Minimum Wage

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

Morgan Spurlock and his fiance Alex leave their fabulous New York lifestyles behind for the heart of the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio. Morgan and Alex work at multiple minimum wage jobs for 30 days earning $5.15 per hour. They get to experience first hand the struggles minimum wage earning families face as Morgan's niece and nephew come to live with them.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • Good show to watch if you liked SuperSize Me

    6.4
    "Fair"
    By kg87, May 14, 2011 Report Abuse
    Not quite what I expected but still a good concept. Also outlines how society really is in America, not everyone's rich (it makes it look like almost nobody is). Really good idea, something nobody's really thought of. It is reality TV but not the typical type of reality TV that we watch.
    On the whole, if you enjoyed SuperSize Me, I think you'll enjoy this. If you're still not sure, watch the 1st episode, if you like it, great, if not, then don't watch it.moreless

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    1 0

  • Addicting, almost as much as fast food. Defiantly worth watching.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By beamerballacc, May 14, 2011 Report Abuse
    I didn't quite know that to expect when tuning into this show, since I dont really go for the "Reality-Based" programs. But I immediatly found myself absoluetly hooked on it. This show defiantly is worth watching, and it can be educational as well. For instance, it showed how difficult it can be for familys to live a whole week on minimum wage, and also, shows why the government should look into changing minimum wage from $5.15 to something that is not in the poverty line. To anyone ready for a fresh point of view on life, I would defiantly recommend this show. It just might make you appriciate what you have.moreless

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  • Thirty days when heard of the concept I found Great show this what reality tv should be a about

    8.0
    "Great"
    By kragen22000, May 14, 2011 Report Abuse
    Thirty days when heard of the concept I found it really interesting. this first epidsode was great eye opener.How many times have you left the house and burned 20$.In this show every spare cent is important to the over all stability of the home.
    The sad part about it everytime it seem that they were getting ahead something would come up and lnock them back down. Eg. the deposit to the electric company, the medical problems his niece and nephew visiting. They all seem to just chip away at their budjet

    So far I'm digging the show and hope the other episode are as good as this onemoreless

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    3 0

  • This episode is a snapshot of how difficult it is for people to live off of min. wage It let's U in on the lines that need 2B drawn & debt that acrues very quickly when adults R only paid min. wage, which is way below the cost of living "adequately."moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By The1Teacher, Jul 28, 2008 Report Abuse
    Hard-working people are being taken advantage of in the US. Alex didn't have to pay hundreds of dollars for a urinary tract infection--just mix 1 spoon of baking soda in a cup of water and drink it twice a day. But the doctors and nurses don't tell you that. Living paycheck to paycheck is no way to live. Morgan and Alex really showed that no time is left to see what the industries/companies/government/beauracracy is doing. Also, it was great that Morgan documented a comparison in paychecks with the past. I commend Morgan, and Alex for sharing the experience, for going through this in order to help the people of this country open their eyes to the hardships the working class endure just to survive with meager living.moreless

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  • This is an excellent series although 30 days cannot be exactly true to life because there are time constraints. Walking in the shoes of someone other than yourself is an excellent way to understand others and 30 days makes that a reality.moreless

    7.2
    "Good"
    By misscontroverse, Dec 07, 2007 Report Abuse
    However, I thought it absolutely ridiculous that Erin went to the ER with her UTI. This is not true to life, I don't know anyone that would go to the ER for that. She should have waited in line at the clinic all night. They also could have got a lot more for the easter baskets at dollar tree via the grab bags. I feel that because they knew it would end after 30 days they were more frivilous with money than they would have been. Rice and beans is cheap but Ramen noodles and day old donuts is cheaper.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The website that Morgan goes to is located at http://www.ohiotraveler.com/things_to_do.htm Edit

  • Notes

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  • Quotes

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    • Morgan Spurlock: I encourage you, and I challenge you to let your guard down, to strip away your life, and to put yourself in the situation of someone else because you will be changed. You will walk out of this experience a different person, a much more understanding person, hopefully a much more caring person, and you will be affected like I've been affected, and I'm better for it. I'm better for being here, so I'll see you. Edit
    • Alexandra Jamieson: You know, I love this country and I love the people here, and I feel like Americans can do a lot better. We can treat our citizens better than this. Edit
    • Morgan Spurlock: We don't see the people that surround us. We don't see the people who are struggling to get by that are right next to us. And I have seen how hard the struggle is. I have been here. And I only did it for a month, and there's people who do this their whole lives. Edit

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Minimum Wage

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