Joe Piscopo Looks Back on His Memorable 1987 Duet With Dolly Parton on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire”
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Joe Piscopo says his time with Dolly Parton remains one of the most memorable experiences of his career.
The 75-year-old entertainer had the opportunity to spend a day with the country music icon in 1987 while appearing on her variety series, Dolly. As the world continues to remember Parton following her death at 80, Piscopo recently reflected on the unusual performance they created together.
Speaking on The Joe Piscopo Show, Piscopo recalled that he and Parton worked together on both comedy and music. Their collaboration came about partly because they were represented by the same manager at the time.
For their joint performance, the pair decided to build the routine around Piscopo’s well-known impression of Bruce Springsteen. They chose to perform Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” together, but Piscopo wanted to add an outrageous visual gag.
Piscopo suggested setting himself on fire during the performance. Parton immediately embraced the idea, recognizing the comedic potential of the stunt.
The production team took precautions before filming. Protective material was placed beneath Piscopo’s clothing, and a small amount of flammable substance was applied to his arms. When the duo began singing, the flames were ignited as planned, prompting laughter from the audience.
Piscopo remembered the finale as the two performers seemingly going up in flames, describing the entire bit as a success and noting that Parton particularly enjoyed it.
Beyond the comedy, Piscopo was impressed by Parton’s vocal performance. He said they had not spent an extensive amount of time rehearsing the song, yet Parton delivered it with such confidence that he believed she could have recorded the track herself.
Piscopo continued to praise Parton’s extraordinary career and the example she set throughout her life, calling her a remarkable person and describing her as an embodiment of the qualities he admired about the United States.
Parton, one of country music’s most influential singer-songwriters, died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at age 80.
Months before her death, Parton had spoken with PEOPLE in a November 2025 cover story about approaching her 80th birthday. Reflecting on her career and legacy, she said she hoped to spend the later part of her life creating things that would continue helping others and leave a positive impact.