The Undercover Boss format first rolled out in the UK, airing two episodes this past June, and is now set to take on the U.S. via CBS sometime next year. Given the prevailing mood among U.S. citizens towards the average six-to-seven figure-earning CEO (‘deep dislike’ is far too generous a description), odds are that if a show depicting a well-heeled boss going incognito in his own company as a low-wage employee was to air stateside now, the feeling of bloodlust in the air would translate into solid ratings. While the anger against the corporate establishment is undoubtedly blowing over as the American economy limps back to life, the premise of this show (dubbed by some as Secret Millionaire meets Dirty Jobs) should still inspire curiosity and ultimately entertain.
Partners: Studio Lambert (London) for Channel 4 (UK) and CBS (U.S.), distributed through All3Media
Length: 8 x 60 minutes
Aired/airing: June 2009 (Channel 4); 2010 (CBS, U.S.)
Rights available: All worldwide