Barbara Walters to Return to THE VIEW

Following her recent fall while covering the Inauguration, as well as her chickenpox diagnosis, veteran VIEW host Barbara Walters, 83, announced today that she intends to return to the show in three weeks.

Walters called in to the show, telling her fellow co-hosts that she wasn't "scratching too much," and thoughg she is weak, she's not in much pain. She confirmed that they can expect her back shortly.

Walters currently co-hosts THE VIEW, as well as ABC's 20/20. She also frequently contributes to many of the ABC NEWS programs.

"The View," recipient of the 2003 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show, is ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, featuring a team of dynamic women of different ages, experiences and backgrounds discussing the most exciting events of the day. The program has received critical acclaim since premiering August 11, 1997. It's broadcast live weekdays from NYC (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET; CLOSED-CAPTIONED; broadcast in stereo; TV-14).

"The View" is features ABC News correspondent Barbara Walters -- who appears on average three days a week - moderator Whoopi Goldberg, comedian Joy Behar, actress/comedian Sherri Shepherd and designer and former "Survivor: The Australian Outback" participant Elisabeth Hasselbeck. "The View" consists of hot topics in the news, the best experts in their field, celebrity interviews and general entertainment. The program celebrated its 2000th show on February 2, 2006, and is now in its 12th season on the ABC Television Network.