Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People Special Slammed for Including Kardashians
Barbara Walters included the Kardashians in her top 10 list of 2011’s most fascinating people that aired Wednesday, angering critics.
“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011” immediately became a hot topic after its broadcast, as critics slammed the 82-year-old veteran journalist for including the Kardashians.
Charlie White, Senior Editor at Mashable tweeted, "Barbara Walters: If these were the most fascinating people of 2011, we're in BIG trouble."
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"The world must be ending. Barbara Walters is including the Kardashians on her ‘Most Fascinating People’ show on ABC. #Sad #Agent," former CNN news anchor Micah Johnson tweeted.
The list included former Republican hopeful Herman Cain and the late Steve Jobs - who topped the list as the number one most fascinating person of 2011.
Critics are scratching their heads at Walters' decision to include Kardashian sisters Kourtney, 32, Kim, 31, Khloe, 27, and their mother Kris Jenner, 56.
Although some consider the reality TV stars undeserving of their fame, it was Walters’ interview with the family that led many to question whether she actually believes they should have been included in the top 10 list.
Walters addressed Kim's 2007 sex tape with singer Ray J, which many argue sparked the Kardashian family fame.
She asked Kim whether the sex tape was a good thing to have done, and in response Kim said, "Whatever you do, you might think...I have made mistakes in my life, for sure."
Walters did not hold back saying, "You don't really act; you don't sing; you don't dance...You don't have any- forgive me- any talent!"
Kim responded by suggesting that their ability to draw in millions of international viewers to their reality show “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” is a talent in itself.
"I think it's more of a challenge for you to go on a reality show, and get people to fall in love with you for being you," Kim said.
The family has a number of reality shows on the E! television network, clothing lines, and several million dollar endorsement contracts.
Kim first became well-known after her sex taped was allegedly leaked, and the family was able to build an estimated $500 million Kardashian empire as a result.
The Kardashians recently received widespread media backlash after Kim filed for divorce from NBA star Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage.
Check out Walters' entire list below.
The List:
Steve Jobs (Apple Founder)
Herman Cain (Former Republican Presidential hopeful)
Simon Cowell (Former American Idol Judge turned X-Factor judge)
Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (ABC's "Modern Family")
Katy Perry (Pop singer)
The Kardashians (Reality TV stars)
Donald Trump (Entrepreneur)
Derek Jeter (New York Yankees)
Amanda Knox (American cleared of murder in Italy)
Pippa Middleton (Sister to Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middelton)
