Chimp Crazy on Binge first look – First look at the four-part documentary series Chimp Crazy, produced and directed by filmmaker Eric Goode (Tiger King), has been released ahead of its 19 August debut on BINGE.
Former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps,” spends her days caring for animals in captivity. However, her limitless love for one chimpanzee in particular spins into a wild cat-and-mouse game with authorities and an animal rights group.
Through Tonia’s and other “chimp mom” experiences, Chimp Crazy reveals the singular bonds that form between owners and their highly intelligent great ape pets. The series exposes the risks humans take when they try to raise these animals as members of their family, as well as the risks to the welfare of the animals themselves.
At turns hilarious and tragic, while unfolding with the pace and suspense of a thriller, Chimp Crazy explores the captivating, often unfathomable, and secretive world of raising chimpanzees and also examines the colourful and complicated cast of characters that inhabit it.
Tonia cares for seven captive chimps bred as talent for commercials, photo shoots, and movies. She has a special affection for Tonka, a 32-year-old retired Hollywood chimp – who she claims to love more than her own children. Events take an unexpected turn when Tonka goes missing and Tonia is faced with a lawsuit brought by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
She responds by placing Tonka and herself at the epicentre of a years-long saga involving her family, authorities, an undercover clown, and actor Alan Cumming, who starred alongside Tonka in the 1997 film “Buddy.”
Flashing back to other dramatic stories of chimps living in captivity, CHIMP CRAZY broaches thorny issues around private primate ownership and the folly of imposing human traits onto captive apes who have no agency over where or how they live.
Chimp Crazy, a Goode Films Production; directed by Eric Goode; produced by Lissa Rivera, Evan Wise, Tim Moran, Adrienne Gits, Charles Divak, Doug Abel, James Liu, Carissa Ridgeway, and Dwayne Cunningham; executive produced by Jeremy McBride and Eric Goode. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Tina Nguyen.
CHIMP CRAZY – EPISODE SYNOPSIS:
Episode One: “Monkey Love”
Debut date: MONDAY, 19 AUGUST
Former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix fights to retain custody of her “kids” — seven chimpanzees at the Missouri Primate Foundation (MPF). Other chimp moms are introduced, including one who raised a baby chimpanzee alongside her own infant daughter.
Episode Two: “Gone Ape”
Debut date: MONDAY, 26 AUGUST
PETA launches an investigation after a former Hollywood chimp named Tonka goes missing. It’s a high-stakes legal battle, particularly in light of a brutal attack that happened years earlier when another chimp nearly killed a Connecticut woman.
Episode Three: “Head Shot”
Debut date: MONDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER
Actor Alan Cumming, who also has a special relationship with Tonka, adds $10,000 to a reward for Tonka’s whereabouts, and the film crew faces an ethical dilemma as parallels are drawn to a previous PETA case that took a dangerous turn in Oregon.
Episode Four: “Fantasy Island”
Debut date: MONDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER
Tonka’s fate becomes clearer while Tonia struggles to let go and dreams of one day opening her own island sanctuary where she can live among chimpanzees.
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Chimp Crazy on Binge – premieres Monday 19 August on BINGE, available on Hubbl, and Monday 19 August at 8.30pm on Famous, and available On Demand.
Media Release – Binge
TV Central Binge content HERE
Chimp Crazy on Binge first look
