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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Will Wade

Not everyone has what it takes be one of the SANDHOGS. As this reality show about the tough men (and they are almost all men) who work deep underneath New York City digging tunnels makes clear, this profession isn't a good fit for anyone who is uncomfortable in dark, wet, enclosed places; doesn't enjoy using very large, very loud machinery; isn't a fan of hard, physical labor; or gets nervous around explosives.

Is It Any Good?

3

The series goes underground with the Sandhogs, showing exactly how they bore massive tunnels through the earth. It's a fascinating look at a dangerous, complicated job and the tough men who do it. Sandhogs have labored below New York for more than 150 years, working on many of the area's most important -- and most dangerous -- infrastructure projects, though they're rarely celebrated for their contributions. This program corrects that lapse and is a worthy entry in the close-up-on-dangerous-jobs genre that has become so popular.

It's clear that these men take their work seriously, and they like to discuss their profession's long and storied history. "We're like astronauts down here," says one. "We find out, five feet at a time, what this Earth is made of."

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