Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

Explosive tale of exotic zoo rivalry

Watch on Netflix
About Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

Released: 2020

Platform: Netflix

Rating: TV-MA

Run time: 2 Seasons

Cast

About Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

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About

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is a captivating crime docuseries that premiered on Netflix in 2020. The show follows the bizarre and tumultuous world of big cat owners in the United States, focusing primarily on the intense rivalry between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin.

The plot revolves around Joe Exotic, a flamboyant and eccentric zookeeper who owned an exotic animal park in Oklahoma. Joe Exotic becomes entangled in a web of conflict, leading to his arrest and conviction for a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist and owner of a rival big cat sanctuary.

The series delves into the darker aspects of the big cat industry, including illegal wildlife trafficking, animal abuse, and the questionable ethics of private zoos. It paints a shocking and often surreal portrait of the individuals involved, their unconventional lifestyles, and the criminal activity that follows.

Making / Production

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is a true crime docuseries directed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin. It took several years to film and involved extensive research and interviews with key individuals involved in the big cat industry, including Joe Exotic himself.

The production team faced numerous challenges due to the unpredictable nature of the story and the uncooperative behavior of some interviewees. They had to navigate complex legal issues and deal with limited access to certain locations and individuals.

The series features a combination of interviews, archival footage, and reenactments to tell the captivating and often shocking narrative. The filmmakers aimed to provide an in-depth exploration of the big cat industry while also highlighting the human drama and criminal elements that unfolded within it.

Actors

  • Joe Exotic - Portrayed by Joe Exotic
  • Carole Baskin - Portrayed by Carole Baskin
  • Jeff Lowe - Portrayed by Jeff Lowe
  • Doc Antle - Portrayed by Doc Antle
  • John Finlay - Portrayed by John Finlay
  • James Garretson - Portrayed by James Garretson

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness became a massive cultural phenomenon shortly after its release, sparking widespread discussions and memes on social media.
  • The series shines a light on the controversial practice of cub petting, where young tiger cubs are used for photo ops with visitors, before ultimately being discarded or exploited for profit.
  • Joe Exotic ran for President of the United States in 2016 and also campaigned for the position of Governor of Oklahoma in 2018.
  • Carole Baskin's husband, Don Lewis, mysteriously disappeared in 1997 and was declared legally dead in 2002. The case remains unsolved.

Awards

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness has received critical acclaim and garnered several awards, including:

  • Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
  • MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Documentary Series
  • Critics' Choice Real TV Award for Best Limited Documentary Series

Quotes

  • "I'm gonna shoot you between the fucking eyes!" - Joe Exotic
  • "Hey all you cool cats and kittens." - Carole Baskin
  • "Nobody's got any up close pictures with the tigers but me." - Joe Exotic

Music

  • "Here Kitty Kitty" by Joe Exotic
  • "I Saw a Tiger" by Joe Exotic
  • "Killer Carole" by Joe Exotic

Soundtrack

The official soundtrack for Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness features a collection of songs from various artists that complement the themes and narrative of the series. Some notable tracks include:

  • "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
  • "Tiger" by Spacemen 3
  • "Big Cat" by The Brother Brothers