'Undercover Boss' Recap: 'City of Cincinnati'

[Undercover Boss- Season 2 Episode 16]

Cincinnati, Ohio. With a population of 2.1 million people Mayor Mark Mallory oversees all parts of the city. According to the charter, the mayor was the official representative of the city and did the budget process. The mayor would have to shape his own destiny as well. Before he left to go undercover, Mark had dinner at his parents’ house and explained how his family was ingrained in politics. He looked up to his father for his impact on Cincinnati. He became the first African-American voted as mayor. Mark shows his family his dreadlock wig in hopes that it would cover him up enough that no one would notice. They suggest covering up his proper English.

Mark still had to be the mayor so he had his cell phone on hand, and if he had to attend to an emergency, his staff would call him. Mark wanted to see how employee layoffs and budget cuts would affect people. The people would be convinced the same Undercover Boss premise of a competition and Mark would pretend he was "Rick Wilson."

At 6am, Mark got up and prepared for the first day by putting on a fat suit; he hoped that he wouldn't get caught.

Job 1 - Sanitation - Danny (neighborhood operations) - Mark wanted to know that the groups were at top notch. Danny pointed out that there was a lot of dead animal pick-up. They soon arrived at a dead dog that was near a fence. The camera crew did an interesting job never showing the dead animal body. They then had to pick up a flat cat in the city. Danny complained about getting a wench. They then got a dead raccoon call. Danny suggested getting lunch but Mark complained about his washing hands. Danny was the only person to do pick-up for the whole city. He has eight kids to deal with. He's been working for nine years.

Job 2 - After School Day Camp - Karen (Community Center Director) - Karen had a sharp attitude and was a tough disciplinarian. She introduced "Rick" and made the kids line up. The kids made it to the gym and played volleyball. Mark stood back and watched, but Karen suggested that he get more involved; he was apprehensive but he got used to the game. The two went and prepared for the children to make pigs in a blanket. Karen explained that she had 18 years in her position, with a 19-year-old daughter. She sponsored the basketball team and did a job readiness program for 14/15-year-olds. The two returned to the gym and Mark was inundated by the number of kids. Eventually a basketball hit Karen on the head. The youngest kids all prepared their pigs in the blanket. Mark talked to the kids and they knew that Karen was aggressive but had her intentions. Karen mentioned the closing of two centers and it secretly upset Mark.

Job 3 - Fleet Services - Steve (Repairs) - Steve reminded Mark that they were dealing with lives. Mark had "soft hands" to Steve and doing repairs wasn't his natural work. This motorcycle was Steve's brother's and each driver had a specific way they wore out their vehicle. Steve pointed out that he was on the bottom of the totem pole; he made a parallel to the 3-year-old car versus the 13-year-old car. He complained about price. He pointed out that the mechanics were second responders when there was no response. Steve talked from the heart about his feelings.

As evening passed, Mark had to maintain his mayoral status and headed to the Queen City Tower for its ceremonial ribbon cutting. The Queen City Tower was now the new tallest building in the city.

Job 4 - Parking Enforcement - Arneater - Although Arneater looked suspicious and asked questions, Mark tried his best to distill the situation. Arneater talked about how some people wanted to back-up on her. She went through the steps and then let Mark tried, but there was a lot of buzzing. The two got several cars, but Mark was still very slow making tickets. Arneater let a person go when a person showed up. Arneater explained her children, her oldest had Cerebral Palsy. No one helped her cause and she was emotional about the situation. Mark caved and explained to her that he was actually the mayor.

Mark decided to talk to the city directors about his time. He wanted to connect the Parking Enforcement with the Police Department Lost Vehicles. Karen's job-training needed extension. Danny needed a GPS and technology to make their job better. His directors instantly were on the phones getting more information.

The first three employees came in to see Mark. Mark said hello and Karen and Steve knew who Mark was. Danny was the only one who had no clue who Mark was, nor what Undercover Boss was. Mark appreciated Steve and tried his best to get his under appreciation solved. Mark got Steve $10,000 for whatever interest he wanted. Karen had compassion and he appreciated the summer job program she started. He wanted the job readiness program spread throughout the after-school program. He got her a $10,000 gift card, which she considered using to pay her daughter's tuition. Mark got Danny a wench for the trucks and set up Danny for a GPS that would be imputed by the dispatcher. He got a trip for Danny and his wife to New York City and $3,000 in spending money.

Mark met with Arneater and told her how special she was for working. He got friends to buy her a van with a wheelchair accessible ramp so they can handle her son with ease. She was in tears, but gave Mark a big hug.

The mayor had his big announcement to several city hall members. They went through several clips and Mark mentioned how he wanted to show how much passion the city workers had. He was proud of the hard work that everyone had shown.

In the Epilogue, Karen got money for the recreation program, Steve, ironically, instead of keeping his job, used his money for early retirement, Danny took his wife on his trip, and Arneater took a trip to the Smokey Mountains with his son in the family van.