Steve Irwin, bigger dead than alive

So the news broke. A a real Aussie larrikin was dead.

Naturalist - of the hardcore daredevil category - and television personality Steve Irwin died prematurately, at the age of 44, when he was harpooned in the heart by the serrated spine of a stingray while filming a new documentary in Australia.

A Guardian feature compared him to Princess Diana, such was the public reaction to the news of Irwin's death. The impossible had happened. The man who used to wrestle with alligators for fun was gone. In an accident very rare, having encountered a species not considered dangerous unless attacked.

A controversial person, comparison between Irwin and Michael Jackson would not be amiss, at least if exposing one's own baby to danger is anything to go by. A couple of years ago Irwin was filmed feeding a crocodile, holding his baby on one hand, and chicken in the other (the intended food), the hungry creature just a meter away from him. In his defence, his own father had apparently put Irwin himself in the same position at a tender age.

But what if an accident had happened then? Surely more likely than this strange but lethal accident. Now emotional tributes, lead by the Australian prime minister John Howard.

But why such a massive reaction? Top story in Sky News and all.

Media phenomenon

CAPTIVATING TV I had seen flicks of some of his documentaries. His showmanship certainly was unique. Handling wild animals while talking big ("Sting of this creature kills a horse") and simultaneously dangling the snake in front of his face. Diving in what appeared to be alligator-infested waters. And yes, pushing his hand into a nest of a reptile, then pulling it out covered in blood. He had been bit. He walked the talk, visually. A no-nonsense Aussie who talked big but did not talk shit.

UNIQUE Fascinating telly for the more and more urban TV audience. What is that animal? It looks dangerous? Oh, he says it is dangerous, oh he is bitten. Irwin most certainly did things not many people would risk doing. It is fascinating to see people do things you would or could not do yourself.

SURPRISE You watch the series. You see the guy escape unscathed from seemingly most dangerous-looking situations, week in, week out. He becomes something of a superman. He can take anything. And then he is gone. It is disturbing. What in this world can you trust in? Especially as he died when encountering a species that has apparently only ever killed three people in the history of Australia.

CONTRAST Even the showman could not escape the occasional randomness of life. He could not control the meeting with the stingray, and it cost him dear. Something that could have happened to anyone but now it happened to seemingly invincible person.

***

In Finland, we had a TV presenter who was in his early 70s and had a gameshow for celebrities that included games such as string-jumping. He would challenge the celebrity who won the other celebs and usually won. He was seemingly fit, muscular, with lean body. Then, out of the blue, the news was out. He was playing a round of golf, got a heart attack, and died. With no apparent history of ill-health.

News like this hits your comfort zone. They are some of the few that come out of the blue, are not comparable to any other events in the mind of the person who receives the news.

Unique.

Like Daily Express and Princess Di. Still going strong.