Barbara Walters: Tiger Woods Shouldn't "Do an Interview"
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Barbara Walters and the Oscars go together like Simon Cowell and tight T-shirts. Renee Zellweger and a cup of Starbucks. John Mayer and his Twitter account. But after 29 years, the journalism icon (and The View titan) has decided to call it quits on her famed Oscars special. Not that she's going out quietly. For her final go-round (ABC, March 7, 7 PM), Walters, 80, will sit down with frontrunners Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side) and Mo'Nique (Precious). She chats with UsMagazine.com.
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Us: Any twinges of regrets about pulling the plug?
Barbara Walters: No, it feels like the right time. I mean, when I look at the list of the people whom I've interviewed for this special, I think 'Oh my goodness, these are the most important stars of our time!' I feel very grateful that I was able to do it. This is not 'Hello, I'll plug my movie and get off.' These are very personal interviews. But things have changed. There are so many entertainment programs and network and cable interviews. Everything is now a special.
Us: So what are the big highlights of your last hurrah?
BW: Both Sandra and Mo'Nique talk about what their marriages have given them. Sandra really opens up about the strength that its given her. She's not afraid anymore because she always expected doom and gloom. She's very funny. A lot of people will be meeting Mo'Nique for the first time. Her husband is her manager and she talks about their open marriage. And we will do a retrospective of my past interviews too.
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Us: Why do so many people cry when you interview them?
BW: I've tried in recent years not to make anybody cry! I think when you talk to people about their childhood, it evokes memories that are very tender.
Us: Let's talk about The View. You were conspicuously absent for the recent Jersey Shore cast visit!
BW: It was nothing deliberate. It was such a big group and the hosts could barely get the questions in. With five of us there, it just would have been too much.
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Us: And Kate Gosselin will co-host again on March 11. What do these celebs bring to the table?
BW: Kate is very animated and people are interested in her and and interested in her children. We just had Victoria Beckham and she was wonderful. These people love co-hosting because they're not just talking about their movie -- they're discussing whatever is in the news. It's a new way for them to be recognized. We've had Heidi Montag do it too.
Us: Do you actually watch their TV shows?
BW: Not too much. Whoopi [Goldberg] does. And Elisabeth [Hasselbeck] does, because she's home with her three children.
Us: Is that really you on your Twitter account?
BW: I only do Twitter once in a blue moon. But that's me.
Us: Are you gunning for the Tiger Woods sit-down?
BW: Would I want to do the interview? Yes. Have I sought it? No. But if I were Tiger Woods, I wouldn't do an interview. He's made his statement. I think the most important thing for him is to get his life back. To discuss this woman and that woman would not be helpful to his life or his personal health.
Us: What are you going to do with your newfound free time?
BW: I'll still do 10 Most Fascinating People because that's more varied for me. I will still be doing pieces for ABC News. I do The View three days a week. I do a radio show one day a week. For somebody supposedly cutting down, that's enough.
-- By Mara Reinstein for UsMagazine.com
Tell Us What You Think
7Barbars walter should shut up because no one likes to hear her talk she thinks she knows everything
Barbara who? boy is she hanging on by a thread...the view...does US own that show too? gossip mongers.
To Carmen - right on..no need to say more. Couldnt have said it better myself!! as for p.Luckett - are you for real...or insane? First of all, she is NOT married and second she has ONE child who happens to ADOPTED (let me translate for your idiotic self - she'd then have no credit in her looks) and from what ive seen she always defends Pres Obama..wrong as he too can be. Let me guess - would you happen to be African American?? Just wondering!!
The media should stop using Tiger Woods and his family for high ratings and sales. Tiger apologized to everyone and accepted that what he did was very wrong. Tiger confirmed he needs help and that he is receiving rehab to address his issues. Tiger said he wants to regain balance in his life to save the two things that are most important to him, his wife and his children. Tiger is trying to put his life back together and he has a right to do so. It is time for the media to back off and let Tiger and his family move on with their life!!!
,Tiger don't want to talk to Barbara walters. She knows nothing about GOLF! She still got that one sided elib. with those ugly kids,husband,talks bad about PRESDENT OBAMA,I AM WAITING four your husband has not run for nothing other than UGLY.
E N O U G H ALREADY!!!!!
Good for Barbara Walters, and she's right about Tiger Woods not doing an Interview!