RCReptiles.com

[RonCrawford]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060920/ap_en_tv/people_cousteau_irwin

Tue Sep 19, 10:01 PM ET


LOS ANGELES - Marine explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau said Tuesday that while he mourns the recent death of "The Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, he disagrees with Irwin's hands-on approach to nature television.

While promoting his new two-part TV special, "Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures — America's Underwater Treasures," Cousteau called Irwin's death "very, very unfortunate."

He had "a lot of respect" for Irwin, who he didn't know personally, and his "environmental message," Cousteau said.

But, he added, Irwin would "interfere with nature, jump on animals, grab them, hold them, and have this very, very spectacular, dramatic way of presenting things. Of course, it goes very well on television. It sells, it appeals to a lot people, but I think it's very misleading. You don't touch nature, you just look at it. And that's why I'm still alive. I've been diving over 61 years — a lot many more years that he's been alive — and I don't mess with nature."

Irwin died Sept. 4 when a stingray's barb pieced his chest while he was filming an underwater sequence at the Great Barrier Reef. Irwin was 44.

[Kubi]

I agree somewhat, but I've never heard of the guy speaking about Irwin. I know I turned on Irwin's show to see that "crazy guy who jumps on crocs" and left with a message and interest in animals I never have seen. Steve's way of doing things was marketable and entertaining, hence why he had a long running show.

[reptilehunter]

I must admit he has a point here