Plot Synopsis

RICH & SHAMELESS is a series of films that tell the true stories of the successes, failures, thrills and miseries that accompany the kind of wealth that ordinary people can never understand. Using a combination of first-person interviews, archival footage, and atmospheric visuals, this series goes behind the public facade to reveal the dangers of great prosperity. Subjects covered throughout the seven-episode first season include the mysterious death of crypto millionaire and suspected con artist Gerald Cotton; Seagrams heiress Clare Bronfman and her involvement in a nefarious sex cult; the unlikely battle between Martin Shkreli and The Wu-Tang Clan; the disappearance of NBA great Bison Dele (formerly Brian Williams) at sea; fashion mogul Peter Nygard's quest for eternal youth; and more.

TNT aired a sneak-peek episode of RICH & SHAMELESS on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at approximately 10:30pm ET (following the conclusion of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night). This episode, "Pam & Tommy: The Tape That Changed America," focuses on actress/model Pamela Anderson and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee with never-before-told stories of the theft, release and exploitation of the most famous sex tape in history -- revealed for the first time by the people involved. Among the exclusive interviews are Amanda Chicago Lewis, an investigative journalist and writer of the Hulu series PAM & TOMMY; Helen White, daughter of Milton Ingley, a low-budget porn baron who first sold the infamous tape; Cort St. George, an internet entrepreneur involved in publicizing the tape and Guerin Swing, a close friend of the pair who offers a unique insight into the couple's mindset at the time of the scandal.

RICH & SHAMELESS had its official series debut on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 7pm ET/4pm PT following the NBA Playoffs. This new two-hour episode, "Girls Gone Wild Exposed," takes viewers beyond the "harmless fun" of wet t-shirt competitions and booze-fueled Spring Breaks and into dark back rooms with Joe Francis, where girls were coerced to take part in actions far more sinister than flashing on a beach. The show documents Francis' increasingly bizarre and violent downward spiral, which all played out in the public eye while he continued to rub shoulders with some of Hollywood's most popular stars. With first-time, exclusive accounts, the two-hour episode uncovers an audio recording of a verbal altercation between Francis and his estranged wife, along with interviews from the women who say their lives were ruined and who are now battling to reclaim their identities by sharing their stories.

Other Season 1 episodes include:

"Pharma Bro vs. Wu-Tang Clan" (Premiered Sunday, May 8, 2022 at approximately 11:30pm ET/8:30pm PT, following the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers): Tells the story of hedge-fund wunderkind Martin Shkreli who quickly becomes America's Most Hated Man after jacking up the price of a cheap AIDS drug. Instead of running, he doubles down by starting a bizarre war of words with hip hop legends Wu Tang Clan over his ownership of their multi-million-dollar secret album.

"Where did NBA Star Brian Williams Go" (Premiered late night Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at approximately 12:30am ET/9:30pm PT after the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals): Tells the story of NBA star Bison Dele, formerly Brian Williams, who had it all -- but threw in the towel for a nomadic life under the stars before mysteriously vanishing on a boat in the South Pacific. When police peel back the layers of Williams' life, they discover a fatal mix of money and jealousy that leads right back to his own family.

"The Mysterious Disappearance of the Bitcoin Millionaire" (Premiered late night Friday, May 20, 2022 at approximately 12:30am ET/9:30pm PT after the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals): Follows the mystery behind bitcoin millionaire Gerald Cotton, who died under suspicious circumstances after hundreds of millions of dollars suddenly vanished from his Bitcoin exchange in 2019. As investors panicked, disturbing rumors began to spread about the man behind the cryptocurrency goldmine.

"The Heiress & the Sex Cult" (Premiered late night Sunday, May 22, 2022 at approximately 12:30am ET/9:30pm PT after the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals): Gives an up-close look at Clare Bronfman, a quiet equestrian and heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the world. When Bronfman meets charismatic self-help guru Keith Raniere, she suddenly becomes the financier of one of the most abusive cults of the 21st century -- and consequently, an enabler of her mentor's twisted desires.

"Peter Nygard's Unseen Tapes" (Premieres late night Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at approximately 12:30am ET/9:30pm PT after the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals): Tells the story of billionaire fashion entrepreneur Peter Nygard who seemed to have it all -- private jets, private islands and a private life filled with adoring women. But Nygard's bizarre quest to prevent himself aging ultimately leads to an earthquake of abuse allegations against him, and an astonishing fall from grace.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season 2 of RICH & SHAMELESS premiered on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at approximately 11:30pm ET/8:30pm PT after the INSIDE THE NBA post-game show for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Nuggets and Suns. In the season opener, "Rodman's Stolen Millions" Premieres Sunday, May 7, following the NBA Playoffs - This is the unbelievable story of NBA's bad boy Dennis Rodman. His ferocious talent, controversial style and wild partying made him a superstar, but also left him vulnerable. This is the unbelievable true story of how those closest to Rodman betrayed him and stole millions.

"Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker" (Premieres Wednesday, May 17, 2023 following Eastern Conference Finals Game 1): The story of American icon and world-famous wrestler, Hulk Hogan. He had it all... fans, money, a loving family, even his own TV show... but when an infamous sex tape was leaked to the media it changed his life forever. This film uncovers the scandal beyond the ring, the man vs the legend and his ultimate fight for privacy.

"A Deadly Football Hit" (Premieres Sunday, May 21, 2023 following Eastern Conference Finals Game 3): This is the gripping true story of Eric Naposki, the former NFL linebacker for the Patriots, who got caught up in a bizarre love triangle and is now serving life in prison for murder. Was Naposki involved in the hit on his girlfriend's lover? Or, due to years of head trauma, was he the perfect fall guy?

"Basketball Murder for Money" (Premieres Tuesday, May 23, 2023 after Eastern Conference Finals Game 4): The story of NBA star Lorenzen Wright's brutal murder and the struggle for justice, told by his mother, friends and a detective determined to crack the cold case.