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Telemarketers
"Know when to hang up."
Overview
This docuseries chronicles the darkly comedic, unexpected 20-year journey of two unlikely office buddies, who stumble upon the murky truth behind the work they’ve been doing at a seedy New Jersey call center – persuading people to give money to charities – and vow to expose the crooked American telemarketing industry from within.
Status
Ended
Created By
Sam Lipman-Stern
Network
HBO
Seasons & Episodes
Miniseries
Episodes
Part 1
14-year-old high school dropout Sam Lipman-Stern takes a job at an unruly New Jersey telemarketing company raising money for various charities. After deciding to film the outrageous office antics, Sam and his colleague, Pat Pespas, begin to examine the company's dubious fundraising practices.
Part 2
2009. After the Federal Trade Commission shuts down CDG, other copy-cat telemarketing companies evade regulation by taking advantage of loopholes. Undeterred, Sam and Pat journey down a wild and twisted path – learning that the questionable industry practices are pervasive. But just as they gain ground, an unexpected disappearance threatens their investigation.
Part 3
Years later, the former coworkers reunite to continue their investigation – only to learn that even more brazen telemarketing schemes have emerged with the advent of robocalling, political action committees, and AI. After traveling the country to gather evidence, Sam and Pat bring their findings to Capitol Hill.
Top Cast
Sam Lipman-Stern
Self
Pat Pespas
Self
