The Bert Show — Full Show PT 1: Thursday, December 11 [Vault]

Original Air Date: December 11, 2025
Podcast Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and more)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show opens with a listener proposal stunt — except things don't go as romantically as listeners and some of the cast hoped. Instead, it takes a turn into prank territory, sparking controversy and a genuine, sometimes tense debate among the show's cast about trust, emotional stakes, and listener relationships. The episode also features a fun, lighthearted interview with Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, giving insight into their lives and careers post-American Idol.

Key Segments and Insights

1. The "Hopeless Romantic" Marriage Proposal Stunt

(01:33 – 25:40)

• Reading the Email (01:33 – 04:16):

  • Bert reads a heartfelt email, supposedly from a male listener named Jeff, expressing deep love and a plan to propose to his girlfriend at Maggiano's in Buckhead at 9:15 AM on Friday. Details suggest the woman sings and that Maggiano's is meaningful to their relationship.
  • The show encourages any woman who recognizes these clues to show up at that time and place, creating anticipation for a live on-air proposal.

• Live Updates from Maggiano’s (05:06 – 11:07):

  • Field reporter Phil Turana reports from Maggiano's parking lot, where multiple women have shown up, and tension builds as to whether a real proposal will take place.
  • Several women are wandering the parking lot, some sitting in cars, many clearly hoping they are the 'one.'

• The Twist – It Was a Prank (11:13 – 18:04):

  • At 11:13, Jeff Dollar, a Bert Show cast member, reveals on air that he fabricated the entire email as a prank to illustrate how “women are desperate for proposals around Valentine’s Day.”
    • Jeff Dollar (11:15):

      "There's no engagement. I just wanted to see how many desperate women show up on the day before Valentine's Day thinking they're gonna get engaged."

  • The prank results in at least one heartbroken caller, Anna, who says she took off work and brought her sister with a video camera, believing she would be proposed to.
    • Anna (14:56):

      "I totally take a day off from work to go down there... my sister takes a video cam... she had to get a sitter... to film this to send to my parents in Florida."

  • Bert and other cast members react with disappointment and anger toward Jeff, citing breach of listener trust and needlessly hurting their audience.
    • Bert (20:21):

      "It's just not the kind of show I want to do where you set up women that are all excited about being proposed to and you squash their dreams."

• On-Air Fallout and Ethics Debate (18:04 – 25:40):

  • The studio discussion becomes heated: Bert and others argue that even hurting a single listener for a prank is unacceptable, while Jeff insists it "proves a point" about engagement expectations.
    • Jeff Dollar (23:04):

      "I did it to prove that there are women out there who will force themselves into the wrong... trying to cram the triangle into the circle hole."

  • Callers split between supporting Jeff's “point” and condemning his methods, with one caller accusing him of being callous and out of touch with the show's relationship with its audience.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Bert (12:03):

  "Here's a woman that shows up that is, like, really thinking that her boyfriend is doing something romantic for her, and she shows up and is completely devastated and disappointed. Now, that's a dick move."

• Anna, listener/caller (15:11):

  "I can't go to work now. I am too upset... Are you making fun of people wanting to get married?"

• Bert (20:21):

  "We strive to have a relationship with our listeners where they trust us. That's why we don't do wacky things on April Fool's Day..."

Segment Timestamps

• Email Reading & Build-Up: 01:33 – 04:16
• Live From Maggiano's: 05:06 – 11:07
• Prank Revealed: 11:13 – 12:55
• Caller Anna's Story: 13:12 – 16:57
• Ethics Debate/Callers: 16:57 – 25:40

2. Interview: Kelly Clarkson & Clay Aiken

(27:47 – 35:49)

• Casual Conversation & “Interview Yourself” Bit:
  • Bert, feeling he's run out of unique questions, asks Kelly and Clay to interview each other. Laughter ensues as they tackle familiar 'press tour' questions, poking fun at standard American Idol interview tropes.
  • The two idols discuss the whirlwind of fame, constant media attention, and how they cope with public scrutiny.
    • Clay Aiken (32:09):

      "I always thought it was gonna be glamorous. And I sit on my couch at home and eat in my pajamas all the time and watch TV."

    • Kelly Clarkson (31:54):

      "We're both kind of introvertish... we just stay in... so we don't really deal with a lot that most celebrities do."

  • Both reflect on adjusting to life in the spotlight and maintaining their authenticity.
    • Clay (32:51):

      "Sometimes it makes me go, goodness gracious. A little anonymity would be nice... I would like to go out to the grocery store and not have anybody staring."

    • Kelly (33:32):

      "I put a hat on and I put my glasses on, and nobody recognizes me, really. Yeah, I'm quite the chameleon."

  • Anecdote: Kelly repeatedly fails at recording short promo lines for the Bert Show, showing her good humor and approachability.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Kelly Clarkson (35:22–35:35):

  "Hey, what's up? It's Kelly Clarkson on the Bert show on all the Hits Q100... Wow, you have a lot of bloopers. It's okay."

Segment Timestamps

• Interview Begins: 27:47
• Fame & Coping: 31:15 – 33:40
• Kelly’s Promo Bloopers: 35:01 – 35:49

Memorable Moments

• The Reveal of the Proposal Prank (11:13):
  Jeff confesses to the manufactured email and prank, shifting the show’s mood and shocking both the cast and listeners.
• The Emotional Call from Anna (13:12):
  Heartfelt and raw as Anna describes the personal cost of the stunt.
• In-Studio Confrontation (20:21 – 25:29):
  Tension peaks between Bert, Jeff, and callers over the morality and impact of the prank.
• Kelly Clarkson Laughs Off Promo Bloopers (35:45):
  Adds levity and celebrity relatability to the episode’s more fraught segments.

Overall Tone

• Candid, Emotional, and Occasionally Contentious:
  The prank divides the team and engages listeners emotionally, generating laughter, frustration, and debate.
• Authentic and Engaging:
  The show’s willingness to air disagreements and confront mistakes directly with listeners exemplifies their “real and funny” brand — albeit with real consequences for crossing the line.
• Light-Hearted Celebrity Banter:
  The Kelly and Clay interview brings levity, fun, and star power, balancing the episode’s emotional weight.

For Listeners New to the Episode

This Bert Show episode is a rollercoaster, illustrating the strengths and risks of live, unscripted morning radio. The infamous “proposal prank” sets off a lively, ethically-charged debate about what morning shows owe their listeners, especially around sensitive occasions like Valentine’s Day. The tension is artfully relieved by a charming interview with Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, showing the hosts' range and ability to connect on light-hearted and deep topics alike.

Detailed Timestamps for Key Segments

• Listener Marriage Proposal Email: 01:33 – 04:16
• Live From Maggiano's (On-Scene Reports): 05:06 – 11:07
• Jeff Reveals the Prank: 11:13 – 12:55
• Anna's Emotional Call: 13:12 – 16:57
• Cast/Critical Ethics Debate & Callers: 16:57 – 25:40
• Interview: Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken: 27:47 – 35:53
• Kelly’s Laugh-Out-Loud Promo Attempts: 35:01 – 35:49

This summary omits all advertisement, sponsor, and promotional interludes.