HBO’s New Docuseries “Telemarketers” Exposes Corrupt Industry and Showcases Friendship and Redemption
In a groundbreaking new three-part docuseries, HBO takes viewers on a terrifying journey through the world of telemarketing. “Telemarketers,” produced by Josh and Benny Safdie, explores the dark underbelly of the industry while highlighting the friendship and redemption of its protagonists, Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough.
The series, set to premiere on August 13, is a grungy and raw first-person account of an outlaw profession. Filmed over the course of 20 years, “Telemarketers” reveals the shocking truth behind a corrupt industry that preys on unsuspecting Americans.
Sam and his friend Patrick J. Pespas started their careers at New Jersey’s notorious telemarketing giant Civic Development Group (CDG). The duo, inspired by fellow telemarketer Big Ed, began recording their experiences with a camcorder. The resulting footage, which eventually made its way to YouTube, forms the backbone of “Telemarketers.”
At CDG, Sam and Pat witnessed a wild and lawless environment. The office was a hotbed of illegal activity, with colleagues openly engaging in drug use, prostitution, and other illicit behavior. The documentary captures the chaos and debauchery that took place when the telemarketers weren’t defrauding unsuspecting individuals.
But as the series progresses, Sam realizes that something more sinister is happening at CDG. The company, once known for soliciting donations on behalf of cancer charities and law enforcement unions, underwent a name change and script overhaul. Under their new guise as the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police Fundraising Center, CDG began instructing employees to portray themselves as direct representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), keeping 100 percent of donations for themselves.
“Telemarketers” exposes CDG’s blatant fraud, but shutting them down proves to be an exercise in futility. Despite legal action, CDG manages to resurrect itself under a different name shortly after closure. Sam and Pat are determined to reveal the truth and put an end to this illicit enterprise.
The intrepid duo embarks on an amateur-journalist investigation, educating themselves on the inner workings of telemarketing schemes. They interview associates, including a Florida telemarketing bigwig named “Jeff” who fears revealing his true identity. The documentary also features a meeting with a telemarketer who spent 30 years in jail for murder and shockingly reveals their call targets’ darkest secrets.
Throughout the series, “Telemarketers” pulls back the curtain on the controversial relationship between telemarketers and police unions. It uncovers a disturbing truth—that rather than victims, police unions are willing participants in the telemarketing racket. These unions lend their names to telemarketing efforts, deceiving vulnerable citizens to extract money for their own benefit.
The documentary takes Sam and Pat on a journey to Washington, D.C., where they learn about the influence and power of police unions. While their campaign ultimately falls short of complete victory, “Telemarketers” succeeds in unmasking the villainy behind the industry and exposing the unregulated practices of political action committees (PACs).
“Telemarketers” is a damning exposé of a corrupt industry, an eye-opening ride through a Wild West of dishonest businessmen, crooked cops, and powerless bureaucrats. By showcasing the friendship and redemption of its protagonists, the docuseries brings a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
Executive produced by the Safdie brothers and the team behind “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Telemarketers” is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt the frustration of receiving calls from these unwanted salespeople. It sheds light on the shocking reality behind telemarketing and raises important questions about the role of police unions in such deceptive practices.
Ultimately, “Telemarketers” serves as a wake-up call for the American public and a testament to the power of friendship in the quest for justice.