Ep 1. Chippendales Murder

Chippendales Murder is the first episode of the forty-fourth season of ABC's award-winning news magazine show, 20/20. In this riveting episode, 20/20 correspondent Deborah Roberts takes viewers on a journey to uncover the truth behind one of the most shocking crime stories of recent times.

The episode delves into the case of Nick De Noia, a flamboyant entrepreneur who was the founder of the Chippendales male strip club in the 1980s. De Noia was known for his larger-than-life personality and his ability to transform male stripping into a cultural phenomenon that attracted women from all over the world.

However, in 1987, De Noia's life was cut short in a bizarre and gruesome murder that shocked the world. He was bludgeoned to death in his New York office, and his death was soon linked to a complex web of jealousy, greed, and deception involving a number of people associated with the Chippendales enterprise.

The episode explores the factors leading up to De Noia's murder, including his strained relationship with one of his business partners, Steve Banerjee, who was later accused of ordering the hit. Banerjee, a former car dealer who had bought the Chippendales franchise from De Noia, was reportedly jealous of his partner's success and fame, and had become increasingly paranoid about losing control over the business.

Through in-depth interviews with key players in the case, including prosecutors, detectives, and former Chippendales dancers, the episode examines the evidence against Banerjee and his associates, as well as the role played by other individuals, such as a former Chippendales dancer named Brian Wimmer, who claimed to have been hired to carry out the murder.

In addition, the episode explores the wider cultural impact of the Chippendales phenomenon, and how the case shed light on the dark underbelly of the male stripping industry, including allegations of drug use, sexual harassment, and exploitation of performers.

Overall, Chippendales Murder is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that delves into the complex world of high-stakes business, power struggles and murder. It offers a unique insight into one of the most sensational crimes of the 1980s, and how it continues to resonate in popular culture to this day.