Joe vs. Carole

It seems pretty obvious that a fictional series based on the whole Joe Exotic/Carole Baskin saga would draw directly from the 2020 netflix "Tiger King" documentary series. But the main difference here is that this show is almost a dramatization of the documentary series itself, rather than the actual events.

The show goes about showing almost every event that was covered in the documentary. Almost every story that someone told, it's presented here in some form. Carole off-handedly mentions in the docuseries her throwing a potato at her first husband, here it is in the series depicting her throwing a potato at her first husband. Carole off-handedly mentions in the docuseries buying a big cat at an auction to save it from being killed and stuffed by a taxidermist, here it is in the series her in a bidding war with the taxidermist.

On the positive side, the show goes beyond just the documentary series in many cases, largely in the form of flashbacks of both Joe and Carole, depicting some events the documentary didn't cover, mostly character moments, and Joe's time with his first husband. But the way the film seems to dedicate itself to covering pretty much every event spot for spot that the documentary series does is in some ways fascinating, but probably off-putting for some viewers.

The casting and acting is phenomenal; beyond just having the people look like the people they are depicting, it's very clear that the actors involved put special effort into fully encompassing the people they are playing. Kyle MacLaughlin, playing Howard Baskin, perfectly captures the timbre of Howard's voice, as well as his accent and speaking style. John Cameron Mitchell and Kate McKinnon are almost indistinguishable from Joe and Carole in terms of speaking style.

If you went about watching episodes of this series then alternated with episodes of the documentary series, it's uncanny just how flawless the actors are in capturing everything they can about the people they play.

One of the biggest things that stands out in this series as well is a heavy usage of CG. Literally every animal seen on screen is CG, not just the "dangerous" animals like big cats and alligators, but even sheep are all CG. The CG is not very good, though CG effects are used on John Cameron Mitchell to de-age him for the Joe flashback scenes, and these look much better.

As a whole, this isn't really a necessary series in any real way. It helps for those who are more "visual" learners in terms of establishing the relationships and sequence of events depicted in the documentary series in a more linear fashion (as the documentary had occasional episodes that went off-topic to more deeply cover related subjects, like Don Lewis's disappearance, Doc Antle's zoo, and so on). It's more a fun diversion to see a group of actors perfectly capture the look and sound of the people they are depicting.

I know that it's adapted from the original podcast, and not from Netflix's all conquering "Tiger King" documentary, but it's still unfortunate that the documentary exists rendering this series, despite its good performances, largely unnecessary.

Carole Baskin (Kate McKinnon) owner and operator of Big Cat Rescue is campaigning against the ownership of Big cats by private owners. She targets the operations of Joe Exotic (John Cameron Mitchell) a hot tempered and charismatic zoo operator. As the feud extends to personal insults, accusations and lawsuits, Joe eventually decides on a desperate plan to rid himself of Carole once and for all.

As a person that has seen the documentary, what I can immediately say is that everyone is doing a decent impression of the real-world nutcase that they are playing. Both Carole and Joe are both such big characters impressions of them are, I'd imagine, relatively easy for skilled performers like McKinnon and Cameron Mitchell. My favourite performance then was Kyle MacLachlan, who plays Carole's husband, Howard and who receives a more prominent role than Howard has in the documentary.

The trouble is the obvious one though, I know this story as I watched it not that long ago. So, I knew when the horrible moments were coming, and conversely, what wasn't going to happen, as the show ran on. There was no genuine drama, because I know where everyone is right now. Though I do think that the "Tiger King" series has flaws, mostly to do with keeping a decent handle on the timeline, it's much more thorough than this, and, if anything the real Joe is even more extreme than his portrayal here. The CGI work on the animals, whilst an understandable choice, isn't very good.

I watched it all, it was entertaining enough - but there is a better version of this story readily available.

I'm a massive fan of the original Tiger King Series. I was worried this series would be corny but I was surprised how quickly became immersed in this new Tiger King world. Its quirky but nuanced. The acting was really great. Especially the Joe Exotic character. It has a uniquely American aesthetic. The editing is on point. I really enjoyed it.

To get us excited about a story we already know, a production has to bring something really unique to the table - a new dimension, a brilliant characterisation, an evocative rendering.

The problem with Joe vs Carole is that the version already told had all those elements dialled up to 12 already and there was nowhere new, or at least different enough to transport us, for a dramatisation to go.

The clunky CGI (mind you, props to them for avoiding any real animal use), the slightly surreal use of Queensland, Australia as a Florida substitute, and the fact that every main character is already basically a live-action cartoon, push the whole production into 1990s family adventure territory. If Brendan Fraser had jumped out of a tree I wouldn't have been surprised. But none of this imparts a charming quality; more one of cheapness.

John Cameron Mitchell and Kate McKinnon are fiercely into their characters, but a good impersonation doesn't necessarily make for compelling viewing. Some of the peripheral characters hold up well, particularly Nat Wolf and Sam Keely as two thirds of the tragic throuple, and Brian Van Holt as Joe Exotic's loyal ballast. Kyle McLachlan is consistent as Carole's long-suffering husband.

At the end of it all though, this is a story where truth IS stranger than fiction, and the dramatisation is left with nowhere to go and, frankly, not enough appetite to satisfy given what was served up in Tiger King.

Disappointingly for me, it was, like the documentary, a missed opportunity to promote the unnecessary horror of exotic animals being bred and kept for pedestrian purposes. Yet again, the selfish narcissism of humans overshadows a nasty, cruel industry that could so easily be ended if we chose to put the needs of these animals first for once.

So I wasn't sure how they would add anything new to the circus that was Tiger King. Or better yet, flesh out the characters (based on real people) into a full fledged "working show".

But it kinda works well for a scripted comedy/drama, and better yet, it's pretty entertaining too.

Kate as Carole is really funny (but she's always funny anyway) and brings a good amount of seriousness and truth to the dramatized version of Carole Baskin. I enjoy that she doesn't play her as an overblown skit or cartoon parody.

The real shocker to me was John Cameron Mitchell as Joe. I mean wow... I would have never have predicted his casting... but damn does he shine. I grew up with Hedwig, and his other directorial outings too.

The mannerisms used and especially the vocal work Mitchell does for this part... I mean he actually becomes Joe Exotic.

I laughed, binged, and saw some surprisingly tender scenes. Would definitely recommend the show.