Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3077963/why-tiger-king-most-outrageous-ott-and-unmissable-show Leisure
Why Tiger King is the most outrageous, OTT – and unmissable – show on Netflix right now
The outrageous 7-episode portrait of LGBT big cat collector and one-time presidential hopeful Joe Exotic promises ‘Murder, Mayhem and Madness’ ... and delivers far more besides – you’ve been warned
Tiger King is the one show you need to watch right now – just look at this picture if you’re not convinced. Photo: Netflix
No, this has nothing to do with Monkey King. But, I do have to point out two similarities between that and Tiger King – they both involve male leads and animals. Oh, and both shows are extremely otherworldly. Fine, three similarities. Of course, in a world that's under attack right now, we are all looking for things to do while self-isolating at home and practising social distancing. With Netflix being one of the more popular mediums out there at the moment, it was only natural that I gravitated to the streaming platform to seek solace and search for a show to watch.
I was scrolling for a while until I saw the two words: “tiger” and “king”. Ah, Tiger King. Oh, the title isn't that short, by the way; it continues with Murder, Mayhem and Madness. While that may be a hint of what's to come, no one will ever be prepared for Joe Exotic. I definitely wasn't. If you haven't watched the documentary series, I'll be spilling some spoilers here (you've been warned, people). It's one of those shows you'll have to watch to understand the realm.
Officially released on Netflix on March 20, the seven-episode programme (I binged and finished them all in one seating) is crazy. And that's a major understatement. The show centres around Joseph Maldonado-Passage, or Joe Exotic, the owner of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, USA. OK, that does not sound too bad, right? Wrong. You're wrong. The first sign of over-the-top comes with the fact that Joe owns more than 100 big cats. Boy, I can't even deal with one tiger – let alone a hundred!
The entire season dealt with a lot, and there were times when I couldn't keep up. “Wait, what happened? Did these really happen?". Questions, questions, questions. Things get weirder and weirder throughout the duration of the episodes. Joe Exotic had multiple husbands (Travis Maldonado and John Finlay) and spent his whole life fighting with animal rights activist Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue (it’s claimed he even hired a hitman to assassinate her; twice). That's not all; somehow drug lords and cults came into the picture, as well as a homicide controversy. Oh, he's also a singer who wrote pretty catchy songs (don't come at me). And he went to prison? Wow. One major incident after another – I was hooked. I was so down for more.
Joe Exotic is one entertaining person, to say the least. The animal-lover – who once campaigned to be the next president of the United States – lights up the room with his blond mullet and eccentric style. The rest of the cast aren't lagging behind as well; the entire show consists of interesting characters. I honestly think it's the best thing out there at the moment – quarantine or not. The world clearly agrees, as you can see from 10 of our favourite memes below.
1.
Me explaining #TigerKing to my mom:
There's a magician, meth head, tiger tamer, country singer, gay polygamist, an Alex Jones type but with live tigers in his videos, and presidential/gubernatorial candidate.
Mom: that's too many people to track
Me: oh that's just one guy— Pete Stegemeyer (@itspeterj) March 24, 2020
2.
every time I think I've finally adjusted to Tiger King's chaos it punches me in the face pic.twitter.com/bxDKlKsFnl
— JP (@jpbrammer) March 25, 2020
3.
So Joe Exotic was the first gay man to run for president not Mayor Pete #TigerKing IStan pic.twitter.com/7ha4lmIp8t
— Felichia Eaton (@FelichiaEaton) March 22, 2020
4.
Carole Baskin: “People like Joe Exotic are terrible for keeping tigers in pens”
Also Carole Baskin: “I have to rescue big cats and keep them in cages until they die to keep them safe” pic.twitter.com/NWNUQfUxYX— Vitamin J (@vitamin_j) March 25, 2020
5.
Dr Ante: I’m a polyamorous straight man who houses tigers
Joe: I’m a polyamorous gay man who houses tigers
Mob guy: I’m mob guy who is the biggest coke dealer in Miami and house tigers
Carole: I killed my husband and house tigers
This. Show. Has. Everything. #TigerKing pic.twitter.com/abLLgBAV9u— Carrie Magee (@carrie_mageeee) March 21, 2020
6.
customers at Joe Exotic’s zoo when they found out the pizza was made from expired dumpster meat #TigerKing pic.twitter.com/1Nu42sszL7
— Ray (@Ray_885) March 22, 2020
7.
You know a documentary is absolute insanity when actual footage of an individual getting their entire forearm ripped off by a tiger is the least talked about event that transpired #tigerking
— stinkyjoker (@stinkyjoker1) March 25, 2020
8.
Me: I can’t stop thinking about, talking about, or reading about the coronavirus
Netflix: let me introduce you to Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. #TigerKing pic.twitter.com/1Oamnc2vMF— Mary (@maryyyyrosee) March 23, 2020
9.
Joe Exotic, Doc Antle, and Carol Baskin snitching on who the animal exploiter is #TigerKing pic.twitter.com/sdclnctg78
— TheGirlWhoTalksAboutTV (@BackInBlackmon7) March 21, 2020
10.
Watching Tiger King on Netflix and it has me saying wtf every 5 minutes.. #TigerKing pic.twitter.com/ZyvfO7DqF0
— Taylor R (@iamtay_tay) March 24, 2020