The jokes and wise-cracks have been flying thick and fast already today. Even those who seemed most distressed by Irwin’s death managed a (stifled) cackle in betwixt the solemnity.
Hey, ya gotta laugh. What a way to go. 
sigh
It was strange for me…I saw the news right when it went up on Yahoo (a couple minutes after posting), so for me it was still Sunday and like an eerie, depressing look into the future.
I feel a bit appalled at the implications from some people that he deserved to die for doing his job - being a television personality (people often forget that hamming things up becomes crucial in certain niches of this line of work). But not too much. Mostly I’m just sad. He seemed like a good, friendly person who really cared about the future of the planet, and I’m sorry for his family and friends, too.
Words from my youngest son:
I’ve been watching Animal Planet and tearing up at some of the interviews with Steve. Whether watching him cry while on the beach with the dying whales or talking about is wishes for his kids to follow him in his conservation efforts, you get a good look into what kind of a man we’ve lost. He said he wanted to be remembered as “passionate.” You could see his passion when talking about his late mother, and how he felt like he needed to be strong, or he might lose his father, too. He was close to his family. I am sure they have the strength to support each other through this trying time. And his employees at Australia Zoo were more than just employees, especially his good friend, Wes Mannion. I know Steve’s family is not alone at this time and are getting tons of love and support.
Damn sad. But I imagine his only regrets were for those he left behind. And given the memories so many other dads end up leaving their children this is probably as close to a perfect premature death as one could hope for.
Still. Sad.
Maybe, but he brought the wild world into our living rooms, and made millions of people aware that there’s a planet, a lovely, rich, beautiful world out there with all kinds of fascinating creatures that otherwise never would have entered peoples’ consciousness.
IMO anything that sheds light on topics of conservationism and appreciation for the creepy-crawly beasties of the world is only a good thing. There are almost no celebrities to whom I’d pay any mind whatsoever… but Steve was something else entirely.
RIP Steve, give Sui a hug from me 
Sorry, that was in reply to someone who said they didn’t see conservationism or good work, just invasion of environment and terrified animals.
I thought he was great. Nature documentaries generally attract the same segment of population and I can’t help but feel he got the attention of many, many more. He’ll be missed.
I thought he was a talented person, amazing conservationist, and brilliant performer. Shows on wildlife can be astoundingly dry and boring despite the producers best attempts. Steve’s show was one of the few things on TV I’ve ever actually called people in to the room to see; he was that intense.
I heard about his death on the radio this morning; I listened more to find out the punchline, then checked my watch to see if I missed it being April 1st somehow. He just seemed like one of those invincible, omnipresent characters, and now he’s gone.
I just realized he’s one of the half-dozen or so famous people in the world that I would really actually like to meet in person, and while I probably never would have, now I really never will.
RIP Steve.
Indeed. From this article in The Australian. . .
RIP Steve.
According to an eyewitness statement given to CNN, it was buried in the sand. You can watch a clip of the interveiw here.
There is TONS of conflicting information out about this right now, so I don’t think we can definitively say that this is what happened.
I heard John Stainton say that Steve pulled the barb out of his chest, then later, on a different interview, heard him practically chide the reporter, saying how ridiculous a notion that was, then later heard him say again that he did it.
The fact is that there were a small number of people on the beach in Australia, something big happened, and news of it has spread across the world in 2 days. There’s bound to be a lot of confusion at first.
sniffle
looking at those made me cry
Okay, the one where Karr is sitting in jail having confessed to killing the Croc Hunter cracked me up. All the other ones… 
I am such a geek… I’m scrolling through those 'toons with tears streaming down my face.
You’re not the only one, Mixie.
Damn. I haven’t cried like this since George Harrison died. Not for a famous person, anyway. He still had so much life ahead of him. He should have lived to be 100 years old and and an elder statesman for conservation. He should have been to snakes and crocs what Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees.
That was a life, mate!
If his body had been 6 inches away from where it was (in any direction-further forward, back, or to either side), he probably would have survived. That’s just bad luck.
Should have been? He was.