One-hour Documentary Hosted by NBC News’ Lester Holt Premieres on Thursday, November 3rd at 9PM ET/PT on CNBC
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., October 25, 2011?For most people, a job is just a job, little more than a way to pay the bills. But what if work were more like play? What if, instead of living for the weekend, you lived for Monday morning? There are people who feel that way, and CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, introduces viewers to seven of them in its one-hour documentary “Best Jobs Ever,” premiering Thursday, November 3rd at 9PM ET/PT. The program is hosted by Lester Holt, anchor of NBC’s “Dateline” and “Weekend Nightly News” and co-host of NBC’s “Weekend Today.”
CNBC profiles Mike Prichinello and Zac Moseley, co-founders of Classic Car Club Manhattan. Their full-time job is to buy the most exotic cars on the market with other people’s money, and keep their members entertained with fun, adrenaline-fueled events. And did we mention that Prichinello and Moseley get to drive those exotic cars whenever they want? Prichinello and Moseley scour the world to find the most powerful rides and bring them back to the club’s 300-plus members to drive. Each member pays upwards of 10 thousand dollars a year for access to the four million dollar fleet. But, the road hasn’t been obstacle free; there are expensive insurance policies, parking tickets, accidents, and worse, dealing with the DMV.
The documentary also features Ryan Harris, a former shoe designer who traded in sneakers for handcrafted surfboards. Harris is co-owner of Eco Boardworks, a full-service, ecologically friendly surfboard production facility that manufactures everything in-house. Harris plays a critical part in every step of the process, from working with customers on design to shaping and painting the boards. Harris is the first to admit he is living the dream: he not only engages in his favorite sport on a daily basis, he got to swap his business suit for a wet suit.
Nathan Sawaya was a successful corporate lawyer who gave up a six-figure salary for the Legos he loved as a child. Some lean times followed, but today he is one of only 11 “Lego Certified Professionals” in the world. Success didn’t come easy – the art world didn’t take his Lego sculptures seriously at first - but now his work can be seen in museums and fine art galleries, and is often commissioned by companies, institutions and individuals. His latest creation is two half-scale Lego replicas of The New York Public Library’s famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude. CNBC goes along with Sawaya for the big unveiling outside the landmark 5th Avenue location as part of the library’s centennial celebration.
Some people fall into their careers, but as a professional stuntwoman, 40-year-old Alisa Hensley falls, crashes, dives, rides, kicks and fights for a living. For a woman who is all about physical fitness and pushing herself to the limit, there couldn’t be a better job. Hensley’s skills have landed her in major motion pictures, doubling for big-name actresses like Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron. She also doubles for Yvonne Strahovski, the lead actress in NBC’s popular series “Chuck.” Hensley says her career was “love at first fight.”
CNBC also highlights Russell James, a Victoria’s Secret photographer, whose 1997 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover photo of Tyra Banks caught the attention of Victoria’s Secret creative director, Ed Razek. While this seems like the dream job, there’s more to it than you might think. With hundreds of millions of dollars to be made from Victoria’s Secret marketing campaigns, these photo shoots have big budgets and a lot at stake. It’s all on James’ shoulders to get that perfect shot, but he takes it all in stride—usually, in his bare feet.
CNBC travels to Motown, where Victoria Miller, a beloved music teacher, has been coaching Detroit middle and high school marching bands for nearly 40 years. Once written off as too shy and too small in stature to handle the students, Miller always knew she wanted to help young people make their dreams come true. Her job may not be glamorous, or lucrative, but in a city with a violent crime rate five times the national average, she’s keeping students off the streets and making a difference.
For more information including slideshows and web extras, log onto: bestjobsever.cnbc.com.
CNBC’s “Best Jobs Ever” is produced exclusively for CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, by Peacock Productions.
Elizabeth Fischer and Betsy Wagner are Executive Producers for Peacock Productions. Caroline Sommers is Producer and Meagan Redman is Associate Producer for Peacock Productions. Animation was created by William Levin.
Mitch Weitzner is the Senior Executive Producer of “Best Jobs Ever” for CNBC. Christie Gripenburg is Coordinating Producer. Ray Borelli is the Vice President of Strategic Research, Scheduling and Long Form Programming.
CNBC’s “Best Jobs Ever” will re-air on Thursday, November 3rd at 10PM ET/PT and Sunday November 6th at 9PM ET.
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