Aussies not amused by 'South Park' skewering of Steve Irwin

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park have always lampooned sacred cows, dogma and an array of celebrities, it is a "South Park" rite of passage.


Australians are still reeling from the accidental death of Steve Irwin, a favorite son who died at age 44 by being pierced in the heart with a barb from a sting ray.

Parker and Stone now are accused of hitting a new low after satirizing the demise of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, just weeks after his death.

The latest episode shows an animated Irwin in Hell with a stingray poking out of his bleeding chest.

The South Park episode called Hell On Earth 2006, which was broadcast in the US this week, shows Satan preparing to host a Halloween fancy dress party.

Hundreds of dead celebrities are invited, including rapper Notorious B.I.G., Princess Diana and Hitler. P Diddy is mocked as well, with a list of party favors being read to Satan, as Satan asks, "Did Diddy do it?"

Satan receives complaints from his guests that someone is inappropriately dressed up as Irwin.

Satan confronts Irwin but the Aussie environmentalist protests it is really him, not a guest in a costume.

Offended viewers are particularly upset about the stingray still being attached to Irwin's bloodstained trademark khaki shirt.

British broadcasting watchdog Mediawatch condemned the episode as "grossly insensitive."

Its director, John Beyer, said: "I think this is in bad taste. Steve Irwin's family are still grieving."

"To lampoon somebody's death like that is unacceptable and so soon after the event is grossly insensitive. It is not what the family would want to see."

South Park maker Comedy Central defends the episode. A spokesman said: "It has offended people in the past and probably will again. Regular watchers would not be shocked."