Best TV Show of the Week
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, February 27 (8:00 p.m. ET) focuses 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. During his time incognito, Todd works five different
jobs. First, he receives instruction from Darryl, the day crew manager at
Wrigley 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 important developments occur after Todd ends his undercover operation.
He recommends 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. 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 is the recognition given to dedicated and loyal employees, 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
