Barbara Walters announces the end of her Oscar specials

What will Oscar night be without Barbara Walters' tree questions and lap dances with guests? We're not sure, but we will soon find out.

Walters announced this morning on "The View" that her 29th special, which will feature interviews with nominees Sandra Bullock and Mo'Nique, will be her last.

"I think I'm sick of them," Walters explained. "I feel I've been there, done that. 29 years is enough."

When grilled by her co-hosts about why she was pulling the annual telecast which performs well with viewers and is well-respected in the industry, she said she felt she had been doing the same thing for 29 years.

"You can switch the format a little bit and I love the fact that we have these stars and they're both nominated," Walters said.  "I felt it was enough."

Asked by co-host Joy Behar why she didn't wait another year and make it an even 30? "That would be cliche," Walters replied.

Walters, who left "20/20" after 25 years,  said she will still co-host "The View," go on special assignment for ABC News and continue her "The 10 Most Fascinating People" special.

"It seems really weird because it's something I've always watched," co-host Sherri Shepherd responded on the air.  "And I look forward to hearing what they have to say and you talking to them."

"What is the Oscars without the Oscar special" piped in co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Added co-host Whoopi Goldberg, who appeared on one of the specials: "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...The industry will be slightly less because you're not doing it. I will just say that. I'm glad I got in when the getting was good."

What do you think?

-- Maria Elena Fernandez (follow me on Twitter @writerchica)

Photo: Barbara Walters. Credit: Associated Press

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Comments

[Mark]

Who cares what a bunch of narcissistic actors have to say? The Oscars are a COMPLETE joke, nothing but a popularity contest. The proof you ask? How many HUNDREDS of Hollywood movies come out every year, and yet we always see the same, tiny, tired pool of nominees (Streep, Clooney, Coen Brothers, etc.)...??? Tell me I'm wrong!

[El Guapo de la ciudad de Los Angeles]

Wot will weh do now that she's no wonger a cowmentator?

[Fabricio]

You're right.

[hms]

She's not a great interviewer anyway. No great loss.

[Patrick]

These people are much less interesting than the roles they play, and given the miserably low level of screenwriting these days the roles aren't particularly interesting either. La Walters should have given this up years ago. Can't believe she's still doing that "Fascinating People" show. Most of her subjects are, more than anything else, TERMINALLY fascinating: soon enough they're in the "whatever happened to?" category. The best thing about popular culture these days is it takes less and less time for for these people to simply disappear. (Unfortunately Madonna is one of the exceptions, I'm sure Jesus Luz won't be.)

[JB]

Who cares Babs! Get over yourself, just go away.

[Maureen]

It would be very nice if Barbara Walters passes the torch to a new host at her last Oscars special. Certainly there is a large interest in the forum continuing. I'm sure Barbara thought a lot about her decision. It can be a gift to know when to quit something.

[Louis Cap]

... someone else will show up for the post show on the Grammy's, the Emmy's, the MTV Awards, the Peoples' Choice Awards, the American Music Awards, the Country Music Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Directors Guild Awards, the Golden Globes...(I'm out of breath)...hey, do these Hollywood types love to praise themselves??? On second thought, maybe Barbara should stick around.

[Paul Nevai]

Thank you Ms. Walters. Although I never deliberately and knowingly watched any of your interviews, those that I ended up seeing were all so bad I can't even tell you how bad they were. Not that TV interviews must be bad; see, e.g., Charlie Rose or any of the interviews on the PBS nightly news.

Of course, I realize that you are a very intelligent woman, and you just did what the audience demanded. Still, it is so sad that so much talent has been wasted.

[Margo]

Does it really matter who does the interviews at the Oscars. Does anyone really tune in to see the interviewer?

[nanaofone]

Does anyone really care? Does anyone still watch her?

[Brount]

Will someone please, PLEASE, tell Barbara Walters that her " Best Before Celebrity Date" expired years ago!

She should retire herself rather than retire her excrutiatingly boring pre-Oscar Special.

Barbara, the audience is not only sick and tired of your revolting fawning over hopelessly untalented celebrities but tuned you out years ago. Pathetically, you have been too damn dumb to realize it!

[Celest]

Well it's about time. Why not produce a special with someone other doing the show. They have been the same questions for the past 29 years. Oh, by the way I stopped watching 26 years ago. Been there done that!

Thanks Barbara

[Susn]

It is the same bunch of actors every year, so boring. Barbara, goodbye...I don't watch you or the Oscars. What Hollywood cranks out and calls movies I don't waste my money on. The View is another joke, a poor representation of American women and their intelligence.

[lars]

Thank GOD. So tired of that woman.

[johnsmith145]

she had her time. 29 years? unbelievably too long! she is old. she should have been retired, oh, say -- 15 years ago. good riddance.

[Larry Schnebly]

As long as she is healthy, why not continue?

Yeah. Easy for ME to say. But it HAS become a looked-forward-to event of the season. As such, that makes it easier to just take it for granted.

We don't miss something (or someone) until we don't have that presence in our
lives. I respect Barbara Walters so much that I will accept her decision. Even
if selfishly, I wish it were going to be to continue doing the show!

[bulbous]

Babs needs to retire....she's too old and frankly asks dumb questions.

[Grandpa]

Barbara! Hubba Hubba!!!

[Scott]

Hey Bobwa do us a favor and never eber do another interview matter of fact why don't you just go ahead and give it up (SIGNED EVERYBODY)