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Bette Midler memorably serenaded Johnny Carson on his penultimate episode as host of the Tonight Show.
Friday she sang to another departing TV icon: Barbara Walters, performing an impromptu rendition of “The Glory of Love” on The View, a week before Walters’ last show as co-host.
STORY: 5 Things We Learned From Barbara Walters’ Vanity Fair Profile
After first joking with Walters that she was giving her a gold watch, opening her coat to reveal a variety of timepieces like a shady street salesman, Midler talked with the ladies about her performance on Carson’s final show, leading her to insist that she wouldn’t sing on The View, with one caveat.
“Well, maybe if I’m begged” she said, to cheers from the audience.
After encouragement from the crowd and the View panelists, Midler broke into “The Glory of Love,” with the audience joining her on the bridge.
STORY: Barbara Walters Sets Final ‘View’ Appearance
Walters — who sang, clapped and swayed along — seemed touched by the surprise performance — so much so that she even started to cry.
That really thrilled Midler, who jumped up and down on the couch after realizing that she’d made the legendary journalist, famous for asking questions that make her subjects cry, shed a tear.
Watch Midler’s performance and reaction below.
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