Multi-Level Marketing Schemes | June 12, 2019 Act 2 | Full Frontal on TBS

[@ffflustered9qr]

John Oliver's video on MLMs is 30 minutes and Sam Bee's is 8, but both are absolutely legendary.

[@pambisugar8286]

I'll check it out. Thank u. I did 2 when I was younger. Luckily, I didn't have the money to ..."invest".

[@jusbertmeza4424]

@@pambisugar8286 yeah John's is great because he focuses a lot on Herbalife most of the segment because its a great example but he also uses a bunch of others too but he never mentioned Lularo but it's impossible to mention all pyramid schemes

[@redwagon4978]

Pambi Sugar s

[@macaoron]

John’s is a great introductory video tearing down all the major companies, while Sam focuses on MLMs that target women, which is obviously her forte!

[@sinw88]

Pambi Sugar same

[@RyanJohnson]

Friends don't let friends multi-level market.

[@colibriverde]

Yeah, but try talking a true believer out of it. I have. I saved a friend from one MLM scam, but the next time I saw him, he was investing in another.

[@RyanJohnson]

@@colibriverde oofta, sorry to hear.

[@TheHomerowKeys]

@@colibriverde And they've been around for a while! When I was in college at the beginning of this decade, VEMMA had hooked my roommate and his girlfriend. I tried to tell them when they were hardcore trying to recruit me that it was a pyramid scheme but they had already invested $1000 each and were full on brain washed. And they worked part-time retail... They gave up after trying for 2 years and who knows how much cash.

[@elizabethbradshaw9729]

I reeeeealy like Partylite tho.

[@SynterraSteen]

My aunt suggested I do that instead of starting a sustainable clothing line🙃

[@DJohoe28]

Full Frontal has been on for 3.5 years now, and this is the first time I saw Sam break. Your leggings are *that bad* Lularoe.

[@DannyBPlays]

same! I've never seen her break

[@indigoesagain]

6:08 is when she does and its amazing!!!

[@pambisugar8286]

I thought the same thing! Goodness Gracious

[@johnd9541]

If you think MLM products are bad, you should see their business model!!!! ;)

[@amorag59]

You can tell the camera man is laughing haha

[@Trendyflute]

Outlaw MLMs, and also fix labor laws, standards, and equality in this country so people don't feel like they need "side hustles" or "gig jobs". Uber, Lyft, MLMs...these are all symptoms of a broken economy, that also make it more broken.

[@CarnSarnit]

It's been attempted in the past, but lobbyists funded by Amway, Herbalife and their ilk managed to prevent regulation.

[@chrismcconnell7878]

Agreed, a new labor movement is needed in the United States. Working People's rights should be clear to them. No full time working adult should need to have 2nd job to provide basic needs.

[@fieldtripscollective7393]

Preach

[@ninninin656]

YES, let's stop pretending that "side hustles" are empowering instead of a symptom of a broken economic system!

[@artplayground2198]

Add waiting tables to this list. $2.50 an hour plus imaginary tips is not a living wage.

[@davidscott129]

Worthy of note: Betsy DeVos' family money came from Amway, the granddaddy of MLMs.

[@ingriddubbel8468]

Amway...that's about right for her moral compass.

[@johnd9541]

Ted Cruze father was a big wheel at Mannatech, and Ben Carson's was a spokesperson. The rot of MLM runs very deep.

[@kathymullins6770]

SCAMWAY

[@tsubadaikhan6332]

@Villainous You're such a cynic. Betsy DeVos got her job because she's a highly educated, highly competent, career educator. Mmmmph!

[@bobs.2008]

Nice try, but it was the husband of Betsy Devos whose family money came from Amway. Betsy (Prince) DeVos's family money came from machine manufacturing.

[@girlinterrupted9792]

"Designed by Lisa Frank's blind sister" there has never been a more accurate description😂

[@TheLadyBandit]

I have tears in my eyes. Half from watching Sam lose it at them fugly leggings and half from watching hard working women being scammed.

[@namekman01]

so you have one emotion per eye?

[@ASmith-jn7kf]

That was their choice. Everyone knows if you have to pay it isn't a real job. So that's just stupidity.

[@Gambit08]

Thank you for calling these scams out Sam!!!

[@CLRaider]

lol scam....sam.…….sam I am, sam I am....I will call out the scam XD i'm sorry.

[@marylhere]

Then when failed they can just say you weren't motivated enough.

[@aztn19]

Yeah I’ve gotten that line from a few MLMs. When I was done hemorrhaging money to them, I wasn’t driven enough to see it through to the end.

[@miaomiaochan]

Thus why some MLMs are pretty much cults. Money cults.

[@jessetorres8738]

It's not often that Sam can't keep her composure during a segment, so when she laughed at the jeggings I laughed even more knowing that even she couldn't make it through this segment with a straight face.

[@Coraki]

Looks like the cameraperson lost it as well.

[@mjallen1308]

Jesse Torres I was just thinking the same exact thing and i had to rewind it back a few times. She hit it on the nose though.

[@hisomeonetrackingmuch1309]

Same

[@JaiCatLady]

Well she does they just don’t keep it in

[@ekpenu]

@@Coraki evidently. I guess he also just as stunned at Sam's behavior

[@AwesomeMom1234]

I was raised in a "MLM home". Every day was an infomercial. It was like being raised in a cult.

[@dennisaur66]

Oh, the smell of room-temperature, vacuum-sealed seafood

[@seakelp3508]

Are you sure that smell isn't the soggy leggings?

[@luv2charlie]

Dennis Schohan yuup, I almost gagged watching thinking about the funk!

[@ricaard]

As Batman would say, *"Really seals in the FLAVOR!!"*

[@Zzyzzyzzs]

And not even a real pearl too. No oyster could naturally produce a pink pearl that hue. There are pink pearls of that sort of colour out there, but those are produced by conches, not oysters and not remotely similar. What a scam.

[@joshbgosh6200]

I am very glad that Sam B. & John Oliver call these evil business ideas out.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’m just here to see how many MLM Huns will be in the comments “I promise mine isn’t like that!”

[@MsMassiel11]

Katie Did the Huns will attack soon!!

[@johnd9541]

MLMs don't debate with logical people because they have no facts to back up their claims.

[@polz8]

I promise you, my MLM is nothing like those shady pyramid schemes you've heard about. No, our business model is based on the trapezoid.

[@HeleneLogan]

@@polz8 LOL!! :-)

[@Amy-gn6zw]

Mary Kay has caused a few friends of mine to lose a grand or so. 💰

[@mandlerparr1]

I lost $200. The membership fee. If she had told me from the start that I would have to buy stock in advance, that they pick out and you have no choice over,I wouldn't have done it. As soon as she told me that, I was like, "Nope, I am not buying $1300 of creams and lotions from you. I would rather lose $200 than $1500." I thought it was going to be like Avon, where you just order whatever you want, whenever you want.

[@QubilahHarden]

I did Mary Kay once. It was not for me. You have to be a HUSTLER!! And have a spouse who has a good job to support you all until you reach a point where you break even. I spent way more money than I had to only end up using the products or giving most of them away. My previous director tries to get me back in but I gracefully pass. And while she is making bank now... it’s mainly due to her team.

[@savanahstrange]

Yes!!! Same here! I signed up to help my mom run her business but the directors were lying to us. I had a gut feeling when I signed up and I should've listened to it. I lost over $1000 and I don't make a lot of money. They say it's a big family but it was so culty. Also I'm not religious so that part made me uncomfortable.

[@hazukichanx408]

They got Zoidberg too. Luckily I don't imagine he had much money to lose.

[@ASmith-jn7kf]

@@QubilahHarden no you have to be a liar. That's what you don't get, you think that these people are getting by honestly when they are not.lol.

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

I had no idea there were fewer moms in the workforce right now. That's crazy

[@happyliving1922]

I knew they were struggling, but I didn't know it was that bad.

[@seemyworld1]

I think this was a very good (and important) subject to tackle. What I don't like is when they use statistics to purposely mislead the public to fit their narrative. Yes there are fewer moms in the workforce now than in 1990. What they don't tell you is that the US birthrate is also at the lowest point since 1990. Fewer moms naturally mean fewer moms in the workforce.

[@samc2243]

@Fatter than I Look a ratio would make more sense though? As the population grows. Why would a straight number be preferable?

[@Suzanne4415]

It's from a Bloomberg article and very obviously referring to ratio. They don't provide a source for that (they link to a Pew report that's a source for the sentences before, but not for that one), so I can't say if it's accurate or not, but that's what that means. "Fewer" in these types of contexts means ratio, except when someone is deliberately trying to mislead. Which I don't see here.

[@rudeboymon3177]

Thats good. That means they are actually taking care of their families

[@brokenot]

I know several people who've been conned by MLMs. While they can tell you what their "profit" on an individual sale is, they have no idea whatsoever what their earnings per hour of work are. Also never seems to occur to them that their "employer" is not providing ANYTHING in the way of benefits. I've even heard some of them talking about being excited because they'll be attending an upcoming "convention" or "show" or "conference"....the costs of which, (travel, lodging, food, etc.), are ALL out of pocket. None of the numbers add up, so to be honest....the "work from home and set your own hours" are what ropes people in.

[@thatjillgirl]

I just wanted the consultant discounts on the products. Never could get into the actual selling of the stuff, and over time I found myself buying less and less of the products for personal use anyway.

[@hemmingwayfan]

Penn Jillet: "Having a product involved is something we magicians call 'Misdirection'"

[@marshallboice4629]

Lol a rare moment when our queen bee goes off script! Love you Bee!

[@keldakellie9164]

I saw that Vice show and my heart just sank for these women.

[@mapleleaf0]

Yes, it's on KZbin. It's all much worse than I thought.

[@keldakellie9164]

@Drake ICN Nestles CElo has said this clearly on water righrs.

[@shannonpierre8714]

I saw the Vice doc, and my next door neighbor is in it, but only in in Roberta's photos of her and her LuLaFriends. I cannot stand my neighbor, it's been 3 years of her having and endless stream of women over day and night, and they're all super bright and fake happy to see each other. They're loud and disruptive, and more than once I've heard my neighbor complain that her family doesn't think she's in a legit trade, or heard her yelling at someone on the phone about performance. I might be a horrible person, but I hope she just gets married and moves off, or tanks and moves.

[@twiddledeeable]

They literally prey on women who are already unhappy or unsatisfied with their lives and insecure. It's sick.

[@keldakellie9164]

@@twiddledeeable Sadly it is sick and disgusting. Kk

[@223Drone]

John Oliver already covered this but that being said warning people about MLM is something worth doing over and over again.

[@GotWrackspurts]

His was focused on how race plays a role in mlms, while Sam's is focused on gender in mlms

[@hazukichanx408]

There are probably a lot of people who don't watch them both, so good to have wider coverage and more people informed. Me, I love 'em equally.^^

[@ElfInTheFlowers]

The more visibility the better. There are many channels on KZbin, a sub reddit aptly titled antimlm, even more documentaries, and podcasts such as Swindled and the Dream. With each one I’ve learned just a bit more about their history, how they operate, how ingrained they are, and how similarly they operate to cults. Knowledge is a starting point. There are so many issues to be dealt with in the US that seem more pressing but as was mentioned above this one is tied to all the other effed up labor issues in the US (and other countries right now).

[@lashlarue7924]

I say let them keep trashing MLM schemes until they get legislated out of existence. I'll gladly keep watching the segments.

[@nobodyyouknow4379]

@@GotWrackspurts The targeting of certain races was only a small part of the John Oliver's episode. (I've watched it several times.) Overall, he was trying to warn ALL individuals regardless of race, gender, etc.

[@djangoblack-fire2327]

John Oliver's video on MLMs is 30 minutes and Sam Bee's is 8, but both are absolutely legendary. I like how the Daily Show people are still working together despite the distance.

[@mekrystle]

I knew a woman earning almost six figures at a federal job, but then sold MLM jewelry and acted like a good chunk of her income came from that. No joke. And that's how she suckered person after person into signing up to sell with her.

[@type2992]

John Oliver covered this also. His segment was also really good.

[@carultch]

Too bad he didn't have Jaime Camil do his whole show in the Spanish language version.

[@ScootsMahgoots]

John Oliver did an amazing episode! It is a must watch!

[@judypolstra]

OMG....I spat out my tea with laughter when you showed those "leggings"

[@starcherry6814]

Whoever made those leggings should be ashamed! That is the ugliest pair of clothing I’ve ever seen

[@itgetter9]

I got the feeling the designer wanted out too, and was saying, "Surely if I make THIS design, they'll let me out of my contract?!"

[@starcherry6814]

@@itgetter9 Got to be 😹 there is no other excuse

[@ThatGuy8503-m4m]

The designer was some guy named Phil and he actually put his face in a design.

[@itgetter9]

@@ThatGuy8503-m4m Really? Too funny.

[@itsbrendaful]

The BBC did a piece on this that showed MLMs originate mostly from Mormons in Utah, something I’ve been noticing for some time. It causes rifts in families.

[@LizasPaperPassion]

Most mlms are based in mormom Utah

[@janelle009]

Yup Younique was created by a brother and sister who are Mormon.

[@strathconatimes]

All MLMs are the same. Even if the products are good, the only ones who make money are those who are recruiting engines. Structurally, the few at the top who make money are dependent on the losses of those who come into the MLM and then leave their money behind when they go. MLM products are always massively over priced and sold as being unique and superb. To stay in the game, recruits are required to buy a certain amount of product every month to qualify for distributions from those they recruit. These required monthly purchases are the dirty little secret that make MLMs profitable for the very few at the top. Success rates in MLMs are low and must be low to keep the profits flowing up to the fortunate few at the top. Almost any other form of enterprise has higher success rates than MLMs.

[@QubilahHarden]

Old Strathcona Times I have a friend selling Paparazzi Jewelry. She reached out to me to make a purchase because she was low on sales. I apologized to her but I just didn’t have the money to spare on jewelry. While it is priced very reasonable, the ones making money like you said, have a team of recruits. One of my college friends who is at a high level always brags about how things are paid for off of her sales. It’s great that she is making money but she also has a team of people under her to push her bottom line up.

[@censusgary]

Several people have tried to get me to join MLM/pyramid schemes. One was a good friend, who tried to overcome my objections by asking “what’s wrong with a pyramid scheme?” I tried to explain how math works, but it was all to no avail.

[@joyceannbarton2868]

Sam you are such a SCREAM!!! I have tears running down my face. You deserve a crown . . Thanks for always making me laugh.😂😂

[@starcherry6814]

MLMs should just be straight up illegal because to me it’s just another word for pyramid scheme

[@lynda514]

now I know why my sister offered me multiple leggings out of the blue... she mentioned Lularoe and I had no clue what it was... I hope she didn't fall into this scammish thing.

[@rotciv003]

Well, better go warn her ASAP. Most MLM's have incentives to stock up way more than you can handle, resulting in garages full of useless product. Burning money is more lucrative as you get some heat at least.

[@alecoloxa]

One of the worst btw

[@censusgary]

Yeah, if she’s offering you Lularoe leggings, it may already be too late for her.

[@KizuRai]

She most definitely did

[@jusbertmeza4424]

Talk to her about it and show her this video so she can back out now before she loses more money

[@RobertaBlevins]

Thank you Sam for spreading the Anti MLM message!

[@txtomlong]

Multi-level? Like a pyramid?

[@natashasemrau3670]

Yes!!!

[@massimoromano4838]

They will say that your job is a pyramid. LOL Ps In your job you are paid for your responsibilities, you can take an ill day...and your office chief doesn't earn more if you earn more or do more hours :) They also mix the distributor model with the company model. No you are not your MLM company...you are just a fk**** seller XD

[@RedWingedAngel7]

Nah, it's a dimaryp

[@Kittymouth]

No no no. You see, THIS modelhas a wide base that gets tighter and smaller toward the top like... Uh... like a... Oh.

[@twiddledeeable]

Actually, pyramid schemes are ILLEGAL. No one does anything illegal, so mlms are totally legit! /s

[@j.elizabeth4621]

These would go so well with my Twilight T-shirt I wear to the gym so guys will leave me alone.

[@censusgary]

J. Elizabeth : That’s one of the best ways to avoid unwanted attention I’ve ever heard of.

[@j.elizabeth4621]

Gary Cooper it works so well in all areas of life.

[@asdkotable]

Be careful, though, they're apparently really prone to ripping.

[@thoughtlesskills]

MLM's are bad. Period. The fact that we let any go is truly sad.

[@BB-vo8bv]

Never saw Samantha lose it before! Great stuff!!

[@DungForever]

Pro tip: if they focus more on recruitment than they do in selling a product, it's a scam. If you have to attend those long seminars in a huge room where they use phrases like "Step up and be a leader" it's a scam.

[@jessetorres8738]

I'm not gonna lie, I had never found oysters interesting before until I saw this segment.

[@margaretjohnson9905]

Jesse Torres. if you liked the oyster bit, try cooking mussels. they have a pearl, but it's not pink and it's not jewelry.

[@jesuisdenis5739]

'Murica, where televangelists thrive and where there is a new sucker born every minute.

[@MsJellyBellyLove]

...and Canada, where MLMs like Avon and Scentsy saturate the land.

[@MsJellyBellyLove]

@Eileen Farrar Do the people who make the products get decent wages? The people shilling them don't.

[@johnd9541]

Primerica

[@johnd9541]

Avon isn't as bad as others......consequently their stock price has fallen from the $40's to the $3, proving MLM honesty and corporate profits are not good companions.

[@SonicDeeHedgehog]

Half the women I work with are in MLM schemes. They're either in leggings, doing insurance scams, or selling vitamin patches.

[@fourcatsandagarden]

I did Mary Kay for like...a week? I got a few sales from some of my mom's church ladies who wanted some of the products, and mostly I just ended up with free products for myself instead of money. So....I just stopped. The products lasted long enough but I needed something that can be used as a currency in most respectable establishments, and lotion and eye shadow are not accepted currencies.

[@seakelp3508]

I was in Amway. Then my brain kicked in and saw it for what it was. Great job Sam. You spelled it out perfectly.

[@Litarider]

Not to mention that sales are made by exploiting friendships. You buy out of guilt because you pity your friend who is selling the garbage, out of pity for the friend who is hosting the party, out of guilt because your friend is stuck at home with young kids and probably needs the money or the social interaction.

[@Elizabeth-eg8lv]

This is so important to share. I see more and more honest people getting suckered into MLMs everyday.

[@MisterCatLady]

Lisa Frank’s blind sister 😂

[@bengal4047]

Seriously, who okayed the Bee Movie rule 34 leggings?

[@censusgary]

I had to look up who Lisa Frank is, but yes, those leggings do look like her blind sister designed them. At least, you’d have to be blind to wear them.

[@annaaddcox9023]

Is this the first time Sam has broken on her show?! So. Good. And thank you for calling out MLMs.

[@Yaelia]

Lularoe, Paparazzi, MaryKay, Pampered Chef, Herbal Life, Pink Zebra, etc etc etc

[@stormbob]

Rodan and Fields, Thirty One, doTERRA, Avon, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple... All aimed at women. All terrible.

[@Syclone0044]

I don't know much about any of these but I can say we've got a handful of Pampered Chef utensils in our kitchen and they're pretty good, most of them are 10-20 years old and we use them frequently.

[@butchlane4609]

How do Americans afford to have children, not only is there a cost to give birth but NO leave.? Canadians medical costs are covered entirely, and both parents are able to split parental leave for up to a potential 18 months. It astounds me the largest wealthiest nation in the developed world doesn't offer what every other smaller not as wealthy country does.

[@Syclone0044]

A family of nice people I somewhat recently became friends with invited me over because they wanted to talk about some type of joint business venture. I had talked generally about business and stuff before, so this wasn't a totally random topic. But when I got there, I saw these glossy brochures and printed literature, a mountain of branded products, and they started talking to me about how great it would be if we all could stop working jobs we hate, and be our own bosses, and make as much money as we want to work for. Then they actually made me sit and watch a promotional video that was at least 10-15 minutes. It was so uncomfortable it became excruciating. I began resenting their imposition and how I had basically become held socially captive while I endured this. Then they got to the part where I'd have to spend $700 to become a member. I politely but firmly told them no, I was not interested, and that I didn't want to waste their time. (Even though they were actually wasting mine.) Friends, don't do this to your friends!! We hate it!

[@nunyabusiness5241]

So typical a story what you endured, thank you for sharing. I laughed while I cringed then shook my head.

[@HipHopOtaku]

MLMs are not your friends.

[@jschnabl85]

“Find my big, pink pearl!” I think we found a new motto for Red Lobster!

[@lambdamax]

Churches are MLMs as well. Recruiting since two millennia ago.

[@hedgers2005]

Like save 15 souls, get a promotion in heaven? Not how that works but okay...

[@mynameisuju]

@@hedgers2005 loll yeah actually. Isnt it told that the more souls you save, the more benefits you reap in the afterlife? Even had a pastor once say that it would make your heaven mansion have more rooms

[@jglobetrotter2830]

@@mynameisuju what on earth kind of church did you go to? One that teachers prosperity doctrine?

[@mynameisuju]

@@jglobetrotter2830 yes exactly. Most churches I've gone to preach "do this to get this" messages and as the bible has several of these itself, they have ample support

[@ladycheyne5607]

You struck a nerve😭😭😭😭They're doing backbends to defend their hustle🤣🤣

[@bongobrandy6297]

The Bee and the Pink Pearl, a tale worth telling!

[@jacquelinemcquade9624]

When I was trying to earn some extra money as an Avon lady someone came up to me with a similar offer. I even went to their big house as they tried to persuade me to join their venture. I’m just glad I am an introvert and the idea of approaching strangers and getting them to sign up to such a thing horrified me.

[@TheCrazycrazy123]

Hey Sam, you’re the best!

[@randomgirl3269]

I remember a woman involved in an MLM because the cost for her daughter's cancer treatments were unaffordable, and she was selling like three different company products.

[@wacklyro]

My mother in law keeps getting duped into these things. She got suckered into 2 within a year, and has now resorted to selling the stock she was left from one company that went “bankrupt” on FB’s marketplace. I would guesstimate she has close to $10,000 worth of product that she can’t return or get her money back on.

[@criskp6861]

What products and what companies?

[@jpotter2086]

These plagues prey on desperation, of course they spike in hard times, and amongst marginalized groups.

[@brakesforsnakes757]

Marginalized groups such as Trump voters?

[@jpotter2086]

@@brakesforsnakes757 Well, that is a minority group ... and Herr Trumpff has run plenty of scams ... so in both concept and in actuality, yep.

[@johnbbolton]

I LOVE Samantha Bee. She's the only woman that can keep up with the Late Night guys. She can talk to us about things from a woman's point of view.

[@SliceOfDog]

Samantha Bee does a good job and I did enjoy this segment, but can we try to hold ourselves to a higher standard of honesty than the people we're calling out? 3:21 is a terrible chart, where 15.6 has been made to appear about a quarter the size of 20.5. The point is valid, you don't need to falsify graphs to make it seem worse than it really is.

[@KC12344325]

SliceOfDog That exact thought crossed my mind when it appeared. It wasn’t a huge part of the video, but it still bothered me. Biased graphs are a huge peeve of mine.

[@emilyd9443]

so glad Sam mentioned how there are limited resources for women with children. most of the MLM people are mothers. thank you for being one of the only people to cover this topic and mention it!

[@tfcooks]

"I found the man in the boat." 🤣😅😆😉

[@ccole742]

The vice doc on this was so eye opening to see

[@danderson8431]

I have a job where I set up MLM conventions. I honestly feel bad for the women who attend them.

[@Eisdax]

When businesses use 'empowering women' and the LGBTQA+ community to profit. It's *always* about the money.

[@DarlyFofa]

I never thought I would find this woman entertaining, but poking fun and spitting truths against MLMs is my favorite kind of humor.

[@petekoloz]

In my head, I immediately named that crotchbumbler 'Scamantha Bee'.

[@lorenrenee1]

petekoloz 😂

[@backpacker3421]

The reason MLM works on recruiting rather than actual sales is that the MLM sells the product to the bottom tier. So they don't care if it sells to consumers. It's already sold. Recruiting is how they sell the product.

[@Mike-01234]

Sister in-law drained my brother inlaws bank account on MLM he had no idea she thought she would get rich selling costume jewelry. Now she having a tough time stuck with all this cheap costume jewelry which is worthless. The woman who got her into this made money off her now she won't even return her calls.

[@liacavassi5205]

ViSalus client here....I smelled mlm from a mile away when I was introduced to it... But it actually helped to control my weight. I'm not reselling that stuff, just buying it for myself and using it for weight control, nothing else. Oh, and I'm from Italy so ViSalus is one of the rare ones we have.

[@bartlett454]

Samantha Bee is killing it, again!

[@Kittymouth]

He says they sell their product to consumers, but they DON'T. They sell their products to employees who are supposed to sell them. A consumer would have a choice in what they buy.

[@djvizir4892]

Oh how I wish Sam had included the ItWorks! “company” in this segment!

[@umakegoodcookies]

Sam, please have your people who do the infographics use the values to determine the height of the bars in the graph. 16.8 to 18.2 is not a larger increase than 18.2 to 20.2. (infographic of people involved in direct selling)

[@Uriel238]

MLMs are yet another example of antagonistic resale, where the company business model is hostile to the end customer, rather than synergistic. We've seen it similarly (speaking of gambling) in contemporary game design that serves less as entertainment and more as a platform for microtransactions and lootboxes. (Speaking of which, toy mystery boxes which feature a toy randomly selected from a set, like baseball cards is yet another). This form of mark-hunting (called whale-hunting) is the end result of our unfettered capitalist economy, and the end result of the post Gold Rush American Dream, where rather than working hard to move forward, we find ways to hack the system (or hack the brains of our customers) in order to get filthy rich. Except now it, leaves a wake of broken dreams, ruined lives and beached whales, sometimes entire towns in ruin.

[@Syclone0044]

Your first paragraph was great. The 2nd paragraph makes no sense to me whatsoever. The Gold Rush in the 1800's? Really?

[@dearyvettetn4489]

So many, “John Oliver already covered this, BUT...”, comments. I love John Oliver but his coverage of this topic is not a mic-drop moment. Some of you need to do some self reflecting. Why do YOU feel the need to mention that this was covered already....?

[@mustbeaweful2504]

'Cause "Simpson's did it!"

[@ValerieJNorse]

I was noticing that too. I seriously wonder, when people watch the John Oliver segment after having seen this, how many people write, "You know, Samantha Bee did this too."

[@kettle2293]

This is funny, haha but seriously please go watch the VICE piece. It's really sad.

[@dearyvettetn4489]

You can also listen to a podcast called The Dream. They take some seriously deep dives into different MLMs, who owns them , and the unfortunate ladies that the they scam. Both programs are useful intervention tools for that friend or family member who invites you the their next “party” 🙄💸👚💸👖💸💍💸👜💸🛍💸💸💸💸💸

[@countof3everybodyOD]

That Vice LLR documentary is definitely worth a watch

[@sabrinafrolich5669]

John Oliver covered the topic before, but Sam of course takes the female approach and it takes less than half the time LWT needed 🤣😘 Gorgeous as ever!

[@lazerlord9324]

I love John Oliver, but I couldn't do without Sam's perspective on the world.

[@hisomeonetrackingmuch1309]

@@lazerlord9324 your loss. Also: then why are you here? Just out for a troll?

[@lazerlord9324]

@@hisomeonetrackingmuch1309 How am I Trolling if I say I enjoy both their work?

[@happysmile6095]

When I saw my mother had a big box in her floor and asked what was in it (lotions and make-up), I had to sit her down and explain how she had been conned and to do whatever she could to minimize it, but without making her feel guilty or embarrassed. Momma you're too nice for this and that's why they play on emotions; if the product sold itself would they be trying this hard to convince you to not only buy it but sell it as well?? They *need* to be on blast all the time.

[@EM-rm2xh]

Sam's show just keeps getting better and better.

[@ErinSpencer]

Soooo here for anything calling out MLMs!!

[@hxshxt3530]

I'm glad Sam's bringing this to light, the docs that do this needs more reach

[@Trixtah]

I love the show, I totally agree with calling out these garbage pyramid schemes, but PLEASE do not use misleading graphs like the one at 3:20 ! The amount of people involved in MLMs grew to 20 million from 15 million in 5 years according to the graph - a 30% increase. The longest bar is almost 4 *times* longer than the shortest. Misleading images like these allow your very valid arguments to be undermined by nay-sayers.

[@SuperCookieGaming_]

there also mlm’s target students. vector goes graduations and gives the impression they got permission from the school to be there. saying you get $18.50 per hour but really its $18.50 per appointment that you’ll only get a couple of because NO ONE WANTS TO BUY KITCHEN KNIVES!

[@kyleebrock]

1% take 99% sounds legit.

[@RamblinRick_]

As a former Amway distributor, I completely agree with this.

[@FourEyesFive]

The first time I’ve ever seen Sam Bee break on air

[@DrBananaPig]

The graphic at 3:21 isn't to scale. Her point stands, but the geaphic is misleading. 20.5 is about 3 times as tall as 15.5 and not just a third taller. Well 1/3 or 3/1. Happens to the best of us :)

[@alexandruv.3390]

That's assuming that the whole bar is represented, they most likely wanted to accentuate the growth/evolution

[@Electronica4Life]

I had to delete and block an old ex-boyfriend of mine who kept trying to sell me Nerium (some kind of cosmetics MLM), then Thrive (weight management MLM), a timeshare MLM, and then finally just begging me for money. Ugh! So awkward!

[@robbiereisman8954]

MLM's are the worst!!

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

If Evil equals banality… We live in truly evil times .

[@MsZephyra]

Safe to call it evil with all of the money in politics, political corruption, greed fueling increasing inequality, and increasing authoritarianism...

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

**@@MsZephyra Indeed ', Greed for more power, money ,.Petty vengeance. adoration of the crowds, etc, etc Such childish desires .Todays most mighty politicians are like spoiled toddlers in a constant tantrum. Only these toddlers have nukes and economical power.

[@AithlynC]

That's almost 1 in 10 American females, counting everyone from newborns to octogenarian grannies. That's insane!

[@bodyloverz30]

Sam, may the ghost of Mary Kay haunt you.

[@Muzikrazy213]

As a dude that has never had to deal with any of this.. but has had to silently watch family and friends fall into this trap. God why can't we let women do the amazing things they're capable of. Not ONE lawmaker has had the tenacity and passion as Kamala, Warren, or that woman that made Ben Carson out to be the law-clueless fool we all know he is. Bernie is close. But when he's given time to grill someone. Nobody is touching the females of Congress.

[@nunyabusiness5241]

Yowza. Powerful words, dude. You keep being strong for the women in your life, please. And the rest of us, too.

[@claudechouinard6513]

You are so cool Samantha Bee.. It is nice to stay away from politic for a few minutes a week, loved it, I have been missing some of you!

[@davidhill2020]

This is the first time I've seen Sam break. I'm glad she saved it for good occasion. YOU try reading a teleprompter sitting next to an monitor showing that.

[@mytexasdays1526]

I see Paris, I see France. I see leggin's tryin' to BEE pants.

[@wellreadbull3740]

Definitely watch the piece on this by last week tonight after this!