If someone had told me back in January that I would find myself in late March diving into the bizarre life of a gay polygamist who dabbles in tiger dealings, creates music videos, and has spent 22 years in prison for plotting to kill an animal rights activist, I would have laughed at the absurdity. Yet, here we are with Tiger King.
I get it—aside from the glaring issue of animal cruelty (yes, there’s real animal cruelty involved, and we’ll let PETA handle that), Tiger King is undeniably entertaining. Each episode reveals a new layer of absurdity: they attempted to assassinate Carole Baskin using snakes in her mailbox! But wait—she has a rumored hand in her husband’s disappearance, allegedly feeding him to tigers! The show even features a wild presidential campaign with branded merchandise! And let’s not forget the unforgettable eulogy that hilariously mentions testicles! This wild ride is definitely a distraction from our pandemic worries.
But let’s take a moment to think critically. We are laughing at some of the most reprehensible and misogynistic individuals to ever grace our screens.
The Central Narrative
The central narrative revolves around Joe “Exotic” Maldonado-Passage, a man who has taken on the names of his much younger “husbands” and is the owner of a zoo now known as the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. His long-standing rivalry with Carole Baskin, who runs Big Cat Rescue in Florida, is at the heart of this saga. Baskin has taken a stand against the breeding and sale of exotic cats, a practice she once engaged in herself, and now provides a sanctuary for these animals to live peacefully. She also opposes the “cub-petting” phenomenon, which allows paying guests to interact with baby tigers for a price. In response, Joe Exotic has made it his mission to publicly demean her, famously dubbing her “that awful Carole Baskin” in his web show, a phrase that has since become a meme.
Joe Exotic’s Troubling Lifestyle
Joe Exotic’s lifestyle is troubling; he has a penchant for marrying multiple men simultaneously, as highlighted in the documentary. These men were fresh out of high school when they met him, and he allegedly enticed them with tigers and drugs. Tragically, one of his partners, Travis, took his own life shortly after the events captured in the documentary. Just two months after this tragedy, Joe is seen “married” to Dillon, another young man, and is frequently calling him from jail, often in tears. Dillon, take our advice: run while you still can.
Gun Violence and Toxic Masculinity
The show also features an alarming amount of gun violence. Joe Exotic is always armed and frequently threatens Carole, using explosives with a shocking frequency. This is a troubling example of toxic masculinity on full display.
Doc Antle’s Tiger Sex Cult
We can’t overlook “Doc” Antle, who seems to be orchestrating a tiger sex cult in Myrtle Beach. He draws in young women—mostly teenagers—and pays them meager wages for grueling labor. Advancement allegedly comes at a steep price: sleeping with him. He even changes their names, effectively erasing their identities. His former wife claims he insisted on breast implants and that the women refer to him as “Bhagavan,” meaning “Lord.”
Jeff Lowe: The Sleazy Character
Then there’s Jeff Lowe, who has been called a “walking gas station erection pill.” With his signature look of a black baseball cap, leather jacket, and bedazzled jeans, he embodies the essence of sleaze. Lowe has been accused of being a con artist, stealing Joe Exotic’s zoo, and engaging in questionable dealings with tiger cubs and weapons.
Towards the end of Tiger King, Lowe makes a crass joke about his wife returning to the gym post-baby, showing a blatant lack of respect and decency.
A Glimpse of Normalcy
Amidst all this chaos, the only character who appears somewhat normal is Carole Baskin’s third husband, who, despite some unusually themed wedding photos, seems to be in a consensual and happy relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we really should reconsider our laughter at Tiger King. Instead of finding humor in the misfortunes of these individuals, perhaps we should think about more constructive ways to address these serious issues, such as advocating for animal rights.
For more insights, check out one of our other blog posts here. If you’re interested in topics related to home insemination, you can find excellent resources at News Medical and learn more about the subject at Intracervical Insemination.
Summary: Tiger King exposes the dark and absurd world of its characters, blending humor with unsettling realities. While it serves as a distraction during trying times, we must not forget the serious implications of their actions.