Joe Exotic, the subject of Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, insists he's over Carole Baskin. The 57-year-old, the centerpiece of Netflix's captivating new series Tiger King, is currently serving time after being convicted on charges of murder for hire and multiple infractions where the Endangered Species and Lacey Acts are concerned. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, was recently transferred to a medical center due to coronavirus concerns but spoke to Netflix prior to that.
The true-crime series focuses on Exotic's ownership and running of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, as well as his rivalry with Baskin, who owns Big Cat Rescue. It goes into the chilling story and the investigation of Exotic's attempt to have Baskin killed. The events revealed in Tiger King would probably be considered too far-fetched if they were made up and has even led to a sheriff revisiting the case of Baskin's missing husband, who she is suspected to have killed. Exotic's zoo housed several tigers and the imprisoned Kansas native is accused of mistreating the giant carnivores. It's since been reported that 39 of them are now living in an animal sanctuary.
As noted above, Netflix spoke to Exotic, conducting a phone interview with him on March 22 from prison. TV's newest sensation was asked what message he would like to send fans and said he wanted to let them know he's "done with the Carole Baskin saga," adding he's just looking forward to being a free man again. Exotic is pretty confident he's going to be released from prison, having told Netflix he's going to be just as crazy when he walks out. "That will never change," he laughed. On his newfound popularity, the zoo owner admitted it would be nice to be out there and actually see how famous he's become; he also expressed gratitude to his husband Dillon Passage, whom he married just eight months prior to his arrest.
Exotic is indeed one of the most popular individuals around nowadays, thanks to the Netflix show. Jeff Lowe, another person made famous by the docuseries, has made claims of a new Tiger King episode is coming to Netflix this week due to its immense success. Exotic was said to have attempted the impossible, actually trying to bring back the prehistoric sabertooth tiger by breeding ligers (crossbreed between a lion and tiger) with lions. Whether Netflix will cover the incredulous ambitions in that regard is left to be seen.
Like most people in prison, Exotic's keen on getting out. Unfortunately for him, whether or not he's over Baskin will have zero bearing on the outcome of his appeal. Still, fans who have come to learn about Exotic through Tiger King are no doubt interested in the update.
Source: Netflix/Twitter