CNN Viewer Has Questions

Mike appeared on Piers Morgan’s show on October 30 and a viewer had some questions for Mike.   Read his response here. Today’s question comes from Jennifer Bailey. Jennifer posted over at CNN.com, but I’m answering here because … well, because I need more room. JB: While Mike makes a valid point I have a few questions for him. MR: Hi, Jennifer. I love questions. Fire away. JB: How can the middle class send their kids to college for “four or more years” when the Republicans have made it far too expensive with raising interest rates on school loans and wanting Read More

Mike Puts Glenn Beck and C.R.A.P. Together

Here’s a super-special piece of C.R.A.P. (Collectibles Rare And Precious) that many have already suggested just might be priceless. Nevertheless, it’s for sale, RIGHT HERE, right now to the highest bidder. And I’m more than a little curious to see where it winds up. As you can see, the C.R.A.P. in question is a “Work Smart AND Hard” poster, thoughtfully signed by Glenn Beck and yours truly. For those of you that saw the PSA on GBTV, these posters are regularly available here at mikeroweWORKS. They were designed to be displayed in high schools in order to stimulate conversation and Read More

Is There a Zombie in Your House?

Psychologically, the journey from TV host to brain-dead zombie is a fairly short one. Physically, though, the transformation requires time, skill and a lot of hard work. I learned this firsthand from Toby Sells, a talented special-effects artist who turned me into a soulless corpse for an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe back in 2007. Toby plies his trade in a creepy little studio outside Atlanta. He studied his craft for years as an apprentice, practiced under the supervision of a seasoned professional, and worked his butt off getting very good at what he does. Then the world Read More

Devil or Angel, Whichever You Are

Shannon K. Walsh wrote on The Real Mike Rowe Facebook page, ” Mike – How could you associate with such a horrible and psychotic person that is Glen Beck? I wouldn’t accept a dime off that hateful, nasty racist. Very disappointed to see this post.” Well, hi there, Shannon – and a pleasant good morning to you too! If you want a detailed answer to your question, please take a moment to read my earlier reply to Bob Reidel, another crestfallen soul who couldn’t reconcile my association with a TV host that he personally despised. As you read it (out Read More

Reading the Phonebook Helps Close the Skills Gap

Behold, another dubious episode of C.R.A.P. For reasons not entirely clear to me, over a hundred of you have said that you would listen to The Real Mike Rowe read the phonebook. Equally baffling, is my own irresistible urge to see if you really mean it. But even more incredible than that, is my request that you contribute a dollar to the mrW Foundation if you actually click on this link and watch the entire thing. Go ahead – I dare you. Either way, you asked for it. Mike

Making of the Poster

  Mike Explains Further In the long history of bad advice, you’d have look pretty hard to find something dumber than Work Smart Not Hard. It first appeared years ago as part of a recruitment campaign for college. It was bad advice then, but today, it’s just plain dangerous. Google Work Smart Not Hard and you’ll see just how far this idiotic cliche has wormed it’s way into our collective conscious over the last forty years. It’s repeated daily by millions of people like some timeless chestnut of conventional wisdom. Is it possible we actually believe such nonsense? You bet Read More