‘Chimp Crazy’ Is the Wild New HBO Documentary Series You Have To See to Believe

The highly anticipated documentary series "Chimp Crazy" from "Tiger King" director Eric Goode is set to premiere on HBO on August 18, and it looks just as wild and captivating as its predecessor. This four-part series dives deep into the bizarre world of exotic animal ownership, focusing on the self-proclaimed "Dolly Parton of chimps" Tonia Haddix and her intense love for a 32-year-old retired Hollywood chimp named Tonka. Haddix, a former nurse turned exotic animal broker, claims to love Tonka more than her own children and is willing to sacrifice everything to protect him and the other chimps in her care. But things take a crazy turn when Tonka goes missing and Haddix finds herself in a high-stakes legal battle with PETA. What follows is a wild saga involving Haddix's family, authorities, an undercover clown (yes, you read that right), and even actor Alan Cumming who co-starred with Tonka in the movie "Buddy". https://youtu.be/qqP1VUhCpi8?si=ftRe2hDRgH9wAqvz The trailer alone is enough to get any "Tiger King" fan hyped - we see Haddix in a pink room filled with bunk beds and stuffed animals, professing her undying love for Tonka. "It's like your love for God," she says. The series promises to be hilarious and tragic, while also exposing the risks and ethical issues around keeping highly intelligent primates like chimpanzees as pets. "Chimp Crazy" also introduces us to other "chimp moms" who raise baby chimps alongside their own children, drawing parallels to a horrific chimp attack in Connecticut years prior. It's the kind of stranger-than-fiction, you-can't-look-away content that made "Tiger King" such a sensation. With twists, turns, and colorful characters galore, "Chimp Crazy" looks poised to be the next big true crime obsession. Will Haddix's love for Tonka prevail? What secrets will be uncovered in the world of exotic animal trading? I for one cannot wait to go ape over this wild ride of a docuseries. We'll find out on August 18th on HBO & Max, 10/9 c. Bring on the chimp-sanity!