In what was traditionally a post-Oscars show, the annual Barbara Walters Special will now be airing a whole four days before the red carpet event.  While people on the East Coast were used to seeing this special before the Oscars telecast, those on the West Coast were forced to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to get their turn.  Now the country will be united in their shared time slot:  Wednesday night @ 10pm.

This year’s round of interviews will include the Sexiest Man Alive, Mr. McDreamy, a diva and the token Oscar contender —also known as Matthew McConaughey, Patrick Dempsey, Mariah Carey and George Clooney.  The star-wattage alone should guarantee a big turn out for ABC on the last night of sweeps… but then again, airing right after a new episode of Lost will probably be enough.

As for which star Barbara will make cry?  My bets on Mariah…