A farm animal took the stage with co-hosts Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks during the odd couple’s opening monologue.
As Brooks introduced his co-host as one of the greatest country singers to ever write a tune, Parton popped on stage with a pink wheel-barrow and “Clare,” a brown-and-white goat.
“I’m sorry, that was such a ba-a-a-a-a-d joke,” Parton said. She continued, “This is Garth’s very first time ever hosting an award show. You know what they say, you never forget your first time.”
She joked she’d heard she was Garth Brooks’ hall pass, a slang term for someone in a relationship has given consent to their significant other to have an affair with. “I’m Trisha’s hall pass too,” Dolly quipped, referring to Brooks’ wife Trisha Yearwood.