Family of Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter sue Bloodhound Gang's Producers:

In a move not seen since the days of Ozzy listener's suicides, the family of Steve Irwin, famous for his TV show crocodile hunter, are suing the record label of the "verbally obnoxious" rock band the Bloodhound Gang. They state that as Steve's own ratings fell he became obsessed with climbing back into the limelight. A close friend recalls the events leading up to the fatal incident:

"During this low point in Steve's life I tried to cheer him up by relaying to him that his name had been used in song. He asked what song and I told him it was Jackass by the Bloodhound Gang. One week later, he was dead ..."

The lyrics in question were regarding the differences between Steve Irwin and the Jackass crew suggesting that the intake of narcotics such as marijuana were responsible for Jackass' antics around dangerous animals to be more entertaining that Steve's.

"... (contd.) he was well aware that many politicians were coming on-side with making marijuana legal so had assumed that it was at least as safe as alcohol which he regularly consumes during production of any show. But, unlike alcohol which simply makes you more fun to be around, the marijuana impaired his judgement, his mental abilities, his reaction times and his balance which resulted in his death."

They also stated that suing the music group was their only recourse as suing the manufacturers of marijuana was impossible until the government made the substance legal.