TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Veteran TV newswoman Barbara Walters paid a visit Tuesday to the New Jersey Statehouse to talk with a man she finds “pleasant, smart, funny” and even “good-natured.”

Gov. Chris Christie is on her list this year of the “10 Most Fascinating People.” Her 90-minute special will air Dec. 12 on ABC.

Walters tells The Associated Press the Republican governor made the list because of his handling of Superstorm Sandy and because “he’s probably now the best-known governor in America.”

She and her crew shot about an hour of tape with the governor and his wife, Mary Pat.

Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and “50 Shades of Grey” author E.L. James are also on the list.

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