Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter) dies..........

[judi]

AMERICAN news queen Barbara Walters has scored an exclusive TV interview with Terri and Bindi Irwin.

Walters will fly to Australia tomorrow for a sit down interview with Steve Irwin's wife and eight-year-old daughter for a one-hour special to be aired on America's ABC TV network next week.

Walters, 74, said Irwin's son, Bob, two, would not take part.

"I'm going to go to Brisbane, Australia, to do an interview with Terri Irwin and with their little girl, Bindi," Walters announced today.

"The little boy is too young."

The interview is a worldwide coup for Walters and America's ABC TV network following the freak September 4 stingray death of Irwin on the Great Barrier Reef.

"His wife has not talked to anyone about this," Walters said.

Walters said topics she would discuss with Terri include what her relationship was like with her husband and how she was told of his death.

"It's an assignment I'm absolutely thrilled to have," Walters said.

"I think people want to know more about him.

"It was a tragic case."

The one-hour special will be aired in the US next Wednesday (September 27) and should reap huge ratings for ABC as Irwin, through his Crocodile Hunter documentaries, was a much-loved TV star in America.

Walters announced she had scored the exclusive interview today on her morning TV talkshow in the US, The View.

 

[N.Bailey]

I've been searching and searching thru our TV guide (not the magazine, but my media edition via the computer) and I can't find anything about this. I know it's not normally scheduled, but I download the guides daily via my computer. What channel will run this? Does anyone know? My husband said Oxygen, but I see nothing. I thought Discovery, but I had it on and they were giving any previews. They stated their normal lineup for what's coming up tonight. I read online that ABC might carry it. Does anyone know for sure?

I also know that we're 12 hours (east coast) behind Melbourne, so what time does it start? I thought I read that this would start at 9:00 AM their time, which should put it at 7 PM my time. Are we getting it live, or delayed?

I'm getting nervous. Can anyone help?

EDIT: Now my daughter is saying channel 29 which is the Animal Planet. Maybe it's there? I still see nothing in the lineup guide, but I'll watch it for a bit and see if they'll be airing it.

 

[TLHB70]

I've been searching and searching thru our TV guide (not the magazine, but my media edition via the computer) and I can't find anything about this. I know it's not normally scheduled, but I download the guides daily via my computer. What channel will run this? Does anyone know? My husband said Oxygen, but I see nothing. I thought Discovery, but I had it on and they were giving any previews. They stated their normal lineup for what's coming up tonight. I read online that ABC might carry it. Does anyone know for sure?

I also know that we're 12 hours (east coast) behind Melbourne, so what time does it start? I thought I read that this would start at 9:00 AM their time, which should put it at 7 PM my time. Are we getting it live, or delayed?

I'm getting nervous. Can anyone help?

Animal Planet 9 PM.

 

[judi]

It's on Animal Planet, 9pm. We are 14 hours behind them. (on the east coast) There is also a two houjr time delay. It is 7:12pm in Ohio and 9:12am there. hope that helps

 

[MiaSRN62]

Animal Planet will air it tonight at 9 pm est and then an encore at midnight :
http://animal.discovery.com/tvlistings/series.jsp?series=120193&gid=14745&channel=APL

 

[N.Bailey]

Animal Planet 9 PM.

Thank You!!

I'm in a million different directions here. I did realize we were 14 hours behind, I just typed it wrong. I am so thankful for the update on which channel will air it. I never control the remote. I just watch when everyone else puts something on, so I never know what's what.

I can now set my computer to record it.

Thanks again!

 

[BuckyFan04]

The memorial will be aired on the Animal Planet network in the USA. It will be aired twice tonight, once at 9:00 PM Eastern time and again at 12:00 AM (EDT). In the US we will be getting it at a two-hour tape delay.
The actual live memorial should have been underway for about 15 min. now.
--------------------------------
Steve Irwin service begins
September 20, 2006 09:00am

PRIME Minister John Howard has begun today's memorial service to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Howard, along with federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie are some of the VIPs and celebrities in the crowd of 5000 people who are attending the service.

Mr Beazley said it was a sad event but he was privileged to attend.

"This is according to family a celebration of terrific life well lived," he said. "For all of us it is touched with the deepest possible conceivable sadness."

Mr Howard arrived at the zoo just after Mr Beazley but did not speak to the large media pack before addressing the crowd.

Among the celebrities attending are former world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan and world boxing champion Kostya Tszyu.

Hundreds of people are also gathering outside the zoo.

Up to 300 million people worldwide are expected to tune into a special public memorial service for Mr Irwin.

Mr Irwin died when a stingray plunged its barb into his chest in a freak accident off the far north Queensland coast.

 

[judi]

For those who won't be able to watch

THOUSANDS of fans have joined VIPs at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo for today's emotional memorial service to the Crocodile Hunter, which began with a tribute from Russell Crowe.

It is still unclear whether Irwin's wife Terri and daughter Bindi, eight, will be strong enough to speak at the tribute, beamed live to hundreds of thousands of fans across Australia and around the world.

But dignatories including Prime Minister John Howard lined up to pay their own tributes.

Russell Crowe appeared on a TV screen to deliver his own message to "my friend Steve".

"I know, as humble as you are, you would still be pleased that the world sends its love," he said.

Mr Howard said: "We are here to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and a remarkable Australian.

"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way."

He said he had the quality of being genuine and authentic and having a great zest for life.

"As we share this celebration and honour this life can I say to Terri and the rest of your family, there are 20 million pairs of Australian arms reaching out to you today."

There were also tributes from Anthony Field of The Wiggles and actress Cameron Diaz.

A single, empty seat has been left in the zoo's Crocoseum in memory of the much-loved environmentalist and TV star.

It has been marked with the wildlife warrior's favourite Australia Zoo cap.

Best friend and business manager John Stainton said yesterday during final preparations for the Crocodile Hunter's memorial service that the vacant seat was the "one little thing" for which he had asked "and that Terri wanted".

"His cap, his Australia Zoo cap that he always sat and wore watching all the shows with his daughter (will be on) that seat, which will stay vacant throughout the memorial.

"It'll be sad, it'll be sad," Mr Stainton said.

The one thing he hoped everyone would take away from the memorial was an appreciation of Irwin's diverse character.

Mr Stainton said preparing Irwin's memorial, while still haunted by the vision of his best friend dying in his arms from a stingray barb to the heart just over two weeks ago, was "probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life".

With The Courier Mail and AAP

 

[TLHB70]

Thank You!!

I'm in a million different directions here. I did realize we were 14 hours behind, I just typed it wrong. I am so thankful for the update on which channel will air it. I never control the remote. I just watch when everyone else puts something on, so I never know what's what.

I can now set my computer to record it.

Thanks again!

You are welcome. I have set my DVR. I plan to put the kids to bed right before I watch it. Then, if I feel like it is ok for them, we can all watch it together tomorrow.
I know that it will be sad. I plan to have the tissue ready!

 

[judi]

PRIME Minister John Howard has paid tribute to Steve Irwin in a brief address at today's memorial service at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

"My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and remarkable Australian," Mr Howard said.

"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way.

"He did that because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life and throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else – his love of his family and his love of his country."

Mr Howard said he brought to Australians and to the world an understanding of nature.

"He taught our children in particular to love and respect all creatures great and small," he said.

"In everything he did he was direct, he was genuine and oh so Australian and that is what we loved about him."

Australian music star John Williamson sang True Blue, the Crocodile Hunter's favourite song, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Children's entertainers The Wiggles also paid tribute to Mr Irwin, while Hollywood movie star Cameron Diaz sent a video tribute.

"People were just taken by him, they were just inspired and in awe of his energy and how he actually went about putting himself forward and what he represented," Diaz said.

"Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him."

 

[DisneyMissy318]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1745014.htm

Here is a link to Australian TV ABC - showing a pic of Terri and the kids at the Memorial Service.

~M~

 

[Belle0101]

Belle, I sent you a PM about taping the memorial for you.

Thank-you soooo very much!!! I really appreciate it.
Sent you back a PM.

 

[judi]

AUSTRALIANS remembering Steve Irwin were today urged to farewell the Crocodile Hunter in a joyful and not a mournful way.

The message came from actor Russell Crowe, in a taped tribute from New York which began the memorial service for Mr Irwin at his Australia Zoo, on the Sunshine Coast.

More than 5000 people crowded into the zoo's Crocoseum for a televised event which took on a carnival atmosphere, with the crowd cheering and clapping.

Friends of the wildlife showman joined Hollywood stars, political leaders and entertainers in paying tribute to the 44-year-old, killed by a stingray barb to the chest on the Great Barrier Reef.

His widow Terri, together with their children Bindi and Bob, watched as tributes poured in from around the world for Mr Irwin, interspersed with clips of his adventures in a show being viewed by an estimated 300 million fans worldwide.

Daughter Bindi paid tribute to her father, saying whenever she saw a crocodile she would think of him.

"I had the best Daddy in the whole world," she told the crowd.

Crowe spoke of the loss of his mate.

"Your passing has suspended reality for all of us," he said. "It was way too soon and completely unfair on all accounts.

"I know as humble as you always were, you would still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and people all over this planet have been grieving.

"We have all lost a friend we have lost a champion and we are going to take some time to adjust to that."

Wes Mannion, the director of Australia Zoo, broke down in tears as he tried to honour his mate.

"His love and passion for wildlife was so enveloping that I found it hard to breathe," he said. "Over time, we continued to grow closer and closer and shared so many exciting times."

He said Irwin was a great dad: "His love and dedication has been inspiring. He was a true natural.

"To the world he was a hero. To me he was my hero. He saved my life. I'll miss you mate."

The numerous tributes were mixed with footage of Irwin in his element, handling and teaching about some of the world's most dangerous creatures.

 

[Belle0101]

PM in Irwin tribute
The Prime Minister, John Howard, has paid tribute to conservationist Steve Irwin at a memorial service at Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Mr Howard said he was there to share in the celebration and honour the life of Irwin with his widow Terri and two children, Bindi and Bob.

He said 20 million sets of Australian arms were this morning embracing Terri and her family.

Thousands of people are attending the service.

Before the service began, in a taped tribute actor Russell Crowe also paid tribute to Irwin.

Country music singer John Williamson sang True Blue.

There was also an appearance from Anthony Field from the Wiggles.

Irwin's best friend Wes Mannion told the crowd of their first meeting when he was 14.

"We hit it off immediately," he said.

"Steve's enthusiasm was instantaneous and infectious ... it was like he knew there was so much to teach me in such a short time."

But Mr Mannion says Irwin's greatest achievement was as a father and that his love for his children was inspiring.

John Stainton, Irwin's manager and friend, spoke of his professionalism.

"You could always rely on Steve to get the best shot and the most dangerous," he said.

He also paid tribute to the "Croc Hunter's" vernacular.

"In his way with words and command of the Australian language he made me proud."

Irwin's father Bob thanked everyone for their thoughts, letters, flowers and sympathy.

"The animals lost the best friend they ever had and so have I," he said.People from across Australia and overseas travelled to the Irwin family's Australia Zoo to pay their last respects.

The 3,000 members of the public who received tickets arrived hours ahead of the ceremony.

They say it is their opportunity to honour a man they admired.

More than 1,000 dignitaries have attended the service including Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.

Many people have also gathered to watch the memorial service at public venues around Queensland.



I put part of it in bold - so sad and yet so true.

 

[lclark0621]

Irwin's father Bob thanked everyone for their thoughts, letters, flowers and sympathy.

"The animals lost the best friend they ever had and so have I," he said.

How true that is.

 

[judi]

STEVE Irwin's father Bob has choked back tears as he addressed mourners at his son's memorial service, briefly thanking well-wishers for their letters and gifts on behalf of the family.

"Please don't grieve for Steve – he's at peace now," he said. "But I would like you to grieve for the animals – the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I.

"I was fortunate to just recently spend three or four weeks with Steve on crocodile research and he was the best he'd been for many years and I'll certainly treasure that."

Producer and Irwin's best friend John Stainton said Irwin was a true fair dinkum Aussie.

He said from the time they first met they clicked and the khaki-clad wildlife warrior and the city slicker became the best of friends over 20 years.

He said Irwin had been not only active in front of the camera but behind it and was the ultimate professional.

Meanwhile Irwin was also honoured on the academic front.

University of Queensland researcher Professor Craig Franklin said the university was about to make Irwin an adjunct professor for his work in studying crocodiles when he died.

"While not formally trained as a scientist he had all the qualities of a great scientist," he said. "He was driven by curiosity and he had an endless list of questions that he sought answers to.

"In fact in recognition of his standing and contribution to science the University of Queensland was about to appoint him as an adjunct professor, Professor Steve

 

[judi]

AMERICAN pop star Justin Timberlake and Australian actor Hugh Jackman have joined other Hollywood stars delivering video messages to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.

Jackman said everyone should become wildlife warriors like Irwin.

"Whether it's for the wilderness, whether it's for the animals, his family, whether it's for just the planet, or just life in itself, Steve showed us that we can live like warriors, and we can make the world a better place," he said.

Timberlake said his brief meeting with Irwin had been life-changing.

"To Terri and Bindi and Bob and Steve's family and friends, I may have only really spent a day with you guys but it was a day I'll never forget, and I'll never forget what I learned just by being around Steve," Timberlake said.

Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion told the crowd that while Mr Irwin had a passion for all wildlife, he had "fallen in love with elephants".

His three "favourite girls" at the zoo were Siam, Sabu and Bimbo.

"He loved them so much that they could do no wrong," Mr Mannion said. "When they walked through the zoo, if there was a few palm trees, the elephants would rip them apart and start eating them and Steve would go 'na, na, it's OK, they can have them'."

"The gardeners would just go crazy."

 

[judi]

BINDI Irwin's speech at her father Steve Irwin's memorial service today at Australia Zoo.

"My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him.

"He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun.

"I know that daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.

"He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live.

"He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together.

"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end.

"I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.

"I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.
"When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.

"Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

I'm watching the service now.....I'm crying all over again, and again. God bless Wess....how hard that must have been I can't imagine. And God bless Terri, I watched Bindi take her hand and rub it as if to say, "it's ok mom." And little Bob...I only hope he remembers.

I don't know if I can even watch when Bindi speaks. What a strong little girl, just like her daddy!

So sad. So soon.

~~~Kelly

 

[judi]

You can find videos from the memorial here
http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/index.html?pn=1