TVSquad

The late Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin's daughter will be getting her own doll. Bindi Irwin stars in Bindi the Jungle Girl on the Discovery Channel, a more child-friendly version of her father's show.

The rubber doll will cost $15 to $20 with a portion going to efforts to breed endangered species and rescue animals. The doll will come with accessories including binoculars, a camera and other outback gear, as well as a cockatoo, wombat and python.

The talking version of the doll will speak catchphrases including "Crikey! Let's go help wildlife," and "You can make the world a better place." The doll is being developed by Wild Republic, a division of K&M International Inc., based in Twinsburg, Ohio who also marketed the Steve Irwin doll shortly after his death.

I am somewhat torn about this news. On one hand, her fame (of which this is a part) seems mildly exploitative due to the tragedy of her father's passing. On the other hand, a girl has to eat.

Growing up as a child of the television generation, I was always mesmerized by any shows having to do with nature or animals. I'd glue myself to the set as Marlin Perkins and Jacques Cousteau took me on fantastic adventures far removed from my own life of domesticated animals.

But I always loved the domestic animals as well. Dogs and cats have always been a part of my life and I'm enriched by their presence in our world. What I didn't have when I was growing up was an Animal Planet exploring the world of animals from pets to deadly predators. From sentimental to educational to outright odd and scary, Animal Planet explores both the worlds of the wilds and the inner cities -- as long as there are animals involved. And, it's not just for kids.

It'll probably be a long time before Bill Maher is welcome in Australia. The comic is making headlines for dressing up for Halloween as the dead Crocodile Hunter, complete with stingray barb and bloody shirt. In its story about Maher's tasteless costume, the Sydney Morning Herald makes it sound like one-in-two Americans is going as dead Steve Irwin this Halloween.

Is it insensitive? You betcha. Funny? Eh. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but more roll-your-eyes-and-groan funny. And it's not nearly as funny as South Park's reference to Irwin's death last week, which I thought was surprisingly tasteful and hilarious at the same time.

So... is the costume funny or not?