Bert & Ernie Were Never This Aggressive!

Summary

Episode Title: Bert & Ernie Were Never This Aggressive!
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Host: iHeartPodcasts

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Overview

In the "Bert & Ernie Were Never This Aggressive!" episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a humorous yet poignant discussion surrounding a unique puppet-based interview segment focused on crime and policy in Washington D.C. The episode skillfully blends comedy with critical analysis, offering listeners both laughs and insightful commentary on contemporary social and political issues.

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1. Introduction to the Puppet Interview Segment

The episode kicks off with Armstrong and Getty introducing a peculiar interview segment featuring a muppet-like puppet interviewer who engages residents of D.C. on topics related to crime and public policy.

• Joe Getty [02:09]: "Bert and Ernie were never this aggressive. It's one more thing. Armstrong and Getty."

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2. Analyzing the Puppet Interviewer's Approach

The hosts discuss the effectiveness and reception of using a puppet to conduct serious interviews, highlighting how the unconventional method impacts the responses of interviewees.

• Jack Armstrong [03:28]: "I am always amazed by people who would rather, for ideological reasons, pretend that crime doesn't bother them or is a problem rather than admit it."
• Joe Getty [07:19]: "That's okay. I don't want to hear it. Yeah. How dare you Enlighten yourself. That is a poster child right there."

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3. Perspectives on Crime in Washington D.C.

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the state of crime in D.C., examining whether it is a problem unique to "blue cities" and exploring the underlying causes.

• Puppet Interviewer [03:28]: "Is fighting crime right wing? No. Then how come so many blue cities are full of crime?"
• Jack Armstrong [04:13]: "Both Jack and I and Katie... none of us is particularly a joiner... They latch onto ideas and philosophies no matter how effing stupid and unworkable they are."

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4. Ideological Bias and Personal Experiences

Armstrong and Getty delve into how personal experiences with crime shape one's political and ideological beliefs, emphasizing the disconnect between theorists and those directly affected by crime.

• Joe Getty [05:13]: "I've noticed a lot of those people are people that have never been victims of a crime. Oh yes, yes, yes."
• Jack Armstrong [05:36]: "Go to a march ever? Yeah, well, exactly. We're not desperate for approval from other people."

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5. Critique of Current Crime Policies

The conversation shifts to critique existing crime policies and the effectiveness of political leaders in addressing crime, with specific references to policies advocated by prominent figures like George Soros and Joe Biden.

• Puppet Interviewer [06:35]: "George Soros with his revolving door policies for the DA's... puts one criminal after another back on the streets."
• Joe Getty [07:12]: "That's so great. But anyway, this is a muppet looking puppet and the visual of it is it will like mug for the camera... pretty damned amusing."

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6. The Role of Puppets in Political Discourse

Armstrong and Getty explore the unique dynamic puppets bring to political discussions, pondering whether they elicit more genuine responses compared to human interviewers.

• Jack Armstrong [08:45]: "Do you think he gets better answers out of people by being a puppet than he would if he maybe gets them to stop and they otherwise wouldn't?"
• Joe Getty [09:03]: "I'd be more likely to stop and talk to a puppet than, like, a guy with a microphone."

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7. Personal Reflections and Humor

Bringing a personal touch, the hosts share anecdotes about their own interactions with authority figures and how a puppet-based approach could transform mundane meetings into more entertaining experiences.

• Joe Getty [09:54]: "How would you like our boss to use a puppet? Every time we went into his meetings, he just had to talk to the puppet. That's way more entertaining."
• Jack Armstrong [10:10]: "Yes, exactly."

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8. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the effectiveness of unconventional interview methods in shedding light on serious issues, all while maintaining the show's signature humor and candidness.

• Joe Getty [11:30]: "We're Armstrong and Getty. We try to bring you the truth and help you figure out this crazy modern world."
• Jack Armstrong [11:42]: "Listen to Armstrong and Getty on Demand on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Getty [02:09]: "Bert and Ernie were never this aggressive."
• Jack Armstrong [03:28]: "I am always amazed by people who... pretend that crime doesn't bother them."
• Joe Getty [05:13]: "I've noticed a lot of those people are people that have never been victims of a crime."
• Jack Armstrong [08:45]: "Do you think he gets better answers out of people by being a puppet?"
• Joe Getty [09:54]: "How would you like our boss to use a puppet?"

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Key Takeaways

• Innovative Interview Techniques: Utilizing a puppet interviewer offers a fresh and engaging way to discuss serious issues, potentially lowering defenses and encouraging more honest responses.

• Crime Perception vs. Reality: There's a noticeable gap between ideological beliefs about crime and the actual experiences of those affected by it, highlighting the importance of firsthand experiences in shaping opinions.

• Political Accountability: The hosts critique current political figures and their policies, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to combat crime rather than perpetuating ineffective or harmful policies.

• Humor as a Tool: Armstrong and Getty effectively use humor to address and dissect complex social issues, making the conversation both entertaining and enlightening for listeners.

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This episode stands out by intertwining humor with critical social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Armstrong and Getty successfully engage their audience, offering insightful perspectives on crime, policy, and the unique dynamics of using unconventional methods to spark meaningful conversations.

Transcript

[Joe Getty]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

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[Joe Getty]

Why should you listen to Armstrong and Getty on demand?

[Jack Armstrong]

We're not boring.

[Joe Getty]

A lot of news is boring and tedious and depressing. Angry. You don't want to live your life like that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Hey, I'm Jack Armstrong.

[Joe Getty]

He's Joe Getty. We're Armstrong and Getty.

[Jack Armstrong]

We try to bring you the truth.

[Joe Getty]

And help you figure out this crazy modern world. How about something about a comedic tone? We have a winner. Yes.

[Jack Armstrong]

Listen to Armstrong and Getty on Demand.

[Joe Getty]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Bert and Ernie were never this aggressive. It's one more thing. Armstrong and Getty. One more thing. You know, I, I'd seen Edgar and Moses it. Moss. Moss. I can't remember. It's this dude who Goes around interviewing people with a puppet. That's pretty muppety looking. And, and I couldn't decide whether to bring this to you because the visuals are fun.

[Jack Armstrong]

It's not that dog with the cigar from Conan.

[Joe Getty]

No, but it's, it's a cousin, the.

[Jack Armstrong]

Insult comic dog or whatever that was.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

What was, what was the name of that? Triumph.

[Jack Armstrong]

Triumph.

[Joe Getty]

Triumph. Oh yeah, Triumph was so great. But anyway, this is a muppet looking puppet and the visual of it is it will like mug for the camera and react to what the person is saying in a way that's pretty damned amusing. So we're going to miss that. But he was going around asking people in D.C. specifically about crime and policies about crime. And I've never been interviewed by a puppet, but the people took it fairly seriously. Michael, we'll start with 90 and just roll on from there.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Is fighting crime right wing?

[Joe Getty]

No.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Then how come so many blue cities are full of crime?

[Talkspace Advertiser]

I don't think in terms of blue and red. I do think in terms of racial groups.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Do you feel safe in dc?

[Joe Getty]

Big math.

[Puppet Interviewer]

People who make that mistake of stealing and robbing and stuff, should they be locked up?

[Joe Getty]

Oh my God, no.

[Talkspace Advertiser]

D.C. is definitely not a very safe.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Place if you use some common sense and avoid people who look obviously crazy.

[Talkspace Advertiser]

Uh oh.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Has DC always been a crime ridden hellhole? Depends on how you're thinking of crime. Not white collar crime, the bullety crime, the thefty crime. The one that gets politicians really mad. I think so. We have one for hellhole.

[Talkspace Advertiser]

It's better than New Orleans.

[Puppet Interviewer]

This is correct. This.

[Jack Armstrong]

I am always amazed by people who would rather, for ideological ideology reasons, pretend that crime doesn't bother them or is a, or a problem rather than admit it.

[Joe Getty]

I've noticed a lot of those people are people that have never been victims of a crime. Oh yes, yes, yes. The old joke which is worth knowing is that the definition of a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged. I heard that as a kid. Reality coming home to you changes people's attitudes a lot. You know, it's interesting because both Jack and I and Katie, I'm guessing you at least some extent were all a little bit introverted to a lot introverted. And none of us is particularly a joiner, you know, or, or I would loner overstates it for me because I like hanging out with the fellas and playing golf and stuff.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'm a full on misanthrope.

[Joe Getty]

Right. And so like social approval, my need for social approval is so different. I'm guessing than somebody who would leap to sign on to some of these dumbass ideas. Totally. Because the rest of the college students and all. What's that?

[Jack Armstrong]

Go to a march ever?

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, well, exactly. We're not desperate for approval from other people. They will latch onto ideas and philosophies no matter how effing stupid and unworkable they are. And in spite of all the evidence that they're effing stupid and unworkable. But you're right. Yeah, that is striking. No, don't lock them up longer. They're the victims. You roll on. Oh, wise puppet.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Is the mayor doing a good job keeping crime down? No, she could do a better job with the youth. That's where a lot of the crime is coming from. Young kids, no fathers, lots of guns. Do we just have to basically adopt these kids, put them in Boarding School 24, 712 months a year and just reparent them till you have a successful generation? That's not going to put a cap in your ass. I don't think that's the right approach. Why not?

[Joe Getty]

I wish she had a gun Violence prevention department.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Aren't those the cops?

[Joe Getty]

Do you own a gun?

[Talkspace Advertiser]

Oh, no.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Why not?

[Joe Getty]

Roll on.

[Puppet Interviewer]

If a guy named George helps put criminals back on the street to rape and murder again, should we A, indict George, prosecute him, B, pardon George, or C, give George the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

[Talkspace Advertiser]

I'm not a lawyer.

[Puppet Interviewer]

We should indict George. No, I'm sorry, but Joe Biden chose choice. C. Yeah. George Soros with his revolving door policies for the DA's that puts in office has put one criminal after another back on the streets. I definitely should not be talking to you. Shouldn't we just like change how we vote so they're not put back on the street so readily?

[Talkspace Advertiser]

I don't know how readily they're put on the street.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Have I got a story for you, my dear.

[Talkspace Advertiser]

Well, I don't want to hear it.

[Joe Getty]

That's okay.

[Puppet Interviewer]

Bye.

[Joe Getty]

Wow. Jeez. No comment required. I don't want to hear it. Yeah. How dare you Enlighten yourself. That is a poster child right there.

[Jack Armstrong]

And they're talking to a dog puppet.

[Joe Getty]

No, he's not a dog. He's just a puppet. Big fan of a puppet that says pop a cap in your ass. He's. He's a Muppet looking puppet.

[Jack Armstrong]

Okay. Just not a particular animal, just a puppet.

[Joe Getty]

He's humanoid? Yes.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, okay. So practically like a mannequin.

[Joe Getty]

Except that he looks like Ernie from Sesame Street.

[Jack Armstrong]

Gotcha.

[Joe Getty]

He Sounds fun. He does sound fun.

[Jack Armstrong]

Does he do.

[Joe Getty]

Final clip.

[Puppet Interviewer]

What best describes Democratic crime policy? A, hugs for thugs, B, no criminal left behind, or C, in n out, murder. Biden commuted the death sentence of a child rapist and murderer. 75% of the Democratic House voted not to deport migrants for sex offenses. New York City cops let a woman burned to death on the subway. LA's on fire due to mismanagement. Who's safer, Republicans or Democrats?

[Talkspace Advertiser]

Oh, I think Democrats are safer.

[Joe Getty]

The laugh of the maniac there. Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

Do you think he gets better answers out of people by being a puppet than he would if he maybe gets them to stop and they otherwise wouldn't?

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. And they don't see. They don't get their defenses up.

[Jack Armstrong]

Ah, that's interesting.

[Joe Getty]

Until he hits them with the actual questions, I don't want to hear it.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'd be more likely to stop and talk to a puppet than, like, a guy with a microphone. I don't know why.

[Joe Getty]

I would, too. That's weird. I'm picturing it. A guy with a microphone says, excuse me, could I ask you questions?

[Jack Armstrong]

Not a chance.

[Joe Getty]

Actually, I might. I might. Go ahead. But for a guy. If a puppet, he's attached to a guy. Obviously. I don't know how you. If you understand how puppets work. What? Yeah, right up his hiney. I might be so amused. Yeah, I'd be. More likely. I'd think, what the hell? This will be nutty. At the very least. Yeah, Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

I would say to the puppet, why are you suitcasing a dude?

[Joe Getty]

Well, a small part of a dude. I can see the dude. So you've undergone the pain and the anguish for nothing.

[Jack Armstrong]

You don't know it's pain and anguish.

[Joe Getty]

That's a good point. To each their own, huh? No. How would you like our boss to use a puppet? Every time we went into his meetings, he just had to talk to the puppet. That's way more entertaining.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yes, exactly.

[Joe Getty]

We've had a couple of bosses. Ida begged for that. Anything but what it was. Well, I guess that's it.

[Talkspace Advertiser]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is mental health awareness Month, and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone, let's face it, in therapy, by talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back, Whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits, or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider to typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a zero dollar copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's Spa CE80. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.

[Joe Getty]

Why should you listen to Armstrong and Getty on demand?

[Jack Armstrong]

We're not boring. A lot of news is boring and.

[Joe Getty]

Tedious and depressing and makes you angry. You don't want to live your life like that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Hey, I'm Jack Armstrong.

[Joe Getty]

He's Joe Getty. We're Armstrong and Getty.

[Jack Armstrong]

We try to bring you the truth.

[Joe Getty]

And help you figure out this crazy modern world. How about something about a comedic tone? We have a winner. Yes.

[Jack Armstrong]

Listen to Armstrong, you Spaghetti on Demand.

[Joe Getty]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.