Irwin mania going over the top in SEQ

[Rik E Boy]

Today is the day for Steve Irwin's memorial service and Irwin mania has gone totally over the top in South East Queensland. First there was the media coverage of the line up of people who were queueing for the (free) tickets to the memorial service. You had people at the front of the line camping out for days like it was a U2 gig and the news crossed to the heartbroken kid who missed out on the tickets. Then some bloke, saddened by the young man's distress gave up his ticket because he 'couldn't stand to see the young bloke suffer', then some other welfare case gave up one of her tickets to the good samaritan in the feel good story of the decade.

Now the day of the big event is here..forget about the revolution in Thailand..Irwin is the big news story. Police warnings about how the traffic will be handled (a good day to a job say the crims), the big screen up in South Bank to show the memorial for those in Brisbane who can't make the trip to Australia Zoo at the Sunshine Coast (North of Brisvegas), it's all systems go to farewell the Croc Hunter.

Well excuse me but I feel an urgent need to puke and I haven't even been drinking today (well, not just yet anyway). I am one who believes that Steve Irwin was a great Australian, certainly greater than my insignificant fat ass but this shit is just too much. Fans lining up in queues as if a funeral was a rock concert, big screens as if a funeral was a tennis match at Wimbledon..kids taking time off school or watching the service at school..shit, when Humphrey Bear got arrested for not wearing pants I don't remember putting the books down to farewell a legend..how can watching the memorial service for Steve Irwin benefit a child's education?? To me all this hype is sickening and it flies in the face of the brave dignity of Steve's family and close friends.

End of rant.

REB

[Booney]

Spot on mate.To magnify his memorial sevice to this extent is not the way to acknowledge his life.

[heater31]

for christ's sake cant the media let the bloke rest in peace?????

[MW]

It's in proportion to the publics reaction to his death. I have no problem with it.

[Dutchy]

great post REB

watching one of the morning shows this mornging reporting live from the zoo..he slipped up and said what do you expect from the show.....er, service today?

[wishiwas]

come on reb, dont be shy or recluse. tell us what you really think.

[Rushby Hinds]

I was surprised to see the grieving widow and first born wearing Khaki @ the funeral.

[Aerie]

I see this as everyone involved making the most ($) out of a bad situation. Having it in the morning here so it goes prime-time in America. Having Justin (it meant so much spending one day with Steve) Timberlake, Russell Crowe and Cameron Diaz on video link up. Using an 8 year old to read a propoganda piece with the most amazing amount of professionalism and so little emotion.

I find it very hard to relate to how the whole process has taken place. I find it hard to relate to the people in the crowd who are cheering and lining up for tickets. It seemed like a modern day celebrity coronation for the next in line.

At the same time I find it hard to criticise. They (being Australia Zoo and the Irwin empire) entertain people. They do a world of good for the environment. They don't hurt anyone. Good on 'em I spose.

[TroyGFC]

I watched it at work this morning and thought they did a job job bar Justin Tiberlake(?) song at the end was quite gay. I thought Bindii did a great job given the circumstances of what the family has gone through, and Steve would be very proud.

[Rik E Boy]

come on reb, dont be shy or recluse. tell us what you really think.

Fargen Bugs Bunny is overrated as well

regards,

REB

[Punk Rooster]

I was surprised to see the grieving widow and first born wearing Khaki @ the funeral.

it was mourning khaki, different to the normal khaki they wear, & different to the khaki wedding dress she wore...

[zipzap]

I personally liked the floral tribute which spelt the word 'Crikey'. Good god.

As cringeworthy as the.....nah, better not say it.

[MW]

It was a memorial ffs...get over it. Let them do it how they want.

[Mr66]

Soooooooooo REB......whats Germaine like between the sheets?

[Magpiespower]

The whole circus is very tacky.

Especially, the cretins celebrating like they won the lotto after snagging memorial tickets.

Honestly, I don't get the whole outpouring of grief for a complete stranger.

Guess the 'cult of celebrity' is to blame, as well as people's stupidity.

[PhilG]

..

[Rik E Boy]

Soooooooooo REB......whats Germaine like between the sheets?

I didn't sledge Steve Irwin 66, just the hype surrounding the memorial and the way it's been continually shoved down our throats up here. It's ok for South Aussies to say 'It's a memorial FFS' but up here it's bloody madness. Before you compare me to Germaine fargen Greer I suggest you increase your capacity for information retention and comprehension.

Hype sucks no matter what colour you dress it up as.

regards,

REB

[MW]

It'll be over soon enough, I'm sure you'll cope in the meantime

[Rik E Boy]

It'll be over soon enough, I'm sure you'll cope in the meantime

Humble apologies for having an opinion.

regards,

REB

[MW]

No need to apologise, I just think you're carring on a bit.

Play on