Like many vacationers, Barbara traveled during her week off. She and a friend headed to Syria for some sightseeing and a meeting with the President, Bashar Al-Assad, and his wife Asma.

The country is on the United States’ list of terrorist-affiliated regions because of its objections to America’s invasion of Iraq, as well as friendly interactions with Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Still, Barbara says that she never felt safer; she stayed in Damascus, the capital city, which has been incredibly well preserved for the past 2500 years.

Walters brought scarves as gifts for the other four co-hosts; she says that The View is broadcast in Syria daily.

Barbara Walters will be signing copies of her memoir, Audition, at the Forum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from 1pm until 3pm today.

The book has topped several bestseller lists; fans in the area will have the opportunity to meet the media mogul.

Barbara Walters will sign her memoir, Audition, tonight at the Summerlin, Nevada Barnes & Noble store from 6pm to 7pm.

As guests of the Caesars Palace hotel have been notified, Ms. Walters will also sign the book from 1pm to 3pm.

Audition also got some publicity on the Emmy stage last Friday, as Sherri’s purse was made from a copy of the book.

The incredible success of Barbara Walters‘ memoir, Audition, has prompted her friends to organize a party for her.

The celebration recreated the atmosphere of the Latin Quarter in Boston, a night club owned by Barbara’s father, Lou Walters. The several-course menu included sirloin steak and fruit cocktail, and cost $2.50 per person.

The recreation was a pleasant walk down memory lane, and incorporates such details as the original program designs and costumes.

Barbara returned from her month-long book signing tour, which took her to 11 cities to promote her memoir, Audition.

Ms. Walters relayed messages from fans to all of the other co-hosts; she said that one of the most enjoyable aspects of touring was meeting all of the people who tune in daily to watch The View.

Fans of The View undoubtedly have noticed Barbara Walters‘ absence from the show, though she is expected to return next Tuesday.

Ms. Walters is in Chicago promoting her memoir, Audition, and will be signing and meeting fans at the Borders store on Michigan Avenue. Her book tour will continue to take her around the country, but will ultimately lead back to a seat at the table on The View.

Barbara Walters’ Audition is now a New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller.

The View’s month-long series about Ms. Walters continued today; although her famed million-dollar contract was heavily contested, many viewers are unaware that her salary was for both news reporting and celebrity specials. Walters says that these interviews with well-known personalities “saved” her career, as her news anchoring spot on ABC proved difficult.

Over the years, Walters has interviewed celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures; she says that her secret to the emotional responses she often elicits is asking interviewees about their childhoods, which makes a compelling conversation for the audience.

Today, Barbara’s daughter Jackie, joined her on the set to talk about growing up with Barbara Walters as a mother. Perhaps the biggest revelation came when talking about her adolescence, which Barbara described as “tumultuous.” Jackie has established New Horizons for Young Women, a camp that reaches out to troubled teens.

Barbara’s father, Lou Walters, was a night club owner and producer; he opened The Latin Quarter night clubs, and allowed the family to enjoy a lavish lifestyle at times; in contrast to the glamour of the clubs was Barbara’s sister, Jackie, who was 3.5 years older and intellectually impaired. The family kept Jackie’s illness a secret; for that reason, Barbara says she would not have written the book had her family still been alive.

Gibson did stop by the show this morning, though, allowing viewers a small preview of this evening’s special; he talked about working with Barbara, and how her career has helped to change the workplace for women. Gibson also alluded to the fact that Barbara feels guilty about juggling her career and family, as many women do.

Ms. Walters will be signing more copies of Audition today at the Barnes & Noble store on 5^th Avenue and 45^th Street.

]]> http://www.livebloggingtheview.com/2008/05/07/audition-is-number-one/feed/ http://www.livebloggingtheview.com/2008/05/06/audition-hits-stores/ http://www.livebloggingtheview.com/2008/05/06/audition-hits-stores/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 16:05:18 +0000 judith http://www.livebloggingtheview.com/?p=218 Barbara Walters’ memoir, Audition, is in stores today; she will be signing copies at Barnes & Noble on Broadway and 66^thStreet in Manhattan.

Oprah will devote her entire show to Barbara this afternoon; Ms. Walters will then speak with Charles Gibson about some of the less-known details of her life.

Barbara’s much-anticipated memoir, Audition, finally goes on sale tomorrow. She will be interviewed by Oprah, and perhaps will talk about her past affair with former Senator Edward Brooke.

That decision, according to Barbara, was the biggest of her career. When asked what their biggest decisions were, the other co-hosts said the following:

Whoopi: whether to take on her career, once she had a child to care for;

Joy: whether to co-host The View and stay in New York, or act in a sitcom and move to Los Angeles;

Elisabeth: choosing to co-host The View as well, given the required candor about a number of hot topics;

Cindy: deciding to go forward with her husband in the race for the Presidency, after losing her parents and having a stroke between the 2000 election season and now.