Fame & Earned Success - Mike's "Attitude of Gratitude"

Best & Worst Part of Fame?

Mike,

I love the fact that you are approachable, here talking with your fans on a consistent basis.  I was wondering what the best part of being famous is and what the worst part of said fame is?  I only ask because you are responsive to your fans on a level that makes us feel like you are one of us.  I genuinely applaud that.  I don't think there is one other TV personality out there who carries the humble attitude you reflect.  I'd like to hear a story about something that happened to you where you thought, "Wow, being famous is good." and maybe one where you thought, "Ouch, not fun to be famous."  Give us a peek into your thoughts Mike if you would.  Thanks, montanagrizman -- P.S. Ever been to Montana?

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Thanks for the kind words.  Been to Helena twice, Missoula once.  Big fan of The Big Sky.  A river runs through it...

Let me say first that anybody with their name in the title of a hit show that airs in 128 countries has no business complaining about anything.  Sure, notoriety requires some adjustments, but nothing that warrants pity or complaint.  It's all part of the bargain.

Regarding humility - I think it's something to aspire to, but like anything else worth having, not that easy to come by, especially in this business.  Actually, as I sit here thinking about it, I don't know of any performer who is "naturally humble."  I'm not even sure it's possible.  The amount of ego required to deliberately thrust yourself onto a stage or in front of a camera defies a natural humility, in my opinion.  I do however; believe that everyone in show biz has the opprtunity to be gracious, and that an "attitude of gratitude" is about the only sensible way to react to good fortune or celebrity.  Gratitude is always a conscious choice, and I'll thank you all to let me know if I ever appear less than grateful.

As for fame itself, there's very little about it that's inherently good or bad, in my opinion.  It's handy for getting good seats, free beer, and complimentary rental car upgrades.  It also helps when you're trying to get things done in the TV world.  (Industry people respond to fame, even more dramatically than tabloid readers.)  The problem with fame of course, is that it doesn't need to be earned - more often than not, it's handed out by the machine, and usually on a temporary basis.  Maybe that's why it's so hard to handle.

In general, I'm suspicious of anything that people attach false significance to, including my skin color, astrological sign, ethnicity, social standing, education, fame and money.  None of those things are central to who I am as an individual; they are merely circumstance.  (Isn't it interesting, that celebrity worship, sexism, racism all require the same sort of narrow thinking on the part of its adherents?  Neither allows the proponent to see the "object" as a complete person.)

Anyway, people often suggest that fame will change you; I disagree.  Its power is more subtle.  Like money, fame will simply turn you into a larger version of who you already were, by magnifying your existing personality.  (Ergo, if your'e a schmuck, fame will turn you into a bigger schmuck.) Unfortunately, we all have a little schmuck in us.

Success on the other hand, is fantastic, and often gets a bad rap.  I have nothing bad to say about success at all.  In fact, I'd like some more of it, please.  I'll defer to Somerset Maugham, who famously said "The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistical, and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind."

I agree with SM, because all success needs to be earned, and most often results from things like hard work, diligence, sacrifice, and delayed gratification.  Fame on the other hand, requires nothing of the sort.  In fact, I would say the biggest misconception about fame is the belief that it has anything to do with success at all. -- Mike

Comments

[Philip Regan]

With that post I would say "Mike Rowe for President"--Oh...wait...you obviously have some scruples...never mind. Dig the posts and the show, dude. I don't watch TV as a rule, but your show is one that I carve out some time for when the DVDs come out. Keep up the good work! I guess this makes me officially a fan, then...

[Vivianne Foppa]

Arthur Schopenhauer once said "Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed", but some people forget that in the other side of the hill there's the way that leads you down... so... to all 'celebrities to be' out there: slow your row darling!!!! LOL... Just kidding...

But, somehow, is somethig to think about... I think we can't never forget our roots... where we came from, our dreams, our principles, who we really are... We have to keep it real... doesn't matter if you're famous or not... is all about being a good person and having a good heart.

"(...) fame will simply turn you into a larger version of who you already were (...)"

I'm speechless!!!!

Best wishes to all,
Viv

[Charity]

Well, that was lovely! Thank you for sharing.

[Brandon Manson]

Mike, I really appreciate your comments on fame, success and humility. It is slightly amazing to me that you have the perspective that you do and that you practice what you preach. It is appreciated by all of your fans. It is refreshing as well, coming from a guy who has been in the world of opera and no doubt worked with people who don't see things the way you do, as well as being a big-time hit in the television industry. Thank you for being the people's voice Mike.

Sincerely,
Brandon

[ilea]

Dear Mr. Rowe. Please let me say I echo this excellent commentary. I would have said something similar earlier except for the fact I was busy picking up after my rescued dogs...dirty job...but God never said dirty wasn't perty.

Be blessed and be well...and thanks so much for making such a great impression in our lives!

[Dijea]

After 4 hours of Dirty Jobs - yes, I'm a glutton for punishment too HA!- I have to say that you answered the question above with a great deal of grace and truth. I think your biggest asset is your humor. I appreciate your honesty and my whole family enjoys your show.

But if you need a really dirty job to do, come clean up after my 5 & 7 year olds.

[john schneider]

The brown to green theme is great Mike! Nice snake bites.

Could you maybe do some biogas/manure digestor stuff. It's dirty and green. i know you have done manure before, but this is clean energy production, from the biogas. It runs in tractors too.

Saving diesel running the tractor on poo gas, and supplying power to the neighbors from a biogas generator hooked to the grid, that's an interesting brown/green story. And the fertilizer that comes out cuts down on expensive, green house gas producing chemical fertilizer. It is killing small farms as the price goes through the roof.

Great work, keep getting dirty! i'll pass on more brown/green stuff, I write about this on my blog and others.

[dirtytombstone]

whats the dirtiest thing youve gotten yourself into outside of work?

[Mayshing]

that's the most amazing comment on fame I have read about, that changed my perceptive about fame and fortune, and success. Thank you so much!

You are my favorite TV show host! :D