Barbara Walters: "Paris Hilton Interview is Beneath Me"  6/25/07

Veteran U.S. broadcaster Barbara Walters has turned down the chance interview Paris Hilton when she is released from jail, because she deems it "beneath her".

Network ABC were offered an exclusive chat with the socialite, currently approaching the end of her sentence for violating probation.

But Walters declined the opportunity, dubbing the idea "tawdry".

She tells PageSix, "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."

Hilton will give her first live interview following her release from prison on Tuesday (26Jun07) to talk show host Larry King.