Animal Planet has plans to air the final special that Steve Irwin taped entitled The Ocean's Deadliest. It was during the filming of this show that Irwin was killed when his chest was punctured by a stingray barb.

I understand that The Crocodile Hunter was loved all over the world and that his loss has been mourned by millions, but is this necessary? I'm not sure what the episode looks like, whether it's complete, or if Irwin is even in the whole thing, but it just feels like more of a ratings grab to me. If anything I just hope that Animal Planet handles the airing of the episode gracefully, gives credit where credit is due, and doesn't try to spin this as "the last minutes of a legend" or something like that.

The episode premieres on Sunday, January 21 at 8:00PM and there will be numerous repeat airings to follow.

[via digg]