Telemarketing is an industry that often gets a bad rap, and for good reason. A new docu-drama series titled Telemarketers aims to expose the dark side of this profession and shed light on the murky world of scams and abuse of customer trust. Directed by Adam Bhala Lough and Sam Lipman-Stern, the series delves into the lives of two telemarketers, Pat Pespas and Sam Lipman-Stern, as they navigate the treacherous waters of capitalism.
The series follows Pat and Sam, who are close friends and colleagues working as telemarketers. Despite their plans to do good and raise money for charity, they soon realize the grim reality of American capitalism. As they delve deeper into their profession, they uncover not only the giant scam that occurs but also the blatant abuse of customers’ trust. Through their journey, viewers are taken on a difficult path that highlights the unlimited scope of fraud.
Telemarketers is a documentary series set to be released on HBO Max in the United States on August 13, 2023. To watch the series, viewers in the US will need a subscription to HBO Max, which costs $9.99 per month. There are other available plans as well, with the premium plan costing $19.99 per month and offering access to unlimited ad-free content on HBO.
For viewers outside the United States, a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN can grant access to the series from any location in the world. Additionally, those with an Amazon Prime subscription can avail a free trial of HBO Max for seven days, allowing them to watch the first episode of the season for free. However, subsequent episodes will require an Amazon subscription, costing 1499 rupees per year.
The series consists of three episodes, each exploring different aspects of the telemarketing industry. In the first episode, viewers are introduced to Sam Lipman-Stern, a 14-year-old high school dropout who starts working as a telemarketer for Civic Development Group (CDG) in 2001. In the second episode, the aftermath of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shutting down CDG in 2009 is explored, as numerous copycat telemarketing businesses emerge, exploiting legal loopholes to evade regulation. The finale of the series, episode three, follows Sam and Pat in the present as they continue their research. They discover that telemarketing scams have become even more prevalent with the rise of robocalling, political action committees (PACs), and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Their pursuit of solutions proves to be challenging as they uncover solid evidence from various sources and culminates in a meeting with a US Senator on Capitol Hill to present their findings.
Telemarketers promises to be a thought-provoking and eye-opening series that uncovers the underbelly of the telemarketing industry. By shining a light on the abuses and scams inherent in this profession, the series seeks to bring about awareness and possibly even change. The captivating storytelling and real-life experiences of Pat and Sam make this docu-drama a must-watch for anyone curious about the dark side of telemarketing.
