In the 1980s the “male exotic dancers” of Chippendales were everywhere, selling the promise of women’s liberation for the price of a few dollars in a g-string. But behind the powerful mullets, oiled pecs, and non-stop parties lies a much darker story of greed, corruption and murder. Historian Natalia Petrzela exposes one of the great, sordid, unexamined stories in American culture.

It’s the end of the season, but it’s not the end of the story. Natalia is joined by fellow historians and co-producers Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young for a discussion of the things that fascinated them most about exploring Chippendales history. You’ll hear from the women who went to the club over the years, the dancers on what it feels like to age as professional hot people, and the specific ways in which Steve Banerjee harnessed the power of American capitalism. Find out which Chippendales dancer ran for President of the United States. Hear the Chippendales original song Natalia can’t get out of her head. We may never learn where the butt begins or ends, but perhaps some mysteries are better left unsolved.

Follow us on Instagram for archival footage, photos and more at @chippendalesrevealed.

Recreate the club experience for yourself with our playlist on Spotify. 

Did you ever go to Chippendales? Got a wild story? A burning question? Leave us a short voicemail at (323) 475-9424.

Cover artwork by Lindsay Mound.
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Welcome to Your Fantasy

9. Where The Butt Ends

Steve Banerjee’s final move leaves the community reeling. But the show’s legacy lives on in the lives of the people who built it, and in the theaters around the world where the Chippendales dancers continue to perform today.

Follow us on Instagram for archival footage, photos and more at @chippendalesrevealed.

Recreate the club experience for yourself with our playlist on Spotify. 

Did you ever go to Chippendales? Got a wild story? A burning question? Leave us a short voicemail at (323) 475-9424.

Cover artwork by Lindsay Mound.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org. You can also text TALK to 741741 for free, anonymous 24/7 crisis support in the US from the Crisis Text Line.
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8. The Final Act

When a hired hitman flips on his boss, the FBI begins an investigation that turns into a years-long international manhunt. Can the lead investigator—a rookie agent who plays by his own rules—match wits with the paranoid strip kingpin who manages to evade capture at every turn?

Follow us on Instagram for archival footage, photos and more at @chippendalesrevealed.

Recreate the club experience for yourself with our playlist on Spotify. 

Did you ever go to Chippendales? Got a wild story? A burning question? Leave us a short voicemail at (323) 475-9424.

Cover artwork by Lindsay Mound.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7. The Golden Goose

1991. The UK. An international muder plot featuring a hitman, cyanide, male strippers, and a kingpin who’s determined to take out his competition at any cost. Hollywood movie plot? Or just another day in Steve Banerjee’s reality?

Follow us on Instagram for archival footage, photos and more at @chippendalesrevealed.

Recreate the club experience for yourself with our playlist on Spotify. 

Did you ever go to Chippendales? Got a wild story? A burning question? Leave us a short voicemail at (323) 475-9424.

Cover artwork by Lindsay Mound.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pineapple Street Studios / Gimlet

Welcome to Your Fantasy by Pineapple Street Studios / Gimlet

Episodes