Blogs / Articles

  • National Big Money February 6, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Mike, I am sitting here thinking as I watch a NFL game and those players make six figures or more in salary. And there is stars, like yourself who make six figures or more for whatever you do. Then you have guys like plumbers and all who are lucky if they make 40 thousand a year, ... read more...
  • Education I’m curious Mike… February 6, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: What are your feelings on education? Did you start school with an idea of what you wanted to be or a degree you wanted to pursue? It seems you are a well-rounded individual and I’m just curious if there was anything you had ever considered pursuing as a career. You are obviously a gifted writer ... read more...
  • Diaper Services – now that is a dirty job January 21, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Mike, My wife and I have been fans for years now. With our son being just over a year old now we have become intimately familiar with the Dirty Job that is Parenthood. One service we evaluated, yet chose against, was diaper services. Several of our friends use the Dandy Diaper Service and we just cannot comprehend ... read more...
  • The Marketing Truth January 21, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Really Mike, I’m questioning this also… are we being profiled to understand the direction of mikeroweWorks? – Nola Hi Nola, Obviously, that’s a tricky word, and I’m not sure how you mean it in this context. In a few months, when the things are a bit more organized, I’ll take the temperature of things, and decide if anything ... read more...
  • Mike Rowe takes on the ‘Dirty’ job of Rebuilding America January 21, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Mike Rowe takes on the ‘Dirty’ job of rebuilding America ~ Now how in the world is Mike going to accomplish this goal? We’ll just have to wait and see. Maria Hi Maria, My philosophy here is a lot like my attitude on the show. I believe there is real equity in simply trying. “Succeeding,” or “accomplishing,” or “completing,” ... read more...
  • “Boy Howdy” January 21, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Haven’t heard that expression in years, but had to chuckle just now. The gate agent here at Burbank Airport is apparently a fan of Dirty Jobs, and wanted to express his enthusiasm for the show with an exclamation that was notable not just for its colloquialism, but for its sheer volume. Made me laugh and lurch ... read more...
  • Why Work Sucks and How To Fix it! January 20, 2009 From the MRW Water Cooler Q. When I was flying out to Wisconsin last month, I came across an article in the NWA World Traveler magazine on board the plane. It was titled, “Where every day is Saturday,” and it immediately caught my attention because of a single word that appeared in it, “ROWE.” No, it wasn’t referring to Mike; it stands ... read more...
  • Has anyone seen the musical 1776? December 25, 2008 From the MRW Water Cooler Q. Hubby rented it for us to watch. We watched part last night and the rest this morning. I was wary of a musical on the declaration of independence, but I was pleasantly surprised. I recommend it highly if you haven’t seen it. Dani A. In 1976, Exxon sponsored a regional run of that show, to help celebrate ... read more...
  • Celebrities doing good…a Catch-22? December 22, 2008 From Mike’s forum  on Discovery Q: Good Morning Mike, Well, believe it or not, as much as I do like your show I have admit I’ve already used that VHS tape to record over your program. An episode of House was on that I hadn’t seen before. Oh, and yes, I still own VHS tapes. So, I’m not sure I can quote a ... read more...
  • Top 10 Interview Questions I Would Ask Mike December 20, 2008 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: 10. What areas of your life do you feel like you are shortchanging? Nothing major. Friends, family, pets, etc. 9. If you could do anything tomorrow, what would it be? Sleep till noon. Write till 6. Read till midnight. In the leather chair. By the fire. Near the wine. 8. What is the thing you are most proud of accomplishing ... read more...
  • My analysis of Mike’s Mission December 16, 2008 From the MRW Water Cooler Q: As I was watching the mission statement, I had a few thoughts about what you, Mike Rowe, want to do. And I thought I might share it with you. 1) You are absolutely right about the problem of work in the country, but looking at it straight, it is coming from a well-off prime-time stud that ... read more...
  • Mike and being a Perpetual Apprentice November 25, 2008 From the MRW Water Cooler Q. Mike it occurs to me that you are comfortable in the perpetual apprentice role. Is that keeping you from having to be an expert in something? Do you want to excel in writing? It’s not that I feel that you are not good at what you do, because you are good at everything even if ... read more...
  • Thinking Work is the Enemy is the Problem, crumbling infrastructure and poor work ethic is the Symptom August 8, 2008 From Mike’s forum on Discovery Q: At Work…a man came in with so many maggots embedded in a wound in his arm, it took 3 hours to clean it. You want to smell something Dave and Mike? He has been moved to a downtown hospital, where he can be treated. But since he cannot care for himself for several reasons all ... read more...
  • The “Reverse Commute” August 2, 2008 From Mike’s Mud Room on Discovery.com Q: I just read the interview Mike did for the BCPS (Baltimore County Public Schools). In this interview he is asked this question: “What advice do you have for current students on choosing/building a career? He answers: “I’m a fan of the “reverse commute”. He goes on to explain the reverse commute is: watch where ... read more...
  • Crumbling Infrastructure June 26, 2008 Q: “Crumbling infrastructure? Decreased enrollment in trade schools? How about letting the rest of us read it?” Moose —  desertengineer Mike’s Reply 6/27/08 (compilation reply to many) A: Hi Moose, if I send it, you’ll see it, as will everyone else, since it will be an “open letter.” I haven’t decided yet if I want to go there, but if I do, it will ... read more...