Next month’s 29th annual Barbara Walters Oscar special will be her last.
Walters, who’s been interviewing celebs for the Big Night each year since 1981, made the announcement on Monday’s edition of "The View."
“ABC has asked me to keep doing these specials as they have been so successful – and I’m thrilled we have such great stars and have such a wonderful show for this last one – but to be honest, I feel like I’ve ‘been there, done that.’”
Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and Mo’Nique ("Precious") will be Walters’ final Oscar night guests on March 7. This year’s special will also include a look back at previous Oscar specials.
“This special has been a labor of love for 29 years. I will always remember when Hugh Jackman gave me a private lap dance, or sitting down with the legendary Bette Davis, or being taught to tango by Al Pacino,” Walters said. “It’s those priceless moments that have made this Special the Oscar tradition that it has become, but I truly feel enough is enough.”
In recent years, Walters has had to share the Oscar Week interview spotlight with Oprah Winfrey, who’s once again hosting an ABC primetime special the week of the Academy Awards. Winfrey’s hour is set for Wednesday, March 3.
It would seem logical that ABC might try to move Winfrey’s interview special to Oscar Night in 2011, though the network has not yet given any indications of its plans.
Walters will continue hosting and producing "The View," as well as her annual year-in-review special for ABC. More recently, Walters guest moderated "This Week" for ABC News.
