Joe Exotic, the infamous "Tiger King," is thrilled with Bowen Yang's impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live. Speaking to TMZ, Joe praised the comedian for nailing his signature mullet, mustache, and even his voice. According to Joe, Yang's portrayal was far better than John Cameron Mitchell’s in Peacock's Joe vs. Carole.
Joe, currently serving time in prison, learned about the sketch when his fellow inmates enthusiastically called him over to watch. In the bit, Yang's Joe Exotic pleads with Donald Trump to appoint him as the Federal Fish and Wildlife director. Joe was stunned by the spoof but appreciates the renewed attention.
He hopes the spotlight will work in his favor, particularly in his quest for a pardon from Trump. Joe even dreams of joining Trump’s cabinet if the opportunity arises. Interestingly, he believes Matt Gaetz, a former congressman and Trump ally, could be instrumental in securing his pardon, as Gaetz once expressed support for him in 2022.
For now, Joe is embracing the buzz generated by Yang's performance, joking that his prison counselor told him, “The world is talking about me.”