Hearing of the death of Barbara Walters, I reflected on never being much of a fan. Not wishing to say anything nasty, I asked ChatGPT to compare Walters to Terry Gross. I think the response is pretty much on the mark:

“Barbara Walters and Terry Gross are both well-known journalists who have conducted interviews with a wide range of subjects over the years. Their interviewing styles are somewhat different, however.

Barbara Walters is known for her confrontational and aggressive style of interviewing. She is known for asking tough, pointed questions and pressing her subjects for answers. She has a reputation for being a tough and persistent interviewer who is not afraid to challenge her subjects.

Terry Gross, on the other hand, is known for her more laid-back and conversational style of interviewing. She is known for her ability to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for her subjects, which often leads to more candid and honest responses. While she still asks tough questions, she tends to do so in a more subtle and indirect way, allowing her subjects to open up more freely.

Overall, both Barbara Walters and Terry Gross are skilled and experienced journalists who have their own unique styles of interviewing. While they may differ in their approaches, both are known for their ability to get their subjects to reveal interesting and informative insights.”