The “Dolly Parton of Chimps” takes on the litigious PETA activist group in this true crime twister.
Some human “Chimp Moms” are so close to their pets they breast-feed them.
I currently rank this #1 on my list of “The Best Documentaries Similar to Tiger King” (I’ve ranked 6 so far!).
If Joe Exotic had a sister, it very well could be Tonia Haddix.
Thanks to John Anderson of the WSJ for first pointing “Chimp Crazy” out.
Trailer for “Chimp Crazy”
Watch “Chimp Crazy”
You can watch the HBO Original Chimp Crazy on Max at https://play.max.com/show/026bb0da-933f-4111-9a30-234d5b0f392d
It’s an HBO Original so I’m not sure we’ll see it playing anywhere else. But sometimes the streamers offer bundles (Amazon Prime Video has one right now. So check out here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/chimp-crazy
Ratings:
- My Rating: 96/100 (I’ll tweak this once I watch the final 2 episodes)
- IMDB Rating: 6.6/10 (I don’t know what the heck the IMDB users are thinking in this case.
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na/100 (Users); 94/100 (Critics)
Release Date: August 18, 2024
My Review of “Chimp Crazy”
What do you get when you cross the “Dolly Parton of Chimps” with true crime?
“Chimp Crazy”!
This docuseries will make you question what you thought you knew about our primate cousins and their exotic pet owners.
Eric Goode, the mastermind behind the infamous “Tiger King” delivers this four-part (4-hour) HBO doc series on the bizarre, unsettling world of exotic chimpanzee ownership in America.
“Chimp Crazy” is a look at a subculture that’s as fascinating as it is disturbing.
It’s still running as I write this so I’m gonna describe just the 2 episodes so far (as of August 28, 2024)
Episode 1: “Monkey Love”
Release date: August 18, 2024
The series kicks off by introducing us to Tonia Haddix, a former nurse-turned-exotic-animal-broker who now refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps.”
Tonia is the focal point of this doc, and it’s easy to see why (the opening to Episode 2 will hook you big time!).
She cares for seven captive chimps at the Missouri Primate Foundation, a breeding ground for chimps that were once used in commercials, photo shoots, and movies.
Her favorite is Tonka, a 32-year-old Hollywood veteran.
You’ve probably seen Tonka in the movies.
Tonka the chimp is a 32-year-old Hollywood veteran who starred in the 1997 film “Buddy” alongside Alan Cumming (Cumming is interviewed throughout this docuseriesd).
Tonka also appeared in George of the Jungle, Babe: Pig in the City), Buddy.
It turns out there’s big money in renting out chimps (not just selling them).
Tonia’s bond with Tonka is unsettlingly deep; she openly admits that she loves him more than her own children.
We’re introduced to other so-called “chimp moms,” including one who went as far as to breastfeed a premature chimp.
The lengths these women go to in their relationships with their chimps raise serious ethical questions.
Missouri, where Tonia operates, is like the Wild West when it comes to animal ownership, allowing nearly anything under the sun when it comes to keeping exotic animals.
One of the most startling revelations is how Connie Casey, Tonia’s predecessor and the original owner of the Missouri Primate Foundation, is responsible for breeding nearly three-quarters of all captive chimps in the United States.
Connie owns this undergound chimp market!
Connie’s reach into the exotic animal trade is extensive, and her legacy continues through Tonia, who has taken over the responsibility of caring for these animals.
Episode 1 is peppered with moments that range from absurd to downright chilling.
We see Tonia indulging in her own bizarre rituals, like getting Botox injections, serving her chimps McDonald’s Happy Meals, and nonchalantly discussing how Tonka masturbates in front of her as a sign of respect.
These moments are a stark reminder of the odd, almost surreal world these animals are trapped in.
By the end of the first episode, we’re left with a heavy sense of unease.
Episode 2: “Gone Ape”
Release Date: August 25, 2024
I found Episode 2 even better than the first episode.
It opens with Tonia is getting her lips injected with botox and sitting in tanning booths.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a Botox injection.
Nasty!
The episode takes a darker turn as PETA launches an investigation after Tonka mysteriously disappears.
What unfolds is a legal drama that rivals any fictional courtroom thriller.
PETA is determined to find Tonka, but Tonia isn’t backing down.
She’s caught in a high-stakes legal battle that becomes the central conflict of the series.
There’s some chimp violence in this episode. Violence by the chimps against humans.
You’ll seeTravis, the Connecticut chimp who attacked and severely injured Charla Nash in 2009.
The documentary includes the harrowing 911 call from that incident.
Travis rips Nasha’s face off.
It’s amazing she survived.
Travis also rips the door of a police car off.
We’re also introduced to Buck, another chimp who lived in Oregon with his owner, Tamara Brogoitti. After Buck attacked, Tamara had him killed,
And Tonia insists that Tonka is happy wherever he is, claiming that he has an iPad and an email account to keep him occupied.
The legal battle culminates in a courtroom scene that’s as tense as it is revealing. The court rules that there’s no conclusive evidence Tonka is still alive, giving Tonia a temporary victory.
But just when you think things have settled, the documentary delivers a chilling twist.
With a sly grin, Tonia whispers to her husband, “We fuckin’ won… yeah, but we gotta just keep him hidden.”
In the final moments of the episode, Tonia is seen descending into her basement and greeting a chimp that bears a striking resemblance to Tonka.
Episode 3: Head Shot
Release Date: September 1, 2024
Episode 3 gets interesting. I love this quote from it:
“Tonka is a humanzee: half human, half chimpanzee. But his preference is the human side.”-
– Tonia Haddox
E3 shows Alan Cumming’s involvement in the search for Tonka.
Cumming added $100,000 to the reward, driven by his personal bond with Tonka from their work on Buddy (1997).
Cumming’s Personal Connection
Alan Cumming wasn’t just another celebrity lending his name to a cause.
He’d spent months with Tonka while filming Buddy, and that connection was real.
So real, in fact, that when Tonka vanished, Cumming couldn’t just sit back.
He put up $100,000 as a reward for anyone who could lead to Tonka’s return. That’s not a token gesture; it’s a serious commitment.
His involvement turned a low-profile case into national news. And it wasn’t just about the money. His very public campaign added emotional weight to the case, making it hard for anyone to ignore the urgency of Tonka’s situation.
But Cumming’s participation isn’t the only story here. The doc dives into some pretty heavy ethical issues, too.
Ethical Dilemmas and the Crew’s Struggle
While the search for Tonka ramped up, the crew found themselves tangled in tough ethical questions. The doc doesn’t shy away from this. In fact, it parallels an older PETA case from Oregon, where the rescue of a chimp ended in tragedy.
The filmmakers, caught in the middle of this emotional mess, grappled with their own role.
Would their actions help Tonka or hurt him? The tension builds as they dig deeper into the case, and it gets you thinking—are these rescue efforts really in the animals’ best interests?
It’s a question that lingers throughout the doc and adds a real layer of depth to the story.
Historical Context: The Story of Buck
Tonka’s case isn’t unique, and the doc gives context by exploring past incidents of chimpanzees kept as pets.
You’ll hear about Travis, the chimpanzee raised by Sandra and Jerome Herold in Connecticut, whose story ended in tragedy when he attacked a woman.
Then there’s Buck, a chimp kept by Tamara Brogoitti in Oregon, whose rescue mirrored Tonka’s in some eerie ways.
These stories serve as a warning: chimpanzees aren’t humans. And treating them as such can lead to devastating consequences.
Episode 4: Fantasy Island
Release Date: September 8, 2024.
Tonia Haddix dreams of creating an island sanctuary for chimpanzees.
This is the first time I really believe her love for these chimps.
She doesn’t just want to care for chimps—she wants to live among them, free from judgment.
Tonia’s Emotional Journey
The ethical dilemmas are front and center.
Should Tonia be allowed to keep living with Tonka?
Or is her dream of an island sanctuary just that—a fantasy that could harm the chimps in the long run?
Tonka’s Uncertain Future
As Tonka’s fate becomes more uncertain, the episode zooms in on Tonia’s struggle.
She’s facing the harsh reality that her relationship with Tonka may end.
She’s also getting sued by PETA for $300K+.
She doesn’t have the money.
The possibility of separation looms large, and with it, the question of what’s truly best for Tonka.
The episode strikes a balance between highlighting her love for the animals and questioning the consequences of that love.
Chimp Crazy Season 2?
I’ll let you know if they announce a season 2 and, if so, what the release date is.
This series seems destined for sequels.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc