Category: Mike’s Blogs

migrated from pd

Off The Wall: Baltimore Riots

Shari

Catherine Beck Shoup Today at 9:22am We could use your perspective right now as a hometown hero, Mike. I have shared some pictures with a more positive perspective on my page, and hoping you can comment on this situation for the millions who listening to you. I know you don’t get into politics, but Baltimore could use a little wisdom, Mike Rowe style. Hi Catherine I doubt that I could write anything more wise or positive than what you’ve already shared on your own page. As for heroic, I’ll go with the attached images. Secondly, to the hundreds who have Read More

Farewell to Some Old Friends

Shari

Time to bid a sad but fond farewell to some old friends. Cash Wiley died on Easter Sunday. Fans of Dirty Jobs will remember Cash as a Salt-of-the Earth guy in Texas who showed me the ins and outs of sedating big animals, and the deceptively complicated business of safely relocating them. He loved all creatures great and small, and showed the crew and me more trust and hospitality than most people show their friends and family. Cash was a nice man, an excellent host, and a hell of a good shot. Dolly “Messie Bessie” Evans on the other hand, Read More

Off The Wall: College Degree Required for Elected Officials

Shari

Kyle Smith writes… Howard Dean recently criticized Gov Scott Walker for never finishing college, stating that he was “unknowledgeable.” What would your response be on college as a requirement for elected office? Hi Kyle Back in 1990, The QVC Cable Shopping Channel was conducting a national talent search. I had no qualifications to speak of, but I needed a job, and thought TV might be a fun way to pay the bills. So I showed up at The Marriott in downtown Baltimore with a few hundred other hopefuls, and waited for a chance to audition. When it was my turn, Read More

A Pithy Valentine to the Stuff that really Matters

Shari

OFF THE WALL I sat down a few minutes ago to write something whimsical and amusing about Valentines Day, but got distracted by the rich tapestry of random musings filling my wall. This one jumped out. It’s not so much whimsical or amusing, but it made feel good about our efforts with mikeroweWORKS. On the one hand, it’s a short thank-you note from an Englishman who likes watching Dirty Jobs on the telly. On the other hand, it’s a story about real life, hard work, true love, alternative education, and skilled labor – in barely 400 words. In other words, Read More

Off The Wall: Minimum Wage

Shari

Hi Mike, The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and hour. A lot of people think it should be raised to $10.10. Seattle now pays $15 an hour, and the The Freedom Socialist Party is demanding a $20 living wage for every working person. What do you think about the minimum wage? How much do you think a Big Mac will cost if McDonald’s had to pay all their employees $20 an hour? Darrell Paul Hi Darrell Back in 1979, I was working as an usher for United Artists at a multiplex in Baltimore. The minimum wage was $2.90, and I Read More

Year End Bobblehead Frenzy

Shari

I just got off the phone with my Dad. He asked me what was new, and I told him someone just bought the very first Mike Rowe Bobblehead. “What’s a Bobblehead?” he asked. “It’s a little statue,” I explained, “with an oversized head that bobs and wiggles around on a spring. They’re collectible.” “What’s the point,” he said? “I mean, what do they do, just stand there and shake?” “Pretty much,” I said. “Although mine talks when you press a button.” “Really? What’s it say?” My father is suspicious of talking objects. “Different things,” I said. “You know, stuff I’ve Read More

Look Out World… Nic’s gonna be an Electrician!

Shari

Todd Ducheny writes, Hey Mike I just wanted to pass on a HUGE THANK YOU to the mikeroweWORKS foundation and the opportunity you have given my son Nic DuCheny. A month or so ago, Nic found out that he had been awarded a mikeroweWORKS scholarship to attend Western Dakota Technical Institute (WDTI) to pursue a career in the Electrical Trades. That scholarship was in the amount of $2500. Nic was pretty excited, as this was less money he would have to take in student loans. Well, I just got back from the mail box, and there was a letter addressed Read More

Holy C.R.A.P. – It’s Black Friday!

Shari

The time has come to once again bolster the dwindling coffers at The mikeroweWORKS Foundation by selling my personal crap to the highest bidder. This particular piece of CRAP, (Collectibles Rare And Precious,) has hung proudly on my wall for the last year. Now, it needs a new home, and I can think of no finer destination than your humble abode. Behold the attached video, and tell me you don’t agree. The money goes for work ethic scholarships, so bid high and recklessly. Thanks – Mike PS This AmazonSmile thing has been a huge help to the Foundation. If you Read More

mikeroweWORKS Watch Purchased for $4,050!

Shari

  Last week, I gave my watch to Chris Cuomo, who appeared to be coveting it during our interview on New Day. He then offered it for sale on-line, and promised to give the proceeds to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Well, one thing lead to another, and eventually, my $35 mikeroweWORKS watch was purchased for $4,050.00. That’s four-thousand and fifty US dollars. This kind of generosity never ceases to amaze me, and I just wanted to personally thank everyone else who overbid in such a dramatic fashion, especially Tracy Everett, who coughed up the gelt in question. When my office asked Read More

OFF THE WALL: Passion is Too Important to be Without, but Too Fickle to Be Guided By

Shari

Stephen Adams, Auburn, AL “Hi, Mike. Let me begin by saying that I love what you and your foundation are attempting to do. However, I’m confused by your directive to NOT “follow your passion.” I think it can be safely argued that if no one followed their passion, companies like Apple, Microsoft, Dow, and many more wouldn’t exist. If no one follows their passion, who innovates? Who founds companies that provide jobs for the outstanding workers that your foundation aims to help?” Hi Stephen A few years ago, I did a special called “The Dirty Truth.” In it, I challenged Read More

OFF THE WALL: A Price Worth Paying

Shari

“Mike- you were recently tagged in Glen Beck’s post about being interviewed on his program. Do you realise how many people are upset about this because they despise Glen Beck?! I am disappointed that you did the interview because I want nothing to do with Beck. It’s a travesty.” Posted by Tobey Gloss, 3:20 pm, 9/25/2014 Hi Tobey I’m not so sure we agree on the definition of a “travesty.” To me, a travesty is what happens when the state executes an innocent man, or sets a guilty one free. A travesty is ignoring a bully, or betraying the public Read More

Dubiski Career High School & Holt Cat doing their part to Close the Skills Gap

Shari

Spent yesterday in Grand Prairie Texas, just outside Dallas. There’s a trade school there called Dubiski. They train kids for jobs that actually exist, and they are without question one of the best facilities I’ve ever seen. Nearby, there’s a Cat Dealership called Holt. As many of you know, Cat has supported my efforts with mikeroweWORKS for years. Down here in Texas, The Cat Dealership is always looking for kids with the talent and the work ethic required to repair and maintain really big machines. In the heat. Currently, they’re hiring, and the opportunities are really, really good. Long story Read More

OFF THE WALL: Disapproval from a Fake Journalist

Shari

Mike, a friend of mine posted this article recently. “Mike Rowe’s Dirty Job.” While I fundamentally disagree with every point in it, I would love to hear your rebuttals to the personal attacks. Posted by Joey Defourneaux, 10:02 am, 9/7/2014 Thanks Joey Happy to oblige. When my flight’s delayed, and my entire day goes to hell in a handcart, there’s really no better way to pass the time than by analyzing the thoughtful prose of a fake journalist who has the courage to make shit up. The writer is a guy named Ari Paul, and the publication is called The Read More

mikeroweWORKS Turns 6 and 176 Students Are Going to Have Wonderful Lives in 2014

Shari

Howdy As some of you know, I have a small foundation called mikeroweWORKS. It began six years ago on this day. Since then, things have since gotten progressively and delightfully out of hand. The purpose of mikeroweWORKS is to encourage more people to pursue job opportunities that actually exist – specifically, opportunities that require the mastery of a skill that’s in demand. That means lots of PR, lots of speeches, and lots of partnerships with companies and organizations that help reinvigorate the skilled trades. Toward that end, we also have a Work Ethic Scholarship Program. So far this year, mikeroweWORKS Read More