Rachael Ray does not like snakes.

So, for Bindi Irwin to convince her to actually touch one on today's 'Rachael Ray' (weekdays, syndicated) was a minor miracle. Irwin, along with her mother Terri and Jarod "The Animal Guy," brought a baby Woma python out on the set to show the crowd -- and for Ray to touch.

Ray balked, saying there was no way she would touch it. They make her see spots, she said. But Irwin was persistent and tried to clear up a myth or two about snakes: "A lot of people think that snakes are slimy and sticky, but they're really not. They can't sweat. So they're beautiful and smooth and soft."

Ray still wasn't buying it, but she eventually walked to the tail end of the snake, giving it a wide birth, and brushed it briefly with a finger. To her credit, she tried it twice. Her verdict? "She feels like chicken," she said.

The late Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin's daughter will be getting her own doll. Bindi Irwin stars in Bindi the Jungle Girl on the Discovery Channel, a more child-friendly version of her father's show.

The rubber doll will cost $15 to $20 with a portion going to efforts to breed endangered species and rescue animals. The doll will come with accessories including binoculars, a camera and other outback gear, as well as a cockatoo, wombat and python.

The talking version of the doll will speak catchphrases including "Crikey! Let's go help wildlife," and "You can make the world a better place." The doll is being developed by Wild Republic, a division of K&M International Inc., based in Twinsburg, Ohio who also marketed the Steve Irwin doll shortly after his death.

I am somewhat torn about this news. On one hand, her fame (of which this is a part) seems mildly exploitative due to the tragedy of her father's passing. On the other hand, a girl has to eat.

Two hours should be the statutory weekly maximum for Idol programming.
I feel after making us wait the entire two hours for the worst contestant last night, I was completely let down. If you promise the worst, then bring us the worst!

When we were first introduced to Red, he looked like a regular on The Deadliest Catch who walked onto the wrong set. With that crazy look in his eye, I was ready for some real Jerry Springer action when his delusions set in. Alas but no. Idol producers need better nicknames for any and all things associated with red heads than "Red". He ended up being this snaggletooth version of Mr. Brawny, who promised Freddie Mercury but instead sung in a high pitched monotone frequency similar to the one adults can't hear when they get older. Someone needs to find a better name.

So my long awaited creepy contestant factor was killed. Well at least I have Robo-Bindi to rely on.

Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, is making the rounds on American television shows this week. The 8-year old cutiepie is promoting her upcoming Discovery Kids series, Bindi the Jungle Girl. It sounds like a kid-version of The Crocodile Hunter. This week's press blitz includes appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Letterman, and she'll be giving a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Her high-profile media appearances coincide with the premiere of her father's final documentary, Ocean's Deadliest, which airs on Discovery on January 21. Bindi's American tour includes a guest appearance dancing with The Wiggles in Los Angeles and New York. Bindi the Jungle Girl airs later this year on Discovery Kids, but a premiere date has not been announced.

I think it's important to note that Bindi Irwin started filming her Discovery Kids series before her father died. She probably would've received a bunch of American press attention even if her father was still alive, but it's logical to assume she's receiving more attention now that he has died.

Bindi Irwin, the darling 8-year old daughter of the late Steve Irwin, is going to hold off for a year before filming her wildlife series. Apparently a lot of people got pretty upset when they saw the recent news that Bindi was going to star in Bindi, The Jungle Girl for Discovery Kids. Critics complained that the little girl was being exploited by television producers because of her father's fame and headline-grabbing death from a stingray barb to his heart. The family's manager says the media speculation did not figure into their decision and that he needs a one-year vacation after the death of his close friend.

To be clear, Bindi's series for Discovery Kids started several months before Steve Irwin died. The series was to be about Bindi, with Steve making occasional appearances to do some crazy stuff. It was supposed to begin airing in January.

Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, will carry on her father's legacy. The 8-year-old sweetheart is currently filming a documentary series for Discovery Kids. The wildlife series is called Bindi, The Jungle Girl. People.com has a quote from her that will tug at your heartstrings, she says, "I'm trying to get across the message that don't be afraid of animals, they're just put here on this earth to help the environment and everything like that." Steve Irwin will actually appear in some of the 27-part series, which he was filming when he died, but Bindi is the star. In fact, his death will never be mentioned during the series. Just like her dad, Bindi plays a girl who is fearless when it comes to nature. Bindi, The Jungle Girl will begin airing on Discovery Kids in January 2007

Terri Irwin sure is an admirable person. She recently gave an interview to Barbara Walters, saying that the footage of her husband's death will never make air. She hasn't seen the video herself, which shows Steve Irwin being stabbed in the heart by the barb of a stingray while filming a television special along Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Irwin tells Walters that no one should have to see it and I couldn't agree more.

In the interview, which airs tonight on ABC, Irwin also talks about how she and her family are handling their grief and what she was doing when she learned of her husband's death. It airs at 10 pm on 20/20.