Undercover Boss: Abroad Season 1 Episode 1 1-800-GOT-JUNK (Brian Scudamore)

Undercover Boss: Abroad is a reality television series that follows high-ranking executives as they go undercover in their own companies to gain insight into their employees' work experience and to see where they can make improvements. The first episode of season 1 follows Brian Scudamore, CEO and founder of the junk removal company 1-800-GOT-JUNK, as he goes incognito to learn the ropes from his own employees.

The episode begins with Scudamore donning a disguise and introducing himself as a new employee named Randy to the crew at a 1-800-GOT-JUNK branch in Vancouver, Canada. Randy's first job is to ride shotgun with long-time employee and driver, Dave, and help him with pickups and deliveries. Scudamore immediately takes a liking to Dave, a friendly and hard-working employee who has been with the company for over 15 years.

Their first pickup is at a residential home where the homeowner has passed away, and the family needs to clear out his belongings quickly. Scudamore is impressed with how efficiently and carefully Dave handles the job, taking care to sort through the items and donate whatever can be reused. Dave also shows compassion towards the grieving family, taking the time to offer his condolences and lend a comforting ear.

Throughout the day, Scudamore gets a firsthand look at the physical demands of the job, as well as the emotional toll it can take on employees who deal with hoarders, evictions, and other challenging situations. He watches as Dave meets with a hoarder who keeps changing his mind about what items he wants to keep, causing frustration and delays. Scudamore also witnesses an eviction where the tenants have left behind a mess of debris and garbage, including a disturbing amount of used condoms, which makes even Dave gag.

Despite the difficulties of the job, Scudamore notes that Dave remains positive and committed to delivering a great customer experience. He listens patiently to clients' stories, offers advice on how to declutter, and even takes the time to teach a young girl how to play the guitar that she found in the junk pile.

As night falls, Scudamore joins the overnight crew and works alongside Cindy, a dispatcher who has been with the company for over a decade. Cindy is responsible for assigning jobs and communicating with the drivers throughout their shifts. Scudamore watches as she expertly juggles dozens of calls and tasks, while also being a supportive mentor to the newbies.

One highlight of Scudamore's time with Cindy is when he gets to meet a longtime customer named Linda, whose house they have cleared out several times in the past. Linda is an elderly woman who has been struggling with illness, and she is grateful for the compassionate and respectful service she has received from 1-800-GOT-JUNK. She tearfully tells Scudamore how much it means to her to have someone to talk to, and he realizes how much impact the company can have on people's lives.

After the undercover stint is over, Scudamore reveals his true identity to the employees, who are shocked and thrilled to meet him. He thanks them for their hard work and dedication and gives them each a bonus for their efforts. He also takes some time to reflect on what he has learned from the experience, noting how important it is for him to stay connected to his employees and to keep improving the company culture.

Overall, the first episode of Undercover Boss: Abroad is a heartwarming and eye-opening look at the inner workings of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Viewers will appreciate the hard work and dedication of the employees, and will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a successful junk removal business.