Oh my Spock that is definitely a statement that you made there. All those eyes blinking and staring at me whenever I open this page is……….. Very overwhelming I will definitely be working hard to move to the next page. Thank you Tina & Cynthia for your equally nice posts.
To me, the world often feels out of kilter. Lately, I've come to believe it's because most of the people in it are out of balance.
We get this way because of labels, expectations, and self-fulfilling prophecies. Change becomes more and more difficult as we continue down whatever road we first chose to travel. (Funny how change is almost always good, but always resisted.)
Gayle, if I have a philosophy, it's summed up in the title of your post. A Marriage of Opposites is precisely what people need to do in order to become better balanced. Call it what you will - Expanding your horizons, or getting out of your comfort zone - it's a good thing to do, always. Alas, we are more drawn to "marriages" of convenience and similarity, which only reaffirm our existing notions of who we are and what it is we think we want. We become predictable, because the world wants us that way. Sadly, as I've suggested here before, predictability blows.
People are curious about me because I don't appear to fit. Some find it intriguing. Many find it annoying. A "creative" type with an interest in business? A college educated guy with a penchant for manual labor? A "host" who calls himself a "guest?" What's wrong with this person? Who is he, exactly?
(Mainly, I'm a lucky son of a gun. My parents taught public school. Everyone else in the family were farmers of fisherman. I got a taste of everything, and decided to keep on tasting. I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing. Trying, tasting, laughing, learning, and leaving. If you're not willing to leave every now and then, you'll never get anywhere.)
Everywhere, forces conspire to define us with labels. Big Media and Madison Avenue rush to help us understand the "order" of things, and "make sense of the world." How? By defining all that surrounds us as quickly as possible. We forget sometimes, that we are being defined as well, and filed neatly away into the proper designation. Single, Married, White, Black, Straight, Gay, Bi-Curious, Democrat, Republican, Nazi, Baptist, Jew, Capricorn, blah, blah, blah...
Someone in another thread just asked me if I was an "actor" or a "performer." I don't begrudge the question, but notice the predictable way in which it was asked - Are you an actor OR a performer.
We tend to see all people as this OR that. Why do we do that?
Why are we put off when Jim Carey takes a serious role? When a politician switches parties? When a financial planner quits his lucrative job to dig ditches instead? When our kids date outside our race or religion? Why does it freak us out when people do the unexpected? (Why do networks cry for something new, but put out the same show with a different title over and over again?)
I think it's because we've been trained to see people in a one dimensional way. I don't think it's because we are genuinely curious. I think it's because we get very anxious when we can't understand who someone is and what makes them tick.
Watch the coming election. Watch how quickly and brutally the candidates are attacked when they appear to contradict themselves or change a position. Like vultures, we wait for some perceived inconsistency in the world around us, and swoop in like some Great Corrector to set the record straight. Rarely do we reward what we claim to value. We sit in judgment of the world around us, but do little to challenge ourselves.
My Dad is currently in a play called "The Curious Savage." Plato pleaded in The Republic for a "Philosopher-King." Both are a Marriage of Opposites. They work, and should be aspired to.
Mike Posted 08-22-07 11:38 AM
Hi Gayle,
My response will hopefully appear in short order. Sadly, like many others, it has fallen prey to the draconian system of virtual virtue so stubbornly applied to this site.
It is a miracle that anyone continues to post on a page monitored by a piece of software so mindlessly written and pointlessly pedantic. You would think that recent technical advances might afford my employer an opportunity to invest in a system that could differentiate between "trigger" words and content that is actually offensive. Alas, that is not the case. Your collective willingness to tolerate this kind of mechanical censorship far exceeds my own, and is a testament to your patience, understanding, and good humor.
Qualities currently lacking in yours truly.
Mike Posted 08-22-07 12:01 PM
That's a great idea.
For those that don't know, Dirty Jobs was born from a series of stories I did for Evening Magazine in San Francisco. The series was called Somebody's Gotta Do It, and was conceived in a bar by myself and a writer named James Reid who actually produced the pieces. These stories were shorter than Dirty Jobs segments, only five minutes, and played more like tributes than process pieces. They were funny and irreverent, and I would love to show them to you. Unfortunately, there are several impediments.
1. CBS owns the footage, and doesn't return my calls. 2. Even if CBS was willing to sell, Discovery would have to be willing to buy. Not likely. 3. If, through some miracle, the aforementioned would actually come to pass, all the SGDI pieces would need to be recut, because none of the music used in the original segments was ever cleared for "non-news" broadcast, and all of it is protected. The music was a big part of the charm. (Think "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," while I'm inseminating a dairy cow.)
That said, never say never. I'll work on it.
Mike Posted 03-26-06 11:28 AM
Madame President
There is a very serious leak in my past, and someone is filling your head with wild images. Sadly, they are true. I did appear as Richard Simmons years ago on a cheesy infomercial. (Sadder still, I have done far worse.) And I do count among my friends a brilliant entrepreneur who created, among other things, The Joe Boxer line of underwear, and now answers to the name, Lord of Ba!!s. How you came by this information troubles me greatly, but I suspect the culprit has an Australian accent and a fondness for black and white movies. I will deal with him in due course. As for your request, I will try to comply, at the risk of rewarding bad behavior.
Just this once.
Mike Posted 03-26-06 10:44 PM
Thanks, and Merry Christmas.
New Orleans was a tough call for me, for a lot of reasons. Mainly, because it's just too easy for a "personality" like me to go down there and wrap himself in a blanket of righteousness. I really despise that kind of sentimentality, especially on television. So I waited a year before going, and even then, I felt uncomfortable working on a "for profit" venture. However, for all the reasons you mentioned, the story and the struggle need to be kept alive, and I suppose there is no great harm in doing well by doing good. In the end, the means are justified, I hope. Regardless, your reaction was precisely the one I was hoping for. Thanks.
Mike
PS Great line from South Pacific. Think it's from a song called "Honey Bun." - "...and she's broad, where a broad, should be broad..." Posted 12-26-06 02:36 PM
For pure, unadulterated, expressions of gut-wrenching musical melancholy, you need to go back to the turn of the century - (the last one.) In the late 1800's and early 1900's, personal pain was laid bare in a way that few modern songs can match. There is an exhaustive body of work that deals exclusively with infant mortality and the tragic loss of young life. Of course, such loss was far more common in those days, and with no support groups or grief counselors standing by, people embraced music for solace. Here's one of my favorites. It's called Tying the Leaves.
Here is a story of love that is true...
Playmates were they, girl and lad. She's home today, he feels sad. Doctor who calls, whispers low, "When the last autumn leaves fall, she must go."
Lad with a tear, climbs a tree, "I'll keep her here," murmurs he. Cop on the beat loudly cries, "What are you doing lad?" The lad replies...
"I'm tying the leaves so they wont come down, So the wind wont blow them away. For the best little girl in the wide, wide world, I lying so ill today. Her young life must go when the last leaves fall, I'm fixing them fast, so they'll stay. I'm tying the leaves so they wont come down, So Nellie wont go away.
Playmate, come out and play with me. Nellie, don't go away."
Gets me every time. Mike Posted 10-14-06 03:29 PM
Enough about me. Tell me why they call you "cagegirl."
Mike Posted 09-07-05 12:42 AM
Not long. Usually, we can shoot a segment in one or two days. Aside from a few advance phone calls, there's no real prep work to speak of. I show up and jump in. It doesn't always make for the most polished performance, but it's a fairly honest way to tell a story.
Mike Posted 08-25-05 02:04 AM
We were on The Legacy, maybe 10 miles south of the F/V Pacific Glacier when the alarm went out. By the time we got there, 5 other vessels had arrived, and things were chaotic. Black smoke was billowing from the wheelhouse and the deck just below it. Men in skiffs were circling the boat, trying to get additional supplies onboard. When the order to abandon ship was given, a small boat called American Beauty pulled up alongside the P. Glacier, and helped people get into additional skiffs that were being deployed with every passing minute. Our ship, along with several others, provided additional air canisters and drinking water for the men who remained behind to fight the fire. It was really rather incredible to see. A fire at sea is about the worst thing that can happen on a ship, and this was a big ship. Over 270 feet long, with 106 people aboard. The possibility for disaster was extraordinary.
Within 45 minutes of her call, a dozens ships had surrounded the PG, including ours, and were fully focused on doing whatever could be done to assist. Those closest provided air canisters, de-watering pumps, and deck hands to help fight the fire. I stood in the wheelhouse with the Captain, the owner, and my crew, and watched as 86 people were ferried to safety. Incredible.
When the Coast Guard C-130 arrived and dropped additional supplies, darkness was settling in. Most of people were out of harms way, save for those who stayed behind to fight the fire. When the captain was satisfied we had done all we could, we turned around and got back to fishing.
The sunset was amazing last night, and the seas were calm, with light winds and a temperature of maybe 20 degrees F. It was cold, but the stars were out, strange up here for this time of year. From what I've read, the conditions were not too different than those present when The Titanic went down. If it hadn't been for the looming crisis, the evening would have been memorable for it's unusual calm and weird beauty. Instead, I'll remember it for the remarkable display of concern and cooperation demonstrated by every captain within 15 square miles. Tonight, thanks to their action, the people aboard the F/V Pacific Glacier are having a drink with us, here in a little bar called Cape Cheerful in The Grand Aleutian Hotel.
Isn't it nice when bars live up to their name?
Mike Posted 02-28-08 04:54 AM
A fine question, Mr. Spock. First, a little background.
Dirty Jobs is produced for The Discovery Channel by a Los Angeles based Production Company called Pilgrim Films and Television. Pilgrim is owned by a gentleman named Craig Piligian, a gifted and talented humanitarian who is responsible for most of the content on cable TV today, including such hits as American Chopper, American Hot Rod, Ghost Hunters, The Ultimate Fighter, and of course, Dirty Jobs. Craig gets ideas for programs from many sources. Often, he comes up with the ideas on his own. Sometimes, a network will call him directly, and ask him to produce a particular program. And sometimes, a former actor impersonating a show host will pitch him an idea that he will subsequently present to an appropriate network. Such was the case with DJ.
In any event, Craig employees many creative visionaries, including a man named Eddie Barbini. Eddie has also produced several million hours of quality television, and is now saddled with the responsibility of managing all elements of production for DJ. He is the Executive Producer. Helping Eddie in this endeavor, is the Supervising Producer, another Eddie, this one with the last name of Rohwedder. The Eddies oversee 5 editors, 4 researchers, and half a dozen support personnel who keep the office running. They also hire and support the field crew, which as you may know consist of two skinny cameramen named Doug and Troy, one audio tech who looks like Kevin Bacon but isn't, a giant former Marine named Adam, and two alternating field directors - a professional surfer named Greg, and a professional misanthrope called The Big LaBarsky. All of the aforementioned work for Pilgrim Films. I work for Discovery.
My boss at Discovery is a lovely woman named Gena McCarthy. Gena works for several other lovely people with titles I can't keep straight, including David McKillop, Jane Root, and Billy Campbell. (I see their names in the credits, so I’m sure they won’t mind me mentioning them here.) They are all vice presidents of this, or presidents of that, or executives in charge of something or other. At the moment, they are all very interested in the content of Dirty Jobs.
To answer your question Spock, the “stacking” of an episode is a collaborative process. In a perfect world, The Eddies and I would look over several dozen pre-approved segments that had been shot and edited weeks prior, and build a show that reflected a diversity of content, tone, and geography. That show would then be sent to Craig, who would look it over and say something like, “Wow, that is a nicely stacked show.” He would then it to Gena who would say something like, “Wow, that Mike Rowe is a serious talent. I could just sit here and watch him all day.” She would then send it to her bosses, who would burst into spontaneous applause and exclaim in unison, “Where would we be without Dirty Jobs? Quick, get Mike Rowe more money!” The show would then be slated to air in the near future.
Unfortunately, Dirty Jobs has no “near future.” The future is here, and our show is often stacked with the segments most recently shot. In the business, this is called “shooting to air.” No one likes to deliver a show like this, but more often than not, that is the reality of making television, and unless you’re producing The Sopranos, you’re probably under the gun, working around the clock, and scrambling to make it to air.
It’s a dirty job.
Mike Posted 01-29-06 12:10 PM
Storm drains are nasty places. The knife was not a prop. Nor was the needle, or the rake, or my fancy uniform.
The knife found it's way to the proper authorities. I'll make some calls to see if it is now in some evidence room awaiting an Exhibit number. As for picking up a syringe, that was ill-advised, and goes on to the long list of stupid things I have done this Season. More lapses in judgement, coming soon.
Mike Posted 03-09-06 11:33 PM
We find ways to pass the time. Usually, I write, return calls, maybe grab a work out. Most of the time we're too beat to carry on all hours, but we've been known to get out here and there. I have heard talk of Northern Florida later this year. MAybe in November. First rounds on Barsky.
Mike Posted 09-09-07 01:03 AM
Here's a great opportunity for me to say the wrong thing and cause all kinds of trouble on several different levels. I should probably refrain, but staying quiet on your own board is also commenting, and I'd rather not be misunderstood in silence. First, a few pertinent facts.
1. I know everyone who works on RBT. I count many of them as friends. As such, I wish them nothing but success and good fortune in a fickle and unforgiving business.
2. I've met Matt once, and I like him. From what I hear, everyone else does too.
3. I have not seen an entire episode of RBT, but hope to soon.
There are no new ideas in television. Formats, styles, and genres all come in and out of favor. Most things that appear new are really just variations on an old theme. Years before Dirty Jobs, George Plimpton was doing what is now called "immersive hosting." (Anyone remember Paper Lion?)
Dirty Jobs seemed original when it debuted, because no network had given a host that kind of latitude in a long time. (Basically, Dirty Jobs employs a magazine format with a personality driven, unscripted point-of-view. Consequently, it took me two years to get this thing on the air, and it never would have happened without Pilgrim's relationship with Discovery.) Even then though, it was a tough sell, because no one likes to take a chance on a format that's been out of favor, or a host with a predilection for sewers, poo, and artificial vaginas.
Point is, hit shows are very rare, and the most honest producers I know all confess to not having the first clue about what will work and what will not. Consequently, all successful shows will be imitated. No exceptions. Networks will demand it, producers will comply, and talent will fall in line.
So I'm not at all surprised that Dirty Jobs has inspired similar creations. However, I am surprised to hear that Pilgrim would follow the model so identically, and that Discovery would air the two shows side by side. Doing so literally forces a comparison between the two programs, and that's bad for everyone - Discovery, Pilgrim, me, Matt, and most of all, you. It's a baffling call, but I am not personally offended by the decision.
However, I will say that whatever success Dirty Jobs is enjoying right now has little to do with dirt or jobs. It has more to do I think, with relationships, and the people we profile, and some very large themes that go to the heart of our value system. Likewise, the future of RBT will not depend on the size of the thing being profiled. It will depend on the size of the relationships therein, and of course, the size of the audience. The size of that, dear Stef, will always matter, in a really big way...
Mike Posted 01-22-07 04:07 AM
There are several questions posted involving Skulls International, a segment that ran on last on weeks show. Here are some observations and a response from yours truly.
The original skull-cleaning segment was one of the ultimate dirty jobs, quite possibly THE ultimate. Unfortunately, you will likely never see that version. It was deemed to be graphic for broadcast, and perhaps it was. It’s not my call. The version that aired however, was in my opinion, a bit The Sound of Music with the songs edited out – still a good story, but minus the moments that would stick with you for a long, long time. Let me tell you what I saw on that unforgettable day, memories that I still can't shake.
Step 1. Mail Call. Every morning, UPS delivers dozens of boxes to Skulls Unlimited, boxes full of severed heads. Bear heads, deer heads, monkey heads, you name it. They come from all over the world, and their collective sight defies description. The first part of my day at SU was spent unloading and organizing these severed heads, removing them from soggy boxes one at a time. They come wrapped in newspaper and bubble-pack, like fine china. It's really no different than a mailroom in any other company, except for the unique contents. To my embarrassment, I can’t recall the name of the guy who unpacks these boxes – the work destroyed my short-term recall - but I do remember thinking at that moment that he must have the dirtiest job in the joint. I was wrong, because moments later, there was...
Step 2. Remove the brains from each and every skull. This job is completed with the help of a homemade contraption called The Brain Demiser and Cerebral Extractor, a large barrel with an internal vacuum and a long plastic tube. The actual work is executed by Dale, whose name I will never forget. Dale was quite adept at manipulating the end of said tube into the base of each skull, easier said than done. Once accomplished, he would turn on The Brain Demiser, which churned to life with a hungry growl. Then, with horrible efficiency, the brains from the skull would begin to hurtle through the transparent tube and into the barrel, where they plopped noisily onto the previous deposit. Quite a sight. I’ll never forget the sound of brain on brain. Needless to say, I tried my hand at the process, and eventually got the hang of it. Nearly lost it, but held on. Quite unforgettable, rather like...
Step 3. Flensing. Flensing is the process by which flesh, skin, and muscle are carved away from bone. It is delicate, painstaking work, and requires the skill of a true artisan. Here, Dale proved himself a humble craftsman who was capable of much more than sucking the brains out of skulls. Dale spent most of that morning flensing the days earlier arrivals, and patiently sharing his knowledge with me. I learned a lot from Dale, but mainly, I learned that I do not possess the skill or inclination to work as a professional flenser. Profoundly dirty work, but nowhere near as bad as…
Step 4. Emptying The Brain Demiser. This may be the dirtiest of dirty jobs. It’s certainly one of the worst I’ve ever seen. The task most often falls to Josh, a 16-year old lad who just happens to be the son of the owner. Every day after school, Josh stops by Skulls Unlimited to tackle a number of onerous tasks, but this one takes the cake. Typically, Josh simply approaches the giant barrel of brains, now brimming from a full day of demising, grabs it around the middle, and hoists it onto the lip of a large, stainless steel sink. On that day, I had the honor. Under Josh’s watchful eye, I hefted the gelatinous, quivering payload and proceeded to dump the chunky amalgam into the steel basin. Conservatively, I’d put it at over 50lbs of assorted brain. Again, the sound made by a waterfall of cascading, congealing gray matter is unexampled, especially as it collides into a steel sink, and the smell, as you might imagine, is simply indescribable. With momentum and gravity working in concert, the falling brains accelerate rapidly, and the sink fills quickly. Too quickly. Naturally, a clog forms in the drain, and there is only one way to correct the situation. Someone must roll up his sleeve, dig through the brains and remove the blockage. On that particular day, that particular someone, was me.
Anyway, the day held many other horrors that were glossed over or omitted entirely from the show, and though I believe the original cut was far superior to the one that aired, I am grateful that we were allowed to air some version of the original. However, it needs to be said that the jobs at Skulls Unlimited are among the dirtiest I’ve ever seen, because the segment you saw did not reflect that. Also, the work done by those guys cut from the original was stellar, and deserves to be acknowledged somewhere. So, I’ll do it here.
To Dale, Josh, and the fella whose name I can’t recall, thanks very much. You were all fantastically dirty. You too, Jay.
Mike Posted 07-16-06 04:09 PM
I'd like to take a moment to clear up this confusion.
Unfortunately, I can't.
But if I were guessing, I'd suspect that it has something to do with money. Contractually, a network will always pay more for an episode in a later season. As a show becomes popular, the people who deliver it expect a raise, and rightly so. So, when dealing with a production company, a network will want to contractually position as many episodes as possible as being a part of "Season 1." Reasonable, since they funded the project and assumed the initial risk before the series was a hit. Consequently, networks insist on "optional pickups," that can be exercised at their discretion during the contract term.
However, the same Network may also wish to portray a series to the public and the press as being as far along as possible. "Season 3" after all, sounds like more of a hit than "Season 1." A rose by any other name.
Since there seems to be no real hard and fast definition, I would suggest we define a season as that moment in time when the network calls the production company and places a new order for more episodes then they originally thought they wanted. Here's how it worked for Dirty Jobs.
First order - 3 Second order - 13 Third order - 18 Fourth order - 30
I figure we're headed into Season 4.
Mike Posted 08-14-06 11:52 PM
Asbestos sounds good. Cookies sound better. The stage will have to wait.
Somewhere out there, and I say this against my better judgement, there is a recording called "Sing Along with QVC." It is both dreadful, and hysterical, and if you can find a copy, you are in for a terrible treat. Good Luck.
Mike Posted 11-27-05 02:28 PM
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJModChickie,
Originally posted by duncanfan: Chris here's a sentence I never thought I'd write. Wish I was Canadian. Then I could vote for faboo contestent #26.
Good luck!!
Nicole
The video is well done and I am going to vote for Court. She really does appear tp be a wonderful young woman. Chris, I know you are proud of her and you should be....she's a great kid.
And Chris, thanks for posting these old musings of Mike's. I found something new again.
Thank you for you beautiful comments. (yah she is pretty great most of the time)
quote:
Wish I was Canadian
quote:
All I need to do for now is to register, right?
I think anyone can register (Canadian or otherwise) just need an email.
chris
quote:
thanks for posting these old musings of Mike's. I found something new again.
it always surprises me when I find something new , I thought that I had read just about everything he wrote (many times over). The newest thing that gets me, is when I read posts from some of the people who have been here for a while,(back when they were newbies). They had so much fun back then.
Well, they say laughter is contaigious. Why not grime?
Mike Posted 11-07-05 09:10 AM
1. No 2. Not well. I'd like another shot.
Mike Posted 01-19-06 08:43 AM
Nigel,
1) This is an excellent question to ask in an interview. I like it very much.
2) Yes. Much better.
Spock,
When it comes to #2, you're #1.
Mike Posted 01-19-06 11:04 PM
Hi Mary
Watch the episode. It may well affect the nature of your fantasy...
Mike Posted 05-10-08 01:03 PM
It will be very, very difficult to top that particular segment. Pigs are always a tough act to follow, and Bob could not have been more perfectly cast had he come from Central Casting. And Hunter, well, he'll be charming folks for years to come. Please give them both my regards, as well as the pigs.
Mike Posted 06-17-06 08:00 PM
Thanks very much. I've learned a lot from the people on this show, and gained a ton of perspective. Had plenty of laughs as well.
Mike Posted 08-04-05 04:40 AM
Well, I certainly remember Lizzy. And I've always been a fan of cranberry. But to be honest, 1988 - 1994 is pretty blurry.
Was I a decent tipper back then?
Mike Posted 08-15-05 08:08 PM
For the most part, I say the things I say in an attempt to keep myself amused. It's always nice to hear that someone else is amused as well.
Mike Posted 01-03-07 12:19 AM
Well, since you asked so nicely. I'm 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, naked. (That's 182.8 centimeters, 14.5 stone, nude.)
Mike Posted 01-02-07 01:36 AM
Kristi
Those aren't rocks.
Mike Posted 01-02-07 01:52 AM
Welcome Jeremy, and thanks. This is my first message board as well. It can be a most unusual place, but by and large, a hoot. Stick around.
Mike Posted 07-13-07 04:44 AM
Hi Tammy
Years ago, I nearly drove off the San Mateo Bridge myself, for reasons altogether different.
You're right about the Bay Area - I have friends there, but my oldest and closest friends, as well as family, are no where near San Francisco. Just goes to show how strong a draw weather and geography can be.
Please inform you ovaries that Deadliest Catch has been reordered, and barring some unforseen circumstance, I'll be back as well, with more of that urgent, slightly-over-the-top, well-modulated baritone.
Till then, drive safely.
PS. I'll be back on Alice later this month.
PPS. The radio station, not the girl... Posted 06-26-06 09:49 AM
"Funny Learning" is about the highest compliment you could pay the people who make DJ possible. Thank you very much, and please thank your boyfriend as well, for fighting through the nausea and hanging tough.
Mike Posted 08-04-05 01:37 AM
The pig and I are in regular communication, and you'll be pleased to know she gave birth to a healthy litter of fourteen piglet and is doing quite well.
For simplicity sake, we named them all Woody...
Mike Posted 08-10-05 03:09 AM
Hi Speed
I watched last nights episode in a bar with some old friends from Evening. Very nostalgic. The catfish segment was shot in Oklahoma. I point this out because Noodling is illegal in Tennessee, and we at Dirty Jobs are committed to following all local laws and and customs. For the most part.
Mike Posted 08-10-05 12:03 PM
Yes, it's a hard road, being a pig.
Mike Posted 08-12-05 01:31 AM
Nice to meet you as well.
Sorry to eat and run, but having seen the show, you can understand why I don't spend a lot of time in restaurants...
Mike Posted 09-04-05 11:45 PM
I would prefer "Sexy, but Curiously Soiled," but no matter. Thank for the salutation, the support, the sentiment, and the syntax. You have curious taste, but write well.
Thanks again,
Mrowe Posted 11-03-05 01:18 AM
Maybe a little.
Mike Posted 11-07-05 12:37 PM
Your very welcome.
It's an honor to work on this show, and gratifying to know that it's well-received. The Electrojack 4 was indeed something to behold, and destined I think, to make future appearances.
Stay dirty, and keep singing.
Mike Posted 01-11-06 11:39 PM
There was very little going through my mind that morning in the shark cage, other than the possibility of the shark going through the cage.
I watched Jaws as well, and have a vivid memory...
Best to your boy.
Mike Posted 08-06-06 11:21 PM
Good Lord.
Well, it was only a matter of time. I assure you, the skeletons are numerous. In time, I suspect they will all surface.
I'm in no place or condition to chat. I'll review the damage, and check in next week.
Mike Posted 06-02-07 06:38 AM
Karen,
Your reference to old friends, former jobs, and late night hyjinks almost makes me pine for the good old days of unsupervised home shopping.
Almost.
As you rightly surmise, my career choices continue to suggest a conspicious lack of common sense, or perhaps a subtle self-loathing. Oh well. If Dirty Jobs doesn't scare some perspective into me, nothing will.
Great to hear from you. Hope you are well.
Mike Posted 07-22-05 12:03 AM
Lots of people have asked me to explain the rationale for blurring out the the male's business but not the females. I can offer no sensible response, because to date, I have been given no sensible explanation.
Sooner or later, I will be blurred out as well.
Mike Posted 07-30-05 01:19 PM
Well said. It's always been my opinion that a bicycle helmet should only be worn when riding a bike. Assuming of course, the helmet in question actually fits, which mine of course did not. It was also suggested to me, by the veterinarian on site, that the horse's somewhat hasty "performance" was partially due to the appearance of my unusually large head jammed into a woefully small and brightly colored apparatus.
Under similar circumstances, I too would find such a sight distracting.
Mike Posted 08-03-05 11:39 PM
Susan,
You write well - too well. The imagery detracts from the basic question at hand, and I find myself contemplating large containers of gravy and unlanced boils, when I should be pondering your overarching query. I shall rest up, and consider all you suggest in the coming week, as I ply through fountains of filth here in The Keystone State.
Ash,
You will be pleased to know that I have purchased a personal groomer, and have taken to cultivating a perpetual George Michael look. Sadly, for contractual reasons, this can only be maintained on the left side of my face. I will attempt to favor the camera appropriately.
Mike Posted 03-08-06 12:02 AM
Thanks Maks
Nicest thing I've read all day, and maybe the wisest. To know the beginning of a thing is a mark of genuine interest and thoughtful understanding. Dirty Jobs, as well as this board, have a history. Any fan of either would be well served by spending some time on old posts. Like a book, later chapters are more interesting when you start from the beginning.
True, times have changed, and I don't have near the time I once had to devote to this site. However, I have some ideas that will hopefully strengthen the relationship between me and the fans of this show, and more importantly, differentiate it from other programs. Stay tuned.
Best, Mike Posted 04-09-07 11:46 AM
Oh dear.
To my knowledge, the target demographic for Dirty Jobs does not include 5 and 6 year old children. However, we are fairly desperate for viewers, and your kids seem to be well adjusted and way ahead of their contemporaries in matters of artistic discretion. I suppose it's OK for them to watch, as long as they shower after every episode, and go straight to bed.
Mike Posted 08-23-05 12:33 AM
I'm wearing it now. It's faded from several washings, and stained with something unfortunate. But no matter. It fits well, and looks fetching with my ruggedly rumpled work jeans, which now carry the sun-kissed blush of the South African sky, and the dappled patina of the Indian Ocean, in whose warm salt waters they were gently baptized.
J. Peterman Posted 10-18-06 02:52 PM
<<<>>>>>
If I only played chess with beginners, I'd always win. But I'd never get better. And if I only played the masters, I'd probably get bored with getting spanked.
Most healthy people have a need to learn, as well as teach. If you're always the brightest or dimmest bulb in the group, you'll never have the chance to do both.
But I guess if I had to choose, I'd rather hang with the geniuses.
Mike Posted 10-22-07 10:44 AM
Like the man said, "sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug." In my thirties, I was often the former. Now, I'm often the later. But the view is still pretty good. Kathy, don't confuse my work ethic with my work schedule. Only one has changed radically.
At base, I still believe that you should try your hardest and do your best at whatever task you undertake. Whether you're splitting logs or sipping Boodles, do it well. I do not believe, that there is anything magical about an 8 hour workday or a 40 hour work week. Those are perimeters designed by people who write the checks, and accepted by those who draw a bright line between work and play. As a rule, I've chosen to avoid such relationships. Calling an activity "work" or "play" is just another label, and usually, a self-fulfilling prophecy. I prefer to smash the two together whenever possible.
As for putting this much time and this much effort into one undertaking, well, you're right. I've never done that before. But then again, I've never worked on a television project that allowed me to be myself. Nor have I aspired to. The fact that it's happening now, has persuaded me to stick around and see how it all ends. For me, that's unusual.
Mike Posted 08-24-07 12:02 PM
Christina
Well another few posts rounded up for your reading pleasure.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJModChickie,
Chris, Some of these old posts are absolutely priceless. Mike really is funny...no matter what he says! He always makes me smile...and sometimes even..."giggle".
grasshopper ...Yes Bubbles, I know, I know...please don't scold....
Good question, Goran. (Why is it whenever someone says 'good question' you can be assured of not getting a good answer?)
I think the odds are good that I'll be doing something for the network - although I'm not exactly sure what that might be. Current concerns include -
Just how many Dirty Jobs are out there? Just how much punishment can Mike take?
Season 2 will depend in part on the answers to those queries. In the meantime, 4 new episodes have aired - by next week, 13 will have been shot.
Standby.
Mike Posted 08-23-05 10:32 PM
I've seen more than a few people get plenty angry during production, including me. But so far, I have not been the target, or the cause of anyone's rage. (That I know of.)
Most of the frustration in making television comes from the pace at which production occurs. For the inexperienced, the process can seem painfully and needlessly ponderous. That can lead to impatience with people like me. Take Floyd of instance, the crawdad fisherman. He was utterly unimpressed with our cameras and our show - (which is precisely why I liked him so much.) But by the end of the day, we were pals.
On DJ, I try really hard to make the process fun, because, well, why not? After all, we're there to show the world how hard a chosen few work at making a living. Hard to get angry knowing that.
Mikerowe Posted 10-27-05 09:40 AM
1.) What parts of the interview/experiemce stood out positively and why?
A septic tank technician, a cow pot maker, an avian vomitologist, and a storm drain cleaner were given the same platform as celebrities, rock stars, and world leaders. Their opinions were shared in hundreds of countries around the world. Doesn't get much more positive than that.
2.) Conversely, which aspects could in your estimation have been better, and why?
Pass.
3.) Logistically, how were the 4 guest DJ "Hosts" selected?
I gave the producers a list of names that I thought would represent the series well. These four were available on short notice.
4.) What were the reactions of those DJ Hosts to the experience, if you are free to share that?
As best I could tell, overwhelmingly positive.
5.)Would you ever consider, or even actively pursue a role as an interviewer like LK, or perhaps something like David Letterman, or even a late night slot to start? Or the more serious news programs, like 60 Minutes or 48 Hours?
Maybe a talk show of some type. Prairie Home Companion meets The Daily Show. Something with a point of view. Definitely not news, or anything that makes a big or important claim. I find more integrity in Dancing With the Stars than "serious" news.
Mike Posted 08-04-07 02:49 AM
There is no time off. That's why it's important to like the work. Fortunately, I do.
Mike Posted 11-16-05 12:42 AM
The biggest challenge in television, in my worthless opinion, is to balance creativity and vision with mass appeal. Here's why...
Anything widely embraced by the masses will eventually be rejected by the masses.
and,
The very goal of television is to win the approval of the masses.
And so we have a paradox, whereby all shows are doomed to eventually jump the shark. It's inevitable.
The best shows are those that aren't for everyone, and don't try to be. They offend as many as they entertain, and usually go away after one or two seasons.
The worst are those that have no vision or voice, and agree to be changed whenever change is suggested. Those shows last longer, but are forgotten most quickly.
And the saddest I guess, are those that ignore everyone and everything around them, and pay no heed to the realities of the business.
And so, one way or another, most shows lose their way. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays our for DJ.
Mike Posted 01-26-06 12:37 AM
To tell you the truth, I don't know. However, I suspect that most of the people who I meet would be happy to answer questions or offer advice. In fact, giving regular working folks the opportunity to talk about their vocation is a big part of why the show works.
Years ago, when most Americans made their living doing some form of manual labor, Dirty Jobs would not have much new to offer. Today though, it's possible for most of us to make a living without ever picking up a hammer or shovel. For the first time, an entire generation is insulated from the daily rigors of actual hands on work.
If people are talking about Dirty Jobs, it's probably because they are surprised to learn just how many people still make their living the hard way - working in the dirt.
Mike Posted 02-19-06 05:07 PM
Hi DiAnA
You ask -
"What I would like to know is, what you feel, if any, society in general, might expect of you being that you are in the publics eye."
It's very dangerous in my opinion, to try and anticipate what society might want from me at any given moment. Trying to please society is a thankless task, because the public is an untrustworthy animal, and their "expectations" are nothing I care to predict, especially when it comes to television.
Every single TV show I've ever worked on has been a reflection of smart people, sitting in a room, trying to guess what large groups of viewers will ultimately watch. That's why my resume is cluttered with failures, and why television, by and large, blows. The repetition, the imitation, the predictability - it all comes from a desperate eagerness to please the public. The public's appetite pushes producers to constantly swing for the fences. They are obsessed with pleasing the masses, and fixated on delivering the next big "hit." It's how the machine is structured, and why, in my opinion, so much of television disappoints.
Dirty Jobs started with no such aspirations. It was basically a home movie that just got out of hand. When I work on this show, I try not to think about what the public might like. I think instead about the fans of the show, and more specifically, a small group of friends and family members - individuals whom I love and respect. I then proceed, as though they are the only ones who are watching.
It's really not that difficult to do, as they are the ones who matter most.
Thanks, Mike Posted 08-20-06 02:15 PM
Hi Liz
"You keep saying you don't understand how people can have real feelings in a relationship based on "perception"."
Actually, I said "nothing but perception."
"How different is posting here from having a pen pal?"
Wildly different. Pen Pals correspond privately. This is the exact opposite. Is a telephone conversation different than an interview on the radio? To me, it is.
"Why can't we form a relationship with you just based on what we see on tv and read here?"
Obviously, you can. But I hope you don't mind if I question it from time to time. Failing to do so, might create the impression that I'm encouraging such behavior. I'm not.
"With you, since we know what you look like that element of surprise has been erased. And, of course, we focus on what you choose to share with us here; but you have repeatedly told us you're the same as the person we see on DJ."
I am. But I have also encouraged you, repeatedly, to be skeptical, cautious, and wary of all earnestness, especially when expressed on line and on television.
"And everyone who has worked with you and posted here agrees with that perception."
That's nice. But it doesn't make it so.
"So, what I'm trying to say in my rambling way, is why not put some effort into having a relationship with you?"
Because I can't reciprocate. I come here for the conversation. Not a relationship. What would you think of a person who encouraged a relationship they knew they could not maintain?
"You've come across as a person with whom I/we would want to be friends; someone who is passionate about life, has a sense of humor that can cause you to laugh so hard as to cause tears, and who sincerely cares about others. Sounds like good friend material to me."
Thank you, sincerely.
"And, since when I "meet" someone with whom I want to be friends, I tend to take the friendship very seriously, that requires a wide range of emotions, or it would just be one-dimensional. Not my idea of something I'd want to waste my time on."
What do you suggest we do other than chat in front of thousands of others? Just how "serious" and "emotional" should this place be? I'm all for conversation that ranges from thoughtful to silly, but "emotional?" I just don't think this is the place.
If we were in fact pen pals, I might take a different view. But Liz, we are not two people chatting privately. Last month, there were literally millions of page views on this site. Millions. There are lots of new people here, and they should know that while I encourage all types of conversation, I save my actual heartfelt emotions for the real world.
And I encourage them to do the same.
Mike Posted 08-18-07 09:19 PM
Hi Katie
I have plenty to do, but try and keep a dialogue open with fans of the show. It's important, because Dirty Jobs relies on fans for more than viewership - you guys essentially program the show, and I appreciate that.
As for "pathetic," well, opinions will vary. It takes all kinds, and I have no problem with differing attitudes and expectations. My only responsibility is to be clear about what I can offer in this space, and encourage people not to take anything too personally.
Mike Posted 08-18-07 09:56 PM
quote: Since when did we all decide to sit back and just go along for this commercial ride? That is why I would like the crew's input. Tell me about why the industry all went this way. Please let me know what IS better about HD.
Hi Kathy,
There is nothing "better" about HD. Different, yes. But better - that's a matter of opinion.
Technical breakthroughs like digital recording and high definition depend on a consensus. In this case, a consensus among the masses that more realistic is more desirable. The marketing of these advancements does not concern itself with changing or creating a consensus, because it doesn't have to - it already exists. People are ingrained to expect the next best thing, and a good part of our economy is based on our insatiable appetite for something new. We each get to decide though, if we want apart of the consensus.
Personally, I think we've outfoxed ourselves. I finally got a Blackberry last year. Two months later, a new model came out, (The Curve?) and I was amazed at how many people told me I should upgrade. Now, all those people have the iphone, and can't understand why I do not. It looks like a great device, but in 6 months, what will they have instead?
As for music, which I love, I'm baffled by the fuss around most modern advancement. Digital enhancements, automatic pitch correction, computer mixing, headphones, the home theatre experience - the whole notion of being surrounded by sound makes me anxious. I like my music in front of me. I like to hear it, not be enveloped by it. There's a whole generation who have never heard instruments not enhanced electronically - who have never sat in front of a world class orchestra, or listened, really listened to string quartet in a drawing room. That's a shame, because that's real.
There was a time when technology brought us closer to reality. That was interesting. Now, it's tiresome, because we have actually left reality behind. That's my problem with High Def. It isn't real. It's hyper-real.
Mike Posted 01-01-08 03:01 PM
(This my friends, is why Mike Rowe hangs out in Mike Rowe's World. Please, proceed.)
Mike Posted 08-03-07 12:55 AM
Your cousin watches too much television. And never trust a man in a suit.
Unless of course, it's a hazmat suit.
Mike Posted 06-17-05 01:01 PM
Celebrities are often asked to comment on the phenomenon of becoming a public personality. It's a good question, but better directed toward the people who actually create them, which is why it's a great topic to discuss here.
Creating a celebrity does not require media, or paparazzi, or digital cameras, or tabloid magazines. Such devices help the evolution along, but celebrities abounded long before the digital age, or the electronic age, or the printing press. We adore them, envy them, resent them, and then, we destroy them, and build a new batch. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities are not made in Hollywood. They are and have always been, created entirely by the masses. Collectively, we chose our celebrities, and then, for a long list of fascinating reasons, we destroy them.
I see "celebrity" as a condition of heightened attention. Mass attention, if you will. But the idea that celebrities "Sign Up" for this kind of attention is dangerous to assume. It's a bit like saying the provocatively dressed woman who sits down at the bar is "asking for it." Maybe. Maybe not.
Certainly, the decision to enter a bar in high heels and hot pants is a conscious one, as is the decision to enter show biz. It's safe to assume she's looking for some level of attention, (who isn't?) But how much, exactly? And what kind?
Is she looking for conversation? Free drinks? Does she want to be stared at? Ogled? Does she wants her picture taken and posted on random websites for the world to see? Does she wants to be groped and fondled? Maybe she's looking for a one night stand? Some have suggested, as a legal defense, that such a person might actually want to be sexually assaulted on a pool table.
A lot of guys will look at a girl dressed like that and use her appearance as an excuse for behaving badly. They feel entitled, because in their minds, they figure she's "asking for it." Well, in public, a celebrity isn't much different. Both identities become excuses. Why? Because some people feel that a "celebrity" owes them something. They figure, "I watch this guy on TV and helped make him famous, so I have every right to take his picture without permission. Hey - he's asking for it." There's a very real sense of ownership and entitlement.
As a public figure, it's part of my job to accept that reality with grace. As a fellow human, I would simply suggest that there is no excuse for bad manners.
To answer your question, I'm prepared for some level of daily attention. In fact, I expect it, and by and large, I like it. Meeting cool people who want to say hello and talk about the show is very gratifying, and who says "no" to a free beer? Personally, I'd prefer not to be grabbed and photographed without first being asked, but it's no big deal, and kind of naive to complain about. My goal now, is to stay out of hot pants, and off the pool table.
Mike Posted 06-07-07 07:05 PM
Hi sorry this is a short post, I wanted to do at least part of one before I had to go out, I have to be out of here in like 5 minutes & I have been sick (thanks Court)
Christina
and yes Courteney does make good cookies
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJModChickie,
We don't choose our dreams. We only choose what we do about them, and whether or not to talk about it.
There is really only one sensible reaction for me to have in response to your revelation - and that reaction, is to be flattered.
Others may feel differently, but I decided long ago to be unoffendable in most situations, especially here. I believe the decision to be embarrased or angered or offended by an anonymous post in a virtual world is just that - a decision, and one that each person here gets to make for themselves. Personally, I limit my real emotions to the real world, and prefer not to empower things like TV or the Internet with that kind of influence.
This is a place to share thoughts, ideas, and maybe a few laughs. Hard feelings and/or misunderstandings are optional, but in my opinion, ill-advised.
Mike Posted 08-31-06 12:07 AM
Debbie,
Recent events have done nothing but confirm my belief regarding hurt feelings. Clearly, the same set of circumstances has had a very different effect on a lot of different people. Some are laughing, some are weeping. Some are angry, while some seem not to care at all. This leads me to believe that the specific circumstances surrounding this event have no uniform power or significance over the group.
This isn't gravity. Each person, individually, gets to decide how offended to become. And each person, individually, can decide how much information/explanation/apology they'll require in order to feel "satisfied." I do not believe people are powerless in this regard. And I understand completely that you and others may not agree with me. I hope you're OK with that. My goal here, has nothing to do with getting you to see things my way.
I'm answering questions on this matter, because my name is on this board and in this show, and I feel a certain obligation to clarify my role in the process. I think I've done exactly that. However, my feelings about an individuals responsibility for their own emotions have not changed. The facts in this case are unfortunate and out of your control. But the relevance you give them is entirely up to you.
As for the "fishiness" of an earlier comment, you are indeed mistaken. The 28th has been on my radar and productions calendar for several months. Inviting past guests was always contemplated. Inviting viewers, was not. At any rate, the size of the event was constantly evolving, right up to the last week.
Mike
PS For those of you tired of this subject, try ignoring it. For those who care to discuss it further, do so here. I'll not discourage your comments, and do my best to address your concerns in this thread. Posted 07-31-07 06:28 PM
Those are big questions.
There are days when I feel grateful. There are days when I feel charitable. There are days, too many, when I feel selfish and greedy and petty. There are days when I feel silly, and buoyant, and completely free. There are days when I feel shackled, and trapped, and overwhelmed.
Regardless, I get out of bed, but suspect it has nothing to do with how I'm feeling at the moment. I think it has more to do with muscle memory, inertia, and the way I suspect I'd feel if I choose to remain in bed.
I have no specific daily goals. Each day is precious - I know - but I reject the pressure of living each one like it's the last. That's like trying to stay in your lane on the highway by staring at each and every broken white line as they rush past. It's hard to see where you're headed, driving like that. I prefer to look at my days like pages in a book. Some are harder to get through than others, but they're all part of a bigger story. Hopefully, a good one.
Anyway, I agree with T. McGee - "The closest we can get to awareness is when we see one man, under stress, react in a noble, selfless way."
As goals go, that's as good as any. And as for influences or legacies, I suppose I could do worse than be remembered as the host of a program that helped celebrate hard work and good cheer.
Mike Posted 09-27-06 01:22 AM
I prefer subversive to irreverent, but thank you nevertheless.
If I were King of the World, Dirty Jobs would have very little narration, or none at all. I would prefer all the information and fact come from conversation. (See the roofing segment.) The pace would be slower. Scenes would play out longer. There would be more of a "behind the scenes feel," and less of an urgency to get from one scene to the next. The crew themselves would become characters. I would spend more time developing a relationship with the people I meet. Character would trump process, but we would still learn. Cr@p would not be bleeped. In other words, it would be unfit for prime time, and probably not the success that it has become.
Television tends to put people in boxes, and I don't want the people on this show to be made into straight men or heroes. I'm very suspiscious of "tributes," and feel the word "hero" has been grossly overused in general. That's why I try hard to keep things lighthearted. However, I really do believe that polite society is held together by a group of people that get very little credit and respect. The only genuine way to acknowledge that contribution, in my opinion, is to simply do the work with them, and try my best to keep up.
That's really what Dirty Jobs is supposed to be all about. Sweat, knowledge, and laughter. A look behind the curtain.
Mike Posted 11-14-05 12:58 AM
In my opinion, you don't "beat the blues," you listen to them.
I assume you're not talking about depression. That's controversial to say the least, and I have no advice on how to handle a feeling that some consider to be a disease.
I do however, believe it's naive to try and rush away or minimize a feeling of grief or sadness that may exist in your mind for a very good reason. What if, like physical pain, the blues are there to help us? What if our moods are trying to tell us something about the way we're living our lives?
Not to oversimplify, but standing too close to a fire hurts. And that's a good thing. It's the pain that reminds you to move away, and it's the moving away that will save your life. Ignoring that pain, or trying to get over it without actually stepping back from the flames is hazardous to your health.
Sooner or later, we all find ourselves "too close to a fire." And too often, we try to remedy the situation by doing everything but dealing with the root cause, and stepping away from the real source of the pain. When I get the blues, I figure my body is trying to tell me something, like maybe I'm not dealing with something that needs dealing with. Like maybe, I'm too close to an open flame.
Sometimes though, the blues are just the natural consequence of life. Regret, guilt, grief - most sadness has a logical root cause, and is nothing more than the consequence of an event or occurrence. Can you hurry healing process? Sure. There is a tendency though, to think that certain activities have an inherent power to make us feel better. Obviously, there is nothing universally curative about a particular song or show - if there were, the key to satisfaction and contentment would be the same for everyone. Alas, that is not the case. We are way to complicated for a universal panacea, and we must all find our own way.
Toward that end, I recommend 12 hours of hard, manual labor. if you have an IPod, listen to Dvorak while you work, loudly. I also find it helps to always remember that the world is full of happy people with very little, and sad people with very much.
Mike
PS Wine and Friends are helpful as well. Posted 09-03-06 07:18 PM
As a matter of policy, I make a point to always hold the door for the person behind me, pay the toll for the car behind me, and hold the hair of anyone barfing in my vicinity.
It's just basic manners.
Mike Posted 10-14-06 03:39 PM
Beth,
The "basically" game has been in effect since 1991. It was developed on QVC by yours truly, and began as an inside joke between myself and another host at the time. Typically, we would compete to see who could use the term more often in a presentation without letting anyone know what we were doing. In time, it evolved into an epic battle of linguistic abuse, and eventually into a drinking game at West Chester University. Basically, we've never stopped playing.
Mike Posted 10-21-07 12:08 PM
I get paid to try - not to succeed. Consequently, the vast majority of attempted jobs are screwed up on my end. You would be hard pressed I think, to point out a job that I did NOT screw up.
As I've said often, the best way to pay tribute to the people who actually do the work, is to show the audience, through the actions of an apprentice, the real difficulty of actually doing it.
So to answer your question, when I screw up, we have a show.
Mike Posted 08-28-06 01:07 PM
A meeting occurred. An offer was made. The price, was not right. And neither was the opportunity.
Mike Posted 07-26-07 11:47 AM
Do you have any experience as an 'event planner?" We may have an opening...
Mike Posted 07-31-07 02:39 AM
There will be no further discussion of Vomit Island. Speculate if you will, but neither Kristen or I will divulge any specifics.
Special K - I know nothing of fat Hawaiians, but am told a large sack of stuff has arrived at production. I'm titilated, and will have a look next week.
J-Dawg - you are incorrect.
Mike Posted 08-31-06 09:42 PM
Hi Rebecca
The info for requesting a photo is at the top of the page. I realize you're not asking for one, but the same address works for receiving as well. Not that I'm requesting, but many fans, for reasons of their own, have sent photos and other - paraphanalia - to said address. Barsky has arranged many of those offerings into a tasteful collage that now decorates the office. If you send a photo, it will find a home there.
Thanks, Mike Posted 07-15-06 11:19 AM
Like most sensible concepts, rational Safety is all about balance. But the problem with balance, is that you can never maintain it without constantly adjusting. Which means, we are always slightly out of balance, one way or the other.
When are we too reckless? When are we overly cautious? Opinions will vary about where Safety should rank on societies list of desirable conditions. But one thing seems certain - safety has never been first, at home or at work. And the current effort to make it so is way out of balance. And that, ironically, is dangerous.
Mike Posted 11-08-06 12:26 AM
Hi Marla,
Thank you.
Remember though, I'm working in my chosen field, at a time in my life when I don't really need to do anything I don't want to do. It's easy to look confident in those circumstances, and I guess for the most part, I am. However, I'm no stranger to apprehension and worry, having pood my pants on several occasions this past year alone.
I honestly sympathize with your present circumstance, and wish I could offer some sensible advice. Alas, I can not. I can't presume to know the particulars of your situation, and even if I did, I'd be reticent to offer anything other than a few general observations, along with my sincere hope that you land squarely on your feet. Here are some very general thoughts.
Security in the workplace is an illusion, and it always has been. For a long time, Corporate America was able to perpetuate the notion of security with pension plans and health insurance and 401K's and matching contributions and company picnics and daycare and profit-sharing and vested options and a lot of other enticements that encourage loyalty, foster dependence, and slowly convince otherwise responsible grownups to view their employers as parent figures. (Parent Company, anyone?) Well, the chickens have come home to roost, and thousands of jobs have gone up in smoke. Thousands more will follow. And thousands more after that.
In my opinion, the workforce at large would be better served by adopting the attitude that all jobs are transitory, and let go of the belief that our bosses owe us anything more than a paycheck. We should all enter the workplace with the expectation of being fired. Like politicians, most workers would benefit from term limits on the job.
The culprit is not Coprorate America or Capitalism, it's our stubborn need to keep up with The Jonses, and own the material things we are told we deserve, even if it means living paycheck to paycheck. We just can't seem to help ourselves. As a culture, we proceed as though we are entitled to own that which we can not afford. We raise families with no clear plan for how we'll provide for them. We accept debt as though it's inevitable. We live paycheck to paycheck, and then, blame our bosses when the paycheck goes away. We refinance, over and over and over. We simply need to change the way we think about work, security, money, and debt.
If my opinion were to take the form of advice, and I was talking to a group of graduating seniors, I would say this. Consume less. Pay yourself first. Save more. Avoid all debt. Do whatever you can to make certain your company needs you more than you need it. Under promise. Over deliver. And always remember, all jobs are dirty jobs.
Mike Posted 04-01-07 03:31 PM
Here is a 19 page thread that has lots of interesting photo's and conversation you may enjoy checking out.
I'm afraid that I will be a little bit busy for the next 10 days so, I will not be able to post as often but I will try. I also have to deal with the fact that I like to talk or babble as I post and that is not allowed here (this thread) for me any longer. So I need to reevaluate how to post.
I should... be back soon christina
If you miss me maybe if you want you can go back and reread some of previous posts (lol)
Life is still crazy but unfortunately I’ve become addicted to doing these posts, so heres my new one (Mike’s old ones)
Well, I'm no expert, but if I were to hazard a guess, I might suggest that ginger is widely known to be a cleanser of the palate, and a common precursor to new tastes. Given your low number of posts, I might further deduce that you are new to the show, or perhaps this forum. Maybe this "newness" is somehow linked to the "new taste" of an impending food, triggered by the smell of ginger.
Regardless, others smell things far worse and think of me, so I'm flattered to be associated with something kind of pleasant.
Mike Posted 05-05-07 02:23 AM
Hi Therese
The plan is to increase the frequency of these videos. Hopefully, something new everyday, based on and around the letters I receive here and through regular mail.
The content will vary, and not be limited to behind the scenes footage. Liable to get a little weird.
Mike Posted 05-04-07 07:39 PM
Debi
All good things must come to an end, including Dirty Jobs.
But not today.
Look for new episodes in July. And who knows, if I can hold it together a bit longer, we may even have some new episodes in '08. No guarantees, but hope springs eternal, and if the stars line up, I'm game for more.
One more thing. In the history of civilization, there has never been a more efficient time for rumor and misinformation to fly through space and time than right now. Broadcast Television and The World Wide Web have enabled any nitwit with a voice and a keyboard to vomit bad information all over the masses. Follow any rumor back to it's source, and you will always find the same culprit. A lazy reporter, a government worker, a careless intermediary, or some feckless dude trying to get a rise out of a girl. I'm happy to keep you all up to date with information pertaining to the show. (For the record, all such information is posted here, by me, before it appears in the mainstream press.) However, asking for clarification on gossip, only gives the rumor more seriousness than it deserves. The onus of proof should lie with the original poster. If their source is a guy who gets his information from The TV Guide Channel, well, consider the source.
It is safe to assume that when I do decide to start wearing clean clothes again, the news will not be broken by the crack journalists at TV Guide, or Brian.
Fly safe, and enjoy McGee. I'd trust him more than most non-fictional characters...
Mike Posted 04-09-07 04:05 AM
Dirty Jobs is an odd show, mainly because it has an odd person at it's center. A lot of what I do and say is an attempt to entertain myself, and simply get through the day. To that end, I've confessed before to playing a game called "What's New." The rule is simple - In every episode, leave the viewer with a ridiculous image of something they've never seen or heard before.
Take the tub, for instance. Sitting in a bubble bath may not be groundbreaking or original. But answering viewer mail off a laptop that's resting on a toilet, WHILE sitting in a bubble bath - well, that's something you don't see everyday. Whether or not that image is entertaining or merely self-induldgent is another matter, and open to discussion. Regardless, it strikes me as humorous, and my motivation behind such silliness is to draw viewers with like minds.
Same thing with the hotel room. The idea of suggesting to the world that I am squeamish about germs when the world has seen me covered in filth for the last three years is just to tempting to ignore. So, I concoct an unbelievable scenario about hotel rooms that conflicts sharply with my persona, and put it in the show as a monument to absurdity. In other words, I am not really scared of remote controls, telephones, stained comforters, or germs in general. I made the whole thing up.
I have been cautioned in the past that this kind of duplicity could undermine my credibility as a journalist and a TV Host, which is fine by me. I aspire to neither. On Dirty Jobs, I am a Guest with a point of view, and my POV includes certain levels of misinformation.
When it comes to actually doing the work, I don't cheat or make stuff up. But when it comes to my own personal proclivities, viewer beware - nothing you hear or see from Mike Rowe regarding Mike Rowe should be taken too seriously or literally. This board is the only place where I come clean about me. And even then, sparingly.
As many of you know, my favorite bit of advice comes from T. McGee - "Be wary of all earnestness." It applies doubly to all things televised.
Mike Posted 04-01-07 12:30 PM
Well, I'm back from from The South Seas, tanned, rested, and ready for more dirt. What I'm not quite ready for, is the three feet of mail sitting on my kitchen table, or the 500 new questions posted here. Good Grief! What happened? Did the network run a marathon or something?
Of course, I'm grateful for all the interest in the show, and I promise to read through every post this weekend and answer what I can. Be patient though - I'm still on island time.
Mike Posted 07-13-06 01:27 PM
Greetings from London, specifically, the South African Airways Lounge at Heathrow, where it's apparently OK to drink Gin at 3 in the afternoon.
Shortly after announcing that Dirty Jobs would be off the air for a few months, several people here expressed their displeasure with the Networks decision. A few days later, the show mysteriously reappeared on the schedule. Interesting. There's even a marathon on the horizon. Hmmm. Makes you wonder who might be reading these posts...
Anyway, I'm headed South, and will check in here from time to time if technology permits. In the meantime, see you in reruns. Don't forget to pay your taxes. New shows start late May, early June.
Mike Posted 04-01-06 09:26 AM
Hey Shari-lass
New episodes starting next Tuesday - I think. As we speak, important people are racing through the editing process. Will they make it?? Stay tuned. 2/28 at the latest.
As for new aquaintances, it would be a pleasure to make yours, and a few of the other inmates in this, my favorite asylum. Other than that, no one comes to mind.
Mike Posted 02-16-06 12:39 AM
Danger is my middle name, baby.
The challenges facing Dirty Jobs are born from it's current success. There are plenty of dirty jobs out there, but finding them is only part of the problem. At issue now, for me anyway, is the task of feeding the beast.
Discovery requires new premeires with very short notice. This show, in it's current format, demands a great deal from yours truly, and can not be produced with the speed of other hit shows. Consequently, great minds are now examining ways to get more episodes produced faster. This might include longer segments, non-hosted content, or another personality. All options are on the table. I have an open mind, but my main concern now is to perpetuate the series without "jumping the shark." All shows, (except for The Office,) decline before they go away. For what it's worth, I'll do what I can to keep the show simple and fun.
The immitators are coming, and in time, Dirty Jobs will run it's course, and I will become annoying and forgettable. Sure we're in danger. Always. But for now, we're dodging the bullets.
Mike Posted 11-11-05 11:40 AM
Hi Erin
For the guys who do these jobs on a daily basis, there is no such thing as a "new recommendation." They've heard it all, and in most cases, perfected their routines and adapted accordingly. The road kill guys for instance, don't seem to be bothered by the incredibly rank odor of rotting meat - in fact, I suspect that they don't even notice it anymore. Unfortunately, I have developed no such defense mechanism. As for the noodlers, take such pride in their work, they would probably view goggles as "cheating." No, my strategy with these guys is not to advise, but to merely hang on for dear life.
As for the conditions in San Antonio, I can only recommend lots of water, and one hour of Dirty Jobs every Tuesday. If the symptoms persist, record the program, and rerun as needed.
Mike Posted 08-01-05 10:57 PM
Christina
Learning not to babble as I type, slow process by I’m working on it (cat move I can’t see the monitor)
