The Story Behind the Story with Mike Rowe
Season 3
Based on his podcast 'The Way I Heard It', Mike Rowe tells true tales and unique back-stories about people, places and events with a unique twist. From code breakers to Hollywood bombshells, and unlikely inventors to naked bank robbers.
Where to Watch Season 3
13 Episodes
- A Little Dab'll Do Ya
E1Episode 1A Little Dab'll Do YaAs a child Eugene mastered magic. As a teenager Eugene mastered four languages, music and art. Each time Eugene succeeded his mother asked him "What's next Eugene?" This story has two stories and Eugene's mother has her own "What's next?" story that drives her to keep asking Eugene "What's next?" after each new accomplishment. Including when Eugene presented her with a $10,000,000 check from the success of his makeup sales, or when he became a best-selling author, or a reality TV star, or a successful real estate investor, or a social and political lightning rod, or when he became a musician who acquired more gold records than anyone in history, or a sex-symbol who married a Playboy bunny, or have his tongue insured for $1,000,000. Even now this little Jewish boy worth $300,000,000 is wondering "What's next?". - On Thin Branches
E2Episode 2On Thin BranchesThis story is about Tommy the tuba player. Not just any tuba player, but considered the best tuba player of the time. Tommy was a nice man. He won the lifetime PTA award and was the teacher every parent wanted their teenage to get. He played those eight notes for Bart Simpson and the four notes known as the Price Is Right Loser's theme. But, in 1975 he became the "bad guy" where he was expected to play "out on the thin branches" to scare us with only two notes with his tuba, repeated over and over. Tommy succeeded. - The 100 Billion Dollar BarE4
Episode 4The 100 Billion Dollar BarWe meet Percy, a Raytheon supervisor in an engineering laboratory, trying to decide what type of snack to purchase on his way to work. Eventually deciding he wrapped the morsel in a paper napkin and put it in his pocket. Later that afternoon he reached into his pocket for his tasty pick-me-up only to find melted chocolatey goo. Percy was determined to resolve this issue and set off inventing an enormous 750 pound piece of equipment, which cost $52,000 and made popcorn. But, within a year Percy had the weight and size, but more importantly, the cost way down. And his invention would sell 30,000,000 units a year and generate over $100,000,000,000 in sales. We owe Percy a vote of gratitude for changing the way we cook. Or maybe just reheat. - On My Honor
E13Episode 13On My HonorMike relates the story of Wilson, who plays professional baseball and has prospects to be in the major leagues, and David, who must keep his amateur sports status to be eligible for a college scholarship and stays at home on the farm. Matt and Mike discuss the ethical implications of the story in biblical terms.
