If you’re ever feeling like you’re in a dead-end job, or you’re tired of doing all the grunt work for your boss, watch Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel. I’ve only recently become a fan (this is what happens when you are on maternity leave and have some time to kill) but I’m completely hooked. Rowe takes on jobs that most of us are fortunate to not do day-in and day-out. Granted, many of these folks like their jobs, but really, how often can a Roadkill Collector start the day saying, “I just can’t wait to get to work”? Sure, the work is gross, but the show is really interesting.
My favorite episode so far is when Rowe becomes a Casino Food Recycler in Las Vegas. A pig farmer there collects in dumpsters the leftover food from the casino buffets, sorts out the non-edible items, cooks it all up in a giant vat, and then feeds the slop to his pigs. It may not sound like a great show, but between the dry humor of the pig farmer and watching Rowe trying to corral escaped pigs, it’s “a hoot,” as some would say.
Rowe’s voice is wonderful. It should be — he used to sing baritone with the Baltimore Opera. I was first introduced to his sonorous oration when he was the host of The Most on the History Channel, a show Randy would watch over breakfast when we lived in Kentucky. You might recognize is voice from Ford F-Series truck commercials or from when you secretly watch American Chopper as Rowe is the narrator. If you’re really brave, you may admit that you recognize his voice from the early days of QVC (which has since become the best home shopping television channel, thank you very much) when Rowe was a host (here are some embarrassing video from his tenure for your enjoyment).
Even if you don’t think you’d be interested in learning how to catch bloodworms, work in a salt mine, or sex chicks (that’s sorting baby chickens by gender), try to tune into an episode or two (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT or check the Discovery Channel’s schedule for other showtimes). The show is funny and interesting and sure makes you appreciate the luxury of working in a cubicle maze.