Louis Theroux explains why he’s making another documentary about Joe Exotic

Louis Theroux has revealed his intentions behind creating another documentary about Joe Exotic after the self-proclaimed Tiger King’s story proved a huge hit on Netflix.

The journalist, 50, says he wants to present a version of Joe that is less of a “caricature” than the Netflix documentary portrayed.

The documentary-maker is visiting the subject of the series in a new feature-length BBC special.

It comes 10 years after Louis first met Joe while creating the BBC film America’s Most Dangerous Pets.

The zoo owner, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, later rose to “fame” after being the subject of the hit Netflix series and is now behind bars.

The 58-year-old was convicted on charges that he took part in a murder-for-hire plot against Big Cat Rescue boss Carole Baskin. He was also found to have violated federal wildlife laws.



Joe Exotic tigers
Joe Exotic rose to fame in Netflix documentary Tiger King

Louis said of the BBC Two documentary, in which he “sets out to understand who the real Joe Exotic” is: “It’s an extraordinary situation Joe is in now. He’s one of the most famous people in the world, arguably.

“He’s an internet icon. Carole is also extremely famous. I think that’s testament to the series and also lockdown and the collective madness of that period of time.”

The series was released on March 20 just as the UK was starting the first period of lockdown because of the coronavirus.



Joe Exotic documentary Theroux
Louis Theroux holding a picture of a young Joe Exotic, at what remains of his home in Oklahoma

Louis continued: “But it’s a mixed blessing because there’s a tendency to see them as fictional characters … whereas they are real people involved in a real crime.

“So what I’ve tried to do with this new documentary is try and present versions of people that are close to the truth and a bit less caricature-ish.”

The documentary currently has the working title Louis Theroux: The Cult Of Joe Exotic.



Louis Theroux carole Baskin
Louis Theroux has interviewed Carole Baskin for his new documentary

Carole Baskin is set to be a part of this documentary after agreeing to an interview with Louis.

On March 25, the journalist’s company Mindhouse tweeted a photo of Louis raising an eyebrow as he posed two metres away from Carole.

They wrote alongside the image: “At last! @louistheroux finally meets @carole_baskin, a decade since first filming with Joe Exotic.”

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Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/louis-theroux-explains-hes-making-23812455

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