Mike Rowe

Here’s a picture of me sitting on a rock somewhere in the Australian Outback. I’m posting it here for several reasons. 1. The light is fantastic, and makes me looks pretty. 2. You can actually see the flies buzzing around my head. Seconds after this photo was taken, one of them flew into my mouth. It was maybe the 25th fly I consumed that day. The light does nothing to enhance their beauty. Or their taste. On the other hand, the frosty beverage was cold and refreshing, and just the thing to wash down aggressive insects. 3. This image is Read More

Dear Mr. Rowe: Hello, my name is Connor Watkins, and I am twelve years old. I met you last fall with my dad at the Cleveland Airport. At school we were told to ask successful people what the most important lessons in life are. I asked my parents who told me it was important to treat others the way you want to be treated. I also asked my cousin and he explained life is ten percent of what you make and ninety percent how you take it. I am writing to you because you have been very successful, and I Read More

From MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, have you seen this? Celebs muffle the voice of experience Even though you are considered a celebrity are you concerned that you may lose out on future voice over jobs, or are you well known and respected enough to not have to worry? — Liz   Hi Liz For the past few years, the LA Times has run a version of this article. It’s a big topic in an industry town, and it’s a subject that’s kind of fascinating for me personally, mostly because I’ve been on both ends of the situation. The voice over Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Dear Mike, In one of your episodes you launched into a rather well-sung rendition of “Vecchia zimarra” from “La Boheme.” I’m an opera singer and voice teacher, and immediately recognized your excellent diction and lovely bass/baritone voice. Where did you train, and did you ever sing opera professionally? Also, for heaven’s sake, how does one begin with Puccini and end up scraping ostrich barf out of buckets? I would love to know more. — V. Hart It’s been a crooked road for sure. Most of my career choices have been motivated by my interest Read More

There’s lots of press out there around a documentary called Killing Lincoln, airing next month on the National Geographic Channel. It reminded me of a phone call I got from Tom Hanks a few months ago. Conversation went like this… (Ring R…ing) Mike: Hello? Tom: Hey Mike, how’s it going? Mike: Fine. Who’s this? Tom: It’s Tom! Mike: Tom? Tom: Tom Hanks. Mike: Get out of here. Tom: No, really. It’s me.

Dear Governor Romney, – My name is Mike Rowe and I own a small company in California called mikeroweWORKS. Currently, mikeroweWORKS is trying to close the country’s skills gap by changing the way Americans feel about Work.  (I know, right? Ambitious.) Anyway, this Labor Day is our 4th anniversary, and I’m commemorating the occasion with an open letter to you. If you read the whole thing, I’ll vote for you in November. First things first. mikeroweWORKS grew out of a TV show called Dirty Jobs. If by some chance you are not glued to The Discovery Channel every Wednesday at 10pm, Read More

Mike Rowe here, Dirty Jobs™, etc. This is the first Press Release penned by yours truly. If it works, there will be more. If it doesn’t, I’ll hire an actual publicist. I would prefer not to however because I’m cheap. I’ll be brief. Walmart and Lowe’s are now carrying a new cleaning product called Dirty Jobs™ Complete. Technically, it’s a laundry booster and since it’s named after the TV show that I created, I’m rather anxious to see it succeed. Toward that end, I want to announce a new website called trydirtyjobs.com. I invite you to go there and print Read More

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was established in 1969 to acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. Only Eagle Scouts who earned the Eagle Scout rank a minimum of 25 years previously are eligible for nomination. The award is given by the National Eagle Scout Association upon the recommendation of a committee of Distinguished Eagle Scouts. Mike is joined by his parents John & Peggy, his brother Scott,  from the Baltimore Area Council Board Barry Williams who presented Mike his Troop Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Are there other shows that you know came from a Dirty Jobs idea? Do you guys get credit for that? – Anita L Hi Anita, I talked to a reporter the other day who observed that Dirty Jobs launched an entire genre of cable programming. That might be a bit grand, but it’s not crazy. Back in 2003, when I first pitched the idea, there was nothing like Dirty Jobs on the air. (Monster Garage however, had proven that a hit show could actually take place in a garage, but there was really not Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: On those long exhausting days where nothing seems to go right, what do you do to keep from being discouraged? — Jessica   Hi Jessica “Discouraged” is an interesting word. Literally, it implies the absence of “courage.” I don’t have any advice on how to be courageous. You either are or you aren’t. The only thing I know for sure is that it’s scary to be brave, as it should be. And if the situation in question isn’t frightening, courage is not required. Feeling discouraged though, is not just feeling cowardly. It’s also a Read More

History with Baltimore, TSU, and Freddie King ~ Freddie was one of my main memories of college life, many years ago. He was going back to school to get, I believe, his Masters of Arts or doctorate in conducting? I don’t remember which. I dO remember, however, those teeth of his. He was always popping them at us during performances. Drove us crazy trying not to laugh on stage, but oh the sound he got from us. – Malkah Fred got most of his teeth knocked out playing football in high school. Rather than replacing those that had gone missing, Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler Q: Mike, over the years I have spent time working with young people that are excited about working in one trade or another, until their parents “put out the fire” and announce “oh no, you are going to college”. Although I agree that one should try to continue their education, many students would benefit by first obtaining an associate degree in a technical subject they love.  Is there anything being planned by mrW to send this message to the parents? To have you Mike, for example, record a PSA about this country’s growing issue of Read More

From the MRW Water Cooler:   Q; Mike, I’m just kind of curious why this particular sitcom and why now….? Was it that the script and character were too good to pass up appealing to your repressed inner thespian or something more mercenary? And how long does it take for them to make you beautiful anyway? Was it at all difficult to get into character and perform in front of a live audience after many years of being yourself in front of the camera? Or does it all come back to you, like riding a bike? I have a behind Read More