Full Show PT 2: Tuesday, December 16 [Vault]

Summary

The Bert Show – Full Show PT 2: Tuesday, December 16 [Vault]

Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Bert, Jen Hobby, Jeff, plus guests and the Bert Show Cast
Highlight Segment Guests: Amanda (Love Lost and Found), Jennifer Hudson

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Overview

This episode delivers the typical Bert Show blend of humor, candid conversations, and genuine connection with listeners. Key highlights include a "Love Lost and Found" segment reconnecting a listener with a high school sweetheart after a decade, and a heartfelt interview with American Idol's Jennifer Hudson following her controversial elimination. The cast’s authentic banter, supportive listener community, and a spirit of fun give the show its warm, relatable feel.

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Main Segments & Key Points

1. Love Lost and Found: Amanda's Story

[01:47–14:00]

Background and Purpose

• Introduced as a beloved recurring feature where listeners attempt to reconnect with past romantic sparks.
• Jen Hobby summarizes: "For the new listener, explain what Love Lost and Found is." [01:47]
• Bert details the segment’s success rate: "I think 8 out of 10 of them have worked." [02:39]

Amanda's Decade-Old Love Story

• Amanda shares her high school romance with Sean Gibson, which ended abruptly when his mom sent him away for college, ceasing all contact from 1994.
• Emotional anchor: discovering a heartfelt lost letter from Sean, stashed away unknowingly by Amanda's parents.

Memorable Amanda Quote (on finding Sean’s letter):

"I went through all my stuff and found this letter that just broke my heart. I could not believe he had written." [05:19]

• Amanda reads touching excerpts from Sean’s letter, revealing a mix of confusion, longing, and unresolved emotion:

"Why did you lose contact with me after all that you said? Or was it just talk? I still think about you. Too bad you can't say the same... P.S. please contact me." [07:02]

Effort to Reconnect

• The cast leverages their network and collective resources in a classic, community-driven search for Sean.
• Jeff and Jen Hobby outline investigative steps, including following leads from West Palm Beach and attempts to connect by phone.
• A near-miss moment occurs when they contact the wrong Sean Gibson, creating a comedic, bittersweet exchange [11:44].
• Breakthrough: Learning Sean lives in West Palm Beach, has married/divorced, and has two kids—mirroring Amanda’s life—yet is currently unreachable as he’s serving in Iraq.

Bert on Sean’s Current Status:

"He did get married. I can tell you that he has two kids... But there's absolutely no way we can talk to him. He's in Iraq." [12:34–12:58]

Emotional Closure

• Hopes are left open for eventual contact, with the show promising to update Amanda and listeners if Sean returns.
• The bittersweet reunion highlights themes of timing, fate, and parallel lives.

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2. Listener Community and Show Banter

[Throughout]

• Fun, self-deprecating references to the show’s close-knit audience:

"We've got about 11 listeners on this show, but they've got really good connections." – Jen Hobby [02:41]

• The team plays up their Southern roots and humorously exaggerates the interconnectedness of their audience:

"It's the South. We're all kind of related. So they call their mamas and their baby mama mamas." – Bert [02:50]

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3. Special Guest: Jennifer Hudson Interview after American Idol Elimination

[17:41–26:28]

Initial Reactions and Attitude

• The hosts express shock and disappointment at Jennifer's elimination, probing her feelings about the outcome.
• Jen Hobby: "You are friggin' robbed. Yeah, come on, you were robbed. Say it. I was robbed." [18:54]

Jennifer Hudson’s Graceful Response

• Shows poise, gratitude, and positivity in the face of disappointment:

"Well, I feel like they brought me my stuff back. Not to be robbed because this is just beautiful right now." [19:02]

• On perspective and appreciation:

"There's so many thousands, probably millions... who wish that they were in the position to be put in the bottom three to be eliminated... I can't complain." [19:20]

On American Idol Controversies and Voting

• Jennifer addresses rumors of behind-the-scenes drama, particularly with fellow contestants, dispelling any negative stories with generosity:

"No. Why would somebody say that? I mean, we all appreciate, like my sister said, girls will be girls, but we got along." [21:26]

• Special address of the alleged voting mishaps in her hometown:

"Oh, definitely. I mean, a lot of phones, cell phones and everything were out... if 15,000 people could have picked up the phones and voted 200 times... I think it would have made a world of difference." [22:07]

• Suggests limiting votes per person for fairness:

"I think people should be only allowed to vote once... Come on. Who want to sit up and vote other than your family two hours straight or some little kids, you know?" [22:31]

Personal Insights and Future Plans

• Hudson reveals she always voted for herself (with classic humor):

"Did you ever do that? – Yes. And it used to get on my nerves, too. Like, oh, my God, do I have to hold the mic in one hand and the cell phone in the other?... I'm glad that's over." [24:03]

• Predicts her next moves post-Idol, aiming high:

"I will hopefully first record and be Jennifer Holiday either on Broadway or in Dreamgirls in the movie." [25:53]

• Expresses admiration for fellow contestant George Huff:

“I’m the biggest George Huff fan in the world... he would be my American Idol all the way.” [24:26]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Amanda, on Sean's letter:
  “...found this letter that just broke my heart.” [05:19]
• Sean’s Letter (read by Amanda):
  "Why did you lose contact with me after all you said? Or was it just talk?... Love, Sean. P.S. Please contact me." [07:02]
• Bert, on both Amanda and Sean’s lives:
  "He did get married... has two kids... got divorced as well. Parallel lives.” [12:34–13:12]
• Jennifer Hudson, on her elimination:
  "Well, I feel like they brought me my stuff back. Not to be robbed because this is just beautiful right now." [19:02]
• Jennifer Hudson, on voting and fairness:
  "I think people should be only allowed to vote once..." [22:31]
• Jennifer Hudson, on voting for herself:
  "Did you ever do that? – Yes. And it used to get on my nerves, too..." [24:03]

---

Episode Flow & Tone

• Warm, quick-witted, and empathetic: Hosts balance humor with genuine care, offering comfort and camaraderie.
• Listener-Focused: Audience involvement is central—from tracking lost loves to responding to American Idol shocks.
• Memorable Guest Segment: Jennifer Hudson’s grace and humor shine, making the segment both uplifting and revealing.

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Love Lost and Found: Amanda’s Story — [01:47–14:00]
• Jennifer Hudson Interview — [17:41–26:28]
• Classic Bert Show Banter & Listener Interaction — Sprinkled throughout, e.g., [02:41], [02:50]

---

Takeaway

This episode of The Bert Show delivers laughter, nostalgia, and heartfelt dialogues. From Amanda’s decade-long quest for closure to Jennifer Hudson’s shining optimism, it’s a testament to how radio can create both community and catharsis. The cast’s chemistry and authenticity make this an episode worth revisiting, even for those who never tuned in live.

Transcript

[Bert]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Jeff]

Zoey, this thing weighs a ton.

[Jen Hobby]

Drew Ski, lift with your legs man.

[Bert]

Santa.

[Jen Hobby]

Santa, did you get my letter?

[Jeff]

He's talking to you britches. I'm not.

[Bert]

Of course he did.

[Jeff]

Right Santa, you know my elf Drew Ski here.

[Jen Hobby]

He handles the nice list.

[Jeff]

And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies, right Mrs. Claus?

[Bert]

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[Jen Hobby]

Or give it as a gift.

[Bert]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Jeff]

Nice. My side of the tree is slipping.

[Jen Hobby]

Kimber the holidays are better.

[Jeff]

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[Bert]

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[Jen Hobby]

The bird show in 30 seconds or less Jen Hobby for the new listener, explain what Love Lost and Found is.

[Bert]

Usually what happens with Love lost and found, even though Amanda's story's a little bit different. What usually happens is two people go out at some point and meet. Whether that's at Eatsy's, we've had one from Eatsy's before. We've had one from the grocery store. We've had one at a Braves game where you meet somebody and you got a spark and there's something there and you have great conversation, something happens but you don't get the phone number. You get no email address. You get no phone number. You don't make it happen.

[Jen Hobby]

And.

[Bert]

And you wake up the next morning totally kicking yourself, and you're going, you know what? I need help. I gotta find this person. I really screwed up by not getting their info from last night or the day before, whatever. So you call up the bird show, and we put out the all points bulletin. Everybody help out. And we usually can pull these couples together. I think 8 out of 10 of them have worked.

[Jen Hobby]

It's really worked pretty well. You know, We've got about 11 listeners on this show, but they've got really good connections. And somehow, some way, we're able to pull both parties together. Generally by the end of the show.

[Bert]

It's the South. You know, we're all kind of related. So they call their mamas and their baby mama mamas.

[Jen Hobby]

So this one was going to be a real challenge because this is a love lost and found that goes back 10 years. And what we've done is we've edited basically two shows into 10 minutes. So if you didn't hear any of this, it will make sense to you. And if you only heard half of it, you'll hear the conclusion of this also. This is Love lost and found with Amanda on the Bert show on all the hits. Q100. Hi, Amanda. Yeah, hi. How are you?

[Amanda]

I'm fine. Good morning.

[Jen Hobby]

Good morning. This, I'm gonna tell you right now, this is gonna be a real challenge for us because we're talking 10 years ago, right?

[Amanda]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Jen Hobby]

All right, give us just a bit of background.

[Amanda]

I guess. He was the boyfriend I had my senior year of high school.

[Jen Hobby]

And what school is this?

[Amanda]

Spraberry High School.

[Jeff]

And where is that?

[Amanda]

Marietta. Marietta, Georgia. And we. I mean, the. The last memory I have is we spent graduation night together. And then about a week later, his mom decided that we were too serious and that he needed to go away to school, and he left. We exchanged addresses, you know, cried, swore. We talked to each other again and never did.

[Bert]

Now, Amanda, when you say he went off to school, we all the same age?

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Bert]

Okay.

[Amanda]

We graduated together.

[Bert]

All right. And he went off to college somewhere else.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Bert]

Okay. What year did you graduate high school?

[Amanda]

1994.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay.

[Bert]

Do you know where he went to school?

[Amanda]

He went to Norfolk State University in Virginia.

[Jen Hobby]

All right, we're going to need some more information about this guy. And why is it so important for you to get in touch with him? I mean, we have all had, like, crushes when we were in high school. And I know looking back at anybody that I ever hooked up with in high school and I thought I was in love with. I realize now that it was just me being in high school, but it.

[Amanda]

Was someone that I had a very strong connection with. And I'd just like to know what happened, you know, does he have kids? Is he married? Is he happy? You know, did he graduate from college? You know, where did life take him?

[Bert]

Now we need his name.

[Amanda]

His name is Sean Gibson.

[Jen Hobby]

Shawn Gibson.

[Bert]

How do you spell Shawn?

[Jen Hobby]

S, H, A, W, N. Sean Gibson graduated 94.

[Amanda]

Yep.

[Jen Hobby]

Spraberry High School in Marietta.

[Amanda]

Yep.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay.

[Bert]

And what kind of re sparked your interest in him after 10 years?

[Amanda]

Well, about three months after he left, I ended up meeting my ex husband and got married, had two kids. He was an absolute nightmare. I mean, he was not a good husband. So I had actually left the state and my parents didn't approve of him. So when they found out we were dating, they cut me off. And I didn't speak to them for years and years and years. And so they pretty much, you know, took anything that reminded them of me and put it up. And, you know, they were right. They were absolutely right. I couldn't see it. I was young and stupid. And then when I came home, I went through all my stuff and found this letter that just broke my heart. I could not believe he had written.

[Jen Hobby]

Was this a letter that you had read previously or just one that you just threw aside or.

[Amanda]

It was. I had never seen it. It came after I left.

[Bert]

So it came to your parents house? He mailed it from school?

[Amanda]

I assume so. There's a return address on it, but it looks like a street address, like a house address.

[Bert]

And then they put it up in the attic with your stuff?

[Amanda]

Yep. From what I understand, he had actually moved to Virginia to live with his grandparents.

[Bert]

Okay.

[Amanda]

And go to school.

[Jen Hobby]

And that's when he went to Norfolk. I'm targeting in on this letter right now. What was said in that letter. Do you still have the letter? And can you read to us some of the lines in it that kind of pulled you in again?

[Amanda]

Oh, absolutely. I absolutely have the letter. And I'm going to just now, mind you this. We just graduated from high school, so it's very choppy. Okay.

[Jen Hobby]

The sentiment will be there though.

[Bert]

Yeah?

[Amanda]

Oh, absolutely. All right. It says Amanda. Well, what's up? I know you are shocked to hear from me. I hope you are having a good time. What happened to you? Why don't you call a write? I'm going to Norfolk State University in Virginia, I'm doing well, staying out of trouble. Why did you lose contact with me after all that you said? Or was it just talk? I think I see what you are all about. I still think about you. Too bad you can't say the same. I'm sorry I didn't write you before. Now you know how I don't like to write. I have to go. You can still call or write or something. Love, Sean. P.S. please contact me.

[Jen Hobby]

And you're gonna do that 10 years later and you're gonna say, you know, I just. I got that letter. And you said, contact me, but you didn't say when. So here I am a decade later.

[Bert]

Yeah, I can see where it's heartbreaking, especially the line. I see. How was it? I know how you are now.

[Amanda]

Where?

[Bert]

I see.

[Jennifer Hudson]

What was that?

[Bert]

Where, you know, he felt you didn't feel the same, and he didn't know you didn't get. And then I love how, especially in high school, when you write, okay, I gotta go. It's a letter, not a phone call. And you don't have to write that in there, but somehow you feel the need to. Okay, well, I gotta go. See you later.

[Jen Hobby]

And he didn't leave you with any kind of closure whatsoever. So here you are, just, like, tortured over this.

[Amanda]

Absolutely. I mean, and there was a phone number and an address, and I've called the number, it's disconnected. And, you know, I just. What do you do?

[Jen Hobby]

All right, let's do this. Let's start fact finding. Then. If you're listening and you have some kind of connection back to Sean Gibson, who graduated in 1994 from Spraberry High School in Marietta. We do know that he moved to Virginia and that he went to Norfolk State. We don't have Sean Gibson on the phone with us.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay. So we're not going to reunite you right now.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Jen Hobby]

But Jeff has good news for you.

[Jeff]

I think we have his home telephone number.

[Amanda]

Oh, that is so wonderful.

[Jen Hobby]

Now, more bad news.

[Jeff]

Okay, we're not gonna give it to you.

[Amanda]

That's okay. I know where y' all work.

[Jen Hobby]

Now, more good news.

[Jeff]

Okay, we'll try to call him today and have you guys on the radio together tomorrow.

[Amanda]

All right, I can do that.

[Jen Hobby]

What are the last 24 hours been, like?

[Amanda]

Horrible.

[Jen Hobby]

Horrible.

[Amanda]

I woke up at 2:00 clock in the morning.

[Jen Hobby]

Well, we had some pieces of the puzzle to work with yesterday. That dude Nick called us up and gave us the name of a place that he might be working at in West Palm beach and a Couple of other different leads. And before we left the show, Jeff told you that he had Sean Gibson's home phone number.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Jen Hobby]

All right. And at this point, he and Tracy have been working on it. Melissa, Jen and I are completely in the dark to what has happened the last 24 hours. So here's Jeff.

[Jeff]

So we had actually two telephone numbers for him that either one could be Sean Gibson's home number. So obviously the easiest thing to do is try those numbers. One rang and rang and rang and rang and rang and never went to an answering machine or voicemail or anything. It would just ring until you let it ring so much it stops ringing. And then the other one was like an answering machine, but it was still pro or either answering machine or voicemail, but it was still programmed on that automatic. Thank you for calling.

[Jen Hobby]

Leave a message after the beads tracheotomy guy. Thank you for calling. Leave a message.

[Jeff]

So that's, you know, so that's where we stood. Obviously, we couldn't leave it a message at the one who never picked up. But I didn't leave a message at the other one just because I would rather, you know, talk to him in person. And finally I decide last night at like 5 o', clock, I'm just gonna, you know, or 6 o', clock, I'm just Gonna leave a message with my cell phone number. And sure enough, I, you know, left the message and I get a message on my cell phone about 7:45, 8:00 clock last night. I call it back and there's a message and it says, hi, I'm returning the call. Somebody called for Sean Gibson from Atlanta. I'm returning that phone call. Please call me back when you have a chance. And it was a woman's voice. So I gave the number to Tracy first thing this morning. And at like 6:30, she called and it rang and a woman answered. And Tracy said, hi, I'm looking for Sean Gibson from Atlanta. I'm calling with the guy who called last night. And the girl said, this is Sean.

[Jen Hobby]

Wrong Sean Gibson. Maybe we'll just have to keep looking for the next 24 hours. Okay, what happened the last couple of days? It appeared that we were getting phone call after phone call and email after email from a lot of listeners that were pointing us to West Palm Beach. Like a guy that worked with him in West Palm, guy that knew that he was in West Palm working on high rises, yada, yada, yada. So this morning when we got in, we were all excited because we have a really good friend in radio that does a morning show in West Palm, and we were all set to go on the air with him in West Palm beach and put this APB out on Sean Gibson. So we're getting ready to do it when producer Tracy pulls me out of the office and says there's no need for us to even go on with Kevin in West Palm Beach. And at this point, Jeff and Tracy know what's going on, but Melissa, Jen, and I and Amanda, most importantly, do not.

[Bert]

We do know that he was in West Palm Beach. Okay. I can tell you that he did get married. I can tell you that he has two kids.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Yeah.

[Bert]

I can tell you that he did get divorced as well.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Bert]

But there's absolutely no way we can talk to him. Him?

[Jeff]

I wouldn't go that far.

[Jen Hobby]

Why not?

[Jeff]

We might be able to talk to him. It's just going to be a week or two.

[Jen Hobby]

Why would it be a week?

[Bert]

He's in Iraq.

[Jen Hobby]

Oh, really?

[Bert]

Really? Really. He did move to West Palm Beach. Then he joined the Army. Now, Amanda, I one going back a little bit. How many kids do you have?

[Amanda]

Two.

[Bert]

Huh.

[Jen Hobby]

And he has two kids.

[Bert]

Both got married, both got divorced.

[Jeff]

Hey, you want to go to Biloxi?

[Bert]

Parallel lives.

[Amanda]

Oh, my goodness.

[Bert]

Is there any way we can get an email address for him and maybe get them at least emailing each other? I hope so, but we just found this out 10 minutes ago, so I can't work that fast.

[Jen Hobby]

Did the source that told you that he's in Iraq, was it a really good source?

[Bert]

I had several sources, and they were all very good.

[Jen Hobby]

Oh, really? Yes, really. Is he living in Atlanta now?

[Bert]

I don't know where he is now. I just know that he's got cousins that all live here, so they've kind of relayed the message.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay. And through those cousins, do you think that the next time he's back that we can get them on the air together then? You think that's a possibility?

[Bert]

I hope so. I have a lady that's be going to to be calling me back with some phone numbers. Awesome.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay, Amanda.

[Amanda]

All right, well, thank you guys very much.

[Jennifer Hudson]

I appreciate all the efforts.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay, you've got all of our phone numbers, and we have yours, so we'll be in touch.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Okay, thank you.

[Jeff]

Bye.

[Jen Hobby]

Bye. The Bird Show.

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone. Ed Helms here.

[Bert]

And hi, I'm Cal Penn, and we're.

[Jeff]

The hosts of Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to Discuss the new audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[Bert]

You know what? I can see you as Mr. Darcy. You got a little call in firth.

[Jeff]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett. Here, listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bert]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Jeff]

Zoe. This thing weighs a ton.

[Jen Hobby]

Drew Ski.

[Amanda]

Live with your legs, man.

[Bert]

Santa. Santa, did you get my letter?

[Jeff]

He's talking to you, britches.

[Jen Hobby]

I'm.

[Bert]

Of course he did.

[Jeff]

Right, Santa, you know my elf, Drew Ski here.

[Jen Hobby]

He handles the nice list.

[Jeff]

And elf. I'm six three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T mobile. You can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[Bert]

I'm Mrs. Claus's much younger sister. And AT T mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch. So you can keep your old phone.

[Jen Hobby]

Or give it as a gift.

[Bert]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Jeff]

Nice. My side of the tree is slipping.

[Bert]

Kimber.

[Jeff]

The holidays are better. AT T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us. With no trade in needed. And now T mobile is available in US Cellular stores with three full monthly bill credits for well qualified customers, plus tax and $35 device connection charge credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel financing agreement. 256 gigs. $830. Eligible for it in a new line. $100 plus a month plan with auto payments, taxes and fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit t mobile.com. all right, remember, the machine knows if you're lying.

[Jen Hobby]

First statement.

[Bert]

Carvana will give you a real offer on false.

[Jen Hobby]

True.

[Jeff]

Actually, you can sell your car in minutes.

[Jen Hobby]

False.

[Bert]

That's gotta be true again.

[Jeff]

Carvana will pick up your car from your door.

[Jen Hobby]

Or you can drop it off at one of their car vending machines.

[Amanda]

Sounds too good to be true.

[Bert]

So true.

[Jen Hobby]

Finally caught on.

[Jeff]

Nice job. Honesty isn't just their policy, it's their entire model.

[Bert]

Sell your car today too. Carvana.

[Jeff]

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[Jen Hobby]

So yesterday after the show we got to sit down, talk to Jennifer Hudson and I think we all were really curious about what her attitude was gonna be.

[Bert]

Yeah. Because I think we, like the rest of the country were just shocked and disappointed at the fact that she's no longer in the competition.

[Jen Hobby]

We couldn't get, I, I couldn't get like, I know she must feel like she got robbed, but I don't feel like we could get that out.

[Jeff]

She can't say that. You gotta wait until she's done with the tour, you know, because they even, they announced it last night on American Idol that the tour, I think the tour dates are going up in the next week or two and idol on fox.com.

[Jen Hobby]

Okay.

[Jeff]

Idols on Fox.

[Jen Hobby]

So she does have to kind of be a little hush hush right now.

[Bert]

She's still, she's still being employed by them, I guess.

[Jen Hobby]

Yeah.

[Bert]

And she can't rip on a guy that she's gonna have to be standing on stage with and traveling on a tour bus with for, you know, three months.

[Jeff]

Sure.

[Jen Hobby]

Here's Jennifer Hudson on all the hits. Q100. Hello.

[Bert]

Hey, good morning.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Good morning.

[Jen Hobby]

How are you?

[Jennifer Hudson]

I'm good, and you?

[Bert]

Good.

[Jen Hobby]

Jennifer, let me introduce you to everybody.

[Jennifer Hudson]

All right.

[Jen Hobby]

This is Jen Hobby.

[Bert]

Hey, Jennifer. One of your biggest fans.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Thank you.

[Jen Hobby]

Melissa Carter.

[Bert]

Hi, Jennifer.

[Jen Hobby]

Hi Jeff$ hello.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Hey, Jeff.

[Jeff]

You know, we go way back, like three minutes or so.

[Jen Hobby]

Oh yeah. And I'm Bert.

[Jennifer Hudson]

All right. Hey Bert, how you doing?

[Bert]

Hey.

[Jen Hobby]

Doing really, really, really well.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Oh, thanks.

[Jen Hobby]

All right, let's get to what's important here. You are friggin robbed. Yeah, Come on, you were robbed. Say it. I was robbed.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, I feel like they brought me my stuff back. Not to be A robbed because this is just beautiful right now.

[Jen Hobby]

Is it because you've had this kind of attitude that you know what, every step of the way I'm gonna appreciate but somewhere down deep you must kind of feel like, I know there are people still on that stage that I'm better than.

[Jennifer Hudson]

You know what, I can't complain because there's so many thousands, probably millions of people by now who wish that they were in the position to be put in the bottom three to be eliminated. Eliminated as seventh or sixth.

[Bert]

You know, that's a totally positive outlook. But I still gotta say, it's crap. I mean, I, you know, I mean, there's some talented singers in the competition still. You're right. We're huge fans here in Atlanta for Diana Degarmo because she's from here.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Oh, I love Diana too. She's one of my buddies.

[Bert]

Yeah, but the crooner, I mean he, I mean, he shouldn't be there still.

[Jen Hobby]

Jennifer, let's forget that we're even on the radio for a second. I mean, you've got to believe you are more talented than John Stevens. Come on now.

[Jennifer Hudson]

I mean, like I said, it's people who love John Stevens and I love him and I think the boy can sing, you know.

[Jeff]

Now let me ask you this because we get to see this on TV every week when we watch the show. This guy looks when if he's in the bottom three and he is saved, he looks shocked. If he's not in the bottom three, he looks shocked. Like, does he, does he spend a good amount of his time being shocked that he's where he is?

[Jennifer Hudson]

You know what? If y' all know nothing else about John Stevens, know this. He is so grateful every step of the way that he's still there as he should be. He's not taking it lightly at all. Every week he says, it should have been me, it's gonna be me, you know, And I said you shouldn't feel that way.

[Jen Hobby]

You know, he's not the only one that feels that way. He's not the only one that feels that way. Stop talking to Jennifer Hudson from American Idol.

[Bert]

Alright, Jennifer, Okay. You've been sweet and you're kind. Let me ask you this way, okay? When you were divided in the groups and you saw John Stevens in one group and you were standing in the other, you knew you were in the top. Top grape. Right?

[Jennifer Hudson]

You know what, it's always some relief when you, you see yourself spending to people like Latoya, Fantasia or George. I mean, everybody loves George, you know, but it's like they're here, so I know. I'm fine.

[Jen Hobby]

You know, we're hearing some rumors that there might have been some bad blood between, like, you and latoya. Any of that true?

[Jennifer Hudson]

No. Why would somebody say that? I mean, we all appreciate, like my sister said, girls will be girls, but we got along. And like I said, we always appreciate each other. Each other's differences and stuff like that.

[Jen Hobby]

So Jennifer Hudson from American idol on the Burt show on all the hits. Q100.

[Bert]

Hey, Jennifer, we also heard that in your hometown of Chicago on the night that everybody voted, There were about 15,000 homes without power that night who could not watch the show and therefore didn't know the numbers to call and vote for you. And they also said when you were in that bottom three that it was the closest votes between you and fantasia that had ever been, you know, in the bottom three in American Idol. Do you think those 15,000 homes could.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Have made a. Oh, definitely. I mean, a lot of phones, cell phones and everything were out and people couldn't watch, obviously. And so, of course, if 15,000 people could have picked up the phones and voted 200 times or two hours straight, oh, I think it would have made a world of difference.

[Jen Hobby]

Do you think now because of what happened to you, that maybe American idol should take a look at the way the voting process is going down?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, I think overall, if anything, I think people should be only allowed to vote once, you know, because I think people would want to vote easily. You know, they wouldn't mind, like, picking the phone. If you say just one vote, okay, you pick up the phone and vote and you're done. You did your part versus having to vote the whole two hours. You know, that's. Come on. Who want to sit up and vote other than your family two hours straight or some little kids, you know?

[Jeff]

Hey, Jennifer, did you watch American Idol 1 and 2? Were you a fan before you got on the show?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, actually, season one, all the way through season two, I tried my hardest, but I was on a cruise ship, so I really only got to see the very beginning and the very end. But I was a fan all the way through.

[Jeff]

And if you were to predict the winner of season one while it was going on, who would you have predicted won the whole thing?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, at first, I was a big Justin fan until Kelly opened that mouth and started blowing it away. And I'm like, I have to vote for the true talent. I'm a firm believer of voting for true talent. I don't care what you look like, what's the. No, I'm listening to the Voice. And so I had to go with Kelly all the way. Tamir was good, too, though.

[Jeff]

Tamir's another Atlanta girl. Now that you're out, do you still. I know you do a big press tour and all that fun stuff now, but do you still live in the house?

[Jennifer Hudson]

No. No, I left the house. You leave the house the next morning.

[Jeff]

So you can. You can vote now for American Idol?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Yeah, I could have voted before.

[Jeff]

Can you vote from the house?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, we all have cell phones, so.

[Jeff]

You could vote for yourself.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Mm.

[Jeff]

Did you ever do that?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Yes. And it used to get on my nerves, too. Like, oh, my God, do I have to hold the mic in one hand and the cell phone in the other? God, do I have to do everything? You know, so I'm glad that's over.

[Jen Hobby]

We're talking to Jennifer Hudson from American Idol on the Birch show on all the hits. Q100.

[Jeff]

So who would you cast a vote for? If you're gonna vote tonight, do you have to ask John Stevens?

[Jennifer Hudson]

All right, slow down. I am. I'm sorry, but I'm the biggest George Huff fan in the world, and I was so grateful to be able to get to know him because if I wasn't on the show and I saw George Hough he is, and he would be my American Idol all the way.

[Jen Hobby]

So you said, based on what you said before, that you would vote on talent and voice alone.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Voice. Talent alone. And he has. All of them have the talent. I mean, if I'm going on talent, this will be the hardest decision to make with. I mean, because everybody on this stage is so talented.

[Jen Hobby]

Yeah. Well, we'll check it out tonight. I mean, you pick up the USA Today this morning, and it says that if John Stevens win this thing, pretty much American Idol has lost all credibility whatsoever. So we'll see if he makes it through to the next round.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Well, I think he'll be there for a while.

[Jen Hobby]

You do?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Yeah.

[Jen Hobby]

Really?

[Bert]

Why?

[Jennifer Hudson]

I really do. I don't know. I think he has great potential.

[Bert]

Do you think that some of those votes from John Peter Lewis then shifted to John Stevens?

[Jennifer Hudson]

Definitely, all the way. I feel like I think that's another thing that could have happened where as, like, Peter Lewis votes went to John Stevens, Camille votes went to Jasmine and, you know, like that, and maybe even John Peter Lewis votes was tied in between John Stevens and Diana.

[Jeff]

Hey, now that. Now that you're doing the press tours and stuff, and once American Idol's over, what is the first project you would predict that you would undertake.

[Jennifer Hudson]

I will hopefully first record and be Jennifer Holiday either on Broadway or in Dreamgirls in the movie.

[Jen Hobby]

I know it's not going to be on some cruise ship. I know that. I know you're staying off any kind of boat. Hey, Jennifer Hudson on with the Birch show. Hey Jennifer, Congratulations. I mean, for making it as far as you did. And thanks a lot for joining us.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Thank you for having me.

[Bert]

Hey, Jennifer, one more thing. I love the curls. Stick with the curls. From the beginning, girl. Those are so cute.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Thank you.

[Jen Hobby]

All right, Jennifer, see ya.

[Jennifer Hudson]

All right, thank you. Bye.

[Bert]

Bye.

[Jen Hobby]

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[Jeff]

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[Bert]

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[Jeff]

Oh, actually they will have to get up and open the door.

[Jennifer Hudson]

Oh, right.

[Jeff]

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[Bert]

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[Jeff]

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[Bert]

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[Jeff]

Let's get in the tour bus and hit the road.

[Bert]

No, not a tour bus. It's a regular car we use to deliver and set up customers phones at home or work.

[Jeff]

Are you a groupie on this tour?

[Bert]

We deliver and set up phones. It's not a tour.

[Jeff]

Oh, you're definitely a groupie.

[Bert]

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[Jeff]

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[Bert]

Thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Jeff]

Zoe. This thing weighs a ton.

[Jen Hobby]

Drew, Ski, lift with your legs, man.

[Bert]

Santa.

[Jen Hobby]

Santa, did you get my letter?

[Jeff]

He's talking to you, Bridges. I'm not.

[Bert]

Of course he did.

[Jeff]

Right, Santa, you know my elf Drew Ski here.

[Jen Hobby]

He handles the nice list.

[Jeff]

And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T mobile, you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[Bert]

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[Jen Hobby]

Or give it as a gift.

[Bert]

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[Jennifer Hudson]

Nice.

[Jeff]

My side of the tree is slipping.

[Jen Hobby]

Kimber, the holidays are better.

[Jeff]

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