Dirty Jobs - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Discovery Channel
Genre: Reality TV
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series' humor doesn't come just from the grubby vocations being reported on, but also from the irony of seeing Mike Rowe -- a "polished," well-spoken, highly likeable television host -- up to his elbows in the dirty jobs of everyday American laborers. The show includes plenty of adult-oriented sarcasm (for example, comments made while collecting semen from stallions), but chances are it will go over the head of most kids. Younger viewers will certainly be enthralled by the series' dirt, stench, and general ick, but the language and humor make it best for older tweens and up.
Families can talk about the featured jobs and the physical strength, bravery, and stamina displayed by the men and women who do them day in and day out. Clearly, Rowe enjoys informing viewers about these occupations and is quick to describe the importance of what these workers do in their communities -- but, in the end, are we as viewers respecting these average Americans or gawking at them? On the lighter side, parents and teens can discuss which of the featured jobs they'd least want to do (and which ones seem interesting).
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
Mike Rowe may seem like the least likely person to get messy. He's sung with the Baltimore opera, sold jewelry on QVC, and worked for years as the host of a local TV show about the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, it was while working on that show that he did a segment on a local dirty job, found a niche, pitched it to the Discovery Channel, and -- voilá! -- DIRTY JOBS was born.
The series may make some viewers uncomfortable, but those with an iron stomach will enjoy watching Rowe and his cameraman, Troy Paff, meet the amazing men and women who work in some pretty disgusting-yet-important vocations. Rowe has donned his work clothes to feed slop made from Las Vegas leftovers to hogs, help catch rattlesnakes, work with septic-tank technicians, remove bones from fish, and much more.
Rowe's nonstop, sarcastic one-liners are a large component of the show -- they help him get through his experiences. For example, when pouring spoiled milk to pigs, a farmer shares a story about once giving them fermented ice cream, which got the pigs drunk. Rowe's reply? "Sure, might as well have a shot before going off to meet your maker." Rowe is very affable with the workers, and they seem generally tickled to be showcased. But considering that Rowe once muttered "stupid job" when he wasn't able to catch a runaway hog, it's hard not to wonder whether there's a bit of condescension involved, too.
Young kids may enjoy watching Rowe dive for golf balls in alligator-infested waters, but with its adult humor, Dirty Jobs is better for older tweens and up.
Other shows for kids that showcase extraordinary Americans include Deadliest Catch and Little People, Big World.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentVarious jokes and bad-pun-style innuendo (for example, when pressboard wood is suspended for staining, Mike comments that they're all "well hung").One episode features semen being extracted from stallions (with some associated remarks). |
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ViolenceDiscussion of pigs "meeting their maker" while feeding them slops to fatten them up. |
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LanguageMutterings when frustrated, including "son of a bitch," "stupid job," "sucks," and ocassional bleeped words. |
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Social BehaviorRowe pays tribute to everyday Americans who work the jobs no one wants. Underscores the importance of doing your job well and with enthusiasm, whatever it is. |
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CommercialismMentions stage shows while visiting Las Vegas; aware of products. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoPokes fun at pigs who get drunk from eating fermented ice cream. |
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