Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Rodham Clinton surprised Barbara Walters as the legendary newswoman taped her final edition of “The View” to end a five-decade career on television.
Actor Michael Douglas, a longtime friend and frequent subject for Walters’ interviews, also dropped by for the tribute, which aired Friday on ABC.
Looking smart in a cream-colored blazer and a black skirt, the 84-year-old Walters was presiding over a studio audience of friends, colleagues and fans on hand to witness a bit of history.
The hour had its comic twist: In a pre-taped segment, Walters lobbed some questions at herself, in the person of former “Saturday Night Live” player Cheri Oteri doing a spot-on Walters imitation.
Walters brought the hour to a close with a heartfelt statement looking back with amazement on her career, then signing off with a pledge to “take a deep breath and enjoy my ‘View.’ ’