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Irwin and the JFK, Diana effect (Steve Irwin Tribute, please no bashing)
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Snip:Irwin and the Diana effect
September 7, 2006 - 11:59AM
In Britain, they're calling Steve's death our Diana
Cultural studies lecturer Dr Karen Brooks said even though there was nothing in common between Irwin and Princess Diana, the reaction to their deaths had strong parallels.
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Steve Irwin's shocking death has stirred up hysteria comparable to the aftermath of Princess Diana's demise almost a decade ago.
Although the unglamorous Irwin would probably have yelled "Crikey!" at any link with the woman dubbed in death as England's Rose, the response from the public worldwide has been remarkably similar.
Both died unexpectedly in freakish accidents that received saturation media coverage.
Like Diana's death, the assassination of John F Kennedy or the murder of John Lennon, people can remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard Irwin had died on Monday.
Websites have been overwhelmed by people wanting to pay tribute to the Crocodile Hunter, while newspapers have enjoyed a spike in sales due to the public interest.
After spending most of his life risking death from snakebite or wrestling with crocodiles, Steve Irwin's demise was due to a fatal stab wound from a stingray's barb.
Amazingly, there is footage of his dying moments with debate ongoing over whether the film should ever be shown.
The public reacted to Diana's death by swamping London's royal palaces with flowers and other tributes.
The Irwin-owned Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, has become a mecca for thousands of fans who have turned the entrance of the wildlife park into a massive floral memorial.
Irwin's family has been inundated with messages of support from around the world, particularly America where his death has dominated the news due to his immense popularity there.
Cultural studies lecturer Dr Karen Brooks said even though there was nothing in common between Irwin and Princess Diana, the reaction to their deaths had strong parallels.
"In Britain, they're calling Steve's death our Diana," the University of the Sunshine Coast academic and media commentator said.
"There's a sense in which the outpouring of grief and the shock has been very similar."
The Irwin family seem nonplussed at all the fuss over Steve, a man described by his grieving father Bob as just an ordinary bloke.
The Irwins have already turned down an offer of a state funeral.
Diana, killed in a Paris road crash in 1997, was farewelled at a Westminster Abbey service which featured Elton John performing a Diana-ised version of Candle In The Wind.
There's been talk of a memorial service at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for Steve Irwin, but hopefully no bright spark will suggest enlisting Sir Elton to sing Crocodile Rock if that event goes ahead.
Dr Brooks said one reason for the public reaction to the deaths of Irwin and Diana was that people may feel guilty about the way they regarded them while they were alive.
Diana's love life had been a constant source of media interest and speculation until her death despite her involvement in worthy causes such as moves to ban land mines.
Irwin had endured his share of controversies while carving out a career as an exuberant lover of nature and the environment.
"I think in the last few years at least people were starting to be aware of the magnitude of his contribution to Australian culture and the way that he is a global identity," Dr Brooks said.
"He didn't blow his own trumpet here, he just did what he did.
"Maybe there's a little bit of regret that they didn't acknowledge him when he was alive.
"I think we can often feel guilty once someone that we don't expect to leave so unexpectedly parts."
Like Diana's sons William and Harry, there is public concern for the future of the young Irwin children Bindi and Bob and his American-born widow Terri.
Although his family had played a major support role, Steve Irwin was the face of Australia Zoo and the entertainment empire that helped him inject millions of dollars into expanding it in recent years.
The reptile and fauna park had been started by Steve's parents Bob and Lyn when they moved to Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast hinterland from Victoria in the 1970s.
Bob Irwin, who became a widower six years ago when his wife was killed in a car crash, was responsible for Steve's love of animals.
And he has vowed to do all he can to maintain the legacy of the son he describes as his "best mate".
"I'm a lucky, lucky guy I've had the opportunity to have a son like Steve," he said when he faced his first ever media conference this week to thank the public for their support.
"There's never been anybody else that I know of that had the personality Steve had and the strength and the conviction of what he believed in and his message was conservation."
Despite the hero worship of Irwin in death, he had detractors as his fame grew.
It could go back to 2003 when he enthusiastically labelled Prime Minister John Howard "the greatest leader in the world".
The self-proclaimed wildlife warrior soon found himself enjoying a barbecue lunch at The Lodge, rubbing shoulders with US President George W Bush and media heavyweights Kerry Packer and Kerry Stokes.
Asked at the time whether he would consider a career in politics, Irwin said: "Crikey mate no way, I'll stick to crocs, they are far safer."
A few months later Irwin found himself at the centre of an international storm after he was filmed feeding a dead chicken to a four-metre crocodile while holding his baby son Bob in one arm.
The episode prompted comparisons with Michael Jackson's notorious dangling of his baby over a balcony.
Irwin stated any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation.
In June 2004, he came under fire again when it was alleged he came too close to and disturbed some whales, seals and penguins while filming a documentary in Antarctica. No action was taken.
He was also in the middle of controversy when it was revealed he received $175,000 for one day's work promoting Australia's quarantine restrictions.
He courted further criticism this year by telling a magazine he allowed Bindi to kick Bob to teach him about the laws of survival - "so long as she takes her shoes off first".
Irwin believed he was seen internationally as a "popular wildlife warrior", but regarded by some people in Australia as "a little bit embarrassing".
Academic and feminist author Germaine Greer is one Australian who has declared that she was embarrassed by Irwin, even after his death.
In an article for The Guardian newspaper in Britain, Greer said she had "not much sympathy" for Irwin, whom she described as self-delusioned, animal tormentor.
In a subsequent TV interview, Greer said she found "the whole Steve Irwin phenomenon" embarrassing.
"As far as I can see quite a few Australians have been embarrassed by Steve Irwin - lots - millions possibly," she said.
"Why are the English calling it 'Australia's Princess Diana moment'.
"Aren't you embarrassed about that, at least?"
[link to www.smh.com.au]
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