Cheaters is a weekly syndicated reality TV show, where people suspected of cheating on their partners are investigated by the Cheaters Detective Agency.
Cheaters is an HBO movie released in 2000 that chronicles the story of a team that cheats in the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD). It is based on a true story.
In the movie, Steinmetz High School has a team member who is able to secure the state finals tests. Assisted by their coach, Gerald Plecki (Jeff Daniels), they are able to defeat perennial Illinois USAD powerhouse Whitney Young Magnet High School. Because of their score at state being nearly 10,000 points (almost 1/3) higher than their regional score, an investigation was launched which ultimately exposed the cheating.
Plecki assisted his students in cheating and eventually resigned. Additionally, some members of the team to this day say they would do it again. The state title was taken away from Steinmetz and given to Whitney Young.
In the fall of 1994, a teacher at Chicago's run-down Steinmetz High recruits seven students for an academic decathlon team. They work long hours, preparing for the February regional event, won for ten straight years by a privileged, preppy school. Steinmetz finishes just well enough to be invited to the state meet. When a team member steals a copy of the state test, the teacher and kids face a dilemma: to remain honest, or to cheat and score a victory for kids in underfunded schools. When they do well, they must face a withering barrage of investigations, accusations, lawyers' lies, and reporters' intrusions. Is it all worth it? What lessons does cheating teach? Written by
Despite the show's modest success in the United States, major advertisers have been reluctant to sponsor the show because of its premise and content.
Host Joel Greco (I) was stabbed while filming an episode. Despite being stabbed, he returned to the show.
