Undercover Boss on CBS

By Ally Matteodo

Undercover Boss continues to reveal itself as an inspiring and life-changing program.  The third episode, airing on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. ET, receives its second award as Best TV Show of the Week.

Undercover Boss revolves around the title. CEOs and heads of major corporations disguise themselves and visit their stores and facilities incognito, working in entry-level positions.  The employees believe these workers are participating in a reality show focused on beginner jobs, and in turn help them undergo training.  The bosses then learn in the field about any weaknesses and bottlenecks their company suffers, in addition to meeting with amazing and hard-working employees.  On this installment of Undercover Boss, 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto assumes the alias of Danny and visits several different 7-Eleven locations as an entry-level worker.  Joe DePinto comes from a working-class background, graduated from West Point, and served as an officer in the U.S. Army.  Ingrained with a strong work ethic and military discipline, Joe rose up the ranks of the 7-Eleven hierarchy. 

During his undercover mission, Joe meets many fantastic employees.  First is Dolores, an employee at the Shirley, New York store.  This particular store maintains a special spot in the 7-Eleven family because it sells more coffee than any other store, and Joe is determined to discover their secret.  He quickly realizes the secret to the massive coffee sales: Dolores.  She knows almost all the customers by name, and her bustling, happy energy spreads cheer to everyone.  On top of this, it is revealed that Dolores only has one kidney and must undergo dialysis twice a week.  Next, Joe travels to Baltimore, where 7-Eleven maintains a large network of commissaries and bakeries in an attempt to sell more fresh food at the stores.  At the largest of these bakeries, “Danny” is trained by Phil.  Joe struggles on the assembly line, where he can’t keep up with placing five fritters in a row.  Phil understands and jokes around with him. A former sergeant in the marines, Phil has worked at this facility for 8 years.  During a break, Phil shows “Danny” his artwork, some of it depicting donuts.  Following his experience in the bakery, Joe returns to New York and works the night shift in Medford with Waqas.  Joe is curious why Waqas works the night shift, and how he stays motivated.  Waqas mentions that the night shift allows more flexibility while working towards his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  When Waqas reveals he views his job at 7-Eleven as dead-end, it bothers Joe. Also disturbing Joe is the fact that perishable items are thrown out, instead of donated to charities.  Next, Joe journeys to Long Island, New York to work at the highest grossing 7-Eleven store, under the tutelage of Lori.  Joe is again disturbed when he makes maintenance calls to the support center in Dallas to report burned-out lights on the sales floor, and the request is deemed low priority.  On his final day incognito, Joe returns to the Dallas area to make delivery runs with Igor, a night-time driver from Kazakhstan who loves life, and who expresses gratitude for the opportunity to live the American dream. 

Several positive developments occur after Joe ends his undercover operation.  First, he calls a meeting with the company’s board of directors and relays his findings, insisting that they have much more work to do: perishable items should not be thrown away but donated to charity, and employees must feel there are opportunities for advancement.  Then Joe reveals himself to his former workmates.  For Dolores, Joe creates an organ donation awareness program within 7-Eleven named after her, and makes a large contribution.  Regarding Phil, Joe encourages him to pursue his artistic talents, with an opportunity to work freelance for the company’s marketing and advertising department.  Joe tells Waqas that he would like to mentor him if he wished to stay with the company, or would assist him with his return to Pakistan if he so desired.  Waqas accepts a consultant position at the company.  Finally, Igor is rewarded with a vacation for him and his wife, and Joe also gives him his own 7-Eleven franchise. 

In a climate where many distrust CEOs and the heads of big business after tales of greed and money-grubbing bosses have saturated the news, it is refreshing and inspiring to see decent, honorable company heads taking responsibility for their corporations and rewarding their employees for their effort and devotion.  Undercover Boss also demonstrates the importance of a pleasing countenance and sunny outlook. A job is never menial unless you make it so yourself.  Through any job conduit you have the power to brighten a person’s day, and that power is priceless.                 

Best TV Show of the Week

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org