It may be every worker's dream- "Let the boss try my job for a day". CBS has introduced a show to make that dream a reality. High level bosses from the likes of Hooters, White Castle, 7-Eleven and Waste Management, Inc. go undercover and work for a week along side their employees.
The show, Undercover Bosses, premiered right after the 2010 Super Bowl. Over 38.6 million viewers, a record for a post-Super Bowl new series show, tuned in to watch. Undercover Boss can also claim the title for the largest audience for the premiere of a reality show. Oprah Winfrey may have helped with this large scale exposure by airing interviews with several of the show's participants on her Feb 1 talk show.
For viewers who missed it, or want to see it again, CBS will re-air the premiere Friday, February 12 from 9-10 pm (ET/PT). This episode is up against NBC's opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The series will then will move into its regular 9 pm ET slot on Sundays, beginning Feb. 14, 2010.
What is Undercover Boss?
CBS developed this new reality series modeled after a show in the United Kingdom which carries the same title. The premise of the show is to follow a different executive each week as they examine the inner workings of their company. The executives go undercover, and assume a new name and a new identity to blend in with the employees.
By working alongside their employees, company presidents, CEO's and COO's begin to learn the effects their decisions have on others. It also helps them discover organizational problems (such as trash collectors using small bottles as toilets because there are no facilities on their route). The bonus appears to be that executives can connect with some of the unsung heroes in lower-level positions within the company.
The show gives the boss a reality check and viewers a blend of drama and reality television.
Undercover Boss is made by UK independent producer, Studio Lambert, the All3Media subsidiary run by former RDF Media creative director, Stephen Lambert.
Future of the CBS Series Involving Incognito Bosses
Following the success of the series premiere February 7, 2010, Scandanavian countries Sweden, Norway and Denmark have all picked up the show.The UK's Channel 4 and Australia's Network Ten have already acquired the US production of Undercover Boss. The British version of the show has already been sold to Australia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Holland and New Zealand. Local versions are being considered in Spain, Denmark, Germany, Australia, France, Sweden and Belgium.
This new series showing bosses learning from, and learning about, their lower-level employees is coming off a huge rating boost. Time will tell if it will have long term appeal. But for every employee who has wished for the boss to see what a typical work day is really like, Undercover Boss may be just satisfying enough.
Join the Conversation