Benevolence and Gift‐Giving inBackyard Blitz

Family Matters: Neoliberal Narratives of Welfare Capitalism in Undercover Boss

“…Davies is especially suspicious of the isolated ways that problems in the workplace are purportedly solved in the "reveal sequence" where the boss "dispenses rewards" (2013). Here "gift-giving" is presented as "socially transformative" and provides the "narrative closure" of a makeover show (Ferrier, 2005). In his brief but poignant review of the series, Steve Striffler adds that Undercover Boss is essentially about "charity, not change" and caters to the interests of the boss rather than the workers; "the viewer gets only the perspective of the boss, and only the boss is presented with any complexity" (Striffler, 2010).…”

“…Nevertheless, the employees respond with gratitude at the generosity and resolve of "caring bosses." Indeed, "the gift-giving is particularly satisfying, providing narrative closure, because it is represented as socially transformative" (Ferrier, 2005).…”

“…This is most prominent and problematic with the depictions of workers with a disabled family member, which epitomize the "good" neoliberal subject that "manages to get by without welfare and government services in spite of difficult situations" (Ferrier, 2005). A window-washer at ABM and a parking-enforcer at the City of Cincinnati, for example, have children with Cerebral Palsy who require constant and costly care as well as modified transportation; a White Castle employee has a visually-impaired son that needs specialized educational resources; a screen-printer at O'Neill Clothing cares for a daughter with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome that requires expensive leg braces; a waitress at the Tilted Kilt and a dispatcher at Roto-rooter struggle to afford treatment for their respective autistic children.…”