Watch the Segment Mike Rowe Says Is the 'Finest Commentary Ever Recorded in the Long History of Local Journalism

When Mike Rowe saw his photo "over the left shoulder of a newscaster wearing a suit and tie," he feared it was a "harbinger of certain doom."

However, this time, he was pleasantly surprised. Not only did he make a new friend in WDRB-TV's Bill Lamb, Rowe actually said his editorial segment on Thursday was "the finest commentary ever recorded in the long history of local journalism." Lamb is also the president and general manager of WDRB and WMYO in Louisville, Ky.

Read Lamb's full commentary below, and the watch the video:

TV host and Ford spokesman Mike Rowe has crafted an image as an intelligent, no-nonsense kind of guy who gets things done by working hard and smart and not being afraid to get dirty.

But that's not just an image.

Recently, Rowe has used his fame to promote an initiative called "Profoundly Disconnected," that challenges - as his website says - "the absurd belief that a four-year degree is the only path to success." He contends that the vast majority of jobs today do NOT require a four-year degree, but instead require training, and a truly useful skill. And that many people currently incurring crippling debt to attend college could be better served by attending technical or trade schools instead.

It's a great common sense message. But I'm even more impressed by Rowe's willingness to promote it without regard for political considerations. In recent months conservatives blasted him for appearing with Bill Maher while liberals howled when he sat in with Glenn Beck. But his response to both groups was, "You want to know 'how I can associate' with someone you don't like? The short answer is, how can I not? How are we ever going to accomplish anything in this incredibly divisive time if we associate only with people we don't disagree with?"

There's more wisdom in those few words than most people know. And I hope Mike Rowe's message gets the attention it deserves.

I'm Bill Lamb, and that's my Point of View.

WDRB 41 Louisville News

If you are having issues with the video player above, you can watch the original video here.

"I always used to think that a photo of me, positioned over the left shoulder of a newscaster wearing a suit and tie, would be a harbinger of certain doom," Rowe wrote on his official Facebook page. "Happily, I was mistaken."

"Say hello to my new pal, Bill Lamb, and check out the finest commentary ever recorded in the long history of local journalism," he added. "Thanks, Bill - I owe you one."

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