Undercover Boss

[Pasquali56]

My wife and I have watched all three episodes this season. I think the concept is brilliant in that it empathizes with the everyday working man/woman. The stories are also poignant in some of the stories the bosses uncover and how they're resolved. My problem is that there is rarely any real drama and conflict. The boss goes undercover, he finds some problems in the organization, then he fixes those problems. But I think people will tire of it unless there are more problems with personnel rather than company policies and the way they're being executed. The second episode about Hooters came closest to this with the manager who was making his employees (Hooters girls) do demeaning tasks. This manager became somewhat of an antagonist in the episode.

Of course, the other obvious problem is that any company that agrees to be showcased wants this to be a one hour commercial -- and they don't want to reveal any serious flaws in their organization. Therefore, while the concept is great, it may also be inherently flawed unless they can figure out a way to present more conflict and drama.

[jsay]

Agreed -- loved the concept too... But how many times can I see a boss ask about health problems from a tireless worker and praise them? Like you say, everyone knows the cameras are rolling and the company doesn't want someone really awful to be showcased... Wonder if it would be any better if the cameras were hidden?

[Ravenlocks]

Every episode is exactly the same. I do enjoy watching hard-working folks do their jobs, and I particularly like seeing the bosses fail to perform those same jobs satisfactorily, but the "lessons learned" part makes me roll my eyes. Ultimately little will change.

Still, I did tune in to all three eps so far. But this week I was tempted not to. As you've said above, there's a lack of conflict/drama. If nothing else, they could try some variations in format.

[NikeeGoddess]

the waste management was really the only good one imo. the other two were weak in conflict and resolution. but i cannot believe he didn't fire that male hooter's manager. that would have been more fun. and after seeing that dood on tv how can those hooter girls ever work for him again... knowing that at the other (former hooter girl) hooters the manager was great.

[sc111]

I only caught the Hooters episode. Can someone explain to me how the cameras are justified to hide the secret that the new employee is an undercover boss?

Because, after that Hooters manager had the servers licking plates for the cameras, I really couldn't buy that he would allow that to be filmed. Even a jerk should know it could cost his livelihood. I would have fired him or, if he owned the franchise, revoke his franchise license.

[instant_karma]

Damn. I thought this thread was going to be about some new Chow Yun-Fat movie. It sounds like something he'd do.

The boss of a triad gang that nobody has physically seen in over twenty years must go undercover in his own gang, posing as a low lever hood to uncover the identity of the cop on the inside trying to take his gang down. Events transpire. bleh.

[Ravenlocks]

Originally Posted by instant_karma

Damn. I thought this thread was going to be about some new Chow Yun-Fat movie. It sounds like something he'd do.

The boss of a triad gang that nobody has physically seen in over twenty years must go undercover in his own gang, posing as a low lever hood to uncover the identity of the cop on the inside trying to take his gang down. Events transpire. bleh.

I would so watch that.

[Optimus]

Originally Posted by sc111

I only caught the Hooters episode. Can someone explain to me how the cameras are justified to hide the secret that the new employee is an undercover boss?

They set it up as if they're filming a documentary on people finding work (in this bad economy) in entry level positions.

Because, after that Hooters manager had the servers licking plates for the cameras, I really couldn't buy that he would allow that to be filmed. Even a jerk should know it could cost his livelihood. I would have fired him or, if he owned the franchise, revoke his franchise license.

After being in the restaurant industry for 17 years, I can tell you that, unfortunately, guys like him are everywhere. Many of them so blind to their own narcissistic douchebaggery that the thought that it could get him in trouble probably never crossed his mind. In his mind, it's okay. He's the GM. He's "in charge" of those girls. They're "beneath" him (obvious when he states that they're all prima donnas and has them do that humiliating bean game). They have to do what he says because he's a big, bad restaurant manager. He feels he can get away with anything.

He's just showing the new guy how things are done in "his restaurant."

He likely didn't feel anything he was doing was wrong.

Most douchebags don't.

It's like in writing, where the antagonist is actually the hero of the story in his own mind.

[SI_NYC]

More network junk TV, this is as scripted as any of the 3rd rate reality shows. On the bright side, they aren't giving the CEOs the answers to the issues they encounter, like that kids quiz show that just got pulled.

[sc111]

Originally Posted by Optimus

They set it up as if they're filming a documentary on people finding work (in this bad economy) in entry level positions.



After being in the restaurant industry for 17 years, I can tell you that, unfortunately, guys like him are everywhere. Many of them so blind to their own narcissistic douchebaggery that the thought that it could get him in trouble probably never crossed his mind. In his mind, it's okay. He's the GM. He's "in charge" of those girls. They're "beneath" him (obvious when he states that they're all prima donnas and has them do that humiliating bean game). They have to do what he says because he's a big, bad restaurant manager. He feels he can get away with anything.

He's just showing the new guy how things are done in "his restaurant."

He likely didn't feel anything he was doing was wrong.

Most douchebags don't.

It's like in writing, where the antagonist is actually the hero of the story in his own mind.

I hear ya - I guess I'm amazed. I worked in restaurants while in college, in NYC, and dealt with my share of douchebag managers and their wandering hands. However, even they were smart enough to know labor laws, smart enough to touch my butt when there were no witnesses and remind me "I'll just deny it" if I even thought about bringing a lawsuit.

But this guy - whew -- he's lucky I wasn't one of his servers. Lawsuit!! And I got video too!

Seriously - I'm totally surprised he wasn't let go for that. I lost respect for the U.B. who ended up slapping him on the wrist.