Watch Joe vs Carole

Peacock’s original series, Joe vs Carole, surfaced in 2022. A tantalizing true crime drama, the show is a distinct portrayal of one of the most infamous feuds that gripped audiences all over the world. Portraying real-life figures Joe Exotic—tiger keeper, self-styled musician, and gubernatorial and presidential candidate—and Carole Baskin—animal rights activist and big cat sanctuary owner—the show invites both fans of the saga and newcomers into an eccentric world of big cats and bigger personalities.

The show transports viewers to the heartland of Oklahoma, where Joe Schreibvogel, played by John Cameron Mitchell, runs an exotic wildlife park. Known as “Joe Exotic,” this flamboyant character prides himself on his collection of large felines, putting on exotic shows for the public while nurturing dreams of fame and political power. Beneath the surface, however, Joe's life is far from exotic with an escalating series of crises threatening his livelihood and sanity.

In contrast to this seemingly chaotic world, there’s Carole Baskin, earnestly portrayed by Kate McKinnon. Carole is a big cat enthusiast who owns and maintains a sanctuary in Florida dedicated to rescuing and protecting large cats from circuses, cub petting, and trophy hunting. Baskin comes across as a dedicated figure, fighting tooth and nail against the exploitative private ownership and industrial use of wild animals. She views Joe Exotic's business practices as deeply unethical and begins to campaign against him, throwing a wrench in his colorful life.

Joe vs Carole brilliantly intertwines a tale of rivalry, suspicion, and contempt while showing us two polar opposites with one common love: big cats. Aside from the central characters, the show is also populated by a galaxy of unique supporting characters—each with their own backstories, ambitions, and quirks—which all add an additional layer to this outrageous narrative.

As Joe and Carole's conflict escalates, it takes on a life of its own. Escalating from online feuds to overt threats, their battle becomes more complicated and legally entangled. It puts not only their own lives at risk but also the lives of the animals they both claim to love and protect.

The show unfolds these real-life events through deeply engaging, dark, and at times even comical storytelling that is spiked with eccentricities and embellished with strange turns. Each episode weaves further into the saga, encouraging viewers to question where they stand in this narrative—making for some great conversation starters. From the halls of animal sanctuaries to courtrooms, Joe vs Carole covers substantial ground in these character’s stories.

There is an unmistakable dark humor that surfaces throughout the series, serving not to minimize the gravity of the crimes but to illuminate the absurdity of the situation. The show takes these peculiar figures, who might've simply been odd characters in the margins of society, and places them at the center of a narrative about ambition, obsession, and the brink of madness.

The series was penned by Etan Frankel, ensuring the quality of television that audiences have come to expect from high caliber shows. Joe vs Carole also reflects the aesthetic grandeur characteristic of Peacock Originals, with its vividly evocative cinematography portraying the hot, dusty landscapes of Oklahoma and the lush, sprawling enclosures of Florida's big cat sanctuaries.

With its unique premise, compelling performances, and surprising mix of comedy and drama, Joe vs Carole is sure to provide an addictive watch, especially for those keen on the real-life events that inspired this wild tale. It is a bewildering, careening trip through a story that dominated headlines and revealed multiple aspects of the human condition in the most animal of settings. There's more than just a fight for animal rights at stake; there's also a struggle for reputation, for love, for power unfolding in this invigorating drama.

Joe vs Carole combines the shocking elements of the true crime genre with the inherent entertainment of biographical narratives, making for a genuinely unique and engrossing series. This is a thrilling fusion that keeps viewers tantalized and engaged while forcing them to ask deeper questions about the nature of obsession and the moral gray areas surrounding animal preservation. Whether from riveting character arcs or the sheer audacity of its real-life story, Joe vs Carole promises a wild ride and delivers in spades.

Joe vs Carole is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between March 3, 2022 and on Peacock