CBS’s “Tough as Nails” competition is very much a descendent of Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs.” It’s a celebration of the blue-collar worker, the folks who build our fences, wire our homes and pave our roads.
The third season returns at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, with 12 contestants including 55-year-old Lilburn construction supervisor Alfredo “Alfie” Rivera, who had no clue about this show until his son convinced him to audition.
Rivera is competing at Camp Pendleton in California against a crop duster, a cement mason, an iron worker, a diesel mechanic, a lineman, a fire captain and five others for $200,000 and 2022 Ford Super Duty pickup truck. Nobody officially leaves the show per se over six weeks of production. There are also team challenges with prizes, so even if a person is eliminated from winning the individual prize, they can still win something.
Over ten episodes, they’ll be battling on a racetrack, mountains, boats, farm land and beaches, testing their strength, stamina and mental toughness.
Here is a thumbnail sketch of Rivera:
Residence: Lilburn
Age: 55
Job title: Construction superintendent
His personal intro on the show: “I came in this competition with the heart of a lion. I don’t know how to quit. I don’t know second place. I came to win.”
His philosophy: “Being underestimated is what I love. I never quit. I fight to the very end. I keep fighting until the task is done.”
Background: “Originally I’m from Chile. I applaud my father because he was brave enough to just jump on a plane with a $150 in his pocket and just come here. When my dad got here, he swept floors at a tire shop but eventually he became the general manager of that tire shop. So that’s the work ethic that took me to where I am. I’ve raised my children that way. I’m playing for my family. I’m playing for my retirement. This is my one shot in life.”
Family ties “My son Alfredo Jr. convinced me to apply for the show. My wife Lizbeth shot the audition video. Another son Alex, an IT whiz, edited it. They made me look good!”
I’ll be there for you: “I have 11 best friends. I learned a huge lesson on learning to love strangers. At first, you get there, you want the money. But then you meet the people and find out, no matter where they came from, you develop this respect and bond as they’re sweating with you, bleeding with you.”
Phil Keoghan, host, producer, not a slacker: “We worked out as a group on our days off. We had to stay in shape. You know who was first in line, front and center, during those workouts? Phil! He didn’t want this show to be soft as pillows. It’s ‘Tough as Nails!’”
What people will get out of the show if they’ve haven’t already seen it: “I hope they pick up on the resiliency of Americans. The Bill Gates and Elon Musks of the world advance society, but every step along the way, they need us to build the roads and buildings and wire everything. We are the core of America.”
What show co-creator Louise Keoghan says about Alfie: “We love Alfie’s confidence about his ability and leadership skills. He brings so much wisdom to this season and works as hard and as long as every other contestant on the job site. Alfie is definitely one to watch out for!”
ON TV
“Tough as Nails, 9 p.m. Wednesdays on CBS
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