Redefining 'Fascinating' Down

Barbara Walters must be fascinated by the banal and underwhelming:

When talking about the Kardashian family, a lot of adjectives come to mind, but fascinating is probably not high on the list. However, that is what Barbara Walters calls the E! stars, or as she brands them, “American Reality Royalty”. The semi-retired news interviewer features the Kardashians front-and-center on her list of the most fascinating people of 2011.  And they are not the only odd choices on the list, which will be showcased at the 19th annual Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People TV special on ABC.

Odd is right: “Simon Cowell, whose return to American television with The X Factor fell way short of…expectations, and Derek Jeter, captain of the New York Yankees who were eliminated embarrassingly early this fall” are also on Walters’ list this year.

I don’t think I’ve ever watched a Barbara Walters special from beginning to end.  And I’m sure she’s had some great interview guests in the past.  But are the ranks of the fabulous and fascinating really that thin this year?  More names at the link.