The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America — Season 1
About this season
Divulges surprising origin stories of the American alcohol, gambling, sex, and tobacco industries and the ambitiously notorious entrepreneurs who built some of history's biggest fortunes on the nation's cravings.
Episodes (3)
1. Secrets & Sins
Aired 12 June 2022
Jack Daniel pioneers American whiskey; Adolphus Busch creates an iconic beer; Buck Duke innovates the modern cigarette; Julius Schmid skirts the law selling his new condoms…all while the temperance movement rises to battle against them.
2. Empires Lost
Aired 19 June 2022
One of the richest men in the world may lose his tobacco empire; alcohol titans fight for their lives against the growing threat of prohibition; New York City becomes ground zero in the battle to legalize contraception.
3. Sin Cities
Aired 26 June 2022
The invention of the luxury resort casino helps birth Sin City; a Harlem woman goes to war for what will become the state lottery system; an alluring magazine like no other is launched; one of the most famous cigarette brands in history is created.