If last night's "10 Most Fascinating People of 2008" is an accurate indicator, it doesn't take much to charm Barbara Walters.

Only three women made the list: AfterEllen.com sweetheart Tina Fey; her doppelgänger, Sarah Palin; and the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient Miley Cyrus.

Most fascinating about Miley Cyrus is the fact that she just signed a seven-figure book deal. No, I'm not joking. The star of the crazy-successful Hannah Montana earned Disney $1 billion this year in ratings, merchandising and concerts. One billion dollars.

Walters mentioned Cyrus' scandalous Vanity Fair photo shoot, calling it R-rated. I didn't get the hoopla when the photo came out, and I don't get it now. Apparently Barbara and I are watching entirely different R-rated movies. I give this photo a G-minus at worst.

Here's where it gets weird: Tina Fey and Sarah Palin might look alike, but Fey actually has more in common with Miley Cyrus. She, too, just signed a book deal, though it was only for a reported six figures. And she also took a turn sitting for Annie Leibovitz in Vanity Fair. … continue reading

It's an award-a-rific weekend. Along with the Oscars on Sunday, you can catch the BET Honors (tonight at 8/7c on, uh, BET) and the Independent Spirit Awards (Saturday at 5 p.m. EST on IFC). Both of them look considerably more interesting than There Will Be Boredom and No Country for Any Women.

Scheduled to appear on the BET Honors are Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Vivica A. Fox, Kerry Washington, Keyshia Cole and more. This picture of Kerry Washington and Zoe Saldana has nothing to do with the BET Honors, but it sure is pretty. (I found it on the website for the UNDP/UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative. Activism is sexy!)

On Sunday before the Oscars, Barbara Walters talks to Miley Ray Cyrus, Vanessa Williams, Harrison Ford and the awesome-but-slightly-overexposed Ellen Page.

Sheesh, so much to watch — and my DVR is full, too. Gone are those lazy, book-reading days of the writers' strike!

The View is part of my morning routine. I work late and sleep late, so the show usually serves as background for sorting through my e-mail. Last season, Rosie O’Donnell made me pay closer attention than I had in the past, not just because of the funny or controversial things she said, but because she talked about her spouse and family in the same way the straight women did. Every day, Rosie let America know that lesbian couples were just like anyone else. Whatever else you think about Rosie, give her props for that. I was sorry to see her go.

But I was thrilled when Whoopi Goldberg was announced as Rosie’s replacement. I love and admire Whoopi and knew she would be liberal and gay-friendly in her opinions in, perhaps, a less edgy way than Rosie. Plus, The View desperately needed a woman of color in the mix.

After a few days — and a bit of controversy when she suggested that Michael Vick might have been brought up to think dogfighting was OK — Whoopi settled in and seemed comfortable in first chair. In fact, she is the perfect moderator. She is strong but gracious, able to keep the discussion moving and prevent verbal brawls, and adept at politely but firmly pausing the chatter for commercial breaks.

Yawn. … continue reading

On today's episode of The View, Barbara Walters announced that Whoopi Goldberg now has a permanent seat in the moderator's chair.

The news broke in unverified form last week, but ABC declined to comment. On today's show, Whoopi noted that people — including her own mother — have been hassling her for the final word. She called her new job "a big ol' thrill" but admitted she hasn't thought about her wardrobe "one iota":

"I know you wouldn't want me to pretend to be anything but me."

The other cohosts agreed that they want her just as she is. Walters even urged Whoopi to be "a little edgy," but Whoopi said, "I've always been nice," and promised to be careful not to use the words she uses "every day." … continue reading

After the Daytime Emmy Awards last Friday (read all about Ellen DeGeneres' big wins here), Bob Barker mentioned that CBS is planning to meet with Rosie O'Donnell to discuss The Price Is Right.

Barker's not opposed to the idea of Rosie hosting the show:

"She knows the show," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind she could do the show. Now, whether they want a lady host, I don't know. As far as I know, they've only auditioned men."

Yeah, yeah, it's hard to resist making a joke about Rosie being called a "lady," but I'll leave that to others. I'm more interested in Barker's flip-flopping, if earlier reports are to be believed: In May, TVGuide.com said he was "adamant" that Rosie not get the gig and the Daily News said the same. Hmm. Maybe Ro offered to make a big donation to one of his pet spay-and-neuter organizations? … continue reading