As of this writing, “Tiger King” is the most popular show on the cable streaming service Netflix right now… but that hasn’t stopped the controversy over the show’s main characters and their relationship with Shaquille O’Neal.
On a recent edition of the “Conan” talk show, Shaq revealed more details about his connection to the man who goes by the name of Joe Exotic and his private zoo / animal park. Shaq appears in a couple of Tiger King episodes…but he told Conan’s audience he just happened to be visiting the zoo on one of the days Netflix was filming there, and that his appearance was nothing more.
In fact, Shaq says Netflix never asked for his permission to be shown on their program, and that he did not approve his appearance on the so-called “docuseries.”
Tiger King is a true-crime series focusing on the conflicting worlds of animal rescue programs and exotic animal zoos in America. Though it follows several characters, Joe Exotic is the main focus as the quirky and eccentric personality. The program also talks about his angry and dangerous relationship with animal rescue activist Carole Baskin.
In addition to being shown on Netflix, Shaq was also recorded in a private video made by Exotic at this zoo. That video was later posted on YouTube and other social media outlets. Exotic and others have claimed that he had a close relationship with Shaq over their shared interest in tigers.
On the Conan show, Shaq said he was not aware of the behind-the-scenes troubles at the zoo, and that he did not buy or offer to buy tiger cubs from Exotic, as others have said. He told Conan that when he used the word “buy,” he meant he would make a donation to the zoo to help support the animals and the zoo. Shaq said he told Exotic: “I’ll give you a donation and I get to come back and see them.”
While Tiger King is riding a wave of popularity right now, Shaq says he does not want his name associated with this show in particular, or for that matter, anyone accused of animal abuse. Exotic – whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage – was sentenced to 22 years in prison back in January on charges of attempted murder and animal rights violations. O’Neal has made it clear on several occasions that he doesn’t have any affiliation with the documentary and his appearance on the show despite being a visitor of Exotic’s G.W. Zoo.