See Barbara Walters Work a Shift at the Playboy Club in 1962 TODAY Segment

As TODAY marks its 75th anniversary, the TODAY Archive is revisiting legendary interviews, stories that moved us and other iconic moments from our 75 years on the air. These are the segments that shaped TODAY and created a lasting legacy. Today, we look back at Barbara Walters getting firsthand experience working at the famed Playboy Club in a segment that aired Dec. 31, 1962.

Barbara Walters was a pioneering journalist during her decades-long career. One of her most notable pieces aired on TODAY on Dec. 31, 1962, when she got dressed in the classic Playboy Bunny costume and worked a shift at the legendary New York City nightclub after learning what was involved and spoke with a few of the Bunnies.

She learned from chief of the Bunnies, Ms. Joan Howard, that anyone between the ages of 18 to 24, “young, pretty (and) funny” could become a Bunny.

They would then take a two-week course to learn their role at the club, which included not being able to date club members. Then it was Walters’ turn to learn the ropes.

“Off to Bunny school,” she said as her education started.

She put on the “too tight satin bathing suit and black leotard,” as she described it, along with shoes that were a size too big (“This job is hardest on the feet,” she said), a cotton tail, flashlight and pen hooked to her costume to take orders.

How Did Barbara Walters Feel in the Uniform?

As Walters, who died at the age of 93 in 2022, got into uniform and put on her ears, she asked if most of the girls are “embarrassed” when they first put on the costume.

“Not hardly,” replied the woman helping her. “I’d say one out of 143 might be embarrassed.”

“I think I’m two out of 143,” Walters said. “I feel ridiculous.”

Barbara Walters Learned the Bunny Rules

Walters explained how Bunnies have to learn the rules in the 35-page Bunny manual, including how to arrange a tray and what garnishes and glasses accompany each drink. Bunnies also had to take a test and follow the guidelines (no gum chewing, looking untidy or being late) outlined or risk getting fined. They had to refrain from dating customers or drinking before or on the job, which could result in termination.

After the test, the veteran servers worked with the trainees. In this instance, Walters struggled with a move called the Bunny Dip, which more experienced servers showed her was the proper way to hand drinks to customers. Walters then tried the move herself.

“It’s like a ballet movement,” she said.

How Did Barbara Walters Actually Do As a Bunny?

Walters then got her moment on the floor.

“I felt pretty awkward, but at least I didn’t spill anything on the customers,” she said.

Walters passed, but had no plans to stick with a career dishing out cocktails, even as TODAY anchor Hugh Downs praised her work when the segment ended.

“You make a very cute bunny,” he told her.