America's Toughest Jobs

At first glance, this latest reality series seems like an attempt to cash in on the popularity of gritty shows like Ax Men and Ice Road Truckers. But, in fact, America's Toughest Jobs offers viewers a more substantial package than many other TV competitions do. In addition to testing contestants' endurance and will to succeed, these challenges offer the competitors hands-on experience in real-life skills like running a chainsaw, scaling a mountain, and driving an 18-wheeler. The focus here isn't on surviving on roasted bugs or catching the eye of a hunky star; it's about facing a challenge that's outside your comfort zone and adapting your talents to meet a job's requirements.

Even better, the show shines the spotlight on occupations whose employees rarely receive accolades. In a society that covets corner offices and big salaries, viewers are sure to develop a new sense of appreciation for what these hardworking men and women do day in and day out. And, speaking of women, don't be too quick to count them out of the running just because of the physicality of these jobs; the show's female contestants are hardly at a disadvantage when their determination is a factor. That said, tensions do often run high and can lead to heated verbal exchanges and some strong language ("ass" and "bitch" are popular; "f--k" is used a lot, too, but is bleeped).