Barbara Walters Takes Shot at ABC's Elizabeth Vargas

The New York Post says the air got tense “The View” when Barbara Walters made a catty comment about Elizabeth Vargas’ battle with alcohol addiction.

As “20/20” anchor Vargas appeared on the show Thursday to discuss her recovery, she explained how she kept her battle a secret from her ABC colleagues.

But Walters snipped, “We all knew!”

Vargas looked “like she had been slapped in the face, and the atmosphere turned Polar Vortex,” noted one spy.

The barbed comment did not impress ABC brass, who thought Barbara was out of line, we are told. Walters later called Vargas to apologize.

Last night, they made light of the cringe-worthy clip.

Barbara told us, “I love Elizabeth and have great admiration for her. I never would have deliberately said anything to hurt her, and I called to tell her that.” Elizabeth added, “This is silly! Barbara is a colleague and a friend.”