The Chippendales

The Chippendales nightclub in downtown Los Angeles was looking for ways to attract customers on a weeknight - when they hit upon the idea of male strippers.

The male "exotic dance" night for ladies only became wildly successful and inspired imitators all over the world.

But there was a dark side to the Chippendales' story.

Lucy Burns speaks to Chippendales co-founder Bruce Nahin.

First broadcast on the BBC World Service in December 2019.