I'm sitting here watching "Undercover Boss" on OnDemand because my sister said it was interesting.

I think it's cool that those guys are able to see what goes on "down below", but how can they be undercover with cameras around?

There's only been one episode, so I'd like to see how this reality show progresses...

Did anyone else watch the show?
[Edited 2/10/10 16:19pm]

It's a cute idea, but it's silly too.

The part I caught had the boss "audition" for a job picking up trash beside the road, and he found that he just wasn't quite good enough for it! They only take the best of the best, I guess.

He actually did a variety of jobs: cleaned Port-A-Potties, worked on the recycling line, rode on a truck...
He wasn't very good, but if he's spent all his time in an office, why would he be? And he only did each job once.

Next week is the "Hooters" CEO.

chocolate1 said:

yeah and of course the idea is that the low paying jobs are difficult, even for a CEO, and I agree they are! From physically demanding jobs to answering phones, I've done them and they're really hard.

But how often have you seen people picking up trash and they're literally running around as they're being timed? Then told they're not qualified? I don't know about that!

NDRU said:

chocolate1 said:

I do really think it's a cool idea, though. I have been in situations where I am running a cash register, answering questions for customers, and some suddenly the phone rings and I'm expected to answer it. I think that kind of work is just as hard as any. I understand it's not highly skilled labor that takes specific training (like computer programming or brain surgery) but I think it's still very hard to do well.

So it's nice to shed light on how difficult some of the lowest paying jobs are.

NDRU said:

I agree.

chocolate1 said:

Good question

veronikka said:

well I think they know it's a reality show, they just don't know he's the CEO.

But that's why what I saw was so silly, all the qualifications needed to pick up trash seemed like a big show for the Waste Management people.

I thought about it, tho... How efficient I'd be on a windy day with a trash bag and a pole.
The workers who do it have no choice if they want a job. I'd be like, "F it" in 15 minutes.

chocolate1 said:

oh yeah it would suck, don't get me wrong. But would they really time you and say "2 bags per 10 minutes?" This guy was literally running and then told it wasn't good enough.

But then, maybe they would. Come to think of it, the only people I see picking up trash are doing community service as punishment, so they understandably don't work very hard.

Maybe there are more requirements when it's actually your job. Normally that would be the case, obviously, but picking up trash is just about the lowest job available (I have done it, so I'm not looking down on those who do it), do they really hold it up to such a high standard?

Anyway, I think we all know this is TV not real life. We know it's twisted just a little, if not a lot.

I saw the episode where the CEO was working for waste management. If I were the "office manager," the lady he wanted to help, I would have been immediately suspect of him working the line because he seemed too "polished." Not being able to pick up the trash quickly by using common sense struck me a little odd. I do it all the time around my neighborhood because I can't stand to see trash in my little community. I didn't see the "reveal" though because the DVR cut it off too soon. I like the concept of the show and will continue to watch.

Shyra said:

The next one is "Hooters".