“Chimp Crazy” on Max is a show that once you watch, you can’t unsee it. And you will want to talk about it. Hence, this chat.
The 4-part documentary by the creator of “Tiger King” follows the mystery of ”Where’s Tonka?” - a Millennial chimp who has gone missing. It’s also a look into the psyche of the people who try and domesticate chimps - or the mythic “humanzees” as these people refer to them as (part Chimp, part human). These chimps are infantilized by their owners and put into small enclaves indoors and force fed McDonalds. It’s like watching “Wall-E” but more depressing, even.
There’s the animal cruelty component and hazards of private ownership of primates called into question here but there’s also the sad state of the people who are obsessed with chimps - most often these are women and these chimps fill a human child void (caregiver relationship) coupled with the intimacy of an adult partner, e.g. sleeping in the same bed.
The lengths that the chimp owners go to, to preserve their human-chimp connection is unreal. The warning signs are there. Once chimps reach a certain age, like humans, they need to mate and release aggression and yet they are treated like little kids. The human tragedies and horror of the chimp attacks in Stamford, CT case and the Oregon case are real. Chimps are wild animals!
Alan Cummings, the Scottish actor, has a role in this and he’s interesting as he shares a past with Tonka that is explored here. PETA doesn’t come out of this smelling like roses, though they are the closest thing to protecting the animals we have. And they don’t seem deranged, just smug.
The fact that states allow for exotic animal ownership to this unchecked extent is wild.
It seems like I have something new to binge-watch over the break. It's also bizarre how so many people, particularly women, are inclined to "adopt" monkeys. I like how you brought up some of the tragedies behind their motives. Some people are simply reckless, but there are others who you can sympathize with, even in their illogical choices.
Totally. And at the end of the day, I have to think it’s mental health illness that goes unchecked and uncared for. It festers and gets channeled in all the wrong ways, substituting the pains and joys of human relationships for unpredictable animals because they won’t allow themselves to get hurt again by humans or trust them. It’s fascinating.
I have to say I was very skeptical of PETA when I started watching and the did little to change my mind. They definitely come out super smug and there is something really unsettling about how the PETA folks talk during the case and in interviews. I didn't even get a strong vibe that the cared about the animals. It felt like they cared more about the exposure.
I guess at least they did give Tonka and the other chimps a better living environment.
I totally thought this post would launch a chat 💬 in chat - that seems intuitive for a discussion post but alas it didn’t. Oh well, experimentation is something I enjoy so no harm.
We have to remind ourselves too that the production is telling a story too and maybe they don’t love PETA - I had to continually anchor myself in critical and discerning thought here, as with any doc!
Yes true. I think I had noted that in my own review that I didn't find their portrayal of the main PETA guy very flattering but it might very well be their edit of it. It is definitely a highly subjective doc with a heavy edit.
It’s rough. I mean I love animals too. Even with the chimp attacks I was left feeling sad for chimps, though worse for their victims. Is there a fine line between love and abuse!? This story clearly delves into this. And also that the woman who are engaging in this unhealthy and unethical practices are also doing self harm and perpetrating abuse
This is an engaging and thought-provoking piece! You brilliantly capture the unsettling and complex nature of Chimp Crazy while highlighting the troubling dynamics between humans and chimps. Your writing is both insightful and vivid, making the documentary's content even more compelling. It's a must-watch after reading your review.
Chimp Crazy was quite a ride, wasn't it? As an animal lover, I found a lot of it shocking and depressing. But from a psychological standpoint, it was fascinating. She went on the record saying she loved Tonka more than her children, so no Mom of the Year award for her. And why would she let the documentary crew film her with Tonka while at the same time telling the world he was dead? Did she think they were making a home movie? Also, the junk-food withdrawal those chimps must have felt after being relocated to the preserve...
Oh my god I kept asking my partner: why would this women let a crew film her? I don't think there is a rational explanation for it. Probably she just loved the attention and to feel validated by the crew.
Yeah I think it's the validation part. Finally having someone who understands your love for those chimps (or in that case pretends to understand which is a bit heartbreaking). Her family might be supportive but I don't think she feels understood by them. I would love for a psychologist to study this woman honestly :)
And yet Chris - Tonia's son is easily one of the "Son of the Year" winners. He was so compassionate and emotionally articulate about his mom and her challenges. I also, might be an unpopular opinion of one here, but the ending with Tonia and her ability to still talk to the Director, Eric, after knowing she was duped by them, was incredible. I have to think that Tonia, much like others in the reality TV sphere is so desiring of someone listening to her and seeing her that this trumps everything else. The chimps eating McDonalds and drinking that vile milkshake was next level neglect. It's like all the food these owners may or may not be depriving (?) themselves of they are stuffing into these chimps. Yuck!
And of course, Tonka was staring outside wistfully from the glass porch doors in the basement. He wants to be outside in the wild!! And yet, that was somehow Peta's fault, but the reality is that she never would have wanted him out there. The lying about Tonka's heart health to the extent she was ready to euthanize was the last straw for me. Clearly a cry for help, but wow.
And the "it" guy for me was Dwayne. My god - That guy is so capable and people smart.
I completely agree with you about the son. I was also very surprised how quickly Tonia forgave both Dwayne and Eric. I was expecting her to flip out on them, but I think you're right—at the end of the day, she wanted to be heard and understood.
I felt terrible for Tonka throughout, and when they revealed that he didn't have a heart condition I was livid that Tonia made that up. She claimed she wasn't actually going to euthanize him but it certainly seemed like she planned to.
Agreed on Tonia’s need for being heard winning out over the betrayal which is pretty fascinating. Sometimes I look at this type of behavior and am envious - the ability to let go, forgive and move on and heal together. Then I realize this was an edited production and leading us down a path. Also part of Tonia’s ability to let go was grasping to another chimp and continuing the cycle. Like that woman in CT. I do think Tonia was at the end of her rope and ready to sacrifice Tonka for her survival, and lay blame with PETA. The consistent piece is always the victim pathology - never taking responsibility. Though watching her child bride /foster children history was jarring
I'm glad you confirmed my feeling that I wouldn't be able to watch this, Beth. I've found the SPCA useless when I called to rescue an animal, and I knew someone who worked for PETA for years and there were a lot of internal conflicts over strategy and she ended leaving because of it. I no longer believe in zoos having looked into them. Time to let wild animals be wild animals and protect them in the wild, not incarcerate and force-inseminate them in cages or small enclosures. Seeing animals perform in movies and on TV also off my list, now knowing what that involves. Not happy about the monkey in Bad Monkey!
Yeah you could see the internal struggles and PETA pettiness. They ended up suing Tonia for attorney fees upwards of a quarter of a million. She did lie and cost them money, no doubt, and their logic is that it stops her in her tracks financially and prevents her from further exploitation of animals. Which I can see, but also "hmmm..." As is apparent in the series, these owner don't stop and keep on upping the stakes. There's addiction at play here. I hear you on animals in films and Cummings, who developed a special kinship with Tonka from a film he was in 30 years ago called "Buddy" even said, that was a different time and knowing what he knows now about entertainment monkeys (Hollywood) it wouldn't be done, but yeah "Bad Monkey" is a good example that it's still at play
Yes, I hear you on the addiction angle. I once lived near a woman who was found to have stolen and hoarded hundreds of dogs and cats, had a court order prohibiting her from having animals, and collected them secretly again until she was caught. Her husband enabled the whole thing, so he got charged the second time. They said she went off the rails when she lost her child, but she didn't take good care of the animals. She definitely needed treatment for a mental/emotional disorder, not sure that happened. A real tragedy as they had to put some of the animals down and bring the rest back to health. Breaks your heart.
After watching just 5 minutes of this "docuseries" (and Jean Smart as crazy chimp lady on SNL), I must say that this is disgusting, and I can't understand the satisfaction people get from watching this almost- human suffering. This is smut and nothing more.
It seems like I have something new to binge-watch over the break. It's also bizarre how so many people, particularly women, are inclined to "adopt" monkeys. I like how you brought up some of the tragedies behind their motives. Some people are simply reckless, but there are others who you can sympathize with, even in their illogical choices.
Totally. And at the end of the day, I have to think it’s mental health illness that goes unchecked and uncared for. It festers and gets channeled in all the wrong ways, substituting the pains and joys of human relationships for unpredictable animals because they won’t allow themselves to get hurt again by humans or trust them. It’s fascinating.
Love the use of the conversation post!
I have to say I was very skeptical of PETA when I started watching and the did little to change my mind. They definitely come out super smug and there is something really unsettling about how the PETA folks talk during the case and in interviews. I didn't even get a strong vibe that the cared about the animals. It felt like they cared more about the exposure.
I guess at least they did give Tonka and the other chimps a better living environment.
So confession time
I totally thought this post would launch a chat 💬 in chat - that seems intuitive for a discussion post but alas it didn’t. Oh well, experimentation is something I enjoy so no harm.
We have to remind ourselves too that the production is telling a story too and maybe they don’t love PETA - I had to continually anchor myself in critical and discerning thought here, as with any doc!
Yes true. I think I had noted that in my own review that I didn't find their portrayal of the main PETA guy very flattering but it might very well be their edit of it. It is definitely a highly subjective doc with a heavy edit.
I haven't watched this yet and not sure I want to! I love animals and hate seeing cruelty towards them.
It’s rough. I mean I love animals too. Even with the chimp attacks I was left feeling sad for chimps, though worse for their victims. Is there a fine line between love and abuse!? This story clearly delves into this. And also that the woman who are engaging in this unhealthy and unethical practices are also doing self harm and perpetrating abuse
This is an engaging and thought-provoking piece! You brilliantly capture the unsettling and complex nature of Chimp Crazy while highlighting the troubling dynamics between humans and chimps. Your writing is both insightful and vivid, making the documentary's content even more compelling. It's a must-watch after reading your review.
Thanks Chris for this comment and your kind words! Have you watched??
Not yet, it’s on my watchlist
This was horrifying. I believe there were two of the ladies who said they loved the chimps more than their children! Insanity!
Yeah the chimps don't talk back. Lol. I'm serious too. I think this has to be part of the insanity
Right!
Chimp Crazy was quite a ride, wasn't it? As an animal lover, I found a lot of it shocking and depressing. But from a psychological standpoint, it was fascinating. She went on the record saying she loved Tonka more than her children, so no Mom of the Year award for her. And why would she let the documentary crew film her with Tonka while at the same time telling the world he was dead? Did she think they were making a home movie? Also, the junk-food withdrawal those chimps must have felt after being relocated to the preserve...
Oh my god I kept asking my partner: why would this women let a crew film her? I don't think there is a rational explanation for it. Probably she just loved the attention and to feel validated by the crew.
It also must speak to how lonely she is. Not for lack of family or people who care about her (like her son or husband/boyfriend)
Yeah I think it's the validation part. Finally having someone who understands your love for those chimps (or in that case pretends to understand which is a bit heartbreaking). Her family might be supportive but I don't think she feels understood by them. I would love for a psychologist to study this woman honestly :)
And yet Chris - Tonia's son is easily one of the "Son of the Year" winners. He was so compassionate and emotionally articulate about his mom and her challenges. I also, might be an unpopular opinion of one here, but the ending with Tonia and her ability to still talk to the Director, Eric, after knowing she was duped by them, was incredible. I have to think that Tonia, much like others in the reality TV sphere is so desiring of someone listening to her and seeing her that this trumps everything else. The chimps eating McDonalds and drinking that vile milkshake was next level neglect. It's like all the food these owners may or may not be depriving (?) themselves of they are stuffing into these chimps. Yuck!
And of course, Tonka was staring outside wistfully from the glass porch doors in the basement. He wants to be outside in the wild!! And yet, that was somehow Peta's fault, but the reality is that she never would have wanted him out there. The lying about Tonka's heart health to the extent she was ready to euthanize was the last straw for me. Clearly a cry for help, but wow.
And the "it" guy for me was Dwayne. My god - That guy is so capable and people smart.
I completely agree with you about the son. I was also very surprised how quickly Tonia forgave both Dwayne and Eric. I was expecting her to flip out on them, but I think you're right—at the end of the day, she wanted to be heard and understood.
I felt terrible for Tonka throughout, and when they revealed that he didn't have a heart condition I was livid that Tonia made that up. She claimed she wasn't actually going to euthanize him but it certainly seemed like she planned to.
Agreed on Tonia’s need for being heard winning out over the betrayal which is pretty fascinating. Sometimes I look at this type of behavior and am envious - the ability to let go, forgive and move on and heal together. Then I realize this was an edited production and leading us down a path. Also part of Tonia’s ability to let go was grasping to another chimp and continuing the cycle. Like that woman in CT. I do think Tonia was at the end of her rope and ready to sacrifice Tonka for her survival, and lay blame with PETA. The consistent piece is always the victim pathology - never taking responsibility. Though watching her child bride /foster children history was jarring
I'm glad you confirmed my feeling that I wouldn't be able to watch this, Beth. I've found the SPCA useless when I called to rescue an animal, and I knew someone who worked for PETA for years and there were a lot of internal conflicts over strategy and she ended leaving because of it. I no longer believe in zoos having looked into them. Time to let wild animals be wild animals and protect them in the wild, not incarcerate and force-inseminate them in cages or small enclosures. Seeing animals perform in movies and on TV also off my list, now knowing what that involves. Not happy about the monkey in Bad Monkey!
Yeah you could see the internal struggles and PETA pettiness. They ended up suing Tonia for attorney fees upwards of a quarter of a million. She did lie and cost them money, no doubt, and their logic is that it stops her in her tracks financially and prevents her from further exploitation of animals. Which I can see, but also "hmmm..." As is apparent in the series, these owner don't stop and keep on upping the stakes. There's addiction at play here. I hear you on animals in films and Cummings, who developed a special kinship with Tonka from a film he was in 30 years ago called "Buddy" even said, that was a different time and knowing what he knows now about entertainment monkeys (Hollywood) it wouldn't be done, but yeah "Bad Monkey" is a good example that it's still at play
Yes, I hear you on the addiction angle. I once lived near a woman who was found to have stolen and hoarded hundreds of dogs and cats, had a court order prohibiting her from having animals, and collected them secretly again until she was caught. Her husband enabled the whole thing, so he got charged the second time. They said she went off the rails when she lost her child, but she didn't take good care of the animals. She definitely needed treatment for a mental/emotional disorder, not sure that happened. A real tragedy as they had to put some of the animals down and bring the rest back to health. Breaks your heart.
After watching just 5 minutes of this "docuseries" (and Jean Smart as crazy chimp lady on SNL), I must say that this is disgusting, and I can't understand the satisfaction people get from watching this almost- human suffering. This is smut and nothing more.
For the SNL reference of Jean Smart as Tonia, aka the Dolly Parton of "Chimps" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRFRXCtJzPQ