Ep 5. Barber's Assistant

Mike Rowe takes on yet another dirty job in season 7, episode 5 of Dirty Jobs. In this episode titled "Barber's Assistant," Mike meets with barbers and hair stylists to help them with the not-so-glamorous tasks that they face daily. From sweeping up hair and cleaning up hairy messes to scrubbing down barbershop chairs and tools, Mike experiences the gritty and less-than-glamorous side of the grooming industry.

The episode begins with Mike visiting a barbershop in New Jersey, where he meets with a team of barbers who have been in the business for decades. He observes how they work and assists them with the less-than-glamorous tasks that they deal with on a daily basis. However, Mike is soon faced with a challenge when a customer asks for a unique hairstyle that the barbers aren't prepared for – a mohawk. The barbers agree to give the customer what he wants but need Mike's help to make it happen.

The next stop on Mike's tour of barber shops takes him to a beauty school in Indianapolis. Here, he participates in a lesson on practical hygiene for barbers and hair stylists, including the importance of properly cleaning barbershop tools and chairs between clients. Mike learns how to disinfect and sanitize the straight razors and clippers, how to clean the hair out of the chairs, and how to properly dispose of razor blades.

In the third segment of the episode, Mike travels to the high desert of California to meet a barber who specializes in military-style haircuts. This barber shop is unique in that it's run out of a trailer, but the barber has a steady stream of customers. Mike assists the barber with cutting the hair of marines and veterans, which proves to be a challenging experience. He learns how to use a straight razor and how to handle requests for custom haircuts.

Finally, Mike ends his tour of barbershops by visiting a mobile hair salon in St. Louis. Here, he meets with a group of barbers and hair stylists who have converted a vintage Airstream trailer into a travelling salon. Their focus is on serving people who are homeless or living in poverty and offering them free haircuts. Mike assists the barbers and hairstylists with cutting hair and observing the transformation that a simple haircut can make in someone's life.

Overall, Season 7 Episode 5 of Dirty Jobs offers viewers a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the grooming industry. Mike Rowe's experiences as a barber's assistant prove to be dirty, challenging, and rewarding all at the same time. Viewers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication that barbers and hairstylists put into their craft.