Undercover Boss

Undercover Boss is a TV show from CBS that tells the story of high-ranking executives from major corporations slipping anonymously into entry-level jobs at their companies and the lessons they learn. Produced by Studio Lambert and based on a 2009 TV series from British Channel 4, Undercover Boss follows executives as they go incognito, assuming a false name, fictitious backstory, and substantial disguise, into the rank and file of their own companies for a week. Expected fish out-of-water situations abound, but executives also learn profound lessons about their lower-level employees and how their company ticks, for better or for worse. After a week of going undercover, the boss reveals his true identity to the low-level employees he worked with, telling them the lessons he’s learned and often rewarding those that deserve it with gifts that matter to them. The show’s premiere episode featured Larry O’Donnell, President & CEO of Waste Management, Inc. The rest of the first season included Coby G. Brooks, President & CEO of Hooters, Joseph DePinto, President & CEO of 7-Eleven, Chris McCann, President & COO of 1-800-FLOWERS, Dave Rife, Owner & Executive Board Member of White Castle, and more. Though the TV show’s critical reception has been mixed, with some calling it a welcome respite from traditional reality shows and others a corporate publicity stunt, Undercover Boss was the most popular new show of the 2009-2010 season. MORE