CBS TV: "Undercover Boss" will feature MGM Grand executive
March 16th, 2011 at 11:30:46 AM
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I stumbled upon this story in the LV Sun: Reality show Undercover Boss will feature MGM Grand executive.
According to the article, the MGM President / CEO will work as a dealer and guest services rep.
The story includes a clip of the commercial for this episode.
Based upon that clip alone, I would be surprised that the dealers he works "undercover" with wouldn't suspect something. He's making mistakes that would get you kicked out of dealer school on the first day!
In the clip he is a dealer. Among other things, he:
According to the article, the MGM President / CEO will work as a dealer and guest services rep.
The story includes a clip of the commercial for this episode.
Based upon that clip alone, I would be surprised that the dealers he works "undercover" with wouldn't suspect something. He's making mistakes that would get you kicked out of dealer school on the first day!
In the clip he is a dealer. Among other things, he:
- Knocks over the winning Roulette number stack of chips as he's paying;
- Shuffles multiple decks, getting applause when the deck is finally shuffled;
- Deals BJ forgetting to give himself a card;
- Spins roulette with so much force, the ball flies out of the wheel.
- Puts his hands in his pockets.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 16th, 2011 at 11:35:20 AM
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I have seen worse on auditions believe me. And on first day on job. One female dealer , who had no speech impediment before that day, could not talk without stuttering. Plus just because it's call Reality TV does not mean it's real.
March 16th, 2011 at 11:37:32 AM
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I'm with ya on this show.I would imagine the camera crew, sound techs, lighting techs, director and Kraft table may tip the other employees off that something may be up.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 16th, 2011 at 12:53:21 PM
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Quote: Wavy70I'm with ya on this show.I would imagine the camera crew, sound techs, lighting techs, director and Kraft table may tip the other employees off that something may be up.
IIRC, in the episode on the Subway sandwich chain, the "regular" employees were told that they were participating in a reality show where two contestants, one younger and one older, would be competing for a job. Their role was to train and evaluate the performance of each.
I wonder how Gaming Control felt about someone dealing while wearing a fake ID?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
March 16th, 2011 at 1:01:55 PM
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I'll definitely watch -- Sunday CBS 9:00.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 16th, 2011 at 1:14:46 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearBased upon that clip alone, I would be surprised that the dealers he works "undercover" with wouldn't suspect something. He's making mistakes that would get you kicked out of dealer school on the first day!
In the clip he is a dealer. Among other things, he:
- Knocks over the winning Roulette number stack of chips as he's paying;[/item
Shuffles multiple decks, getting applause when the deck is finally shuffled; Deals BJ forgetting to give himself a card; Spins roulette with so much force, the ball flies out of the wheel. Puts his hands in his pockets. Even so, I'll watch it.
Watched the clip, he definately looks like he should (at best) be working at Slots-A-Fun, not the largest casino floor on the strip. My question is wouldn't the guy have had *some* gaming experience before he ran a casino? Even Frank Rosenthal worked on the floor at first.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 16th, 2011 at 2:42:14 PM
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The show is heavily scripted and has the same theme every week.The employees are hand picked and have personal issues such as children with medical problems, single parent working multiple jobs to pay for rent, food, college, caring for elderly parents etc. The show ends each week with the chosen workers getting cash, vacations and various other things from the "Undercover Boss." The whole thing is a farce.
I had a chance to observe the show filming last fall when they did a segment on Johnny Rockets at Mohegan Sun in Ct. and they had quite a crew.
I had a chance to observe the show filming last fall when they did a segment on Johnny Rockets at Mohegan Sun in Ct. and they had quite a crew.
March 16th, 2011 at 3:08:13 PM
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Quote: benbakdoffThe show is heavily scripted and has the same theme every week.The employees are hand picked and have personal issues such as children with medical problems, single parent working multiple jobs to pay for rent, food, college, caring for elderly parents etc. The show ends each week with the chosen workers getting cash, vacations and various other things from the "Undercover Boss." The whole thing is a farce.
Next thing you know we will find out that people really don't walk into Gold and Silver Pawn with 300 year old sundials!
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 16th, 2011 at 8:25:28 PM
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OMG Did I get ripped off ? Damn, if you can't trust a Pawn Broker, wha can you trust ? Rod Steiger ?
March 16th, 2011 at 8:27:48 PM
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Watched the clip, he definately looks like he should (at best) be working at Slots-A-Fun, not the largest casino floor on the strip. My question is wouldn't the guy have had *some* gaming experience before he ran a casino? Even Frank Rosenthal worked on the floor at first.
Well Bugsy Seigel had no casino experience and he ..... Oops never mind!
Well Bugsy Seigel had no casino experience and he ..... Oops never mind!
March 16th, 2011 at 8:48:06 PM
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Quote: buzzpaffOMG Did I get ripped off ? Damn, if you can't trust a Pawn Broker, wha can you trust ? Rod Steiger ?
I like how the people who walk into the pawn store are already wearing a mic and had the levels set.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 20th, 2011 at 5:10:40 PM
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Just a reminder that the show is on tonight at 9 p.m. Pacific/8 p.m. Mountain. I'll have my comments after the show.
Per my own rules, I must tell a joke to thumbtack.
Q: What do blondes and 747s have in common?
I'll provide the answer, if nobody else submits it, after the show.
Per my own rules, I must tell a joke to thumbtack.
Q: What do blondes and 747s have in common?
I'll provide the answer, if nobody else submits it, after the show.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 20th, 2011 at 5:13:26 PM
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That show is delayed by about 20 minutes in the east due to NCAA action (Ohio State won, what a surprise) so anyone with a DVR tape the show following.
Not everybody has been in a 747. That's the difference between blondes and 747's. What's the similarity?
Not everybody has been in a 747. That's the difference between blondes and 747's. What's the similarity?
-----
You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 20th, 2011 at 5:40:47 PM
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Quote: Wizard
Q: What do blondes and 747s have in common?
I'll provide the answer, if nobody else submits it, after the show.
They both can service over a hundred men at the same time?
I keed I keed
March 20th, 2011 at 7:44:45 PM
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I just watched much of the episode ... walked out when he was addressing the assembled multitudes.
Its entirely possible that they shot this with several employees and only edit a select few of them into a final cut, but I rather doubt it. It seems very rigged. Not only for pre-selected employees but for some other troubling stuff. I doubt the employees are always so dumb that they think the camera crew and lighting techs are just there to film a Reality Show involving two guys competing for a casino job.
I don't know if the customers were actors or shills or what.
I guess its okay to use fake names on nametags as some name is displayed and a record kept of what tag goes to whoever. The regs do allow non-licensed dealers to deal for limited stints for instructional purposes, investigatory purposes or publicity purposes.
Most reality shows are rigged. They are cheap to make and even cheaper if rigged.
Not too bad a show, but those players were TOO patient. And too sober!!
Its entirely possible that they shot this with several employees and only edit a select few of them into a final cut, but I rather doubt it. It seems very rigged. Not only for pre-selected employees but for some other troubling stuff. I doubt the employees are always so dumb that they think the camera crew and lighting techs are just there to film a Reality Show involving two guys competing for a casino job.
I don't know if the customers were actors or shills or what.
I guess its okay to use fake names on nametags as some name is displayed and a record kept of what tag goes to whoever. The regs do allow non-licensed dealers to deal for limited stints for instructional purposes, investigatory purposes or publicity purposes.
Most reality shows are rigged. They are cheap to make and even cheaper if rigged.
Not too bad a show, but those players were TOO patient. And too sober!!
March 20th, 2011 at 8:00:52 PM
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I watched this show's pilot and have never been back. It's sad because in a casino you could legitimately (and legally) film and record him without a huge posse. Like seriously, this could have been the first legit episode of the entire series.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
March 20th, 2011 at 10:26:48 PM
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Just finished watching. The script was practically the same as the one other time I watched this show, when the CEO of 7-11 was went undercover.
Like any reality show, it was somewhat contrived, but I think still shows a glimpse of what the frontline staff do for a living and frustrating problems they face that may not bubble up to high management.
I give the show credit for at least broaching the second-hand smoke issue. Those dinky little fans I don't think help much. Perhaps PaigowDan can comment on that. By the way, without getting into details, the MGM did quite badly in my casino air quality survey. It is getting outside my area, but some casinos do a much better job at circulating the air. The MGM is an old casino, by Vegas standards, and probably does not have the air purification systems that newer casinos do.
As someone who has done a reality show before (which never aired) they do use real people, and it is only loosely scripted. However, they probably shot about 20 hours for that episode and carefully edited just the most interesting 42 minutes. Compared to most reality shows, I still think Undercover Boss is better than most.
Like any reality show, it was somewhat contrived, but I think still shows a glimpse of what the frontline staff do for a living and frustrating problems they face that may not bubble up to high management.
I give the show credit for at least broaching the second-hand smoke issue. Those dinky little fans I don't think help much. Perhaps PaigowDan can comment on that. By the way, without getting into details, the MGM did quite badly in my casino air quality survey. It is getting outside my area, but some casinos do a much better job at circulating the air. The MGM is an old casino, by Vegas standards, and probably does not have the air purification systems that newer casinos do.
As someone who has done a reality show before (which never aired) they do use real people, and it is only loosely scripted. However, they probably shot about 20 hours for that episode and carefully edited just the most interesting 42 minutes. Compared to most reality shows, I still think Undercover Boss is better than most.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 20th, 2011 at 11:00:54 PM
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I was waiting for Richard Hatch to pop out and sit at a BJ table, and if he lost a hand he'd grab his bet while claiming he was told by the producers that he could keep it.
March 20th, 2011 at 11:56:23 PM
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If you missed it, go to cbs.com and you can see the whole thing like I just did.
What was that red car he was driving? I like how he kept apologizing when the people were losing at roulette. Its one thing spending their money on an expensive sports car, and quite another when you have to look them in the face as the money goes off the table and into the casinos pocket. If that was a 'packed Saturday night' as he said, the MGM has gone way downhill. It was hardly busy, let alone packed. As the Wiz said, to get 42 min of stuff to air, the average is 20-30 hours of filming, sometimes much more than 30. I want to see the people he ran into that never made the cut, you can bet he heard his share of pissing and moaning in the bad economic climate thats Vegas these days. The prizes thing at the end really turned me off. It was corny and silly and would have a tendency, especially now, especially as bad as the MGM is doing, to make the other 9000 employees go 'WTF?' They have no job security, are getting shafted on their hours and tips, and now they have to watch a couple of co-workers get lavishly rewarded for just doing their jobs? I wasn't amused and I'll bet I wasn't the only one.
What was that red car he was driving? I like how he kept apologizing when the people were losing at roulette. Its one thing spending their money on an expensive sports car, and quite another when you have to look them in the face as the money goes off the table and into the casinos pocket. If that was a 'packed Saturday night' as he said, the MGM has gone way downhill. It was hardly busy, let alone packed. As the Wiz said, to get 42 min of stuff to air, the average is 20-30 hours of filming, sometimes much more than 30. I want to see the people he ran into that never made the cut, you can bet he heard his share of pissing and moaning in the bad economic climate thats Vegas these days. The prizes thing at the end really turned me off. It was corny and silly and would have a tendency, especially now, especially as bad as the MGM is doing, to make the other 9000 employees go 'WTF?' They have no job security, are getting shafted on their hours and tips, and now they have to watch a couple of co-workers get lavishly rewarded for just doing their jobs? I wasn't amused and I'll bet I wasn't the only one.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 1:26:50 AM
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Yeah, probably all of them were pissed off at it to some degree. Mass meeting probably required half of them to be there when they were not scheduled to work. Reality tv is cheap to produce and its cheap publicity for the MGM too. I imagine hotel reservation phone clerks start seeing a blip in activity though: even if people just want to come see if the carpet is still the same. Or come try to meet the dealers who were on tv. Its cheap publicity for the MGM...but above all, its no more "real" than anything else on Reality TV.Quote: EvenBobThey have no job security, are getting shafted on their hours and tips, and now they have to watch a couple of co-workers get lavishly rewarded for just doing their jobs? I wasn't amused and I'll bet I wasn't the only one.
March 21st, 2011 at 2:08:44 AM
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This show annoys me everytime I watch it since it's the same format every week. Handpicked employees who just love their job and company so much but unfortunately have had bad things happen to them. They've overcome this adversity and get rewarded at the end of the show blah blah blah. Just once I want to see the undercover boss fire someone who sucks. I mean it's so mushy and annoying. My favorite is when they show the shocked looks on the employees faces when the entire company is gathered for the final scene and the boss announces "for the past week I've been undercover".
The boss is so undercover that while they were filming at the MGM, Norm Clarke's column (the gossip columnist for the Review Journal) said how rumors were all over the MGM that the reality show being filmed was actually Undercover Boss and if you wanted to see it head down to the MGM before it was done filming.
The boss is so undercover that while they were filming at the MGM, Norm Clarke's column (the gossip columnist for the Review Journal) said how rumors were all over the MGM that the reality show being filmed was actually Undercover Boss and if you wanted to see it head down to the MGM before it was done filming.
EvenBob: "Look America, I have a tiny wee-wee, can anybody
help me?"
March 21st, 2011 at 2:16:45 AM
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Gee, I guess dealers at the MGM are too busy loving their jobs and taking flowers to nursing homes to have time to read the local newspapers or gossip with the co-workers whose rumors reached the ears of the reporter but didn't reach their ears.Quote: JimMorrisonNorm Clarke's column (the gossip columnist for the Review Journal) said how rumors were all over the MGM that the reality show being filmed was actually Undercover Boss and if you wanted to see it head down to the MGM before it was done filming.
Let me guess, ... the show is highly rated and the commercial time slots sell for really high prices?
March 21st, 2011 at 3:11:48 AM
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Quote: JimMorrisonJust once I want to see the undercover boss fire someone who sucks. I mean
They did something like that with the Hooters' episode. (did you know Hooters was a family business? passed from father to son. well, I learned something)
One of the Hooter's managers was having two girls compete against each other by licking a plate. No customers around, just a private contest. I think to win leaving work early, or something like that.
So, at the end of the show, they show that manager, and it was like "After the talk with the CEO, Joe has decided to explore a different line of work" or something like that.
Sanitized for Your Protection
March 21st, 2011 at 3:20:19 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffReality tv is cheap to produce and its cheap publicity for the MGM too.
You can tell thats why MGM did it, the first 15min was a commercial for how fricking wonderful the MGM properties are. How do you think the 9000 employees felt, most of whom are struggling month to month, to see the boss tooling around in what had to be a very expensive sports car. And he 's a family man, where do the kiddies ride in his plaything? The whole show was nothing but mixed signals.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 3:22:02 AM
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Quote: rxwineThey did something like that with the Hooters' episode. (did you know Hooters was a family business? passed from father to son. well, I learned something)
One of the Hooter's managers was having two girls compete against each other by licking a plate. No customers around, just a private contest. I think to win leaving work early, or something like that.
So, at the end of the show, they show that manager, and it was like "After the talk with the CEO, Joe has decided to explore a different line of work" or something like that.
I missed that episode. I've seen a few Undercover Boss's but the formula grates on you after a while. I did not know Hooters was a family business, that's kinda funny.
EvenBob: "Look America, I have a tiny wee-wee, can anybody
help me?"
March 21st, 2011 at 3:29:36 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffGee, I guess dealers at the MGM are too busy loving their jobs and taking flowers to nursing homes
I'm sorry, that part of the show had me sticking my finger toward my throat and making gagging sounds. I couldn't even look at the screen. Great that the lady does it, not great that MGM singled her out to make themselves look good. How about doing something for ALL their employees, not just pulling an Oprah and giving a few people a new car. And why was this guy so clueless about what goes on in the casino, he was president of the Mirage for 5 years before he got this gig. Who does he think pays his salary, hotel guests?
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 3:51:10 AM
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Reminded me of the very first Undercover Boss back in about 1855 (then called Secret Master) when Ol' Man Murphy slopped mud on his waistcoat and went all incognito amid his serfs at his own plantation in Georgia. ("Daaaamn, dis white boy don't know NUTTIN' 'bout pickin' no cotton!") When Ol' Man Murphy couldn't sow a straight line in the field or make a simple soup from the plantation's veggies, yet was still welcomed by the same slaves he had beaten senseless just a week before, CBS knew they had a hit on their hands.
Or no, wait, that might've been the second episode. Didn't Caligula occasionally don raggedy clothes and appear out of nowhere in the midst of the Roman peasants and declare himself a god to them? I think CBS caught that for their "town crier" show back then.
Anywayz, these antics of the $30million CEO who cannot perform the simplest tasks of his minimum-wage peons who actually run the business are a real HOOT! He comes to work on day 1 in a Ferrari! Stands around with hands in pockets! Can't fan a deck of cards or deal a hand of blackjack! These are the stories that complete my Sunday evenings.
Can Howard Schultz of Starbucks brew a decent cup of coffee? Course not, but America needs to know! Coming in April.
Or no, wait, that might've been the second episode. Didn't Caligula occasionally don raggedy clothes and appear out of nowhere in the midst of the Roman peasants and declare himself a god to them? I think CBS caught that for their "town crier" show back then.
Anywayz, these antics of the $30million CEO who cannot perform the simplest tasks of his minimum-wage peons who actually run the business are a real HOOT! He comes to work on day 1 in a Ferrari! Stands around with hands in pockets! Can't fan a deck of cards or deal a hand of blackjack! These are the stories that complete my Sunday evenings.
Can Howard Schultz of Starbucks brew a decent cup of coffee? Course not, but America needs to know! Coming in April.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
March 21st, 2011 at 4:02:39 AM
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Quote: zippyboy
Anywayz, these antics of the $30million CEO who cannot perform the simplest tasks of his minimum-wage peons who actually run the business are a real HOOT! He comes to work on day 1 in a Ferrari!
Thank you, I thought it was a Ferrari but wasn't sure. He was truly baffled by the casino, it was hilarious! Shucks, I do what with the cards, shuffle em? And roulette pay outs, this is HARD, can I borrow a calculator? To the slot players, aw shucks do ya want one of our player cards, OK, thanks anyway, dum de dum de dum. These guys are so out of touch I'm truly appalled. I have to watch it again, what an indictment on upper management. Reminds me of the movies from the 30's when the president of the dept store pretends he's a new employee in the shoe dept, just to see what his employees really think of the company.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 4:10:35 AM
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Quote: EvenBobReminds me of the movies from the 30's when the president of the dept store pretends he's a new employee in the shoe dept, just to see what his employees really think of the company.
I didn't see that movie but I bet the "costumes" were better.
This was pretty much an hour long infomercial for MGM. They didn't point out any real problems that have not been discussed all over these forums--smoke, bad decor, slow check-ins, good/bad dealers, etc. The donations made "on behalf of the employees" sound great until you realize the total given plus the trips given probably cost less than one block of commercials...$5k? I bet there are many of us here that have given that much to our favorite charity (either all at once or over time)...
The biggest thing this guy might have "discovered" is that his kids are a bit bratty...volunteer? What's that?
March 21st, 2011 at 5:01:05 AM
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Yeah, I noticed how it was that MGM was so great and owned everything in town and that Harrahs did not exist. Slow checkins are the fault of the computer, not managers who staff too few employees and work them to death. Whats more its the computer upgrade...you know some unknown consultant's fault. And the problems with room keys is simply slightly-slow machines, nothing more serious.
March 21st, 2011 at 5:12:15 AM
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I was shocked that not just once, but at least twice, that he had weak Roulette spins. How hard is it to spin a Roulette ball?
At first I thought that the computer at the front desk "locking up" was due to him making a mistake. That it turned out to be a regular occurance that hadn't been corrected is amazing.
I was also surprised by his total lack of sales skills when trying to get slot players to sign up for the player's card.
But what surprised me most was the slot person who was working with him being surprised by the bad results he got. She had just trained him on how to sell the card, then he ignores all the hints she gave him, and she's surprised by his results?!?!?
At first I thought that the computer at the front desk "locking up" was due to him making a mistake. That it turned out to be a regular occurance that hadn't been corrected is amazing.
I was also surprised by his total lack of sales skills when trying to get slot players to sign up for the player's card.
But what surprised me most was the slot person who was working with him being surprised by the bad results he got. She had just trained him on how to sell the card, then he ignores all the hints she gave him, and she's surprised by his results?!?!?
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 21st, 2011 at 5:45:39 AM
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Yeah, his subtle, helpful and friendly approach to those slot players was a hoot. "You want a tracking card" or "rating card" or something. Nothing about how beneficial it is, what you can have in return for it. It was actually funny.
Now some real roulette dealers have trouble with their first spin so I don't blame him all that much but it does seem a task that is not too challenging. I posted before about the roulette dealer's first night wherein several of his friends showed up and when the little white ball didn't fall into a slot in the wheel but instead flew out and fell into a player's cleavage, the friends all held up their arms to signal "field goal". It happens sometimes that the little white ball is launched with too much energy by an excited dealer. Its strange but it does happen.
Now some real roulette dealers have trouble with their first spin so I don't blame him all that much but it does seem a task that is not too challenging. I posted before about the roulette dealer's first night wherein several of his friends showed up and when the little white ball didn't fall into a slot in the wheel but instead flew out and fell into a player's cleavage, the friends all held up their arms to signal "field goal". It happens sometimes that the little white ball is launched with too much energy by an excited dealer. Its strange but it does happen.
March 21st, 2011 at 5:47:44 AM
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This wasn't a bad edition of the show. The format of the show gets a bit tired after a while and you have to realize that these
shows are of course publicity for the company doing the show. There were lies off the top of the show: "MGM practically owns the strip". "MGM Grand started the wave of building on the strip in the 1990s", and things of that nature.
I think CBS ends up paying MGM a pool of money to pay the special employees that are featured on the show. CBS gets an interesting story, and the company being portrayed in the light that it wants to be portrayed in. More than likely the executive of the company being portrayed gets a heavy hand in the editing. I don't like it when you give the 3-4 "selected" employees prizes of $5 - $10k. That to me seems to be the most contrived. It's like a lotto.
I also think that the slot club effort was heavily contrived and was meant to show a difference between their "M rewards card" and a rating card. Also, prominently advertised was the 1,500 point 2 buffet and show prize.
Of course, you kind of get a feeling for the kind of company one is by the show they do at the end to all of the employees. In the case of MGM, they are a mega corporation and it's difficult to do something tangible for the 9k employees at their own casinos when there's another 90k at all of their other casinos. Putting in fans at the tables for smoking and improving the front desk software is better than nothing but not by much.
shows are of course publicity for the company doing the show. There were lies off the top of the show: "MGM practically owns the strip". "MGM Grand started the wave of building on the strip in the 1990s", and things of that nature.
I think CBS ends up paying MGM a pool of money to pay the special employees that are featured on the show. CBS gets an interesting story, and the company being portrayed in the light that it wants to be portrayed in. More than likely the executive of the company being portrayed gets a heavy hand in the editing. I don't like it when you give the 3-4 "selected" employees prizes of $5 - $10k. That to me seems to be the most contrived. It's like a lotto.
I also think that the slot club effort was heavily contrived and was meant to show a difference between their "M rewards card" and a rating card. Also, prominently advertised was the 1,500 point 2 buffet and show prize.
Of course, you kind of get a feeling for the kind of company one is by the show they do at the end to all of the employees. In the case of MGM, they are a mega corporation and it's difficult to do something tangible for the 9k employees at their own casinos when there's another 90k at all of their other casinos. Putting in fans at the tables for smoking and improving the front desk software is better than nothing but not by much.
-----
You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 21st, 2011 at 6:45:16 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearI was shocked that not just once, but at least twice, that he had weak Roulette spins. How hard is it to spin a Roulette ball?
At first I thought that the computer at the front desk "locking up" was due to him making a mistake. That it turned out to be a regular occurance that hadn't been corrected is amazing.
I was also surprised by his total lack of sales skills when trying to get slot players to sign up for the player's card.
But what surprised me most was the slot person who was working with him being surprised by the bad results he got. She had just trained him on how to sell the card, then he ignores all the hints she gave him, and she's surprised by his results?!?!?
I wonder if he's left-handed. After seeing the roulette part I simulated the motion of the spin and it felt awkward with my right hand and you'd have to reach across your body to use your left, which would be more awkward, so you'd use your right and get a weak spin if you were a lefty.
The last time I was in Vegas, I spent about 4 hours in the casino and convinced 3 people to sign up for a player's card while I was playing. Casinos should hire me to sit at the tables and shill!
I liked the episode but could see through the cherry-picked employees. Too bad he couldn't spend a day as a beverage server and listen to the girls complain about the customers who thought they were entitiled to cop a feel for their buck. And the solution to the smoke problem is just going to blow the smoke back at the players so it isn't going to help me any even if it helps the dealers.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.
Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
March 21st, 2011 at 6:49:46 AM
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Quote: JimMorrisonThe boss is so undercover that while they were filming at the MGM, Norm Clarke's column (the gossip columnist for the Review Journal) said how rumors were all over the MGM that the reality show being filmed was actually Undercover Boss and if you wanted to see it head down to the MGM before it was done filming.
Rumors? I see how it's reasonable that not all employees of a large corporation know what their boss looks like, but I don't for a moment believe that in just about every employee room there won't be someone who can recognize their CEO. Even behind the pretend ID. And especially with cameras drawing attention - it's one thing to dress casual and get lost in the crowd, another to actually be filmed by a fully set-up crew.
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March 21st, 2011 at 6:54:22 AM
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Quote: P90Rumors? I see how it's reasonable that not all employees of a large corporation know what their boss looks like, but I don't for a moment believe that in just about every employee room there won't be someone who can recognize their CEO. Even behind the pretend ID. And especially with cameras drawing attention - it's one thing to dress casual and get lost in the crowd, another to actually be filmed by a fully set-up crew.
They explained it by saying they were filming a reality competition with some other guy who they showed briefly but never introduced. But that wig was just so obviously a wig there was no way no one tagged it as part of a disguise. It was one step down from an Elvis wig, which was probably what they bought and trimmed it a bit.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.
Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
March 21st, 2011 at 7:11:56 AM
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I used to work for one of the first places featured on Undercover Boss, so I knew from the beginning how rigged the show is. That's why I don't watch it anymore.
As other people have said, it's basically an hour long commercial for these places, so just look at it as that. I'm sure most of the employees knew what was going on, this show isn't a "secret" anymore.
It is what it is, not worth pointing out all the flaws.
As other people have said, it's basically an hour long commercial for these places, so just look at it as that. I'm sure most of the employees knew what was going on, this show isn't a "secret" anymore.
It is what it is, not worth pointing out all the flaws.
March 21st, 2011 at 7:20:23 AM
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Quote: FinsRuleI used to work for one of the first places featured on Undercover Boss, so I knew from the beginning how rigged the show is. That's why I don't watch it anymore.
As other people have said, it's basically an hour long commercial for these places, so just look at it as that. I'm sure most of the employees knew what was going on, this show isn't a "secret" anymore.
It is what it is, not worth pointing out all the flaws.
Yeah, my b-i-l designed one of the Extreme Makeover homes that Ty Pennington "designed" once, so I know how bogus reality is. But I watched to see how they would address any problems the boss encountered. Basically, they just gave people trips and money and made the smokers smoke farther away. And that is all. No working conditions were improved.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.
Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
March 21st, 2011 at 8:43:55 AM
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It would not surprise me if it was widely rumored that the reality show was actually Undercover Boss, and the employees featured just went along with the ruse to be on TV.
However, I can buy that the employees didn't know what the COO looked like. They did say he moved to the MGM from the Mirage two months before. There are also a whole host of executives there, like a CEO, president, lots of vice presidents, and then more people from MGM-Mirage corporate HQ. When I have worked for big companies like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Pardee Construction, and UPS I had no idea of the names or faces of the top bananas. Such things were not my concern.
However, I can buy that the employees didn't know what the COO looked like. They did say he moved to the MGM from the Mirage two months before. There are also a whole host of executives there, like a CEO, president, lots of vice presidents, and then more people from MGM-Mirage corporate HQ. When I have worked for big companies like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Pardee Construction, and UPS I had no idea of the names or faces of the top bananas. Such things were not my concern.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 21st, 2011 at 9:08:52 AM
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Quote: WizardHowever, I can buy that the employees didn't know what the COO looked like. They did say he moved to the MGM from the Mirage two months before. There are also a whole host of executives there, like a CEO, president, lots of vice presidents, and then more people from MGM-Mirage corporate HQ.
Yeah, but still, CEO+President is the one. Someone has to know what he looks like, it's quite a public role, and since employees talk around... Would take just one who knows taking a look.
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March 21st, 2011 at 9:40:38 AM
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Quote: WizardI can buy that the employees didn't know what the COO looked like. They did say he moved to the MGM from the Mirage two months before.
In that case, the company does a miserable job of employee relations. Didn't they post his photo on a bulletin board or publish it online or in a newsletter or even, forfend, hold an employees' meeting or two to meet and greet the new boss?
And if he was at the Mirage, he surely should have known just which casino hotel is universally with setting off the 90's boom.
March 21st, 2011 at 10:38:10 AM
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Quote: WizardIHowever, I can buy that the employees didn't know what the COO looked like. They did say he moved to the MGM from the Mirage two months before. There are also a whole host of executives there, like a CEO, president, lots of vice presidents, and then more people from MGM-Mirage corporate HQ. When I have worked for big companies like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Pardee Construction, and UPS I had no idea of the names or faces of the top bananas. Such things were not my concern.
I have to go along with Wiz on this one. When I was accepted to dealer school the GM of the property came in and gave us a welcome speech with the standard, "I once sat where you are now," and so forth. After he left one presenter said that interaction we had was more than he had with the GM at his last property in 3 YEARS. You don't see the big boss much at all.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 21st, 2011 at 10:47:21 AM
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Quote: SanchoPanza
And if he was at the Mirage, he surely should have known just which casino hotel is universally with setting off the 90's boom.
At first I faulted that statement as well, but I suppose one could argue that he was referring to MGM the company (which owns Mirage of course) versus MGM the casino.
March 21st, 2011 at 12:31:18 PM
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Did anybody else notice he did a "fist bump" with a player? I have to wonder if he ever plays in a casino as he seemed to have no clue as to procedures. I'd say half of this board knows more about procedure than he acted like he knew.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 21st, 2011 at 12:37:21 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanAfter he left one presenter said that interaction we had was more than he had with the GM at his last property in 3 YEARS. You don't see the big boss much at all.
Well, I guess that depends on the company. Ones I've been working at, everyone knew the name and general appearance of the big boss, even people who have never been in the same town with him.
Nonetheless, I still doubt it can be kept as a secret through days of filming. It only takes for one employee to wonder "Could it be our boss?" (and cameras certainly do attract attention), web image search does the rest. The odds of that not happening appear to be very long.
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March 21st, 2011 at 12:55:18 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanDid anybody else notice he did a "fist bump" with a player? I have to wonder if he ever plays in a casino as he seemed to have no clue as to procedures. I'd say half of this board knows more about procedure than he acted like he knew.
A dealer/player fist bump is quite acceptable in our casino, of course we're not the MGM either. When I was first hired as a dealer twenty some odd years ago (at a different property than I work now) we were instructed to NOT talk to the players, even if they were initiating the conversation. "Dummy up and deal" was their motto. They were a poor operator then, and they are now.
Mark
March 21st, 2011 at 1:11:20 PM
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Quote: marksolbergA dealer/player fist bump is quite acceptable in our casino, of course we're not the MGM either. When I was first hired as a dealer twenty some odd years ago (at a different property than I work now) we were instructed to NOT talk to the players, even if they were initiating the conversation. "Dummy up and deal" was their motto. They were a poor operator then, and they are now.
Reason I bring it up is any place I have played it was forbotten to touch the dealer's hand in any way at all. A reason I really remember is because first time I played at a table was a $3 min at a Freemont Street Gambling Hall which I can't remember. But one guy kept wanting to do a fist bump with the dealer who sait it was not allowed. Another time I was asking a dealer about dealer school and working conditions and he said, "Nice chatting, sorry I cannot shake hands."
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 21st, 2011 at 1:30:08 PM
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If you thought you were looking at a reality nobody -- maybe you wouldn't give it much scruinty. I don't know that his disguise was an immediate giveaway if you hardly ever interacted with the boss anyway.
How many famous faces pass through the MGM? That might have a dulling effect on really paying attention to someone. Well, that's all the excuses i can think of.
How many famous faces pass through the MGM? That might have a dulling effect on really paying attention to someone. Well, that's all the excuses i can think of.
Sanitized for Your Protection
March 21st, 2011 at 1:36:50 PM
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I've seen fist bumps with dealers.
They are tollerated a lot more than a handshake because it's hard, or near impossible, to pass a chip thru a bump. So no problems, and no need to show your empty hands to the camera first.
They are tollerated a lot more than a handshake because it's hard, or near impossible, to pass a chip thru a bump. So no problems, and no need to show your empty hands to the camera first.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 21st, 2011 at 2:59:56 PM
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Well, they are at the very least still around.Quote: marksolbergWhen I was first hired as a dealer twenty some odd years ago (at a different property than I work now) we were instructed to NOT talk to the players, even if they were initiating the conversation. "Dummy up and deal" was their motto. They were a poor operator then, and they are now.
I've been shocked (well, mildly surprised) at all the fist bumping that has indeed been going on in the casinos. Its poor judgment in my opinion to allow something that is simply too close to something that could be passing chips. I like the old days of a girl who had some hair fall in front of her eyes slapper her hands, adjusted her hairdo, slapped her hands again. If a craps dealer had to blow his nose, he announced his need for a tissue to the boxman ... and yes, after the dealer made use of the tissue he placed it in his work area on the felt and it went back to the box man since the dealer had no pockets and could not reach into them even if he did have them. I don't know for sure, but perhaps those on this board who frequent South Point can say that no fist bumping goes on there! Darn little conversation also! Its a brightly lit sweat the money joint. They keep things serious there. Perhaps too serious when its only 2x odds at craps, but serious is better than too much joking around.
Visually recognize a Chief Operating Officer? They SHOULD be familiar with his face but that is just the problem the show addresses: the line employees are not in fact familiar with him because he never really shows his face at the front desk or at the ice-machine of the bar or anything.
By the way, did anyone catch the rather obviously temporary sign of Table Games Break Room? I don't know what location actually is, but its sure to large and comfortable to be a dealer's break room.
