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.

Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, is making the rounds on American television shows this week. The 8-year old cutiepie is promoting her upcoming Discovery Kids series, Bindi the Jungle Girl. It sounds like a kid-version of The Crocodile Hunter. This week's press blitz includes appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Letterman, and she'll be giving a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Her high-profile media appearances coincide with the premiere of her father's final documentary, Ocean's Deadliest, which airs on Discovery on January 21. Bindi's American tour includes a guest appearance dancing with The Wiggles in Los Angeles and New York. Bindi the Jungle Girl airs later this year on Discovery Kids, but a premiere date has not been announced.

I think it's important to note that Bindi Irwin started filming her Discovery Kids series before her father died. She probably would've received a bunch of American press attention even if her father was still alive, but it's logical to assume she's receiving more attention now that he has died.

Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, will carry on her father's legacy. The 8-year-old sweetheart is currently filming a documentary series for Discovery Kids. The wildlife series is called Bindi, The Jungle Girl. People.com has a quote from her that will tug at your heartstrings, she says, "I'm trying to get across the message that don't be afraid of animals, they're just put here on this earth to help the environment and everything like that." Steve Irwin will actually appear in some of the 27-part series, which he was filming when he died, but Bindi is the star. In fact, his death will never be mentioned during the series. Just like her dad, Bindi plays a girl who is fearless when it comes to nature. Bindi, The Jungle Girl will begin airing on Discovery Kids in January 2007