Posted on 03/30/2007 3:22:24 PM PDT by mom4kittys
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bindi Irwin, the 8-year-old daughter of late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, will launch her new television series in June with her father appearing in some episodes, Discovery Kids Channel said on Tuesday.
The exuberant, khaki-clad Australian naturalist and his daughter began filming the 26-part cable TV show, "Bindi: The Jungle Girl," in early 2006 with the aim of getting children more interested in wildlife conservation.
Irwin, however, died last September after a stingray's serrated barb pierced his heart while he was filming scenes for a documentary off Australia's northeast coast.
But after 44-year-old Irwin's death, his daughter and her U.S.-born mother, Terri, decided to finish filming Bindi's series.
Critics in Australia and elsewhere accused Terri Irwin and her advisors of trying to rush Bindi into show business, saying she is too young to cope, but the family brushed off the criticism with Bindi repeatedly saying she wants to continue her father's legacy.
"Those closest to her know that she deeply believed in her father's mission to protect wildlife," the cable network said in a statement announcing the June 9 premiere.
Discovery Kids Channel said the new series features Bindi introducing viewers to the world of wildlife from her cozy treehouse high up in the rain forest, with both her parents dropping in to share stories of animal adventures.
The night before the series premiere, sister channel Animal Planet is presenting "My Daddy The Croc Hunter," in which Bindi, with her mother's help, hosts her first special and shares her personal look at growing up with her famous father.
She shows clips from her early childhood and footage from Irwin's last crocodile research adventure in August 2006, when Bindi helped him with some croc captures.
In the nine months since Irwin's death, Bindi has rarely been out of the public spotlight.
She spoke at her father's funeral and earlier this year toured the United States to kick off her American show business career, performing her "Bindi and the Crocmen" stage show. She was also named a tourism ambassador for Australia.
I hope they don't splice it together like they're having a conversation, that would be creepy.
I hope not either. I hope they use real footage of them together.
I think they filmed some shows before he died???
I wish her the best, she's quite a young lady. :)
I believe they did.
I hope Bindi has had a chance to grieve. I'm not convinced this is healthy for her. At age 8, you're very easily influenced ... it troubled me that she is hardly out of the spot light since the death of her father. A typical child needs time, with family to adjust to this kind of loss ... the public is just looking to be entertained ... while they may miss her dad they don't' console her. I'm not convinced that using the public as consultation to adjust to the loss is healthy.
A child of 8, hardly has the wisdom to know what is best for her ... that's where I expect parents to step in and let her have as normal of a childhood as possible. It's the mentality of letting kids rule that troubles me as well as this particular situation ... . I wish her well ... .
The ratings of her show will be much better because of her dad's death. It's strange whenever things work out this way. She certainly looks a lot like her dad.
I Wish this Sweet Child All the Best.
I suspect Mr. Irwin would approve. Thanks for the ping, mom4kittys.
Maybe this IS her way of grieving, honoring the Dad she loved. It may make her feel close to him by carrying on what he loved.
I just hope she doesn't try to feed a crocodile while holding her brother in one arm...
I don't think it would have happened after... just a guess. ; )
I worry about getting Bindy into this so early. I think she needs her childhood more than ever.
Thank you for the ping, mom4kitties! Keep me listed as a lifetime member. I will forever miss Steve Irwin, and I will forever support Terri and Bindi. I think Bindi is exactly where she ought to be. I have no doubt that if she asked anyone surrounding her to pull the plug on further production, her wish would be granted; no questions asked.
Hugs and high-fives to all the Irwins and his close friends!
At 8 years old ... I doubt it. All the audience wants is entertainment. That's not consultation. Performing is not grieving. She's being raised like other precocious kids ... and the long term of it isn't good ... eventually she will have issues. It's too bad a parent doesn't parent a child anymore ... an 8 year old lacks wisdom that a parent should have ... . Too many child actors/actresses have MAJOR problems ... from taking this route.
Something about death worship that bothers me.
Who's worshipping death?
I think she views it as "doing something for Daddy" which most certainly IS a form of grieving. And no one grieves in the same way. Hiding or curling up in the dark isn't healthy either. We lost a 19 yr old granddaughter and everyone had advice none of it useful. After 3 months some people even told us it was "time to get a grip". Our pastor had told us that people would react in odd ways and be prepared for critical, well meaning statements. I was still shocked at some of the stupid judgements. I never tell anyone how they should grieve after my eye-opening experience.
I know exactly what you're saying. I buried a child in '89. My entire existence crashed & burned. I had more than one person tell me "You're young. You can have other children." Stupidity has no boundaries.
I agree with you. I think it's "for" him. It may be her way of honoring him. Keeping his memory alive.
Sue I think that's exactly what it is.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.