The creators of the South Park cartoon series are unrepentant about a new episode that shows Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin attending a party in Hell with a stingray barb protruding from his chest.
Irwin died just eight weeks ago when a stingray barb pierced his heart as he was filming off the north Queensland coast.
The South Park episode, which had been scheduled for broadcast in the US on Wednesday, is expected to upset Irwin fans and his family - wife Terri and children Bindi and Bob.
But the show's creators say it's not the first time their work has created waves.
"We have offended people in the past and probably will again," a South Park spokesman a London newspaper.
"We know that regular watchers will not be shocked."
In the episode, Satan hosts a fancy dress party attended by Irwin, Princess Diana, Adolf Hitler and other famous dead people.
But Irwin is kicked out by the Devil because he's not in costume.
Britain's media watchdog has labelled the episode distasteful.
"This is such bad taste and the makers of South Park should review their decision to show it," watchdog John Beyer said.
"Steve's family are still grieving.
"To lampoon somebody's death like that is unacceptable and so soon after the event is grossly insensitive."
Nor do I think it's as offensive as the media will blow this out to be.
I actually find it more offensive that people think there should be a world wide never ending grieving process for fallen celebrities.
If you're in the public eye,you're public property pure and simple.You can't be a major public figure and be immune to jibes and pisstakes.
Nothing is ever too soon.Nobody is going to force Irwin's family or fans to watch South Park.They have a choice to avoid it.
I watched the episode, they even point out that it's too early for the joke. There's a halloween party for Satan and they get all pissed off when they think somebody dressed up as Steve Irwin, when it's actually him.
I watched the ep today and its not really that bad.
A dude walks up to the devil and says that someone is dressed as the crocodile hunter and that guests at the Halloween party find it offensive. The devil goes up to the guy dressed as the Croc Hunter and says that its just too soon to be dressed like that and asks him to leave. Irwin says that its really him and not someone dressed as him, the devil pauses for a second and asks him to leave because he's not in fancy dress.
SOUTH Park's creators have made a cartoon poking fun at Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's death as his daughter Bindi prepares to launch a fitness DVD "taking the bite out of obesity".
South Park has revealed an episode in which Irwin attends a fancy dress party in hell with a stingray sticking out of his chest.
Irwin died on September 4 when a stingray barb pierced his chest while diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
"We have offended people in the past and probably will again,'' a South Park spokesman told a London newspaper.
The episode had been scheduled to air in the US on Wednesday (Oct 25).
The timing could not be worse after Mr Irwin's eight-year-old daughter today announced she would launch her first DVD Bindi Kidfitness which features her famous father.
Available from November 25, the DVD will "fight fat with fun''.
It includes nine animal-inspired songs and routines performed by Bindi and her all-singing, all-dancing sidekicks the Crocmen.
Bindi also whips up fat-free treats with her father in a segment called "Steve's Cooking School''.
Irwin features throughout the DVD as he dances, plays instruments and - in a scene that may raise questions about its suitability - swims with his daughter.
Exactly! The World needs people like this to take the piss and offend people.
IMO? This doesn't affect me directly in any way, therefore I find it amusing. However on the other side of the table, a take on such a recent event will anger off a lot of people
"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" - L. Ron Hubbard
I'm not having a dig, but has anyone else noticed that alot of the shows/games etc that Selfish mentions are kinda before his time? Maybe it's just me...
well yeah that one's before my time - i have memories of watching it when i was little, and revisted them thanks to the miracle of a video cassette recorder - but what else is too old for me?
i'm just under a month away from my 22nd birthday - i'm curious as to what else i've mentioned that comes from before i was really coherent. just wondering.
"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" - L. Ron Hubbard
I'm not having a dig, but has anyone else noticed that alot of the shows/games etc that Selfish mentions are kinda before his time? Maybe it's just me...
I talk a lot about things that are "before my time" with friends. When I was growing up I listed to lots of CDs, watched a lot of bratpack movies and generally immersed myself in the popular culture of the time.
not cool at all. It doesn't even sound funny at all, just offensive and in poor taste.
