Could you really do one of the 'Toughest Jobs'?

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Gary Strauss

Thom Beers has created a mini-empire with a growing number of cable TV shows focusing on blue-collar, often dangerous professions. Tonight, Beers' testosterone-fueled programming climbs onto broadcast TV with America's Toughest Jobs (NBC, 9 ET/PT).

The first of four NBC series under a development deal with Beers and co-producer Berman/Braun, Toughest Jobs blends the rough-and-tumble occupations featured in such Beers hits as Discovery's Deadliest Catch and History's Ice Road Truckers with a twist: 13 neophytes compete to see who performs best in positions ranging from oil rigger to lumberjack.

The ultimate winner gets the pooled tough-guy job salaries, which Beers values at "well over" $250,000.

"Every time I do a series, I get people telling me...