Undercover Boss

[mrzrich]

Anyone else watching this? About fell off my chair last night when they went to the 7-11 in Shirley, NY. I grew up in that town. Nobody ever heard of that town. (Even Long Islanders!) I can't believe that store sells more coffee than any other in the whole corporation.

I liked the first episode with Waste Management best.

I can't imagine that companies don't already do this to some degree. Send people from corporate out to work with the grunts. DH says its different for the CEO to actually be down on that level first hand though.

The show has a pretty short shelf life though. Pretty soon people will catch on to the new trainee with the film crew angle.

I find the speech at the end of each episode (with the employees canned laughter) a little over the top sickening sweet.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

I saw the first episode and missed the other two. Can they be viewed online, I'll have to catch up?

 

[Madi100]

I really do like this show. However, I think that there are a huge amount of 7-11's that could use some help. But it is nice to see them going into places and seeing what needs to be done.

 

[Schrute Farms]

I really like this show. The Waste Management and the 7-11 ones were very good. The Hooters one not as much, and the Hooter's CEO is way over his head imo.

 

[WaltD4Me]

All I can say is, I'd love to see Bob Iger go undercover and work on a ferry boat with Zulemara!

I like the show, except the Hooters episode, I think that guy was just trying to get on TV. Next week's White Castle episode looks good though.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I saw the first episode and missed the other two. Can they be viewed online, I'll have to catch up?

Last night's episode, at cbs.com, yes. I only know because I was looking for Amazing Race information - so it's possible you can view older shows as well (and of course there's always the (ahem) 'possibility' of reruns...

 

[snowwhitenyc]

I haven't seen the show, but I have heard of Shirley! I grew up in Rocky Point (even more obscure). I didn't realize the Shirley 7-11 was so popular, but I guess LIers do like their cheap coffee

We have two 7-11s in RP -- they are within 1/2 mile of each other on the same road, on opposite sides of the street. Apparently people in my town don't like to make left turns.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I have only seen the Hooters episode and portions of the 7-11 show but I liked it. However, I think the feel-good stories in the background are a bit contrived. Sure, there are a lot of people out there who struggle to survive but it seems like the show has purposely targeted locations with unusual human interest stories to pull on heartstrings. Take the 7-11 story about the woman who is waiting for a transplant. Are you telling me that they arbitrarily chose that location?

But all cinicism aside, I think it's a great idea for a show!

 

[lugnut33]

How do they get a bass to go undercover?

 

[maiziezoe]

We've seen them all so far and really enjoy them. I really like that I can watch them with my 13 year old DD and not worry about what she is viewing.

 

[mrzrich]

However, I think the feel-good stories in the background are a bit contrived. Sure, there are a lot of people out there who struggle to survive but it seems like the show has purposely targeted locations with unusual human interest stories to pull on heartstrings. Take the 7-11 story about the woman who is waiting for a transplant. Are you telling me that they arbitrarily chose that location?

I don't know, if that store is truly the #1 coffee seller in the entire company, I could see him wanting to go there to see what they are doing right. Strange that he doesn't, on the other hand, go to the poorest performing store to see what's not working.

I felt the waste management episode was a little bit hard to swallow, with all the people on the garbage route coming out to greet the trash lady. Also the girl who was losing her house. "Gee Randy...wanna come to my house for dinner? (Even though I never met you before)...It just happens to be spotless (even though I do the work of 4 people)...I just happen to have a nice meal planned and plenty to go around (even though there are 8 people living in my house)....now let me tell you about my financial problems." (did I mention I never met you before?)

 

[BLTLDZ]

I felt the waste management episode was a little bit hard to swallow, with all the people on the garbage route coming out to greet the trash lady. Also the girl who was losing her house. "Gee Randy...wanna come to my house for dinner? (Even though I never met you before)...It just happens to be spotless (even though I do the work of 4 people)...I just happen to have a nice meal planned and plenty to go around (even though there are 8 people living in my house)....now let me tell you about my financial problems." (did I mention I never met you before?)

My fiance and I asid the EXACT same thing.

 

[dalt01]

Pretty soon people will catch on to the new trainee with the film crew angle.

i am sure they had the whole season in the can before they aired.

 

[mrzrich]

i am sure they had the whole season in the can before they aired.

Right, but it doesn't bode well for seasons to come.

 

[mrzrich]

I saw the first episode and missed the other two. Can they be viewed online, I'll have to catch up?

All three episodes are available to view online:

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/video/?vs=Full Episodes

 

[dalt01]

i am sure they had the whole season in the can before they aired.

Right, but it doesn't bode well for seasons to come.

point taken..........however Candid Camera got away with it for some time. as did Ashton Kutcher.

 

[mrzrich]

point taken..........however Candid Camera got away with it for some time. as did Ashton Kutcher.

Both of those shows were hidden camera shows, which is an element they may need to add to this show if they plan to keep it going. They can do it pretty easily too. Install the cameras a few weeks before for "security" or "productivity" or as an upgrade to existing cameras. Give the employees a few weeks to forget about the cameras or to miss the coincidence and then have the new trainee show up.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I like the show. The Hooters guy seemed like he really had not a clue about the company.

 

[dalt01]

Both of those shows were hidden camera shows, which is an element they may need to add to this show if they plan to keep it going. They can do it pretty easily too. Install the cameras a few weeks before for "security" or "productivity" or as an upgrade to existing cameras. Give the employees a few weeks to forget about the cameras or to miss the coincidence and then have the new trainee show up.

well there ya have it.............i do not watch this and i assumed that it was hidden camera.......logic told me that a guy walking around on a new job would look a little funny with a camera crew following him.

 

[mrzrich]

well there ya have it.............i do not watch this and i assumed that it was hidden camera.......logic told me that a guy walking around on a new job would look a little funny with a camera crew following him.

Yeah... they try to explain the cameras by saying that he is a on a reality show, or making a documentary about a guy trying different entry level jobs.