 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Undercover Boss
- CBS
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
CEO spies tackle entry-level work in mild reality show.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality series -- in which CEOs go undercover and pose as entry-level employees to learn more about how their businesses are being run -- underscores the idea that corporate managers must make an effort to understand how their policies impact the people who work for them. Despite a strong word or two (“piss” and “hell”), the show is pretty mild overall. Gender bias in the workplace and other issues are discussed, and some of the jobs the CEOs do include cleaning toilets and other "undesirable" tasks.
What's the story?
Based on a British show, UNDERCOVER BOSS follows corporate bosses as they leave their offices and work undercover in their own company to find out how their business is really being run. Each boss spends a week travelling to different company sites pretending to be a candidate for an entry-level position. S/he must take direction from lower-level managers, do some unappealing jobs alongside his/her own employees, and adhere to the corporate policies that have been handed down from his/her office. At the end of the week, the CEO's true identity is revealed, and he or she then shares what was learned about the effectiveness of the company’s corporate policies and about the people who help make the company run.
Is it any good?
The show’s premise is that wealthy CEOs are currently out of touch with their companies and don't understand how their decisions impact their employees' professional and personal lives. The events on the show are clearly planned to get this point across. For example, bosses are strategically paired with employees who hav sympathetic and/or distressing life stories. The show also draws specific attention to some of each company's more inadequate corporate policies and highlights any hostile and/or sexist environments that are created when some of these policies are enforced.
Still, the series is surprisingly positive overall. Unsung heroes of each company receive well-deserved recognition, and the featured managers also seem willing to reevaluate some of their companies' procedures in order to serve both the company and its employees. But what really makes the show worth watching is that it acts as a symbolic voice for the millions of people across the country who work hard to contribute to the day-to-day operations of some of America’s major corporations.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the differences between working in a corporate environment vs. working in operations-based positions. How does the media represent these different sides? Are there any stereotypes associated with these portrayals?
Do you think going undercover and pretending to be someone you aren't in order to gather information and/or learn more about a group or community is ethical? Why or why not? Do you think these CEOs could learn the same lessons in a different way?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Intresting WHEN you know of the company . . .
Although I only watched a couple of times, I found it really intresting to see the CEO's of major businesses trying out entry-level jobs in their own companies! It was really neat seeing them actually learn about what they can improve on in their companies, whether it's creating programs to donate unused food, or starting programs to give people in companies like 7-11 a future in their jobs. Good show with good messages, but I only found it REALLY intresting when I knew of the company they were talking about, like when they profiled the CEO of 7-11, and he was talking about his stores, etc. Good for anyone really, but I think business-savvy tweens, teens, and adults will enjoy it most!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Interesting, and moving.
A great show to watch on a Sunday night. It shows how hard some people work, just to get through in life. The ending is emotional, as the "Undercover Boss" is able to help, and improve his work force. It has a good ending for most of the episodes, and it's definitly worth a look.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
March 12, 2011
AGE
very intresting
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
December 28, 2010
AGE
awesome
i love this show
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Do they really care? really?
I find it ironic people buy into the concept that these CEO's, COO's or what ever really see things in the light of the people that work for them.
The CEO's/COO's say things like it really touched my heart and we plan to change things for the better.
They make 2 million and up a year pay, not to
mention bonuses and they give someone a few
thousand to help that person out? I'm not saying
that is not a nice jesture but just a little weak
and a write off to them more than good will.
I guarantee once they get back to their offices it
is all about numbers and cost savings not employees or
people. Just look at the example our president
gave us, the man from GE (Jeffrey Immel) he is the head of the Obama's board created "Council on Jobs and Competitiveness" and he signs and is still signing several joint ventures with China many are worth billions!
Just search the web for job competition GE and see the many jobs lost to China.
Not to mention all the jobs it could have meant
here in the USA and the fact that they are
competing with American companies! Not to mention
part of these deals are to share the technology
secrets for free, not to mention the compromise of
defense technology and the fact that the Chinese
having been increasing their defense and pushing
back to gain new territories including ones that
have been considered to be USA and Allies to the
USA. I have to ask how bad do we need these new
and some of the old committees that cost the tax
payer billions to Run!
We need to wake up and do something because
Congress, Global Wealth Orgs and big bussiness
really don't care what they do to the working
class and many are collecting personal data for
uses in some cases against people like they say
"once the cat is out of the bag its too late" you
can't take some things back!
There is even plenty of data being sold of
children's personal conversations and pictures
from social networks and no sees a problem with
this? It may ruin their lives forever and doesn't
go away once it is exposed to the web.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | CBS |
| Cast: | Mark Keller |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
