“Tell Me Everything”: New Documentary Revisits Barbara Walters’ Most Iconic Moments on The View

In a rare look behind the velvet curtain of television history, ABC News Studios has released Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything, a stunning new documentary that peels back the layers of one of America’s most revered and trailblazing journalists. Now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+, the film offers a compelling reflection on Walters’ extraordinary life and career—with particular emphasis on her unforgettable reign on The View.

The documentary, timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Walters’ retirement from daytime television, is far more than a nostalgic reel of archival clips. It’s a deep dive into the woman who transformed not just how we report the news—but who gets to sit at the table to report it.

A Television Pioneer

Barbara Walters wasn’t just the first woman to co-anchor a nightly news broadcast—she redefined what it meant to be a female journalist in a world dominated by men. Her signature interviewing style—direct but disarming, empathetic yet unflinching—brought the powerful and the private into living rooms across America.

From Fidel Castro to Oprah Winfrey, Monica Lewinsky to Vladimir Putin, Walters questioned them all. And when she wasn’t making headlines with her interviews, she was making waves by building platforms for other women to shine—most notably with the creation of The View in 1997.

“I never expected The View to last more than a couple of years,” Walters once said. “But here we are, decades later, still talking, still disagreeing, still laughing.”

The View: Where Barbara’s Legacy Lives On

The documentary spends a generous amount of time highlighting The View, the show Walters created to bring together women of different generations, backgrounds, and perspectives to talk politics, pop culture, and everything in between. It was revolutionary at the time—and in many ways, it still is.

Viewers are treated to a montage of legendary moments: from Walters’ fiery on-air spats with co-hosts like Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, to her graceful handling of emotional interviews with guests such as Michelle Obama and Patrick Swayze. But the real magic lies in the unseen: off-camera production meetings, raw behind-the-scenes footage, and personal reflections from former and current co-hosts.

Joy Behar, one of the original panelists, reflects in the film: “Barbara had this ability to make you feel like you belonged—even when you disagreed with her. Especially when you disagreed with her. That’s when she came alive.”

Meghan McCain adds, “She created a space where smart women could disagree passionately, and that’s incredibly rare on television. Barbara never flinched. She thrived in tension.”

A Legend With Layers

What makes Tell Me Everything so riveting isn’t just what it shows, but what it reveals: Barbara Walters wasn’t invincible. She was tough—but vulnerable. Brilliant—but self-doubting. Glamorous—but lonely at times.

Through rare home videos and candid interviews with family, colleagues, and Walters herself, the documentary offers viewers a portrait of a woman who, even as she became one of the most powerful voices in media, never stopped questioning her own place in the room.

“She carried a burden,” says Diane Sawyer in one emotional segment. “To be the first means you’re constantly being watched—and often doubted. Barbara bore that with elegance, but it wasn’t easy.”

The film doesn’t shy away from controversies, either. It touches on criticisms Walters faced for her perceived softness in some interviews, and her sometimes icy relationships with competitors. Yet in confronting those moments, it reinforces just how complicated—and compelling—her story really is.

Modern Relevance in a Fragmented Media Landscape

In an age where journalism is increasingly polarized and trust in media continues to fracture, Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything feels like more than just a look back—it’s a reminder of what journalism can be when done with integrity, curiosity, and courage.

The documentary also poses a quiet but urgent question: Who is carrying Barbara’s torch?

While shows like The View continue to tackle tough topics, the media landscape has changed drastically. Social media influencers, 24-hour cable battles, and AI-generated content dominate public discourse. Walters’ approach—thorough, human, nuanced—feels almost like a lost art.

“It’s not just about asking the tough questions,” says George Stephanopoulos in the documentary. “It’s about knowing when to ask them, how to listen, and how to hold power to account without turning it into a spectacle. Barbara understood that instinctively.”

A Streaming Must-Watch

Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything is already generating buzz as a potential Emmy contender for Best Documentary Series. Directed with tenderness and tact by award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus, the 90-minute special has struck a chord with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

For those who grew up watching Walters on 20/20, it’s a bittersweet walk down memory lane. For Gen Z audiences, it’s a fascinating look at a media icon who paved the way for the women dominating today’s screens—from Robin Roberts and Rachel Maddow to Oprah and beyond.

A Closing Curtain Call

Barbara Walters passed away in 2022 at the age of 93, but her voice echoes louder than ever. This documentary doesn’t just celebrate her—it invites viewers to remember why she mattered. Why she still matters.

In one of the final scenes, Walters is seen backstage at The View, moments before walking out for her final appearance. The lights are dim. The room is quiet. And then she looks at the camera, flashes that famous smile, and says, “Are we ready?”

She was always ready. And now, with this powerful tribute, we get to say thank you.