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December 5th, 2008 at 7:58 am

Barbara Walters Most Fascinating People 2008 Video, Photos

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Barbara Walters interview November 26, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama is first on the list of Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008. See video of the entire program and photos. This is the 16th annual edition of the program, broadcast on ABC on December 4, 2008. The remaining people on the list are Tom Cruise, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Frank Langella, Miley Cyrus, Thomas Beatie and Michael Phelps.

Barbara Walters interviewed everyone on the list except, notably, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

“This was almost the easiest year that we’ve ever had, because we had so many naturals,” says Walters, summing up the selection process for her special, which airs Thursday at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. “Some of the people you just know you have to do.”

Tina Fey with Barbara Walters, 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008

Barbara Walters with Tina Fey

Like “30 Rock” star Tina Fey, who helped define Palin to a national electorate with her hilarious impersonation on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Or Rush Limbaugh, the powerful conservative pundit who is now getting ready to take on a new Democratic president.

Tom Cruise with Barbara Walters, 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008

Barbara Walters with Tom Cruise

Or like 16-year-old singer-actress Miley Cyrus. Though wildly popular as star of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” she’s become “a new Miley Cyrus,” says Walters. “She’s growing up.” (Cyrus also hit a bumpy patch this year due to arguably racy photos by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz that were published in Vanity Fair.) [...]

Miley Cyrus with Barbara Walters, 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008

Barbara Walters with Miley Cyrus

Maybe not so obvious: Thomas Beatie, who will be interviewed as a representative of what Walters calls a larger subject _ the emergence of transgender couples.

Frank Langella is yet another name on her list. Why? After decades as an acclaimed actor, the 70-year-old Langella has the buzz of a latter-day breakout star thanks to his new film, “Frost/Nixon,” Walters says.

Source: Few surprises on Walters ‘Fascinating People’ list

For transcript of interviews with Tom Cruise, Tina Fey and Will Smith see: Hollywood’s Biggest Stars on New Projects, Personal Lives

Photo credit: ABC News

Watch video of the full hour via YouTube: