Daddy Dearest

Sunday, Nov 9, 8 pm

Rating***

What’s it about? On September 4, 2006, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin died an untimely death in the oceans while filming for his show, when he was speared through the heart by a sting ray. The world lamented the loss of a naturalist who had brought glamour to khaki shorts and had made reptiles and creepy-crawlies seem lovable. This show is a dedication to that man and features his daughter, nine-year-old Bindi Irwin. The special one-hour long programme will take viewers behind the scenes and will show them what it was like to grow up with her famous father.

Who’s in it? The show is very ably hosted by a young and charismatic Bindi Sue Irwin. Bindi, who was named by Steve after his favourite crocodile, has spent practically all her life in front of the camera — right from the moment she was born. She’s very much at ease and for those worried whether she’ll overplay the sentimental card; there’s nothing to fear as Bindi manages to keep the mood upbeat; although, fans of Steve, will occasionally feel choked up at the sight of the old Crocodile Hunter footage. Steve’s widow, Terry Irwin, gets her few minutes before the camera too, as she talks about her daughter, but essentially the show belongs to little Bindi

What’s hot? Steve, Steve and more Steve. The Crocodile Hunter may have died, but his charisma and mystique live on in the behind-the-scenes and home-video footage that his daughter shows. Bindi herself is well on her way to becoming a star in her own right and it shows in the panache and confidence with which she hosts the show. Also, watch it to know why Bindi’s tribute to her dad at his funeral received a standing ovation and went on to be declared the TV moment of 2006. The girl speaks from her heart and thankfully, avoids th saccharin sweetness that afflicts so many TV tributes Also, like her father, even bestows goodbye kisses on the little creepy-crawlies that she handles at Australia Zoo. Cute.

What’s not? This is not a show for initiates into the world of wildlife conservation, but for confirmed Steve Irwin fans who miss the naturalist and his famously zany ways with animals. Some might also find Bindi a little precocious, as she talks nineteen-to-the-dozen about her dad and sings about how “To you he’s the Crocodile Hunter, but to me he was always Dad.”

Should you be watching it? Definitely. This is a tribute to one of the TV legends of our times, touchingly told by his daughter. And even of you were never a Steve Irwin fan, do tune into the show to see why he appealed to so many all over the world.