Mike Rowe’s new answering machine greeting perhaps gives a unique meaning to “outgoing.”
The former Dirty Jobs host on Discovery, Mike Rowe is currently starring in a similar reality show on CNN called Somebody’s Gotta Do It . You may have also recently seen him on TV as a pitchman for Ford trucks.
Despite the blue collar focus of his TV work, Rowe used to sing with the Baltimore Opera as well as work as an on-air host for QVC .
Last year at this time, Mike Rowe sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas into his answering machine and uploaded the video to YouTube.
On Friday, a Facebook fan named Samantha posted the following to Rowe’s Facebook page.
Mike — Last year, you recorded the Grinch song on your answering machine. If you do it again, while wearing your bathrobe, I’ll send your foundation $500. If you can get Freddy to howl along some harmony, I’ll make it a thousand. Merry Christmas!”
Mike (and to a lesser extent his dog Freddy) complied with the request, and you can listen to the 2014 rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” on Mike Rowe’s Facebook page . The video has thus far been viewed more than two million times.
“That will be one thousand dollars,” Mike quipped at the end of the playback of his solo.
In responding directly to Samantha on Facebook, he added that “that’s very generous of you… I couldn’t get [Freddy] to howl, but the tongue-bath has to count for something, right?”
http://t.co/64FOPRflPC #FridayswithFreddy Samantha Romano writes, “Mike – Last year, you recorded the #Grinch song http://t.co/LSPTeSYoQR
— The Real Mike Rowe (@mikeroweworks) December 12, 2014
If you’re wondering where the contribution is going, “The mikeroweWORKS Foundation promotes hard work and supports the skilled trades in a variety of areas,” according to Rowe’s Profoundly Disconnected website . Among other things, the organization awards scholarships to men and women who seek training at trade schools across the country.
Rowe is on record maintaining that “My goal here is to challenge the absurd belief that an expensive four-year education is the best path for the most people, and confront the outdated stereotypes that continue to drive kids and parents away from a whole list of worthwhile careers. Many of the best opportunities that exist today require a skill, not a diploma.”
In case you missed it, here is last year’s rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Mike Rowe.
Are you impressed with Mike Rowe’s baritone vocal skills?
[Top image via Twitter ]