Barbara Walters Documentary Reveals Career Feuds, Challenges, Legacy

The documentary "Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and streams on Hulu, offers an intimate look at the trailblazing journalist's career and personal life, highlighting her pioneering achievements as the first female anchor on major network news shows and her struggles with sexism and male colleagues who doubted her abilities. The film reveals Walters' tense rivalry with Diane Sawyer during their time at ABC, marked by professional competition and strained workplace dynamics. Walters faced significant challenges working with male journalists like Peter Jennings, Frank McGee, and Harry Reasoner, who often dismissed her capabilities and treated her as less serious, reflecting the era's gender biases in journalism. Director Jackie Jesko emphasizes how Walters strategically used her social connections to secure exclusive interviews, personally reaching out to influential figures, a practice uncommon among her male peers. The documentary also celebrates Walters' legacy through testimonials from colleagues and women she inspired, such as Oprah Winfrey and Katie Couric, while mourning the loss of an era when televised interviews were major cultural events. Walters' own voice, drawn from archival interviews, adds depth to the portrayal of her resilience and determination in a male-dominated industry.