Barbara Walters Wanted To Do The Interview With Paris Hilton

Barbara Walters has broken her silence about losing the first post-jail interview with Paris Hilton.

On Wednesday’s episode of The View, the veteran broadcaster said she had a good relationship with Hilton and her mother Kathy.

“I kind of figured I’d get the interview,” Walters admitted.

But, she added, the Hilton family sought payment for the use of home videos and photographs and NBC outbid Walters’ network, ABC.

Walters said Rick Hilton told her: “I owe you one and I’m sorry but we’re going to go with NBC.”

Walters said Paris then contacted her from behind bars and expressed her wish to do the interview with her.

“I began to be uncomfortable about it and I said, ‘Thank you so much but I don’t want to do the interview,’” Walters recalled.

NBC later backed out of its deal with the Hiltons and Paris gave her first interview upon her release to CNN’s Larry King. Ratings were high for the hour-long conversation.

“My question was – did I make a mistake?,” said Walters. “It was a decision to make and I’m glad she’s out and that the story is over.”

canada.com

From: thewaymouth
Time: July 12, 2007, 10:03 pm

The one thing that no one mentions but me apparently, is this:

That same week after the first time Paris talked to Baba Waw on the phone, there was discussion amongst View brass about having Paris co-host for a day or a week after she got out. Baba said yes she was willing, but the show’s producer said no, & the producer won out.

That was an insult to the Hiltons. After having given Baba the first exclusive on Paris in prison.

You think that was forgotten by Team Hilton?
Please.

From: thewaymouth
Time: July 12, 2007, 10:06 pm

PS
“The story is over.”
Huh?
Hell no. Not yet, not at all.
The media has yet to let up on it, let go of the hand-wringing & the metaphorical wringing of Paris’s neck.
& the Internet still wants its pound of flesh.

From: confessions of an heiress
Time: July 13, 2007, 5:53 pm

sounds like she just wants attention herself