Barbara Walters Calls Paris Hilton Interview ‘Tawdry’

By now, we all know that Larry King (who, ironically, has never even heard of Paris Hilton) will be the one sitting down with her to get her post-penitentiary musings soon after her release. But why did Barbara Walters pass on the chance to interview the errant heiress, even after NBC pulled out and it was offered free of charge?

Shockingly, Cindy Adams has the dirt.

And Babs’ answer may or may not surprise you.

“Look, I’ve done prison interviews before, but people like the Menendez Brothers were really important news stories,” said the First Lady of the Soundbites. “This wasn’t. And even though I’d already written my questions, when all that pay-for-play stuff happened, I suddenly felt this was not up to my standard. It . . . felt . . . sort of . . . ”

Sleazy?

“Tawdry. The whole thing somehow was beneath me. Besides, it was a no-win. If I did a tough piece and her tears started to flow, it would be, ‘Oh, there’s Barbara Walters making people cry again.’ Too soft, and I’d be criticized.”

And ABC’s position?

“They wanted it. For them it was ratings. For me it was respect. I’m fortunately at a point in my life where I can choose what I want, and this was solely my decision. But I must tell you how classy ABC was. They didn’t try to force me or say they’d place it on “Nightline,” or give it to someone else to do or any of the things they could have done. They respected my decision and walked away.

“Some agreed with my decision, some didn’t. For me it was just a question of respect.”

Translation: Accepting an interview after it was initially revealed that ABC lost to NBC in a 6-figure bidding war equals “tawdry.”

On the other hand, sucking up to Kathy and Nicky Hilton in a brazen attempt to secure first dibs at the pay-for-play exclusive? Now, that’s just common sense.

But hey, they’ll always have the post “Walk of Fame” luncheon at Vert.