Life is full of serendipitous moments. You look at the clock as it hits 11:11, you run into an old friend you were just thinking of, and now, we welcome 2020 — with the help of Barbara Walters.
Barbara Walters, the woman, the myth, the legend, and the former host of ABC’s 20/20, has been a TV icon for decades — so naturally, with 2019 coming to an end, there’s no better time for her famous tagline, “This is 20/20,” to reemerge (and be gloriously re-purposed). And when we say the stars aligned for this to happen, well… they really have.
ABC decided to pay tribute to Walters in an especially epic way, putting together a video of her repeating the classic catchphrase over and over again. The best part? They got a bunch of stars to do their best Barbara Walters impression for the occasion.
Following a compilation of classic “This is 20/20” moments from the show, the video notes that, “No one does it like Barbara” …but that doesn’t mean the likes of Sofia Vergara, Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa (and more) weren’t willing to try.
It’s almost the New Year, so we’re welcoming you to 2020! We know Barbara Walters says it best, but some other stars from our family thought they’d give it a try too. #ThisIs2020 pic.twitter.com/tcpmhIClzt
— 20/20 (@ABC2020) December 31, 2019
The video ends on a perfect note, with another throwback clip of Walters herself — and, protip, if you start the video exactly at 11:59:15 PM, she’ll welcome you into the new decade at the exact time that the clock strikes midnight.
No one ever said it or did it better. May your 2020 be as iconic as #BarbaraWalters. pic.twitter.com/GNNfVFjfWC
— Dustin Fitzharris (@dfitz80) December 31, 2019
As perfect as the tribute video is, some fans want to take it even further. Recently, a petition surfaced which campaigned for Walters to announce, “I’m Barbara Walters, and this is 2020” live on-air when the ball drops in NYC.
So, is Barbara Walters hosting any 2020 celebrations tonight? pic.twitter.com/lyVxhmA7Xq
— 🔮CLB🔮 (@CraftylilBitch) December 31, 2019
When the ball drops in New York they cut to Barbara Walters and she says “I’m Barbara Walters and this is 20/20” there’s really no other way #MyHopeFor2020 pic.twitter.com/KMDjCJMZ1I
— Merry Trishmas (@teepray) December 29, 2019
Over 7,000 people have signed, with one supporter commenting, “I’m signing because we need more humour in our lives, and this would be hilarious.” They’re not wrong.
All I want to hear at midnight is Barbara Walters saying “This… Is 2020” pic.twitter.com/m64T8InYrS
— Dave Malkoff (@malkoff) December 31, 2019
Regardless of what happens at midnight, this video feels like the perfect way to welcome in a new decade.
RELATED: Our hosts reveal their most memorable interviews of 2019
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