First Oprah did it. Then Tyra. Now, Barbara Walters has joined the ranks of powerful women ending their shows at their own discretion. The famed correspondent turned talk show couch commander announced today on The View that she has decided to end her famous “Barbara Walters Presents” Oscar-night special.
“As you know, I do an Oscar special every year I’ve been doing them for 29 years — they precede [the Oscars] in the East, they follow them in the West. We have two huge stars this year: Sandra Bullock and Monique. This is my last year; I’m not going to do any more after this year,” Walters announced.
The final special, which will air this year on Oscar night, will feature a retrospective of Walter’s favorite moments throughout the years. According to ABC.com, these moments include “Hugh Jackman [giving Walters] a private lap dance, sitting down with the legendary Bette Davis, and when Al Pacino taught Walters to tango.” Celebs considered it an honor to be asked to appear on the show. Walters’ View co-host Whoopi Goldberg said, “I have to tell you, Barbara, it is one of those things that you did look forward to, and you hoped to get that phone call, if you were a nominee, from Barbara Walters’ Oscar Special.”
“I really do feel enough is enough and ‘been there, done that,’” Walters continued in her announcement. I have to respect these powerful women who go out on a high note and recognize when their own personal passion for a project has diminished. Just as with Oprah and Tyra, though, don’t worry, Barbara Walters isn’t disappearing from television anytime soon. She’ll continue to appear on The View and will host other “Barbara Walters Specials,” including her annual “10 Most Fascinating People Show.”
The final installment of the Oscar night edition of “The Barbara Walters Special” airs Sunday, March 7 on ABC.
Photo courtesy of Christopher Peterson via Wikimedia Commons
