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By Bret Federigan
MSN TV
Unfamiliar territory awaits the drivers of "Ice Road Truckers," as four returning faces try to conquer new frontier 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Hugh "Polar Bear" Rowland, a veteran of the ice roads, returns with a new assignment -- on a route he hasn't seen in more than 20 years -- and a new boss in Jerry Dusdal.
MSN TV talked with Hugh and Jerry in anticipation of the show's second season:
MSN TV: What's different this season for the "Ice Road Truckers" that we didn't see last season?
Hugh Rowland: Last season, we were hauling freight to the diamond mines up in the Northwest Territories with a window of 60 days there. This year, we're west of that. We're over on the McKenzie Delta up on the Beaufort Sea moving oil. It's quite an intriguing thing. We have no land to cross. We're on ice all the time we're driving. We don't get off the ice, and we have to face high and low tides.
Last season in Yellowknife you had narrow land bridges to escape to. This year, you've got none of that. How much more difficult or challenging is it to cross that type of terrain where it's all ice and no land?
Hugh: Well, I don't know if it's any more difficult, but now you're dealing with the tides coming in and out. So, now you're dealing with weak and strong ice every day every time the tide comes in and the tide goes out. You've got to watch for the full moons. And, this season, your ice is different every day.
With six drivers to manage, Jerry, you must find that there are some common traits that characterize ice road truckers. What is the essential personality of a typical ice road trucker? What motivates someone like Hugh to do what he does?
Jerry Dusdal: That's a great question, but it's difficult to say because all my guys who work there for me are just truckers. We just do what we do. It's not glamorous. But, yeah, it's often dangerous.
Hugh: People come up there for the money!
Jerry: Well, it pays well and whatnot. That's a hard question though.
But this job is not for everyone, right?
Jerry: Yeah, I've had people come up there and work for me and then want off.
Hugh: There are a lot of people who come up there just to say they've been there. We don't need guys like that. We need guys who are committed to want to stay. I mean, I always tell everybody that if you're coming up here, you're staying; otherwise, you're finding your own way home. It's not a game up there. We're serious about what we do for a living.
What is it about this Canadian show that American audiences love so much?
Jerry: It's Hugh's face and his personality, I guess. (Laughs.) But, to me, in Miami and places like that, how much ice do they get? I mean, they get it out of the refrigerator. But where we come from, it's just standard procedure.
Hugh: Everybody wants to do something thrilling and dangerous. People like putting themselves in our shoes and watching us do our job.
Do you ever get a chance to enjoy warmer weather?
Hugh: This is our job for three months of the year, and then we're done. Then we both go home, and Jerry has the same job down south. I have a construction company that I own.
Who are some of the personalities to watch for this season?
Hugh: Jerry. Keep an eye on this guy.
Jerry: (Laughs.) They should take a hair measurement on Hugh and see how much he has left by the end of the season, see how much grayer it is.
Hugh: Everyone knows from watching the first season that there are a couple of idiots up there.
And you, Hugh, did not hesitate to point that out!
Hugh: No, and they're driving for Jerry this year! Yeah!
Jerry: (Laughs.)
So, Hugh, since you're just an employee now, do you just bite your tongue this season and not step in? Do you just let Jerry handle it this season?
Hugh: No, I'm working for Jerry!
Jerry: They all work for me when they come out to the delta.
Hugh: As soon as I got up there, I just started laughing at Jerry. I said, "Good luck!"
But, some of the drivers this year, Hugh, are guys that you fired! I'm talking about Drew and Rick. They didn't have a final word for you when they saw you this season?
Hugh: Them two guys? No, I got my revenge this year. The second show has a little bit of that in there. If they show it all, it should be good.
"Ice Road Truckers" returns for its second season on Sunday, June 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on History.
