Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe on the Dignity of Labor

"Dirty Jobs is an homage to George Plimpton, with a nod to Studs Terkel--an introduction, Rowe says, to the 'men and women who do the kinds of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us.' Watching Rowe struggle with a forklift or wade through raw sewage is good, nasty fun. But for all the bathroom humor, his real curiosity about and respect for his subjects telegraphs a powerful message: There's dignity in hard work, expertise in unexpected places, and deep satisfaction in tackling and finishing a tough job."