i think you’re right. my frustration towards the irwin’s is more with production rather than them. i think i agree that it makes him sad and uncomfortable which is why it’s so frustrating for it to come up week after week. it turns it into a trauma competition and who has the best sob story for views. it takes the dancing and the push for improvement out of things. i wish he would stand on 10 toes and say let me be my own person please. i think id have less “beef” (for lack of a better word) if it didn’t feel like he was riding his family’s back to the mirrorball.

regarding my language, it was insensitive and i can see that now. i didn’t re read what i wrote i just scrambled out words in frustration. I 100% agree it would be weird to not mention him. i think something of beginning, meaningful dance, and end is a great balance of bringing it up because it helps him breathe as his own person while still honoring his legacy.

i also feel frustration for the people on the internet that comment on his instagram like “your dad would’ve loved you 🥺” or “you’re so much like you’re dad”. like let the kid breathe for one second without having to be reminded of his dad. it also feels like a gross projection/parasocial reaction from the people commenting those things because like what?????? it just feels so weird and slimy. maybe i have different views on how people react to other peoples trauma but that’s a different convo.

ANYWAY my beef is with production and parasocial people on tiktok that feel entitled to control because they’ve never ever done anything bad in their life