C.R.A.P. AUCTION ~ A Visit from Barsky & a Mike Rowe Autographed Extra Virgin…T-Shirt

SOLD! $825 – CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNING BIDDER & THANK YOU TO ALL WHO BID! This week’s C.R.A.P. guest is a blast from Mike’s Dirty Jobs past – Dave Barsky! Fans will remember field producer Dave sent Mike into all kinds of dirty and sometime perilous situations. Now, in a giving and somewhat redeeming fashion he brings Mike the infamous “Extra Virgin” t-shirt he was given during the taping of the Olive Oil Presser segment and he wore (and got really filthy) during the Hawaiian Red Dirt Shirt segment.

Off The Wall: Baltimore Riots

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

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

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

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

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