Watch TMZ Investigates: Tiger King - What Really Went Down?

TMZ, the popular celebrity news and gossip website, has launched a new TV special called "TMZ Investigates: Tiger King - What Really Went Down?" with an in-depth analysis of the controversial docuseries "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" that premiered on Netflix in March 2020 and became an overnight sensation during the lockdown. The six-episode true-crime show revolves around the eccentric and larger-than-life personalities of the exotic animal world, including Joe Exotic, aka Joseph Maldonado-Passage, Carole Baskin, Jeff Lowe, Doc Antle, and other zookeepers, traders, and advocates who were caught up in a web of intrigue, deception, and violence.

The TMZ special, which aired on FOX on September 15, 2020, aims to delve deeper into the untold stories, unresolved mysteries, and shocking revelations of the Tiger King phenomenon, with exclusive interviews, unseen footage, and expert commentary. The show is hosted by Harvey Levin, the founder of TMZ, who has been covering the entertainment industry for over three decades and has a reputation for breaking news and scoops that shake up the media landscape. Levin is joined by several reporters, correspondents, and witnesses who have been closely following the Tiger King saga from start to finish and can provide insider accounts and insights into the world of big cats and the people who exploit them.

The first episode of "TMZ Investigates: Tiger King - What Really Went Down?" sets the stage for the series by recapping the main characters and plotlines of the original docuseries, highlighting the controversies and crimes that have made headlines, and teasing the upcoming reveals and surprises that the TMZ team promises to uncover. The episode also features interviews with some of the key players from the Tiger King universe, such as Tim Stark, a former employee of Joe Exotic who now runs his own wild animal sanctuary; John Reinke, the former manager of Joe's G.W. Zoo who lost both his legs in a ziplining accident; and Joshua Dial, Joe's former campaign manager who witnessed his downfall and incarceration.

The second episode of the series takes a closer look at the infamous feud between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, two rival animal activists who became bitter enemies and plotted each other's demise. The TMZ team analyzes the evidence presented in the docuseries and interviews some of the witnesses who claim to have inside knowledge of the alleged murder-for-hire plot that Joe hatched against Carole. The show also explores the legal battles and personal traumas that Carole has faced since the release of Tiger King, including the disappearance of her husband Don Lewis, whose case has been reopened by the authorities.

The third episode of the series shifts the focus to Jeff Lowe, a new character introduced in Tiger King who took over Joe's zoo after his arrest and conviction for animal abuse and murder-for-hire. The TMZ team investigates the background and motives of Jeff, who has been accused of being a con artist, a drug dealer, and a shady businessman by his critics. The show also examines the current state of the G.W. Zoo and other animal parks that Jeff is associated with, including the shocking conditions that the animals are allegedly living in and the legal challenges that Jeff is facing from animal rights activists and the government.

The fourth episode of the series delves into the world of Doc Antle, another eccentric zoo owner who appeared in Tiger King and has been accused of numerous violations of animal welfare laws and sexual misconduct with his female employees. The TMZ team talks to some of the former students and workers at Doc's Myrtle Beach Safari who claim that they were brainwashed, exploited, and abused by him and his family. The show also examines the exotic animal trade and the cult-like practices that Doc employs to control his followers and maintain his reputation as a wildlife conservationist.

The fifth episode of the series looks at the aftermath of Tiger King and its impact on the people and animals involved in the story. The TMZ team examines the reactions of the public, the media, and the authorities to the revelations and scandals that were exposed in the docuseries, as well as the legacy of Joe Exotic and the future of the exotic animal industry. The show also features interviews with some of the victims and survivors of the zoo wars, who share their perspectives and emotions on the events that unfolded and the characters they encountered.

The sixth and final episode of the series brings together all the pieces of the puzzle and offers a definitive answer to the question of "What Really Went Down?" in Tiger King. The TMZ team presents its findings and conclusions based on the evidence and testimony gathered throughout the series, and invites the audience to draw their own conclusions. The show ends with a reflection on the lessons and implications of the Tiger King saga, and the urgent need to reform the laws and attitudes that have enabled the exploitation and abuse of exotic animals for entertainment and profit. Overall, "TMZ Investigates: Tiger King - What Really Went Down?" is a compelling and informative addition to the Tiger King canon that sheds new light on one of the most bizarre and captivating stories of our times.

TMZ Investigates: Tiger King - What Really Went Down? is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on April 16, 2020.