This episode takes a different format from every other one aired thus far, in that it has highlights, contains viewer mail, has outtakes, and it also shows two different jobs never seen before (albeit one very briefly). So it doesn’t fit into any single episode format. As such, describing the episode is a bit of a challenge. I’ll do my best.
Dairy Farmer. The first viewer mail comes from Courtney, and actually includes a video, challenging Mike to do a job containing lots of poo, and that’s just what he does, visiting Platt’s Mill in rural Pennsylvania to milk some cows, but it doesn’t just stop there – oh, no. After milking, Mike actually gets to play in the poo because it’s important to determine if the cows are able to process what they are eating, you see. That’s right. He collects the cow poo in a little dish and then feels around in the dish to see what’s left over, all in an attempt to determine how to mix up the next batch of food so they can better digest the feed.
Once that job is done, it’s off to the barn to mix up said batch, and let’s just say that Mike isn’t very good at it. Mixing up the feed is a job involving no less than sixteen ingredients, and time after time, Mike measures them out incorrectly, from one pound over to a whopping thirty pounds over. If you get a batch of milk that doesn’t taste just right, you know why.
After mixing up the feed, it’s time to head downstairs, into an area that looks like it’s haunted. The beams are covered with cobwebs, dust and who knows what. However, this is a great bit as Scott, the owner of the place, has Mike take apart the molasses line ostensibly to check it for a clogged screen. Of course, he knows all along that it isn’t stuck, but he actually gets Mike to open up the line and stick his hand all the way into this gooey mess of molasses. Priceless!
There were highlights from a number of shows, including:
- Marble Miner (from Avian Vomitologist)
- Boat Maker (previously unseen)
- Disaster Clean-Up Crew Member (from Sewer Inspector)
- Cowpoke (from Avian Vomitologist)
- Charcoal Factory Worker (from Micro-Algae Man)
- Owl Vomit Collector (from Avian Vomitologist)
- Firefighter (from Alligator Farmer)
- Tire Recycler (from Shrimper)
- Demolition Worker (from Sewer Inspector)
- Pet Groomer (from Micro-Algae Man)
- House Mover (from Hot Tar Roofer)
- Coffee Taster (from Ostrich Farmer)
Several viewer mail bits were read, including:
- You’re an actor, do you just act tired? (No)
- Did you lose your appetitie in the cleaning up Mrs. Frasier’s basement? (Yes)
- Were you a cowboy in another life? (Maybe)
- Were you really in trouble in the charcoal hopper? (Yes)
- How do you find characters for segments? (The web site)
- You were a singer previously, can you sing the theme song? (Yes)
Dirty Jobs Anthem. At the end of the show, the final piece of viewer mail asks Mike if he can sing the Dirty Jobs Theme Song, which later became known as the Dirty Jobs Anthem. To my knowledge, this is the first time it was recorded (chronologically speaking). According to Mike, it was recorded on “Foley Creek” in South Carolina. Anyone who has been there knows this is “Folly Creek” – but Mike pronounced it wrong during the Chick Sexer episode too, which is when he was there (for the Oyster Harvester segment).
Mike goes on to mention that it was recorded after a night of eating oysters and drinking, and he had some musical accompaniment from Sam and Juke Joint Johnny. If this is indeed the case, then “Sam” is likely “Silky Sam”, who often plays in the Charleston area. As to the location, the deck they play on looks an awful lot like the outdoor deck of Bowen’s Island, a great place to grab a bite to eat if you’re in the Folly area. Good choice, Mike.
As to the song itself, here you go, the official, unofficial Dirty Jobs Theme Song:
Now everyone who’s got a job, has got their dues to pay,
working for that paycheck and just gettin’ through the day,
but if you’re bored or otherwise inclined to be a slob,
grab some boots, and lose that suit and get a dirty job.
Now dirty jobs are everywhere, just take a look around.
They’re down the street, they’re up the stairs,
they’re even underground.
You don’t have to borrow, beg and you don’t have to rob,
All you’ve got to do is get yourself a dirty job.
All you need to do is get yourself a dir… ty… job!
During the song, they show clips of a number of jobs, including:
- Tire Recycler (from Shrimper)
- Catfish Noodler (from Worm Dung Farmer)
- Crawfish Catcher (from Shrimper)
- Ostrich Farmer (from Ostrich Farmer)
- Pig Farmer (from Pig Farmer)
- Beer Brewer (from Chick Sexer)
- House Mover (from Hot Tar Roofer)
- Chick Sexer (from Chick Sexer)
- Shark Catcher/Tagger (from Chinatown Garbage Collector)
- Ostrich Farmer (from Ostrich Farmer)
- Garbage Collector/Recycling Separator (from Chinatown Garbage Collector)
- Demolition Worker (from Sewer Inspector)
- Firefighter (from Alligator Farmer)
- Alligator Farmer (from Alligator Farmer)
- Sewer Inspector (from Sewer Inspector)
- Charcoal Factory Worker (from Micro-Algae Man)
- Disaster Clean-Up Crew Member (from Sewer Inspector)
- Pig Farmer (from Pig Farmer)
