Dirty Jobs - Format

Format

A worker or team of workers takes on Rowe as a fully involved assistant for a typical work day, working hard to complete every task as best he can despite discomfort, hazards or repulsive situations. The Dirty Jobs crew, including field producer Dave Barsky, cameramen Doug Glover, Troy Paff, and Dan Eggiman, and audio technician Josh Atkins, often get just as dirty as Rowe does. Rowe frequently takes on-camera jabs at Dave Barsky, regarding Barsky's penchant for setting up scenes where Rowe will encounter the most dangerous or dirty part of the job in order to get a great camera shot; indeed, the entire crew frequently joke and prank each other on-camera, for example, when a safety officer finishes going over the rules and regulations for the Billboard Installer job in the third season (the safety officer asks Rowe to sign a release, which he does while mock-voicing the words he signs: "Dave...Barsky..."), or attempting to film Troy defecating in the woods.

Mike engages in near-constant self-deprecating humor, making what he calls "dirty jokes", but rarely more than the occasional playful jab at the workers themselves. Nearly every job is even more difficult than he had expected, and this often has him expressing admiration and respect for the workers' skills and their willingness to take on jobs that most people avoid. The show always begins with the following quote from Rowe, usually spoken while in the midst of a particularly dirty task:

My name's Mike Rowe, and this is my job. I explore the country looking for people who aren't afraid to get dirty — hard-working men and women who earn an honest living doing the kinds of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us. Now, get ready to get dirty.

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