Undercover Boss
on CBS
By Ally Matteodo
Undercover Boss
continues to be an inspiring and life-changing Best TV Show of the Week.
The episode airing on Sunday, November 7th (8:00 p.m. ET) focused on Todd
Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, who assumes the alias "Mark Dawson" and
visits several different Wrigley Field work stations as an entry-level
employee. The other co-owners of the team are Todd’s three older siblings, Tom,
Pete, and Laura. Todd volunteers to go undercover in part to prove himself to
his sister and brothers, but mainly to establish what needs improvement and who
deserves recognition regarding the Cubs. During his time incognito, Todd works
five different jobs. First, he receives instruction from Darryl, the day crew
manager at Wrigley’s Field. Todd must hose everything down in the bathrooms,
and when his pace proves too slow, Darryl lets Todd go -- definitely a first for
the co-owner! Next, he toils as a hot dog vendor under the vigilant eye of
Rocco. Rocco’s energetic and outgoing demeanor demonstrates how 1.5 million hot
dogs are sold every year at the field. For the third job, Todd works alongside
Jose as a parking lot attendant at Green Lot Parking. Following his stint in
parking, Todd moves to grounds crew and receives instruction from Joe. Finally,
in an attempt to redeem himself, Todd visits Darryl a second time at the
scoreboard — one of only two manual scoreboards in the Major League. Todd
proves adept as a scoreboard operator and ends his time undercover on a positive
note.
Several positive developments occur after Todd ends his undercover operation.
He makes these key recommendations: a family appreciation night;
institutionalization of radio communication; an updated clubhouse; a trailer for
the parking lot; and a suggestion box. He also rewards those hard workers who
helped shed light on problematic procedures. Rocco receives the first ever
Wrigley Field Award, which places his name on a plaque to be mounted on the
hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field, along with a $1000 cash award. Also, he’s
honored with the first pitch of the last game of 2010. Todd makes an offer to
Joe to work in the front office in a paid internship for the marketing
department. For Jose, Todd pledges to give him a glowing personal
recommendation and to pay for the rest of his classes. Finally, Darryl and his
family are invited to Arizona for spring training, and his eight-year-old
daughter is given the opportunity to train with the swim coach of Northwestern.
One of the best things about this program involves the recognition of
dedication, and the rally for advancement. Many of the employees have worked in
their positions for extensive periods of time—this is one of the reasons they
are such outstanding workers. Yet the incentive of a chance to rise to the top
helps turn their dedication into pride and ownership.
.
Best TV Show
of the Week
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
