Bindi jokes under the spotlight
Bindi Irwin was the subject of jokes on Spicks and Specks this week, which has broken out as a debate into the wider media.
- Published by David Knox
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Not for the first time, Bindi Irwin was the butt of jokes in the media this week, this time by comedienne Fiona O’Loughlin on Wednesday’s Spicks and Specks.
The Herald Sun notes O’Loughlin described Irwin as “a ‘bit creepy’ before doing an over-the-top impersonation of the child star’s voice. She then made a gesture indicating Bindi was crazy, before miming a slap across the child star’s face.”
But Irwin was defended by Chris Durling, of Bindi’s Crocmen, who was also a guest, describing her as gorgeous and down to earth.
“What you see is what you get,” Durling said.
Irwin has also been an ABC brand with her children’s series Bindi the Jungle Girl previously aired by the broadcaster.
Some comments on the ABC’s messageboard hit back at O’Loughlin saying:
-“What a shame you have to have a guest on your show making such degrading comments about a little girl who brings so much joy to children everywhere.”
– “Alan told her though-what was it he called her again? A mean-spirited, bitter old hag or words to that effect? Of course he was only joking but it was a very fitting description…..”
-“No. 11 year old children are not “fair game”. Ever heard of the anti bullying movement in recent years?”
– “The bagging of Bindi Irwin went on and on, to the obvious discomfort of Chris.”
But others disagreed:
-“Absolutely correct about the exploitation, they are all strange and thank god for people like Fiona who are not affraid to say it.”
-“I am not concerned about comments referring to Bindi Irwin as a freak show. In fact I tend the think it is the best description of how she is being used by some people to be this “all entertaining, extremely optimistic, plastic, perpetually smiling, always-money making” child star.”
Irwin is not alone in child stars being the subject of humour as Nikki Webster and Matthew Krok can surely attest.
Source: Herald Sun, ABC
NB: As the subject of this story involves a minor, TV Tonight will publish comments that are written respectfully of the issues at hand.
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- Tagged with Bindi The Jungle Girl, Spicks and Specks
33 Responses
Fiona O’Loughlin is a legend and finally someone has the guts to say something about this over-exposed talentless family. Thank you Fiona.
“After all, whether you like her or not, she is just a little girl who has lost her father under tragic circumstances.”
It’s a shame how comments like this on the ABC message board have been using Steve Irwin’s death as an excuse to bag Spicks and Specks for letting the Bindi Irwin jokes go to air. They had nothing to do with Steve Irwin’s death and it doesn’t make the comments any less acceptable.
Calling Fiona O’Loughlin a comedian is as funny as calling Bindy Irwin an entertainer. Both are out of their league, but at least Bindi has someone else to blame. What’s your excuse Fiona>
Seems to me Neilo is spot on. Fiona mimed slapping an 11yo girl and that is not on. I wouldn’t mind light hearted jibes but her “comedy’ was malicious and I feel sorry for her kids.
As for people who say she is saying what many are thinking..well all I can say is there must be an awful lot of hateful people out there.
She’s a lovely kid who’s continuing on the legacy of a much loved dad.
I think rather than target Fiona, the producer who let it go to air should be getting more attention. It’s a pre-taped show and that discussion could have easily been edited out.
what Fiona said was funny and wrong because it’s true. surely most people have thought at one time or another about how perky Bindi is and how unnatural it appears.
If you put your child out into the public spotlight they are going to be made fun of because of their behaviour at one point in time or another.
At what point in time does a “child star” become fair game? 16? 18? Never? Sooner or later a child is going to cop some flack and when you push them out into the public eye from when they are a baby you have got to expect them to recieve that when they are still young.
Come on, she was saying what many were thinking. Plus, she was chastised on the show by the other panelists anyway so get over it.
Wow I can’t believe people, there was a context, and everyone complete ignored it. She’s a mother as well, she probably hears and sees Bindi Irwin everyday, and frankly good on her for saying it. I’d hate to see the day when people can’t be critical of a performer. That’s what Bindi Irwin is a performer. So, what she can’t have critics until she’s an adult. Has this become the day when people can’t like things and express them.
Fiona has said what many people have thought for many years, she is the first person to say it!!
Good on her
Bindi’s tenure is very bizarre. I do not condone targeting people (particularly children) in a public forum. But I merely took Fiona’s comments in a satirical and harmless manner.
I watched the show live, and just rewatched the clip, and whilst it’s not exactly A-grade humour, it’s not meant to be cruel…
All I can say is Meh, get over it.
Taking a poll around the office she vocalised what many have been saying. They said worse to about Steve Irwin until his tragic death.
I thought it was funny but I also like Bindi too. You can’t take things too seriously. You can’t have a thin skin and be in the public eye.
the bindi jokes on the show were slightly more crude than regular jokes on spicks and specks, however they were not malicious. it is another case of ‘storm in a teacup’ which the media love to create.
Just because it may be true and a lot of people might be thinking it doesn’t mean it has to be verbalised.
I saw the show and I have no real problem with what Fiona said, but I do think she put Chris Durling into an awkward spot. It felt like she had no respect for Chris’s work with Bindi.
Fiona O’Loughlin has always had a reputation to have ago at children, usually her own. people are entitled to express their opinion in all directions. I think “bullying” is a bit excessive. If it was done every week, then it would be an ongoing issue- hence bullying!
In a way, I agree with what Fionna was saying about Bindi, but she could of said it in another way
What happened to free speech?
It seems these days everyone must conform to a supposed ”majority view’.
Isn’t having a different opinion what makes us unique? O’Loughllin was on a comedy show making a joke about a celebrity – it happens all the time.
As with everthing in life you can’t take things too seriously!
what nick said
i thought the whole show was hilarious and i hardly watch spicks !!.. and i also thought chris was a hottie too !!
Krok will forever be known as “the little fat kid from Hey Dad”. This slight seems utterly inconsequential in comparison.
She’s a comedian. She made a joke. It was funny. And true too, Bindi is a bit over enthusiastic, and that’s perfect fodder for comedy.
Chris did seem a bit offended by it though which fair enough, but i had no problems with what Fiona said.
It is a shame comedians like Fiona use degradation of other people as their humour. It is at the end of the day nasty. No Bindi is not fair game on an a national TV show. Shame on you Fiona. As fo rthe people who agreed with this describing Bindi as and I quote “all entertaining, extremely optimistic, plastic, perpetually smiling, always-money making” child star.” Doesn’t this sound like Steve Irwin? I think it is great that a daughter has taken over form her father. On ya Bindi! You are already a great role model.
Good on Fiona! She’s said what a lot of us have been thinking for years.
Look, fair enough – she’s a kid. But she’s in the spotlight, and we all know what comes with that. So I have no problem in it… and if anyone around her do, then they should get her out of the spotlight. Simple.
O’Loughlin did say what a lot of people were thinking but wouldn’t say publicly as they may be judged as being politically incorrect. At the same time, it’s rude to joke about a known friend of a person when the person is sitting right next to you. It’s obviously going to create an uncomfortable situation which is what ensued after her comments were made.