Oprah Takes On Barbara Walters

For many, many years, the Oscar ritual has been the same: start with Barbara Walters interviewing top stars and then follow with a brief glimpse of the red carpet and then the Academy Awards. Then ABC said screw it and insisted Walters would have to do her special the week before. NOW suddenly, ABC is trumpeting the first "Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special" airing Thursday, February 22, three nights before the Oscars. Is Walters not doing her special ever again? Did she sign off on this? Did Oprah speak to Walters before agreeing to do it? This is either the passing of the torch or an ugly fracas inn the works.