I found this article on CNN 3 days after the Crocodile Hunter's death:

Irwin's death strikes a chord POSTED: 8:56 a.m. EDT, September 7, 2006 By David
WilliamsCNN (CNN) -- "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin is being remembered for a
personality that was larger than life, much like the giant posters outside of
his Australia Zoo, where a steady stream of fans have left hand-written notes,
flowers and stuffed animals since hearing news of his death.
Irwin's
willingness to swim with sharks, grab deadly and often cranky snakes by the tail
and wrestle with crocodiles -- armed only with a goofy grin, khaki shorts and a
pair of well-worn work boots -- won him an international following.
Media
expert Robert Thompson said he was a little surprised by the media's focus on
Irwin -- especially given the glut of long-anticipated celebrity news, such as
Katie Couric's debut anchoring the "CBS Evening News," Rosie O'Donnell's arrival
on "The View" and the first photographs of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes'
daughter, Suri.
"I think of the many great television personalities,
and they die and we hear an obituary. And for about 12 hours there are reports
and acknowledgements, and you see clips of their shows and all the rest," said Thompson, the director of Syracuse University's
Center for the Study of Popular Television. "This broke on Monday, and it's
already Wednesday and there's no sign of it stopping."
Thompson said that
part of the interest comes from the "extraordinarily dramatic" nature of Irwin's
death.

My immediate reaction was: It's because the Crocodile Hunter is someone we actually care about!! Someone who actually deserves news coverage!!
I don't know exactly what makes someone a "media expert" I guess maybe he is an expert on the media's behavior and reporting. Then maybe his surprise is understandable - if he is only viewing Steve Irwin's death from the media viewpoint. For the rest of us, the continued "coverage" is quite understandable. Steve was a celebrity but not like most. He wasn't a star, he certainly didn't go for that glamorous image or worry about keeping up appearances. (Khaki, anyone?) He was one of the most genuine, caring, personable celebrities there ever was. He didn't care about his next role, or self-promotion. He cared about his animals and teaching us to respect nature. That's what made him famous and THAT is why everyone loved him and will miss him and why it has taken days for us to let go. And as long as The Animal Planet keeps airing The Crocodile Hunter, we will surely continue to miss him.
Katie Couric is a news anchor. And she moved from a morning show to the evening. I can't really understand why that is such a big event. Sure, it is news. Is she the first female evening news anchor? Even if she is, so what? Women have been reporting the news for ages. Why wouldn't they anchor the news? I can't comment on her actual performance. I rarely watch the evening or local news. It's usually too dumbed-down. Granted they are working within some time constraints, but usually I have to object to the content and what they deem to be newsworthy.
Which leads right into those pictures of Suri Cruise. Here it is, Sep. 14, and I still haven't seen them. And I really don't feel like there is anything missing in my life because of it. I'm sure Suri is quite adorable and I hope she has a healthy, happy life, but why is her picture such a big news event?? She hasn't done anything but be born! To famous actors, sure, but lots of children have been born. When Suri grows up and does something to make a wonderful impact on the world, then let us know. Same with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. I've seen pictures of the magazine cover, but only because that has made it into mainstream news! I have not even browsed the magazine on newsstands. I have not sought out information about these children, and yet I know their names.
Steve and Terri Irwin had children: Bindi Sue and Bob. I know their names because they joined Steve's show. Not for Steve to show off or to make millions of dollars. Steve and Terri had practically invited all of us to be part of their family and so we met their children also.

And Rosie O'Donnell has been allowed back on network tv and has joined The View. That is sure to shake things up a bit. I won't really know. I work during the day and might only see The View on holidays. I used to like Rosie's morning talk show, but when that ended she seemed to become so mean. Maybe she'll go back to her old self? When I have the rare chance to watch morning talk show, I love Ellen DeGeneres. She just has fun and wants her guests to have fun. She's kind of how Rosie used to be. Only better. I hope Ellen never joins the View. She is too good to share her time with all those other women trying to talk over each other.

I wonder how long the outpouring of grief would continue in the news if Katie Couric, Tom Cruise or Rosie O'Donnell were to meet a sudden and untimely death? I wonder if the "media experts" will ever figure out why Steve Irwin's death will be mourned for so long?

Gosh. I had so much to say just awhile ago and now that I'm here with this blank page, its all gone. I intend this blog to be about my thoughts on the news headlines and media, pop culture, and what's going on in and around Cincinnati. I used to be one of those people that complained there was not enough to do in Cincinnati. No more! There was something going on every week since June. Now its September and I thought I finally had a chance to schedule a purse party, but it turns out that Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is this weekend! Luckily I can do both.

Today I'm going to talk about my hometown Cincinnati. (New motto: Cincinnati - its really not that bad!)
If you are one of those Cincinnati residents with nothing to do, here are some of the highlights you might have missed out on over the summer:
In June, Club Red - the Young Professionals group of the Cincinnati Red Cross - hosted a wine social at Chateau Pomijie in O'Bryonville. We sampled four different wines, had snacks from Andy's Mediterranean and What's for Dinner and music by Dave Criddle and Jude Hayden from the band Leisure. It was a beautiful night, perfect for sitting on the deck.
Speaking of the band Leisure, in August they played a command performance of their Ziggy Stardust show at the Southgate House in Newport. I'm so sorry you missed it because it was an awesome show. The guys nailed the unique Bowie sound. After the show, I simply had to go out and buy a Bowie cd.
Every Friday was Rockin' on Walnut. On the patio at Bella and in the Contemporary Art Center, music, food, drinks and tons of fun.
In August there was the Bikers Ball. This is a big fundraiser for the Cincinnati Red Cross. Instead of a black tie gala, its a black leather/black t-shirt dress code. Even if you don't have a hog, just dress like you do. There was plenty of fabulous food and exotic auction items. It's an annual event so you can still go next year.
Also, every second Sunday of the month brings Second Sunday on Main. Each month has a different theme and Main Street is turned into a street festival with vendors, food, entertainers, and wine tasting. The best one was on August 13. It was the International Bazaar with many ethnic dance troupes. And belly dancers. They were fabulous! (O.K. I have to admit I'm a little biased there.)
Now that summer is almost past, the Cincinnati Art Museum begins One World Wednesdays. The first was Sep. 6 featuring the city of Dubai. In the past, each party focused on a certain country. This year it will be certain cities. Again, the belly dancers were terrific!

Speaking of the Art Museum, how could I forget the Ibiza party to celebrate the 125th anniversary. The Museum stayed open 25 hours and in the evening recreated the club scene of Ibiza. Can you believe it? The place was filled to capacity. There was an hour wait to get in. Food, drinks, and a dj turned the courtyard into a dance club. Hundreds of people dancing and throbbing to the club music. I stayed until 2 a.m. so that I could go on a ghost tour. Some people had shown up in their pajamas, ready to spend the night. Do other cities turn their Art Museums into dance clubs for the young professional set?