4 replies to this topic

[Taeolas]

The Canadian version of Undercover Boss has been running for a few weeks now on the W network. I've missed a few episodes, but so far I've seen: Cineplex Odeon, TTC, Pizza Pizza and 1-800-GOT-JUNK. This week will be one of the Beer companies.

Overall the format is the same as the US version, and like the US version, it's mainly interesting to see some of the behind the scenes work that goes on in the companies.

For me, some of the highlights so far included:

Discovering 1-800-GOT-JUNK was a Canadian original that's succeeded hugely. I've seen their trucks all around, and of course Hoarders shows them off a lot, but it started up here. They showed off their painting service, but I'm not sure if it will take off as well as GOT JUNK did. The CEO himself had no qualms about getting dirty with the workers and doing the junk loading. No Hoarders crossover (regrettably; that could've been interesting), but some full rooms out in Cottage Country, Ontario.

Cineplex Odeon: The power going out while the boss was learning the projectionist duties; that was Producer Gold I'm sure. I'm a little surprised they didn't have some of those systems on UPS's to handle power hiccups better (not necessarily the projector, but the rest of the systems); but they seemed to come up fast enough to not need that.

[bataviaduo]

There was a marathon of Undercover Boss, Abroad, Canada and Australia yesterday (April 16). I caught the episode with the CEO of Odeon Cineplex. The projectionist said that the power went out often because they were in a newly developed part of town. It sounded like they were on the edge of town utilities were pushed to the edge. There was also a heavy rain storm going on. The CEO was pleased how well they handled it even though they had to shut the whole complex down and send everyone home.

[runningoutofnam]

UPS ordinarily wouldn't provide enough power for a building. At best you would get like a minute or two before the battery backup lost all power. Are you thinking of a gas generator?

To provide enough power for a building the generators of that make for a movie theater would run hundreds of thousands of dollars and there is the issue of gas.

[Taeolas]

I wasn't thinking of a full scale UPS to keep everything going; but the sorts of systems you get in IT departments, designed to keep the computers up for a few minutes/hours, so when power does come back up you just need to get the other systems back up, which shouldn't take as long hopefully.

By the way, the show has been renewed for another 20? episodes in the second season. THe first season just had 10 episodes, ending with the Fed Ex Canada boss.

[StarryDreamer]

Just downloaded the TTC episode-- couldn't resist since I'd read about it in the Toronto Star and never saw the actual airing (btw it's one of the more expensive show to purchase off of iTunes!). It was really nice to see how positive the employees at the TTC are. Granted they make great money for their jobs, but at the same time they experience stuff I certainly wouldn't (spitting on people, cleaning up rice, people throwing garbage in front of you, witnessing a suicide). I thought Karen had a super positive attitude, but I bet she didn't figure out one way to cut back. Those jobs seemed pretty essential. I'm surprised they didn't have her work token/ticket collection. I'm not a regular rider of the TTC so I have to do a cash payout or get change from the collector and there is always a huge line at Finch Station. I wonder if there's a more efficient way for people to get information or change or what have you.

I loved Carmen. I thought it was hilarious when she said bye to "Ruth" she made mention that maybe one day Ruth will be her boss, not knowing that Ruth was *indeed* her boss.

I have to say though, I live in fear that *my* boss will come and visit me with a camera crew. But at least I'd be hip to this show. lol