Episodes

  • Introducing: Operator

    Introducing: Operator
    Oct 25 2021
    During the 1-900 number craze of the Nineties, one company provided the vast majority of phone sex. American Telnet was an empire founded by the man who called himself “The Telephone Pimp.” He ran the company “like General Motors” and got filthy rich doing it. But for the (mostly) women who answered the calls and delivered fantasies 24-7, it was a different story. The powerful stigma against sex work was always lurking just beneath the surface, until it threatened to tear apart the whole company. Hosted by Tina Horn (Why Are People Into That?), OPERATOR is an eight-part series about big ambitions, Shakespearean-level corporate backstabbing, men and women at the cutting edge of a technological revolution...and on the front lines of a sexual one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    2 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Press One Now (Explicit) | 1

    Press One Now (Explicit) | 1
    Oct 25 2021
    Mike Pardes has already had a colorful career before he ever hears about pay-per-call phone sex. He’s been on all sides of the transaction, so it makes sense that he would be the one to bring sexual fantasies to millions of landlines across the country. With one phone call from a lawyer, American TelNet is born. CREDITS: This series is produced by Topic Studios, Hardball Entertainment, Five by Eight Productions, the Department of Motion Pictures, and Wondery. Host: Tina Horn Writer: Michael Connors and Tina Horn Series produced by Daryl Freimark and Michael Gottwald Created by Daryl Freimark and Michael Connors Editor: Chloe Prasinos Sound Design, Scoring, Mix: Jeff Schmidt Executive Producers: Michael Connors, Daryl Freimark, Michael Gottwald, Chloe Prasinos Executive Producers for Topic: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman, Lisa Leingang, and Leital Molad Executive Producers for Wondery: Erin O’Flaherty, Marshall Lewy, Jen Sargent See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    33 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • The Business of Pleasure (Explicit) | 2

    The Business of Pleasure (Explicit) | 2
    Oct 25 2021
    Pardes assembles his team of executives, including an ex-Marine named Victoria. She’ll oversee the operators who answer the phones 24/7, 365 days a year. And computer prodigy Michael Self builds the technology that keeps the calls (and cash) flowing in, even as a Category 5 hurricane approaches their Florida offices. CREDITS: This series is produced by Topic Studios, Hardball Entertainment, Five by Eight Productions, the Department of Motion Pictures, and Wondery. Host: Tina Horn Writer: Michael Connors and Tina Horn Series produced by Daryl Freimark and Michael Gottwald Created by Daryl Freimark and Michael Connors Editor: Chloe Prasinos Sound Design, Scoring, Mix: Jeff Schmidt Executive Producers: Michael Connors, Daryl Freimark, Michael Gottwald, Chloe Prasinos Executive Producers for Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman, Lisa Leingang, and Leital Molad Executive Producers for Wondery: Erin O’Flaherty, Marshall Lewy, Jen Sargent See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    31 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Who’s Going to Stand Up for Us? (Explicit) | 3

    Who’s Going to Stand Up for Us? (Explicit) | 3
    Nov 1 2021
    As the dial-a-porn business is booming, the folks at ATN constantly face new hoops to jump through: Federal regulators. Outraged politicians. Anti-porn crusaders. Victoria’s operators need to keep the calls sexy and selling without running afoul of FCC language regulations. Meanwhile, Michael Self works around the clock to build tech despite his own embarrassment at being in the phone sex industry. CREDITS: This series is produced by Topic Studios, Hardball Entertainment, Five by Eight Productions, the Department of Motion Pictures, and Wondery. Host: Tina Horn Writer: Michael Connors and Tina Horn Series produced by Daryl Freimark and Michael Gottwald Created by Daryl Freimark and Michael Connors Editor: Chloe Prasinos Sound Design, Scoring, Mix: Jeff Schmidt Executive Producers: Michael Connors, Daryl Freimark, Michael Gottwald, Chloe Prasinos Executive Producers for Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman, Lisa Leingang, and Leital Molad Executive Producers for Wondery: Erin O’Flaherty, Marshall Lewy, Jen Sargent See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    25 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Being on Top (Explicit) | 5

    Being on Top (Explicit) | 5
    Nov 15 2021
    ATN’s business is at its peak, but a national exposé on Dateline brings unwanted attention to the 1-900 industry. Pardes thinks there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but Michael Self disagrees and starts looking for a way out. Host: Tina Horn Writer: Michael Connors and Tina Horn Series produced by Daryl Freimark and Michael Gottwald Created by Daryl Freimark and Michael Connors Editor: Chloe Prasinos Sound Design, Scoring, Mix: Jeff Schmidt Executive Producers: Michael Connors, Daryl Freimark, Michael Gottwald, Chloe Prasinos Executive Producers for Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman, Lisa Leingang, and Leital Molad Executive Producers for Wondery: Erin O’Flaherty, Marshall Lewy, Jen Sargent See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    28 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • It’s Not Personal (Explicit) | 6

    It’s Not Personal (Explicit) | 6
    Nov 22 2021
    At ATN headquarters, Victoria works harder and longer than ever, only to watch everyone else get a raise except her. Meanwhile, Michael Self starts a “cleaner” offshoot of the company, but Mike Pardes is less than enthused when it doesn’t take off. Desperate, Self decides to take matters into his own hands... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    28 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • The Coup (Explicit) | 7

    The Coup (Explicit) | 7
    Nov 29 2021
    ATN’s business is at its peak, but a national exposé on Dateline brings unwanted attention to the 1-900 industry. Pardes thinks there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but Michael Self disagrees and starts looking for a way out. 9Host: Tina Horn Writer: Michael Connors and Tina Horn Series produced by Daryl Freimark and Michael Gottwald Created by Daryl Freimark and Michael Connors Editor: Chloe Prasinos Sound Design, Scoring, Mix: Jeff Schmidt Executive Producers: Michael Connors, Daryl Freimark, Michael Gottwald, Chloe Prasinos Executive Producers for Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman, Lisa Leingang, and Leital Molad Executive Producers for Wondery: Erin O’Flaherty, Marshall Lewy, Jen Sargent See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    24 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • The End of the Line (Explicit) | 8

    The End of the Line (Explicit) | 8
    Dec 6 2021
    With the internet slowly encroaching on the phone sex industry, Mike Pardes hires a group of Cuban exiles to replace Michael Self’s team of tech nerds. By 2004, the FCC has banned 1-900 numbers, and with profits plummeting, American TelNet is forced to close. Life after ATN looks different for everyone: Michael Self attempts to use his tech skills towards something other than servicing ‘horny dads’, Victoria continues to be every employer’s dream, and Mike Pardes lives a bachelor life in Florida - while also trying to reunite his actual family. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    39 mins
    Free with 30-day trial