Looks like we'll finally get to see what HFEC CEO Joel Manby is like: http://undercoverbossmba.com/ceos-undercover-boss-cbs
It airs March 28th.
Well, THIS is certainly interesting. I will definitely be watching.
Wow, this will be very interesting indeed! Since the Herschend's have multiple theme parks, it will be interesting to see if they make a stop at Silver Dollar City, or not.
Wow! This is kinda big. I guess they couldn't get Walt Disney.
I wonder when they taped the episode, or if they will still do some taping between now and then.
We will never give the property of Silver Dollar City to any company. It's a family business, not a Corporate Park like Walt Disney Inc. The company is founded on our faith and values we hold.
^Hopefully those values are being passed on to the administrators.
I'd love to see him behind the counter of a restaurant in the city on a day 20,000 plus guests are on park. Or maybe in costume as a ride attendant at FITH or Wildfire! Looking forward to this one!
I love this show!!! This is very exciting for me.
Maybe, HOPEFULLY at least some of our views we've posted in the hillbillies thread will be heard by management because of this. But I wouldn't be surprised if they filmed most of this at Dollywood. She's got the name.
If they do like they did in the premiere episode (which is the only one I've managed to catch), then he'll probably go to a few different locations, so I'm hoping this means SDC will get some lovin'.
I want him on the real front lines: in the PARKING LOT.
Excellent! My wife has this show set to season pass on TiVo, so we'll be looking forward to it.
Great show! And hopefully they will find and apply some things to improve!
Maybe it will an hour of him reading this forum, and coming away saying, "Wowwwww... I had no idea! We NEED TO FIX THIS NOW!"
;D
I wonder when this was shot? If it shows on the 28th of March, will they have time to film and edit any footage from SDC if it opens the 18th? With the format of the show, I doubt there would be time. It seems that they bring all the associates together to reveal to them who the CEO really is...think they have time to make that happen in time for a 28th broadcast. Lets hope he makes it to SDC.
Also, with the show being as popular as it is, I wonder how long they can keep the format up before people become wise to them.
Verrrrrrrry interrrrrresting!
Joel was here last Thursday, and had a meeting with the management teams from all over park. I saw him in the lunch room, but didn't see any strangers tailing him around, just the usual bigwigs from the park. I wonder if this wasn't filmed last year, maybe around Christmas time.
You can bet they won't have anything from this year. I'm sure every episode was "in the can" before the network even breathed a word about the show. What I'm wondering is what they're going to do for a 2nd season when the cat will be out of the bag and every employee in the country is eyeing every new guy wondering if he's really the CEO!
More than likely it was filmed last year. Shows take a few months from filming to airing. (for example, the season finale of House just wrapped up filming, but it won't be airing 'til mid-to-late May)
Joy
Yeah, but it would be weird to see pumpkins and corn stalks around or Christmas trees and lights. With the other episodes seasons haven't mattered as much. Maybe he'll stick to show productions. Or maybe he'll just ride around on a Duck in Baltimore. Or a street car in San Francisco. Or maybe he'll be in charge of cleaning an aquarium or two. I'm not holding out for too many shots of SDC, DW, WW, or GA, but I hope I'm wrong.
Tonight's episode - a mail order company - was shot at the "holiday season".
Quote from: tinaalsgirl on March 17, 2010, 09:10:57 PM
More than likely it was filmed last year. Shows take a few months from filming to airing. (for example, the season finale of House just wrapped up filming, but it won't be airing 'til mid-to-late May)
Joy
That's very true with scripted television. However, some reality shows have an incredibly fast turn around. It would not surprise me if the Herschend's episode was shot this past holiday season.
Previews showed the Ducks, Wildfire, and the entrance to the City. It looked as if it was shot in the Fall. Stayed tuned. Next Sunday on CBS.
^The previews got me really excited. Looks like the Herschend company will be changing a few more lives.
Should we expect another tourist boom after the show airs like 60 Minutes did to Branson in the early 1990's? :P
I wonder how much influence the bosses have on the show's content and presentation. I'm guessing producers retain most of the final decision-making for themselves. I also wondered, during last night's episode, if they specifically choose employees for the bosses to work with who have a back story or a tear-jerking need. That makes for good TV, but like all "reality" shows, much of it is still manipulated.
Anyway, I hope the show does give a boost to HFE - if not monetarily, then at least it should help their image.
I was there the weekend they did the filming, last fall. They had signs posted all over the park that taping was being done, etc., and posted a picture of one, somewhere. Here's a link to Sunday's preview, for those that didn't see it. Kind of cool to see a couple friends, in it :D
Oops, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhSECPw3py4
I was there then!!! They were filming in the pottery shop that day stating that it was for a "commercial". Who knows, I have not seen anything of that commercial, and it was a bit upscale for any 30 second spot I have seen filmed before (I was there for 60 minutes filming back in the day, and it was a comparable crew that day).
SDC's Facebook page says that the boss will be working alongside employees at SDC and the Showboat Branson Belle. I wonder if they will go to any of the aquariums or Dollywood... Anyway, can't wait!!
Got this in the official SDC email-
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/sdcub_01.jpg)
Here's a link to a video preview of him working on the Showboat Branson Belle.
http://cbsmediagroupftp.com/clips06/ucb_032510c_STREAM.wmv
Terry Sanders has me linked to his web site for email stuff, and was kind enough to send me the promo link for the program via his website. Terry is a number one booster of all things SDC related, as you might expect. I'd encourage you to check out his website: www.homerlee.com
Just under an hour to go before the show starts! I'm so excited! ;D
Don't miss it! :)
Joel made the Christian values point. I'm impressed that CBS let that in.
What do we know about Albert? For all I know he's on the forum here. He's a young guy working the stroller rental, and he showed Joel his idea for a coaster that goes underwater. He wants to be CEO of HFE. Good thing he complimented the current CEO.
I know I don't want to get up at 3:30am to hose down the park with Richard, who lost everything in a flood.
Aaaaaaaah! So many memories! Reminds me of opening the park every day before guests arrived. So great to see SDC featured on network TV. The camera loves the City!
Hey betamike! I wondered if I was the only one on here during the show. Do you recognize any of these folks. It doesn't look like their going to show much of SDC beyond the turnstiles and the main square at night.
Now they are off to the showboat. A quick reference to child care needs and recession realities.
Then, Camden, NJ, to the aquarium. He's working the tide pool.
I missed it, but luckily the full episodes are on the website: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/ so I'll have to catch it as soon as they put it up. Not many good shots of SDC then? How much of it was needless drama?
It's still on, Steve!!!
Hahahaha! I now work for another (ahem) theme park so yeah....I have weird hours. I really don't recognize anyone from the days when I was there, but hopefully during the reveal I might notice more. But hopefully the producers will make some of the special interest stories the focus.
Yeah, I knew that...I didn't know how long you'd been in FL. I notice he didn't make any candy while he was there!
I think they hand pick some of these people for the CEOs to work with, knowing they have heart-wrenching backgrounds or current hardships.
Actually that's funny you say that. I've worked with production down here for a bit as well and it makes me think of what is planned and what is cinema verite. Either way, just glad to have the press.
Albert is going to have to get used to signing some autographs this season!
Wonder if he'll be more out in front...
I bet so! ;D
Final analysis: Every other episode of this show has had a negative employee who needed disciplinary action.
We can be proud, once again, that HFE has been portrayed in a completely positive manner. The show wasn't as interesting, IMO, as others, but the company was caring and empathetic to the needs of employees.
This really wasn't a commercial for HFE properties, but a true look at the employees.
Preview for next episode: already the boss has used profanity - makes for a striking contrast.
Yeah, I agree. I felt confident telling everyone down here to watch because I knew that everyone would be as hospitable as can be.
Oh, and everybody comes on now, after the show! 45 people on the forums. I think this is an official high attendance for us, since the 111 was something weird that happened once.
I have worked 3am shifts before in a warehouse, and it was one of the toughest jobs I have ever done. I could not imagine being up and out hosing the city down even in the early chilly hours like that. I enjoyed the show, and as you said, I was glad to not see the token negative employee.
I was so proud of the way the employees conducted themselves, the way the boss conducted himself, and the wonderful way that HFE was represented. I'm happy to pay $77 for a season pass so that HFE can expand their employee assistance programs. I am glad that my 40+ years of admiration for SDC has not been in vain. This is a caring company run by good people. Can I get an AMEN on that?
I thought it was a good show! Yes, I may live under a rock, but I was surprised to see the CEO does not have Herschend at the end of his name. So I guess the family owns the parks, but someone else is hired to run it?
Anyway back on topic, I was excited to see just a small glimpse into how Silver Dollar City operates. There truly are some hard working, and inspirational people there! There is no other theme park in the world that I would rather spend my hard earned money at. :)
Quote from: Ozark BBQ on March 28, 2010, 09:43:01 PM
I thought it was a good show! Yes, I may live under a rock, but I was surprised to see the CEO does not have Herschend at the end of his name. So I guess the family owns the parks, but someone else is hired to run it?
Well, as a multi-million dollar corporation, I imagine the Herschends wanted someone trained in the operations of such a huge company to run the business-side of things.
Quote from: History Buff on March 28, 2010, 08:46:16 PM
Joel made the Christian values point. I'm impressed that CBS let that in.
I'm not really surprised. CBS
is the network that brought us nine years of
Touched By An Angel (which I watched religiously... pun intended ;) )
QuoteWhat do we know about Albert? For all I know he's on the forum here. He's a young guy working the stroller rental, and he showed Joel his idea for a coaster that goes underwater. He wants to be CEO of HFE. Good thing he complimented the current CEO.
I loved when Albert said he wants to be CEO... Go ahead, Albert, take Joel's job, then I'll take yours (ticket taker, the position I really, really want). LOL
All in all, a great episode that had me bawling like a baby when Joel was revealing himself to the employees he'd worked with. I was glad that the only "mention" of Dollywood was a quick shot of Timber Tower; they didn't even mention the park by name. I liked that; SDC deserves the limelight, since without Marvel Cave and SDC, there wouldn't
be an HFEC (more than likely).
This show just reinforced my desire to work at SDC as my career. I also loved how it really did reinforce the idea that Herschend employees really are the friendliest of all!
~"Becky" Joy~
PS: If Albert is working at SDC this summer, I am definitely gonna ask for an autograph! ;)
I only wished I worked for an organization that actually cared about their employees. The show only made me want to work there more.
I think it was encouraging to see a show that had didn't have to find a negative to boost the ratings.
I just can't wait for the birthday bash!!!
Working for Silver Dollar City has always been a dream job of mine! Unfortunately, the three hour commute to, and from the park held me back a bit. ;)
I really enjoyed the attitude, and personality of the Duck Captain! He was great with the kids, and so full of life. He has probably driven that car-boat a hundred times, and yet each time he still has the excitement as if it was his first ride.
Ditto to what everyone else has said about the show. My entire family sat and watched the whole thing. (We're all SDC groupies!) I thought Richard was gonna maybe lose his patience with "John" when he got sprayed, but he kept his cool...so to speak.
One thing I noticed that has changed since our last trip to SDC in '07 is they've replaced the magnetic strip tickets with bar codes. When did they do that?
I am fairly positive that I was there during the filming, but only the "ambiance" shots.
Excellent!
Winds in the high-30mph range knocked out our satellite reception of local channels, but I watched it on CBS.com. I can only echo what others have said: there wasn't a "problem employee" for dramatic flair, and everyone seemed quite genuine.
Of course the best employees are picked to show the "new employee" the ropes, and no one should think this is the typical starting day for a new-hire. Typical new-hires don't come with camera crews following them around, so even if no one knew anything other than "a documentary is being filmed", they would naturally put forth their best foot and offer up the very best employees as trainers. Nothing at all wrong with that, either.
My nit-picks:
1. They didn't explain the employee assistance program nearly well enough (including how to contribute); and,
2. They called SDC the flagship attraction, but didn't mention that it's the root of the entire company.
Of course, knowing how ruthlessly the editors have to work, I can chalk both of those up to time constraints. A five-second explanation can take entirely too long when you've only got 45 minutes to introduce, present, and wrap up such a huge operation.
I don't love SDC any more because of this show (because I couldn't possibly), but I am smiling within that my adoration for the park isn't misplaced.
As someone who has worked under albert in the stroller booth during christmas (I was in labor pool this x-mas) I can tell you the I got exactly the same treatment as Joel did he is great to work for and even thought I only did 6 days with him he still remembers my name.
I enjoyed listening to Albert's story, and I have nothing but respect for someone who is truly working their way from the bottom to the top. I think the experience his is gaining now will make him a great benefit to Silver Dollar City in the long run.
It's nice to see people from my generation taking such pride in their work, and showing so much dedication to continuing the history of Silver Dollar City.
Just finished watching the show on line, and really enjoyed it! Really was touching to hear the stories behind these employees' lives. The Ride the Ducks guy was great, as was the fellow at the turnstyles and the street washer at SDC.
The guy at the turnstyles really moved me, because the way he felt about the company is the way I've felt about it. Again, even though things have changed greatly in the company since I worked there, I strongly would encourage anyone who can to work there. I cannot say that about too many of the jobs I have worked since then. Joel seems like a pretty good guy, too. So Joel...if you're reading this...I'm glad to see you spent some time at "the cradle," Silver Dollar City. It's where it all began.
CEO respect earned. Glad they help single parent families.
I wish the employees that I work with had better attitudes about there jobs. They only seem to feel that the company is out to do them wrong all the time. And were in a high pay grade job, so I guess if you make close to minimal wage you are happier.
Quote from: oldsdcer on March 29, 2010, 09:37:56 AM
I wish the employees that I work with had better attitudes about there jobs. They only seem to feel that the company is out to do them wrong all the time. And were in a high pay grade job, so I guess if you make close to minimal wage you are happier.
You bring up a really great point. The girl working at the aquarium performed a lot of mundane assignments, and yet she still had a great attitude about her job, and a terrific amount of enthusiasm. You just simply do not find that in most work places these days.
When you ask for help from other businesses, the employees will often grunt, moan, and whine about assisting a customer even though they are getting paid to do it.
The employees working for the Herschend company are truly great people! ;D
QuoteI'm not really surprised. CBS is the network that brought us nine years of Touched By An Angel (which I watched religiously... pun intended Wink )
CBS also owns MTV, etc., which by far outweighs your one-hour drama that's been off the air for seven years. I prefer to give the credit to HFE for keeping some creative control over the direction the show took. The producers of the show could have easily edited it differently and played it for more drama than they did. I think they like to keep this in a positive tone to appeal to the Extreme Makeover Home Edition crowd, but since it is still "reality" TV, they also like to give a jab to the bad guy.
QuoteI was glad that the only "mention" of Dollywood was a quick shot of Timber Tower; they didn't even mention the park by name. I liked that; SDC deserves the limelight, since without Marvel Cave and SDC, there wouldn't be an HFEC (more than likely).
That, too, was obviously by design. The illusion is that Dolly owns and runs Dollywood. They wouldn't want to burst that bubble. At the same time, they were honest by actually showing a part of it.
A couple of other things that weren't on: the other aquarium (though it was mentioned that another was out there) and the San Francisco Street Cars.
They could have really shown something negative by putting him in the parking lot! Yuck.
Folks at the City like to see others grow and blossom. I saw a lot of myself in Albert while watching this show. When I started at the Candy Factory I sat down with June one day and told her how worried I was about the changing environment (and this was the early 90's!) and how scared I was that classic attractions that I held near and dear might be torn down to make way for newer rides. I was primarily worried about Fire in the Hole among others.
She called up Cary Summers (CEO of SDC at the time) and thank God he was out of the office or else I would have had to express my concerns to him right there! Instead, she had me write a letter and wouldn't you know it that a week later, I got a very nice hand written response from him expressing how he was also concerned about heritage and people like me who had grown up with the park and for me to keep the passion alive through being a citizen at the city.
It made me feel really good that people saw my concerns and help me follow through with them.
One other thing to mention about the editing: I would be very surprised if the three or four employees who make it to the final episode were the only ones the CEO spent time with.
I loved the episode, and even though we all knew the employees who work for HFE are great, the people that have never heard of HFE got to know that they really are the friendliest company. We actually met Albert on Sunday and he was very pleasant, as the show portrayed. Like everyone else, I wish they would've shown more of the park.
SDC held an employee watch party Sunday night and several citizens were talking about it, saying how excited they were. Our server at Molly's Mill told us that she was so surprised that no one was able to recognize him since his picture is everywhere, on all the newsletters and everything.
I was kind of hoping that Joel would tell Albert that they were going to build his roller coaster design as well. ;)
As a senior manager with a large coporation I dream of having associates like the ones featured during the show. At lunch today I spent the entire time talking with other managers about the show and how nice it would be to have that type of attitude if in just a few of our employees. That type of attitude comes from the top down. It's good to see that values and morals of its founders are still alive and well in it's employees. Makes me feel better about the future of this company.
Quote from: Coaster on March 29, 2010, 07:50:08 PMI was kind of hoping that Joel would tell Albert that they were going to build his roller coaster design as well. ;)
Well, Albert did mention something about a rollercoaster that would incorporate Lake Silver, and as we all know they have cleared off a big area over there where the Waterboggan, and Splash Harbor used to be. ;)
Well, I didn't watch the show Sunday night, instead DVRing it to watch later. Much to my dismay, the show before it ran a half hour long, probably pushed back by some sporting event...NCAA basketball? So, I had to go to CBS.com tonight to watch it in it's entirety.
General impressions:
-I thought the show was wonderful, giving viewers a glimpse of the guts of HFEC.
-I found it interesting to see some of the other operations and what they are all about. I was initially skeptical when HFEC decided to acquire the Aquariums, but it seems that they are working out well for the company.
-I think Joel gained some valuable insights on things that might be helpful for employees, particularly the child-care situation.
-When it showed Joel in the boardroom talking to his executive team, I could not make a positive identification of anyone as being currently closely associated with SDC proper. I do think that I might have seen Rick Todd, who used to work at the park many years ago, but has long since moved up the corporate ladder and out of the area. And I think the woman was Jane Cooper, who was introduced to us at an orientation meeting several years ago, and now runs the basic operations of HFEC attractions, but she has never "worked" at any of them. I would have expected to see Mike Hutcherson, who has a closer association with SDC, having been general manager until just a few years ago, and still resides in the area...but if he was there, I missed him. Another person on Joel's team who has roots at the park would be Rick Baker, but I'm not sure if I saw him either. Which leads me to a more general impression of leadership. I'm very certain that all these people are well qualified and probably pretty nice, but without their "roots" being established at SDC, it's easy to see how some of the "flavor" that used to be SDC has been lost. On the other hand, the corporation is a lot bigger than SDC now, so I guess it's to be expected.
-I also thought how wonderfully fortunate that the people that Joel got to "work" with just happened to be people with "hardship" stories. Really now. Heartwarming stories? Yes. Hand-picked? Had to be. General representation of the work force? Not really. The show painted such a rosy picture of HFEC that I'll bet we get a ton of applications now. Yes, the company is great to work for, and management does indeed care, but most of the employees are just regular people...not in hardship, not getting rich, but making it okay, and living day to day. Just like you guys and most of the people in this country.
Last impression...I enjoyed the show immensely. But I think it was most helpful to Joel, who, not having come up through the ranks of the company, gained invaluable insight into what makes it work. It seems that some of that insight has already led to good things for employees. The child-care allotment, for example, and I did notice a harder push toward making people aware of the Share It Forward program during orientation this year. I hope that even more and better things are in store for us in the near future.
you can also see the show on HULU.COM
I was perusing the 1Branson.com forums today and came across a link to this very interesting article which sheds a little more light on the subject.
http://www.bransondailynews.com/story.php?storyID=15167
^Thanks for the link Zephon. Albert will definitely be a very popular man this summer.
That was great, Zephon. Shared on Facebook.
My favorite part of the show was watching Joel eat the El Charrito Mexican tv dinner in his hotel room. I wonder if he likes the rice because I hate it.
I thought it was funny how Joel took the tip on the Branson Belle. ;D
Quote from: sonthew on April 02, 2010, 09:57:20 AM
My favorite part of the show was watching Joel eat the El Charrito Mexican tv dinner in his hotel room. I wonder if he likes the rice because I hate it.
Makes me wonder, did he REALLY eat it, or was it just for show? :P
Quote from: Ozark BBQ on April 02, 2010, 10:02:34 AM
Quote from: sonthew on April 02, 2010, 09:57:20 AM
My favorite part of the show was watching Joel eat the El Charrito Mexican tv dinner in his hotel room. I wonder if he likes the rice because I hate it.
Makes me wonder, did he REALLY eat it, or was it just for show? :P
HAH! Express his humbleness then bring in a prime rib as soon as the cameras shut off.
Just wondering...has anybody bumped into Albert from the Undercover Boss show on park yet this season?
In the followup story, mentioned somewhere here, it said Albert would be moving to Georgia to go to school while he works at Wild Adventures.
O.K. Guess I missed that one. :-[
Is Albert the boy from the front gate? If so he was working on the 50th anniversary Saturday at the front gate.
Quote from: Swoosh on May 23, 2010, 11:32:45 PM
Is Albert the boy from the front gate? If so he was working on the 50th anniversary Saturday at the front gate.
Yes.
Yeah, Albert took my ticket on the 50th Anniversary Saturday.
Albert was at the gate on SDC 50th anniversary weekend. Also, last week I saw a sign posted on the Homestead Motel on the strip that said this is where Undercover Boss for SDC stayed.
I saw him this past weekend at the stand where you get strollers and wheelchairs. College of the Ozarks is right there, I bet he's doing his classes there still. I don't know the guy, but I was sure rooting for him. He's a true example of a fine Ozarks boy.
I didn't go on the Anniversary Weekend, but in the 4 trips I've made this year I've seen Albert every time. Opening Day he was at the gate greeting people after they had their tickets scanned. Next time I went I saw him bringing out strollers in that area. Third time I was eating dinner in The Mine and he came in to assist a guest who was in need of a scooter. He went to her table and talked to her for several minutes and then very politely led her through the kitchen area (presumably to a back exit on ground level). And the last time I was there he was working the booth where you can redeem tickets for season passes. In fact, I snapped a picture of him because he was helping my two friends get fixed up with passes.
You can see it here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wfd6fPrDV6VSu99g7D_aCQ?feat=directlink
We did get to meet Albert last week. We were standing in the Hospitality House when my daughter said, "Hey, there's the guy from the TV show." So we scooted out the door and followed him down to the turnstyles where he posed for a picture with my son. He seemed kind of shy about the whole thing, but was very gracious to us.
A couple of days later I was being helped at the stroller rental by a young man (I had lost my wallet and somebody turned it in. God bless SDC patrons!) I asked him if he had the opportunity to work with Joel Manby when he was there. He said, no he wasn't working at the park at that time, but saw the show and applied for a job the next day. Ironically he said he's replacing Albert who was to be leaving last week for Georgia where he will start his schooling and work at a Herschend property down there.
We saw Albert roaming the park on Saturday. He seemed to be enjoying himself as a true SDCFan on his day off. ;D
The HFEC Undercover Boss is on at 10pm!! I just ran acrossed it on the guide. I know, only 5 minute notice, but I knew somebody would like to watch it!!
missed it! >:(
its on the website to watch. Just search for Undercover Boss
Bingo.
The episode is all over the internet. Here is just one of many examples. http://www.megavideo.com/?v=P1VZ626U (http://www.megavideo.com/?v=P1VZ626U) :)
Yes it was on last ight on TLC only caught the last 5 min of it. Dang it i need too keep an eye out for the rerun.
Or, you could just watch it anytime online. ;)
Very true Ozark BBQ, didnt think about that. duh!!! lol
Quote from: Avalanche04 on October 07, 2011, 04:57:08 PM
Very true Ozark BBQ, didnt think about that. duh!!! lol
DUHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah thats exactly how i feel snddunerunner, lol
Just wanted to let people know that if they never saw the episode or just want to watch it again that is is now on Netflix instant.
:)
I really enjoyed that episode, it was like behind the scenes at SDC :)
me too, I would like to see more behind the scenes type stuff.