as Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson in years past, Lauer said the TODAY producers convinced him to go as Dolly Parton this year. Who better to take his costume to the next level than Dolly herself?
When Lauer asked if Parton was OK with it, she responded, “Am I OK with it? I’m gonna teach you how to do it!”
She then outfitted Lauer with a wig, a signature Parton bust, platform heels and a full face of makeup.
Parton tweeted the video of Lauer’s transformation, writing, “I gave [Lauer] all my trade secrets and he ran with it! Didn’t he look & do great?! I just love it!”
I gave @MLauer all my trade secrets and he ran with it! Didn’t he look & do great?! I just love it! https://t.co/tzfEYklGgr
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 31, 2017
Dolly Parton is dressing Matt Lauer on @TODAYshow. THIS IS THE BEST.
— Kelly Barden (@kelly_barden) October 31, 2017
Lauer got some major love
Most people loved Lauer’s hilarious and actually pretty realistic portrayal of the Queen of Country.
matt lauer in dolly drag is surprisingly important to me
— #BrittanySpanos (@ohheybrittany) October 31, 2017
Matt Lauer is a surprisingly good Dolly Parton
— Alison (@alison_fleiss) October 31, 2017
The @TODAYshow Halloween is my Christmas. Matt Lauer dressed as Dolly Parton is a thing I never knew I needed.
— Madraynew (@madraynew) October 31, 2017
Pretty sure Matt Lauer missed his calling. @TODAYshow #Halloween2017
— Boom Boom (@Flee2) October 31, 2017
Matt Lauer actually singing Dolly’s part for the @TODAYshow Halloween bit is everything.
— Nicole Simmons (@Consumer_Nicole) October 31, 2017
Others identified the pattern of his annual Halloween costumes
Many praised Lauer for dressing in drag on Halloween, with some even going so far as to crown him as America’s favorite drag queen.
Matt Lauer has been breaking gender norms since the age of dawn, how iconic pic.twitter.com/r0i3XOuS9V
— riah (@fugatemariah) October 31, 2017
OK, so did Matt Lauer lose a bet years ago requiring him to be a woman every Halloween?#TodayShow
— Krystle (@AKASeKretS43) October 31, 2017
i think Halloween has become the day Matt Lauer gives us a peak into his real life. Not that there is anything wrong with that #TodayShow
— newsismylife (@newsismylife) October 31, 2017
At some point, we’re going to have to acknowledge Matt Lauer as America’s favorite drag queen . Sorry, @RuPaul https://t.co/jjhsPUxnjC
— Allen Henry (@AllenHenry) October 31, 2017
Some reactions were a mixed bag
While some said Lauer saved the TODAY Show’s Halloween segment, others thought the whole thing (Lauer included) was a bust.
Matt Lauer just saved this @TODAYshow #halloween segment. You look good as Dolly!
— Meghan Marriott (@mmbrindley) October 31, 2017
You know I thought it couldnt get worse than Kathy Lee as Miley but I was immediately proven wrong when Matt Lauer appeared as Dolly
— Molly (@mmkayy09) October 31, 2017
Matt Lauer dressed up as Dolly Parton for Halloween and I hate it pic.twitter.com/Rz6P9mvtZn
— kristina monllos (@kristinamonllos) October 31, 2017
Photo Credit: Getty / John Lamparski / Contributor
