Mike Rowe

 1. You grew up in Maryland but live in San Francisco. How did you end up on the west coast?

I was living in L.A. freelancing. A buddy was running the local CBS affiliate here and was in charge of a new show called “Evening Magazine.” They needed a host. I didn’t really want a full time job, but I was happy to fill in, so I moved up here and went to work impersonating a host.

2. Your mom and dad were schoolteachers & are they surprised by their little boy’s success?

I think amused would be a better expression. They’ve had a front row seat watching me “Forest Gump” my way through a very strange industry. And, relieved when I could pay off bills and make ends meet.

3. Is it true you were an Opera singer?

Believe it or not, I sang for the Baltimore Opera. I recall wanting a union card and the opportunity to meet girls. One thing singing did for me was to cure me of a stammer and opened the door to a whole new world of performance.

4. Everyone likes you & executives, laborers, men, women, grandparents, students, my daughters & have you ever considered a political career?

Thanks. That’s a very complimentary question. I think the best way to destroy any kind of broad-based bipartisan appeal is to get into politics. I’ve never been interested in the structure of politics as we know it today, but I am interested in why most people seem to not dislike me. I think it’s just being sincere and authentic. Politicians want to fit in while on the campaign trail but they rarely do.

5. I watched a rerun of “Dirty Jobs” recently where you were at a chicken farm in Arizona being authentic & cleaning up poop in a skid loader. Sometimes, do you wish you weren’t so authentic?

That was a fun trip actually, and kind of an important one. I’d been trying to get into Hickman’s Farms for years. The farmers really feel under siege by the media; they’re rarely portrayed fairly. But they thought I would give them a fair shake.

That segment led to a relationship with the National Egg Board, which in turn led to a relationship with the Beef Council and Dairy Council. And ever since then I’ve spoken at every major food provider and every major agricultural concern in the country.