‘Fascinating’ change of plans: Walters will return

NEW YORK (AP) -- Maybe Barbara Walters had her fingers crossed when she said last year's "10 Most Fascinating People" telecast would be her last.

In any case, ABC announced Tuesday that Walters will be back with yet another edition of the annual roundup. Among those fascinating people she will interview for the special: Oprah Winfrey, Neil Patrick Harris, Chelsea Handler and Scarlett Johansson.

"Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014" will air as a two-hour special on December 14, ABC says.

Walters explained the turnabout by saying, "There are just too many fascinating people out there."

The annual specials began airing in 1993. But last year's was billed as the finale for Walters as the veteran newswoman, now 85, headed toward retirement from ABC News.

(© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed0