Empires of New York
Set amid the grit, greed, and glory of 1980s New York, Empires of New York chronicles the meteoric rise of five icons - Ivan Boesky, Donald Trump, Leona Helmsley, Rudy Giuliani and John Gotti - who not only reshaped the city but contributed mightily to the world we live in today. Drawing on exclusive interviews, never-before-told stories, and secret tapes, the series follows titans of the era who shared a singular trait: the insatiable need to win at all costs. Seizing opportunity in an era jolted by one cultural upheaval after another - MTV and 24-hour news, hip hop, drugs, the onset of AIDS - they broke rules, flaunted their wealth, and delighted in the destruction of their enemies. And oddly, at times America came to love them for it.
- 2020-2020
- 1 season
- CNBC
- Documentary
Set amid the grit, greed, and glory of 1980s New York, Empires of New York chronicles the meteoric rise of five icons - Ivan Boesky, Donald Trump, Leona Helmsley, Rudy Giuliani and John Gotti - who not only reshaped the city but contributed mightily to the world we live in today. Drawing on exclusive interviews, never-before-told stories, and secret tapes, the series follows titans of the era who shared a singular trait: the insatiable need to win at all costs. Seizing opportunity in an era jolted by one cultural upheaval after another - MTV and 24-hour news, hip hop, drugs, the onset of AIDS - they broke rules, flaunted their wealth, and delighted in the destruction of their enemies. And oddly, at times America came to love them for it.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2020
Episode 1
1980-83: Chaos Spells Opportunity
Sun, Nov 29, 2020 41 mins
At the dawn of the '80s, America finds itself in deep decline. New York seems to symbolise everything that's gone wrong. It's crime-ridden, strapped for cash, dark, and dirty.
Episode 2
1983-85: Nothing in Their Way
Sun, Nov 29, 2020 41 mins
It's 1983, and the Big Apple is back, Wall Street is booming, and yuppies are crowding the clubs.
Episode 3
1985-86: Image is Everything
Sun, Dec 6, 2020 41 mins
By the mid '80s, five larger-than-life New Yorkers, Donald Trump, Ivan Boesky, Leona Helmsley, John Gotti, and Rudy Giuliani, start to change the way people think about power and success.
Episode 4
1986-87: Secrets & Lies
Sun, Dec 13, 2020 41 mins
It's 1986, and New Yorkers are fawning over five seemingly unstoppable icons: Donald Trump, Ivan Boesky, Leona Helmsley, John Gotti, and Rudy Giuliani. Every day seems to bring a new celebration of their success.
Episode 5
1987-90: Party's Over
Sun, Dec 20, 2020 41 mins
Black Monday hits, the market crashes, and the great bull market of the '80s goes down with it. New York and the country as a whole are left with a brutal hangover, ending the party for the Emperors of New York as well.
Episode 6
Legacy of the '80s: Greed Is Still Good
Sun, Dec 20, 2020 41 mins
At the dawn of the '90s, the titans who helped remake New York City are either sitting in jail, awaiting sentencing, or licking their wounds after humiliating defeats. The same public that celebrated their success celebrates their fall from grace.