The Bert Show – Full Show PT 3: Friday, October 31 [Vault]

Date: October 31, 2025
Featured Guests: Leah Remini, Deborah Norville, Kate Spade, JC (from NSYNC)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show delivers the trademark blend of quick-witted banter, relatable real-life stories, and celebrity interviews. The show moves from lighthearted sketches and pop culture topics to more substantial discussions about long-term relationships, charitable causes, and the reality behind celebrity culture. Notably, the show features engaging conversations with Leah Remini (of "King of Queens" fame), news anchor Deborah Norville, designer Kate Spade, and pop star JC from NSYNC, all while involving listeners in dramatic segments like the “Second Date Update.”

Key Highlights and Discussion Segments

1. Leah Remini Interview – King of Queens & Hollywood Realness

[02:30 – 09:54]

Main Points:

• Surprise Interview for a Fan: Jeff, a “King of Queens” fan, gets to chat with Leah Remini, who delivers her signature humor from the jump.
• Show’s Appeal: Leah discusses the relatability of “King of Queens,” attributing its success to portraying a down-to-earth couple:

  “We are everybody's relationship...we're just a normal couple, which is why I love the show so much. There's no, like, crazy concept. It's just a couple.” (Leah Remini, 03:30)

• Authenticity in Relationships: Bert raises the classic sitcom trope of the beautiful wife and ordinary husband:

  “Would there be any chance, really, like, in real life, you know, hottie chick like you falls for…big fat guy?” (Burt, 03:58) Leah affirms this dynamic is especially real in her East Coast experience.

• Accent Debate: Amusing discussion of Brooklyn vs. Queens accents, with Leah poking fun at the hosts for overanalyzing her speech.
• Leah on LA vs. NY: Expresses she is grounded by her family, avoids Hollywood pretentiousness, and tells stories about adjusting to LA life.
• Personal Details:
  • Eight-year relationship with boyfriend Angelo (actor, but not a household name; appeared in “Swordfish” and “Dance With Me”).
  • Open about deflecting marriage pressure so her partner could focus on his career.
• On Missing Monica from "Friends": Leah was one of many up for the role, but applauds the cast’s chemistry:

  “They have their perfect cast, and I'm really quite proud of them that they've stuck together as a group.” (Leah Remini, 08:38)

• Celebrity Banter: Joking comparisons to Alyssa Milano:

  “Just for the record, I think you're hotter than Alyssa Milano.” (Host, 09:47)

Notable Quotes:

• “Times you feel like, screw this. I hate these people. I hate the smell of the studio. I hate everything. But then if it went away, it would be, like, weird and sad. It's like your family.” (Leah Remini, 09:22)

2. Deborah Norville – Coming Home & March of Dimes

[10:01 – 16:09]

Main Points:

• Local Roots: Norville discusses growing up in Dalton, GA, attending UGA – highlights its status as a top party school.
• TV Start: Origin story—her Channel 5 internship began thanks to a chance TV sighting, leading to a quick reporter promotion (and a colorful story about her cameraman smoking dope on their first assignment!).
• Network News Journey: From WAGA in Atlanta to local Chicago news, then on to NBC, and now hosting "Inside Edition."
• Recognition: Won a Headliner Award for her staff’s September 11th coverage, despite having a much smaller team than Dateline.
• Charity Commitment:
  • Strong advocacy for the March of Dimes' "WalkAmerica" to fight birth defects and premature births.
  • Shares alarming stats: Georgia has the seventh-highest infant mortality rate in the US.
  • Emphasizes the importance of service:

    “Service is the rent we pay for living.” (Deborah Norville, 14:50)

  • Provides resources for listeners to join or support local walks.

Notable Quotes:

• “Even if you just give $5, you know, $5 times everybody, man. The difference. $1 times everybody makes a huge difference.” (Deborah Norville, 15:00)

3. Second Date Update – Amanda, Abe, and Office Drama

[18:49 – 26:56]

Main Points:

• The Setup: Amanda wonders why Abe hasn’t followed up after a lengthy, promising first date. The show calls Abe for answers.
• Abe’s Side: Admits he went on a second date with Carolyn (another co-worker) the night after Amanda. Gets complicated because Carolyn used to work under Amanda and was let go.
• Twists:
  • Rumors of Amanda’s “psycho” office behavior circulate (checking emails, hounding people), but Amanda claims it’s more about Carolyn’s own issues – suggesting Carolyn was fired for theft.
• Real Drama:
  • The segment devolves into mutual accusations and awkward comedy.
  • Amanda concludes:

    “If you're comfortable with going out with a girl and trusting a girl who steals things out of other people's desk…” (Amanda, 25:13)

  • Abe sticks with his story:

    “To put it bluntly...it was the quality of the date.” (Abe, 24:40)

• Wrap-up: Amanda gets closure but dreads future workplace encounters.

Notable Moments:

• “And this is why you don't dip your pen in the company ink.” (Host, 24:14)

4. Emotional Honesty with Family – “I Love You, Man” Call

[26:59 – 31:08]

Main Points:

• Theme: Bert shares the struggle men have expressing emotions, especially with in-laws.
• Bittersweet Humor:
  • Recounts missing the right moment to say “I love you” back to his father-in-law.
  • Hosts coach him through a live call to casually slip in “Love you” and observe the reaction—resulting in mutual awkward ambiguity and shared empathy.

Notable Quote:

• “I think he put it on the mattress and then made the bed over it, so to speak.” (Host, 28:02)

5. Kate Spade Interview – Bags, Branding, and Staying Authentic

[31:22 – 38:21]

Main Points:

• Fan Stories: Listener shares tale of running back into a burning building for a Kate Spade bag, highlighting the cultish adoration for the brand.
• Design Philosophy: Kate Spade designs what she wants to wear—striving for functional yet elegant, “ladylike but real.”
• Brand Evolution: Started small in New York, grew momentum through editorial features, and now expanded into accessories, stationery, fragrances, and more.
• On Not Doing Clothing: Prefers accessories and “all the things that surround it,” not the clothes themselves.
• Origin Story: Kansas City native, moved to NY from Arizona after post-college trip; started at "Mademoiselle" as a temp, eventually launching her line.
• Personal Touches: Family are her biggest “brand ambassadors,” though not mandated to carry only her bags.

Notable Quotes:

• “If I’m not wearing my own [bag], then I'm doing something wrong because that's pretty much what I'm...not just designing for myself, but I'm designing for things that I would like to see out there.” (Kate Spade, 38:02)

6. JC (NSYNC) Interview – Fame, Friends, and Personal Life

[38:21 – 49:20]

Main Points:

• Life in the Spotlight: JC reflects on playing to stadium crowds (“pinch yourself” moments), making mistakes on stage, and missing the camaraderie of being in a group.
• Relationships and Rumors:
  • Swears he and Tara Reid are just friends:

    “No, we're just friends. And that's...dude, I'll say it comfortably. No problem.” (JC, 41:36)

  • Preferences for dating regular people vs. celebrities; insists connections matter more than fame.
• Group Dynamics:
  • Everyone's branching out—Joey’s Broadway/giant pool, Lance’s astronaut dreams, Justin’s solo career.
  • “No breakup”—just a pause, with plans for an NSYNC record next year.
• Money Matters:
  • JC claims to be the most frugal NSYNC member; Joey and Justin the “loosest” with their finances.
• Gossip Evasion:
  • Deflects questions about Justin & Britney’s breakup (“ignorance is bliss”).
• Touring Rigors:
  • Six shows a week keeps life from resembling the usual “rock star romance” stereotype.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's just a different energy, you know what I mean? When you're on stage with other people, there's chemistry that pops, that flies around...I like to give away my energy to my friends and bounce back and forth and have a laugh.” (JC, 48:54)

Memorable and Funny Moments

• Leah Remini on New Yorkers in LA:

  “My mother could care less what I do. She makes me bus tables at a restaurant here.” (Leah Remini, 05:29)

• Kate Spade’s Advice for Fans:

  “Next time just tell her I’ll send her new ones if they get [burned]. That’s what I’ll tell her.” (Kate Spade, 32:49)

• On Male Emotional Expression:

  “He brought it, you know, in with both [ways]...I really couldn’t tell if it was a true ‘I love you’ or not.” (Burt, 28:02)

• Office Romance Gone Wrong:

  “This is why you don’t dip your pen in the company ink.” (Host, 24:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Leah Remini Interview: 02:30 – 09:54
• Deborah Norville Interview and Charity Segment: 10:01 – 16:09
• Second Date Update – Amanda & Abe: 18:49 – 26:56
• Father-in-Law ‘I Love You’ Story: 26:59 – 31:08
• Kate Spade Interview: 31:22 – 38:21
• JC (NSYNC) Interview: 38:21 – 49:20

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is a lively mix of self-deprecating humor, pop culture savvy, and moments of genuine, heartfelt conversation. The hosts’ banter is fast-paced and irreverent, with smooth transitions between goofy scenarios and authentic interviews, making listeners feel part of a big, welcoming, slightly chaotic radio family.

For listeners who missed out:
You’ll get celebrity candor, relationship drama, heartfelt cause advocacy, and a sometimes-chaotic, always-entertaining glimpse into pop culture and everyday life — all with The Bert Show’s signature realness and humor.