Weird NewsVIRAL WATCH
A red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide
USA Today reports the public can help pick the name of a red panda cub, with Dolly Parton the headline candidate; nobody has asked the cub.
Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Chip Darnell on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 4:18 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are USA Today's, the jokes are ours.

Footage: Zelio007 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- First reported by USA Today: “A red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide”.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 4:18 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Kenji Moonfield and Chip Darnell.
- Topics: Dolly Parton.
- BBN covered this story before: Melanie Walters out of Strictly, Welsh star of Gavin and Stacey (October 12).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorUSA Today reports a red panda cub could be named after Dolly Parton, and the public gets to help decide the name.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA public vote on a baby animal. This is the only election I'm fully invested in.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRoll it. This is archival footage, not the actual cub.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLook at this, profile shot, and here it comes, the mouth opens and it goes straight for the leaves.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThat is a candidate who does not take questions.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIt's chewing. I'm not saying I'm moved, but it chews with real commitment.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRun it back. Watch the jaw here, left to right, that's a full stump speech in leaves.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, that was good. In a few minutes, a judge, a gun, and a little experiment in court.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou voted already.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwice. Viral Score: eight out of ten, minus one point because the leaf never got a name either.
More Shorts
All videos →The story so far
- Dolly Parton’s multifaceted legacy showcased at Nashville museum and h · AP News
- Britney Visits Dolly's Park; Warren Role Still 'Weird' · Wide Open Country
- Dolly Parton Records Jolene in Welsh and English · BBC
- Dolly Musical Cast Recall Meeting Her; Jolene Out Today · Variety
- Dolly Parton's niece wants to learn Welsh after singing with Bronwen… · BBC
- Melanie Walters out of Strictly, Welsh star of Gavin and Stacey · BBC
- A red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months







