Barbara Walter’s negative comments about Heather Mills on Monday’s The View took on some considerable weight today. In the episode, Ms. Walters called Paul McCartney’s ex-wife “so impossible” and “not a very nice woman.”

As it happens, Mr. McCartney’s new lover, Nancy Shevell, is Ms. Walters’ kin. Cousins, in fact. During the said episode, the venerable newswoman’s also said that when she interviewed Mr. McCartney’s now-ex-wife, she was “extremely difficult.”

In a statement given to the Huffington Post, Ms. Walters’ publicist, Cindi Berger, explains:

“Barbara was unaware that Nancy was involved with Paul McCartney. We just found out about that when the press alerted us. Barbara and Nancy are second cousins. Barbara is not her aunt.”

Barbara’s Kissing Cousin: Walters And Paul McCartney’s Girlfriend Are Family [HuffPo]

We checked in today with celebrity life coach Patrick Wanis, Ph.D., in order to hear his expert opinions on what Hollywood people should be doing with themselves right now.

Again this week in the romance department, rumors and announcements surrounding novel couplings have proven their power to flabbergast outsiders. Last time we checked in with Mr. Wanis, he offered a bleak outlook on the prospect of Lance Armstrong and Ashley Olsen finding true love together. But this week, after hearing confirmation of singer Rihanna and actor Josh Hartnett’s relationship, Mr. Wanis was hopeful.  read more »