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'Chimp Crazy' May Be the New 'Tiger King'

By Jessica Sager,

15 hours ago

Tiger King got so many of us during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and no documentaries since have quite matched the series' insanity—until now.

Enter Chimp Crazy , which follows Tonia Haddix , who's been compared to Tiger King star Carole Baskin in her obsession with wild animals that generally can't be domesticated—as well as with Joe Exotic in her entanglements with the law. The series is produced and directed by Eric Goode , who helmed Tiger King .

Find out everything to know about Chimp Crazy , including how to watch.

What is Chimp Crazy about?

Chimp Crazy follows the case of Tonia Haddix , a former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker, according to a statement from HBO.

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 epicenter 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 .

The docuseries will also examine other primate-obsessed individuals who try domesticating and rescuing chimps and the risks associated with the practice.

How many episodes is Chimp Crazy ?

Chimp Crazy will be four episodes long. The episodes are:

Episode 1, "Monkey Love": Haddix fights for custody of her "kids," which are actually seven chimpanzees.
Episode 2,"Gone Ape": PETA launches an investigation when famous chimp Tonka goes missing.
Episode 3, "Head Shot": Alan Cumming chips in $10,000 toward a reward for Tonka's safe return, and the investigation deepens on several levels.
Episode 4, "Fantasy Island": Tonka's fate is revealed—and so is Haddix's.

How can I watch Chimp Crazy ?

Chimp Crazy will air new episodes on HBO on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET beginning on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. The series will also stream on MAX.

Where is Chimp Crazy streaming?

Chimp Crazy will stream on MAX.

Is there a Chimp Crazy trailer?

There sure is, and it's, well, crazy. In it, we get a glimpse of Haddix—who compares herself to Dolly Parton —and her relationship with Tonka. "It's like your love for God," Haddix said of her adoration of the ape. "I would give my life for him, and that's exactly what I did, to be honest."