The only thing crazier than true crime is zoo crime. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is a true crime documentary about the life of zookeeper Joe Exotic released on Netflix on March 20. The series focuses on big cat conservationist Carole Baskin and big cat collectors such as Exotic, whom Baskin accuses of abusing and exploiting wild animals.
Although Joe Exotic’s musical pursuits were glossed over in the miniseries, the videos released from 2013-2015 on Exotic’s YouTube channel touch on everything from love and loss, exotic animal ownership and a biker gang that takes in neglected children.
The songs are actually catchy and well-written. The vocals are reminiscent of the mullet-and-10-gallon-hat-sporting twang stars of 90’s country. It would be really impressive if Exotic was actually singing them. However, following the release of “Tiger King” it was revealed that many of Exotic’s songs were actually written and performed by Danny Clinton and Vince Johnson of The Clinton-Johnson Band, who purportedly struck up a partnership with Exotic to write a theme song for his reality show.
Though all of Exotic’s songs may not be a result of his own creativity, the music videos certainly are. They are biographical, tiger-saturated, wacky, and hilarious. His Top 10 music videos are a must watch. If you enjoy the videos you also might enjoy this Tiger King inspired Spotify playlist.
The series is ranked as one of Netflix’s most successful releases to date with Nicolas Cage set to star in a scripted series centered on Joe Exotic based on the Texas Monthly article “Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild,” by Leif Reigstad. This is the second scripted series about the bizarre world of “Tiger King.” The first scripted series is based on the Wondery podcast “Joe Exotic” with Kate McKinnon attached to play Carole Baskin.
With Tiger King’s popularity comes memes of course. Compiled below are 20 of the best Tiger King memes floating around the internet for your viewing pleasure. This is much needed comic relief in a time where the coronavirus and pandemic are controlling our lives. Tiger King could not have arrive at a more perfect time.
