New docuseries Chimp Crazy navigates the slippery slopes of private primate ownership and the wild consequences it brings to communities and the animals themselves.
HBO’s four-part documentary follows former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix and her unyielding bond with chimpanzees under her care, particularly Tonka, a retired Hollywood chimp. Only her dedication to caring for wild animals in captivity led to a shocking scheme to keep Tonka in her possession.
What’s in this Guide?
Chimp Crazy Australia release date
Chimp Crazy is set to debut in Australia on Monday, 19 August at 8.30pm, with episodes airing weekly. Consisting of four episodes, the finale is slated to launch on 9 September.
| Season 1 | Release Dates | Streaming Services |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Mon, 19 Aug 2024 | BINGE / Foxtel Now / Foxtel |
| Episode 2 | Mon, 26 Aug 2024 | BINGE / Foxtel Now / Foxtel |
| Episode 3 | Mon, 2 Sep 2024 | BINGE / Foxtel Now / Foxtel |
| Episode 4 | Mon, 9 Sep 2024 | BINGE / Foxtel Now / Foxtel |
Where to watch Chimp Crazy in Australia?
The new documentary series premieres on Foxtel via Famous (formerly Docos). Every new episode is also simultaneously streaming in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now.
How to sign up to BINGE?
HBO’s new documentary series, Chimp Crazy, is confirmed to debut in Australia on BINGE. To begin, you’ll need a subscription in order to access BINGE full catalogue of shows and movies.
There are three plans available when signing up, available on a monthly basis. First is the Basic (with ads) plan, streaming in HD on one screen at only $10 monthly. Next is the Standard plan, which allows streaming movies and shows on up to two screens in HD or 4K on selected content for $18/month.
If you want to elevate your streaming experience with 4K and four concurrent streams, you’ll need to upgrade your subscription to Premium at $22/month. BINGE still offers a 7-day free trial for new customers.
To sign up, go to the BINGE website, select ‘New to BINGE? Click Here’ and follow instructions. After entering your email address and password, you’ll need to select a subscription type, and submit your payment information. And just like that, you have a BINGE subscription, plus a free trial to help you decide if you want to keep the service.
How to sign up to Foxtel or Foxtel Now?
Another option to watch Chimp Crazy is Foxtel, which launches the reality show on Famous. Fortunately, the base Foxtel Plus bundle already includes the channel, the home of trending documentaries.
To get started, choose a Foxtel entertainment plan you want to sign up for. The cheapest package is Foxtel Plus, which includes over 60 channels of drama, lifestyle, news, kids TV, music channels, and more. It even includes the Multiscreen feature to watch Foxtel on another screen via smart TV app or casting.
You can also stream the new docuseries when you sign up for Foxtel’s online streaming service, Foxtel Now, which still offers a free 10-day trial for new customers.
On the Foxtel Now website, select the ‘Start free trial’ button to get started. After the free trial, Foxtel Now plans start at $25 per month for the base Essentials pack, which includes LifeStyle. You can also choose to add more channels with premium packs: Drama Extra, Movies, Sport, or get everything with All Packs.
What is Chimp Crazy about?
Produced and directed by Tiger King’s Eric Goode, HBO’s new series follows Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps”. Her devotion to care for chimps in captivity raised ethical issues that went on to make national news, exploring the risks it poses to humans and the animals themselves.
Haddix shares a special bond with one chimp in particular, Tonka, an elderly retired Hollywood chimp who starred in George of the Jungle and Buddy alongside actor Alan Cumming. But when the chimp goes missing, Haddix finds herself facing a lawsuit brought by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The impassioned “chimp mom” responds by making a bold step so controversial she ends up placing her family, Tonka, and herself at the centre of years-long conflict with PETA and the authorities.
Chimp Crazy trailer
Here’s the official trailer of Chimp Crazy streaming on Monday, 19 August in Australia.
Who appears in Chimp Crazy?
The documentary features interviews of Tonia Haddix herself, actor Alan Cumming, and more.
Other shows you might like to watch
Wondering what other shows to stream on BINGE and Foxtel? We’ve rounded up some of the latest releases you can watch, including new documentaries like Fallen Idols, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, Ren Faire, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, and many others.
The new crime dramas High Country, Apples Never Fall, Murder Is Easy, The Emperor of Ocean Park, as well as new comedies Mr Bigstuff and Ted are also a must-see.
