About McMillion$ (HBO)

McMillion$ is an American documentary miniseries about the McDonald's Monopoly game scam that occurred between 1989 and 2001. The series provides a deep and detailed investigation into the scam's mastermind, Jerome Jacobson, an ex-cop turned security officer who exploited the fast-food chain's marketing promotion for his benefit. It explores how he created a criminal gang that tricked the system, leading to the theft of millions of dollars.

Making / Production

Produced by HBO, McMillion$ involved extensive research and interviews with individuals directly and indirectly involved in the scam. The creators used archived news footage, interviews and reenactments to document the breadth and depth of the scam and its subsequent impact.

Actors

• Doug Mathews: A charismatic special agent, played himself, brought a unique touch with his flair for storytelling and humor.
• Jerome Jacobson: Appeared as himself, showcasing the mastermind behind the scam.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The scam, also referred to as 'McScam', defrauded McDonald's of over $24 million.
• The series was produced by Mark Wahlberg's production company, Unrealistic Ideas.
• It was shot over a period of three years and includes detailed re-enactments of key events.

Awards

The series was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series in 2020.

Quotes

• "Game night will never be the same" - Tagline of the series.
• "If you can dream it, you can do it. But it's a lot of work, and people will think you're obsessed." - Jerome Jacobson

• The composer Pinar Toprak created an investigative, yet light-hearted score supporting the series' contrasting tones.
• Music played a significant role in enhancing the dramatic elements of the reenactments.