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Cartoon takes a sting at Irwin
28/10/2006 10:34 - (SA)
Sydney - A controversial cartoon comedy poking fun at the death of Australia's "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin would probably be screened in his home country, despite the offence it might cause, media reported on Saturday.
An episode of the irreverent American cartoon series South Park, set to air in the United States this week, depicts the late Australian icon at a fancy dress party in hell with a stingray barb sticking out of his chest.
Irwin was killed eight weeks ago. A stingray barb pierced his heart while he was filming a segment for his daughter Bindi's upcoming children's documentary.
Australian television channel, SBS, which has the rights to South Park, said it would probably screen the episode next year, although this was yet to be decided as part of the network's classification process.
"It is satire and we believe in the right to satire, but in this particular episode it is sensitive - just like many others - and we will consider that," said SBS content manager Matt Campbell, quoted by Sky News.
Show site flooded with outrage
A South Park spokesperson said: "We have offended people in the past and probably will again.
"We know that regular watchers will not be shocked."
The show's website has been flooded with outraged correspondence.
The series has repeatedly come under fire for its controversial content, with an episode showing the Virgin Mary menstruating sparking widespread protests among Catholics, and its mockery of Scientology prompting scientologist Isaac Hayes, one of South Park's main voice actors, to quit the show.
South Park has lampooned Irwin in the past. A 1999 episode showed him terrorising animals.
Irwin's manager, John Stainton, said this week that he no longer logged onto the internet, because of the amount of "distasteful" Crocodile Hunter material.
- AFP
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South Africa
