If someone had told me back in January that by late March I would be immersed in the bizarre world of a gay, polygamous tiger enthusiast from Oklahoma who not only creates his own music videos but also stars in a web series and has been imprisoned for 22 years for allegedly plotting to kill an animal rights advocate, I would have laughed heartily. But here we are—welcome to the realm of Tiger King.
I get it; aside from the evident animal cruelty (and yes, there’s a lot to unpack there, but let’s leave that to PETA), Tiger King has its comedic moments. It seems every episode introduces a new low: attempts to off Carole Baskin with snakes in her mailbox! Then there’s the wild claim that she fed her husband to tigers! The surreal political campaigns complete with branded merchandise! And who could forget that unforgettable eulogy that mentions “balls”? It’s enough to momentarily distract us from the ongoing pandemic.
But let’s pause for a moment. We are laughing at some truly reprehensible, misogynistic individuals who, without a doubt, are among the most disturbing personalities that have ever been featured on television.
For those unfamiliar, Tiger King chronicles the life of Joe “Jungle Joe” Wildman, who has taken the names of two much younger partners—both barely beyond their teenage years—while he himself is 55. The series dives into his long-standing rivalry with Carole Baskin, who runs Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. Baskin is vocally opposed to the breeding and sale of exotic cats, even though she once participated in such activities; now, she promotes a sanctuary where these animals can live peacefully. She takes particular issue with “cub-petting,” a practice where people pay to interact with baby tigers—a six-minute experience for $50 at Wildman’s park. In response to her advocacy, Wildman resorts to crude insults and his infamous web series, where he often refers to her as “that woman Carole Baskin,” a phrase that has now become a meme sensation.
Adding to the complexity, Wildman has a troubling pattern of marrying multiple men simultaneously, which the docuseries discusses in detail. He allegedly wooed these young men with tigers and drugs, specifically methamphetamines. Despite Finlay and Maldonado claiming to be straight, they find themselves tangled in Wildman’s world where they are often high and manipulated, even as one of them tragically takes his own life.
Just months after this devastating loss, Wildman ties the knot with Dillon, another young partner, even tattooing his name on his neck. By the end of the series, he’s calling Dillon from prison multiple times a day, sobbing. Dillon, please—run while you still can.
The gunplay throughout Tiger King is staggering; we haven’t seen this many weapons since a particularly wild episode of Duck Dynasty. Wildman is perpetually armed and isn’t shy about threatening Baskin with violence, often using explosives purchased legally to make his point. This is toxic masculinity at its peak.
Let’s not overlook “Doc” Antle, who appears to be running a sort of tiger sex cult in Myrtle Beach. He lures young women—most barely out of their teens—with meager pay for grueling work hours and allegedly requires them to sleep with him to advance in his ranks. He even changes their names to erase their identities, further entrenching them in this cult-like environment. Reports suggest he maintains polygamous relationships with several women, pressuring them to modify their bodies and dress provocatively while demanding they refer to him as “Bhagavan,” which he claims means “Lord.”
Then there’s Jeff Steele, often dubbed a “walking gas station erection pill,” with his signature black cap and bedazzled jeans. He’s embroiled in various scams, including using tiger cubs to attract women in Las Vegas and facing legal issues over weapon charges. While Wildman’s misdeeds are undeniable, Steele’s actions culminate in a plot to take over Wildman’s zoo, leading to further chaos.
Near the end, Steele makes a cringe-inducing joke about his wife returning to the gym post-baby, revealing layers of his grotesque mindset. The only character who seems somewhat normal? Carole Baskin’s third husband, who, despite some peculiar wedding photos, appears to be in a happy, consensual relationship.
Ultimately, as we navigate through these extraordinary stories, we should reconsider whether the humor found in Tiger King is appropriate. Perhaps instead, we should be covering these men in sardine oil and offering them to the tigers. Now that’s a way to challenge the patriarchy.
For more insights on home insemination, check out this post on ovulation tracking. If you’re interested in learning about insemination kits, visit Make a Mom. For further reading on pregnancy topics, you can explore CCRM IVF.
In summary, while Tiger King may provide moments of levity, we should be cautious about celebrating the deeply troubling behaviors of its subjects.
Leave a Reply