Joe Exotic Updates You Should Know Before Watching Tiger King 2
When Netflix's documentary series "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" first aired, we were all stuck in the lockdown the COVID-19 pandemic caused. We were bored, stressed out, and needed some entertainment. The show quickly became a hit and possibly the most memorable television event during the early stages of the pandemic (via Bloomberg).
Since the show was filmed before the pandemic and lockdown, a lot has changed in the world of Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. In fact, Baskin, one of the breakout stars of the documentary series, is not happy with the sequel that hits the streaming platform on November 17. She's taken legal action, suing Netflix in an attempt to prevent interview footage from being used in the upcoming second season (via AP News). While Netflix has a contract in place that will prevent Baskin from winning her lawsuit, this action sets the mood for what we can expect from season two of "Tiger King."
Joe Exotic, on the other hand, has been living a totally different life since we last saw him. Here are some updates you should know before watching the upcoming season of "Tiger King."
Joe Exotic will be serving a shorter prison sentence
The first season of "Tiger King" left off with Exotic beginning his 22-27-year sentence in prison for the murder-for-hire plot he attempted to get Baskin off his back, as well as charges of animal abuse (via CNN). Baskin said in a statement, "Because of his constant threats to kill me, I have found myself seeing every bystander as a potential threat. There is nowhere that I have felt safe, and worse, no way that I feel I can safeguard those around me." She continued, "So many of his threats involved blowing me up so that he could thrill over seeing me burn to death."
While the charges against Exotic are serious, he will now be serving a shorter prison sentence. According to AP News, a court has ordered a shorter sentence for Exotic because the court miscalculated. They charged the former zookeeper with two counts when it should have been one. Now, he is looking to serve between 17.5 and just under 22 years, rather than the range of 22 to 27 years behind bars. His appeals attorney is confident that Exotic could see even less time in prison.
Exotic was left in COVID-19 isolation due to health concerns
Prison has not been easy for Exotic. He has been suffering several health conditions, leaving him frail (via "Today"). According to his attorney, Francisco Hernandez, Exotic has a blood immune disorder causing concern. "I'm worried about him," Hernandez said. "With a blood immune disorder, if he gets COVID right now, it could very well be the death of him. COVID is still going through the prison system and he's not out of the woods, it could kill him."
As a result of this fear, Exotic was held in solitary confinement as a form of COVID-19 quarantine (per People). His husband, Dillon Passage, shared, "I mean, I don't know exactly what's happening in there. But I know that being in a small concrete room is probably miserable." He added, "I feel bad for him because Joe's the type of person who needs constant attention and people around him and if he can't have people around him, he's got to be able to talk to them." As of now, Exotic has been released from the quarantine isolation he was living in.
Exotic was diagnosed with cancer
It turns out COVID-19 and his blood immune disorder are not the only health challenges facing Exotic behind bars. The former zookeeper, 58 years old, has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer (via CNN). He wrote in a statement to CNN, "It is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer. I am still waiting on the results from other tests as well." He also said, "Right now, I don't want anyone's pity." In the same letter, Exotic wrote, "Carole Will have her own party over this! Say a prayer everyone & be my voice."
In a tweet, his lawyer, John M. Phillips confirmed the diagnosis (via CBS News). "I can and will publicly confirm Joe's cancer. He and I spoke Monday with both of us in tears at one point. He needs freedom by so many definitions and we are diligently working towards that."