BARBARA WALTERS SPEAKS WITH DUAL OSCAR NOMINEE JAMIE FOXX, FUNNYMAN WILL FERRELL AND "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" HOTTIE TERI HATCHER FOR THE 24th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS EDITION OF "THE BARBARA WALTERS SPECIAL"

Airs on Sunday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m., ET, and Immediately Following The Academy Awards on the West Coast

Barbara Walters spends a fun-filled and fascinating hour with Jamie Foxx, Will Ferrell and Teri Hatcher. The trio has emerged as this year's superstars. Each sits down with Barbara Walters for the Emmy Award winning "The Barbara Walters Special," airing on the evening of the Academy Awards, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (the special precedes the Academy Awards on the East Coast at 7:00 p.m., ET and immediately follows the Academy Awards on the West Coast) on the ABC Television Network.

Ms. Walters says: "This special is filled with lots of laughs and a few tears. Jamie Foxx shares the story of his amazing climb from small town Texas to big time stardom. Will Ferrell tells about how he was headed for a career as a sports broadcaster until, and at his mother's suggestion, he took a six week standup comedy course that changed his life forever. Teri Hatcher, living proof that life begins at 40, talks about her own desperation with finding a job and a man, complete with a few tears."

Double Oscar nominee Jamie Foxx dutifully took piano lessons as a child in the small town of Terrell, Texas, never dreaming that one day those piano lessons might help him win an Oscar. When Ms. Walters asks him what he will say if he wins an Academy Award, Foxx tells her, "I'm gonna cry."

The hottest new movie star, Will Ferrell, now commands 20 million dollars per picture. He tells Ms. Walters that everyone thinks he's normal, and then proves to her that he's anything but normal. When Ms. Walters asks him if he's ever fantasized about winning an Academy Award, he says, "Yes, but I'm usually naked when I accept it. And then I'm quickly rushed off the stage."

In an emotional interview, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winner Teri Hatcher reflects on her amazing rise to stardom. After two decades of bit parts and a moderately successful television series, Hatcher is Hollywood's latest comeback kid. She tells Ms. Walters: "My Dad will say to me, you better not pinch yourself because you might wake up and this will be over... It truly should be inspirational to anyone."

"The Barbara Walters Special" is a Barwall Production. The Special is produced and directed by Bill Geddie.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.