Leave it to Barbara Walters to upstage a giant Waterford Crystal ball dropping in Times Square.  While not unexpected, it was sadly announced that Walters died at the age of 93.  It’s been whispered that she had been battling dementia for at least seven years, and was practically bedridden for the past five.  Still, one cannot say enough about her place in history.  She routinely broke glass ceilings and never let the word “No” deter her.  She did whatever it took – whether it was playing second banana to a chimp or wearing a Bunny costume (rumor has it she wanted to be buried in it).  In later years, she created a lasting legacy in daytime television.  Cheri Oteri as Barbara Walters said it best: “Some may call it a trainwreck – we call it The View.”

As hard as it was to say goodbye to Barbara, an even more difficult death occurred just under the wire.  Anita Pointer of the fabulous Pointer Sisters passed away on New Year’s Eve.  My love for the group is well-documented.  Anita was on one of the first episodes of Billy Masters LIVE.  While she always had an infectious laugh and a raucous sense of humor, the light inside had been extinguished since the death of daughter Jada in 2003.  She admitted, “It took 90% of me away.”  As she was the daughter of reverends, I questioned her faith after this loss.  She sadly said, “I really don’t have any faith.”  You can watch this entire interview on BillyMasters.com.  Rest in peace, Anita.