There was drama at the Denver Zoo after the birth of a baby orangutan named Siska. The zookeepers didn’t know if the father was 16-year-old Jaya or 30-year-old Berani. So, to learn the truth about Siska’s paternity, they found the perfect man for the job, Maury Povich.
For 31 years, Povich was the host of his eponymous daytime talk show, where one of the highlights was his paternity tests, where he dramatically explained, “You are the father” or “You are not the father.
In a video shared by the zoo on December 19, Maury announced the truth of Siska’s paternity to the world.
“We want to thank the Denver Zoo for everything they do, but this is really important,” said Povich, dressed in a tuxedo. “When it comes to the orangutan—4-month-old Siska—Berani, you are the father,” he continued as photos of both orangutans in question were superimposed on the screen.
Povich’s name is synonymous with paternity tests, even though he began his career as a serious journalist. Povich started as a news anchor in the ’60s, before becoming the host of “A Current Affair” from 1986 to 1990.
His wife, journalist Connie Chung, set the record straight when Povich won the Lifetime Achievement award at the Daytime Emmy Awards on December 16.
“I know that you think he’s been determining the paternity of every child in America all his life,” Chung said, according to ABC News.
“But no, in his 67 freaking years in television, he’s been a news reporter and a news anchor and old fashion talk show host interviewing world leaders, politicians, members of Congress, authors, movie stars and even Julia Child,” Chung continued.