Discovery Kids To Delay Bindi Irwin’s Show

(October 20, 2006) ? Eight-year-old Bindi Irwin?s planned reality show will be put on hold until mother Terri Irwin feels that she?s ready for the rigorous schedule which accompanies shooting a television show, Access Hollywood has learned. The series was originally slated to air early 2007.

“Discovery Networks is in full support of the Irwin family. We will schedule the Discovery Kids Channel series “Bindi, The Jungle Girl (wt),” if and when Terri Irwin determines the appropriate time to move forward with the project,” a network spokesperson tells Access.

Bindi?s father, conservationist Steve Irwin, died September 4, 2006, after being jabbed in the heart by a stingray.

The scheduling change takes place following criticism by Australian Liberal Party senator Bill Heffernan that Bindi was not ready for the pressure of a TV program.

“Every child deserves their childhood and your childhood is one of those touchstones of your life, but there is a real danger that that kid is going to be exploited,” Heffernan told The Australian. “When she says she’d rather play with snakes than dress up like a lot of girls her age, that’s fine – but does she need to do it in front of the camera?”