DeepSummary
In this episode, Gary Vider, a stand-up comedian, attempts to reconnect with his estranged father, Manny Vider, who was a notorious con man. Gary calls his childhood home but is unsure if his father still lives there after leaving a message that cuts off abruptly. He delves into his father's past schemes, including running a payphone company called Payphone Plus, where he misrepresented himself as an AT&T employee.
Gary interviews former employees and associates of his father, like his cousin Mason and friends Mark Palmieri and Rich Petrick, who share stories about Manny's deceptive business practices. These include using AT&T logos and ringtones without permission, jamming competitors' payphones, stealing equipment, and even impersonating a lawyer to help Rich avoid charges.
As Gary continues his investigation, he visits the federal courthouse to obtain court documents related to a lawsuit filed by AT&T against his father for trademark infringement. Despite the legal troubles, Gary's interviews reveal that his father had a charismatic personality and an ability to manipulate situations to his advantage, even if it meant bending the rules.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Manny Vider was a notorious con man who ran various schemes, including a deceptive payphone company called Payphone Plus.
- Manny misrepresented himself as an AT&T employee and used their logos and ringtones without permission, leading to a lawsuit from AT&T.
- Manny employed unethical tactics like sabotaging competitors' payphones, stealing equipment, and even involving his children in his schemes.
- Despite legal troubles, Manny had a charismatic personality and ability to manipulate situations and convince others, often for his own gain.
- Gary Vider, Manny's son, is investigating his father's past as a con man and trying to reconnect with him after years of estrangement.
- The episode provides insights into Manny's mindset and motivations through interviews with former associates and employees.
- Manny seemed to thrive on the thrill of success and pushing boundaries, even at the risk of legal consequences.
- The desire for respect, access, and a sense of entitlement seemed to drive many of Manny's actions, even if it meant deceiving others or breaking the law.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “He loved access, Manny. That was ultimately, I think, like what drove him in these exchanges and this. Ultimately, he had nothing to gain but the sense that he had access. And maybe that played into the way he parked and felt like, I should just park here while I'm being deposed. You know, for whatever reason, whoever's suing him from the eighties, this furniture, he should park like, you know, where the judge parks. Why not? And why not? Why shouldn't he get the respect of an undercover cop? You know, why not?“ by Mark Palmieri
- “He'd give me gum. So, you know, here you're a kid, you're getting gum, like, awesome. Then he stops the car and he says, oh, you see that payphone over there? The gum I just gave you? I want you to take that gum and stick it in the coin slot. This wasn't his payphone. He would go to the nearest payphones surrounding his payphone and jam them up.“ by Jamie (Gary's sister)
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Episode Information
#1 Dad
Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts
6/24/24
Gary reaches out to his dad, but is left with more questions. While trying to figure out his next steps, Gary talks with former employees of his father’s payphone company and gains insight into how, like everything else, this business was another one of Manny’s scams.
IG, TikTok, Twitter: @garyvider
YouTube: @garyvidercomedy
website: garyvider.com
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