The Bert Show – Full Show PT 3: Thursday, February 5 [Vault] Summary

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two major themes anchored in the hosts’ signature real, humorous, and authentic style. First, the team explores the world of “cheer moms” and the often-intense culture surrounding competitive cheerleading. Second, they present a “love lost and found” segment where an intern tries to reconnect with a girl he met at a camping trip. Throughout, the cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and others) offer candid reflections, listener calls, and playful banter.

Segment 1: The World of Cheer Moms (00:00–19:39)

Main Theme

A listener email sparks a deep-dive into the sometimes extreme parental behavior in competitive cheerleading, likened to the “stage dad” stereotype in many youth sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Listener Email and the 'Cheer Mom' Phenomenon

  • A mom writes in describing her shock at the highly competitive, at times toxic behavior of other “cheer moms.”
  • She’s observed moms yelling at daughters, gossiping, and even dressing in full cheer regalia (00:47–01:45).
    • “I’ve seen moms cake on their makeup and dress in cheer attire as though they are competing right alongside their daughters.” (Listener Email, 01:45)

• Hosts' Reactions

  • The idea of moms dressing as cheerleaders is met with disbelief and amused skepticism by the panel.
    • “Adult women go to cheer competitions, dress like cheerleaders?” – [C] (01:48)
    • “That right there is worth going to a cheer competition.” – [C] (01:55)

• Call-ins: Firsthand Accounts

  • Michelle, a New Cheer Mom:
    • Confirms intense parental involvement: “They take it really, really serious... You should be doing this. If my daughter's not doing this, I’m going to be leaving and going somewhere else.” (E, 03:36)
    • Equates the involvement to parents living through their children: “Oh, yes. Definitely.” (E, 04:13)
  • Susan, Another Listener:
    • Shares similar experiences across multiple counties: “It was just as bad… The cattiness and just... the mothers pitch and fits because they didn't like that particular person on their team.” (E, 04:57)
    • Stresses the harm for kids: “Parents need to take a step back and think, these are just kids and they just want to have a good time.” (E, 06:33)
  • Ashley, Cheerleading Coach:
    • Critiques the embarrassment for kids: “It is ridiculous and mortifying and embarrassing to those young girls for their mothers to be like that. The mothers are more into it than the girls are.” (E, 07:34)
    • Considers parental competitiveness driven by living through their kids and “bragging rights.” (F, 08:05)
  • Darren, Coach:
    • Describes the extremes: “They will literally dress from head to toe, exactly what Jeff says… They just don’t care. These parents are just totally over the top.” (D, 09:08)
    • Even dads get involved, with wild costumes and team color-matching hair: “There’s a couple dads that I saw that had mohawks, spray-painted blue and their wife’s hair were bright pink…” (D, 10:14)
    • Estimates: “40% sane and 60% hardcore, and they’re living a life through their kids.” (D, 10:46)

• Memorable Quote

  • “This is real cutthroat you’re talking about.” – [A] (18:52)
  • “Forget the hills. There should just be a show called ‘Cheer Mom.’” – [F] (11:12)

• Historical Perspective

  • Caller Kate shares the culture isn’t new:
    • Recounts intense competition and sabotage dating to the 1980s: “I was injured very badly... I lost homecoming queen... To this day, I still have arthritis... It was very psycho.” (E, 17:15–18:54)
    • Even dance squads had their own drama: “One of the mothers went to the school board and tried to turn her in to get her removed from the squad so that her daughter could move up.” (E, 18:14)

• Real Cheer Mom Speaks

  • Ashley, a self-identifying 'cheer mom':
    • Admits, “We get fully dressed up in our, you know, mom attire.” (E, 13:38)
    • Didn’t start out intending to participate: “You really get sucked into it. You don’t realize it.” (E, 13:51)
    • Draws the line at coach behavior: “If they were 15, I could be like, OK, be hard on them, that’s fine. But when you’re yelling at my 7-year-old... that’s a little over the top.” (E, 16:00)

Tone and Notable Moments

• The cast is both incredulous and entertained; there’s a balance between genuine concern for the kids and jest regarding “adult cheerleader” fashion.
• Multiple pleas for an adult who dresses like a cheerleader to call in, with promises of no ridicule (06:41–07:03).
• Empathy surfaces for parents’ involvement as a form of caring—even if it goes too far.

Segment 2: Love Lost and Found – Corey Tries to Reconnect (19:39–25:52)

Main Theme

Intern Corey wants The Bert Show’s help to find Jamie, a girl he met at a camping trip, resulting in both awkward and funny radio.

Key Points & Timeline

• Setup (19:39–20:26)

  • Corey shares details about Jamie—a student, going to Australia, not a great volleyball player—but has no way to reach her.
  • Bert and the team help track her down for a “second, first impression.”

• Awkward Reconnection (21:43–23:16)

  • Jamie is successfully reached on-air, confirming her identity through a humorous series of personal volleyball/Delta Sigma Pi/Australia questions.
    • “Are you five foot four?” – [A] (22:11)
    • “Five foot three. So. No.” – [E] (22:13)
  • When put on the spot, Jamie admits, “There had to be easier ways, though… Everyone else in the free world could find me, but…” (E, 23:13)
  • Asked if she was creeped out: “Yeah, just a wee bit.” (E, 23:29)

• Lighthearted Banter (23:38–24:52)

  • The hosts debate whether it’s worse to be disliked or not remembered at all.
  • Jamie says the effort was “sweet,” lightening the mood: “There’s just no winning is what I feel. Here.” (E, 23:50)
  • After friendly negotiation, Jamie and Corey agree to meet up before she leaves for Australia: “Are you going to take me out somewhere nice?” – [E], “Yes, I’ll pay.” – [D, E] (24:33–24:38)
  • General ribbing about Corey’s subpar flirting skills adds to the fun.

• Wrap-up (25:18–25:52)

  • Jamie affirms she’ll be in Australia until mid-June.
  • As Corey is put on hold, banter about a possible “hookup before she goes down under” (C, 25:25) closes the segment.

Notable Quotes

• “You want to at least make an impression, good or bad?” – [C] (21:27)
• “It wouldn’t creep you out if you thought he was really good-looking.” – [A] (23:33)
• “I think there’s a pretty good chance she’s going to get down under with you before she goes to Australia.” – [C] (25:25)
• “Cory, your game’s not very good today. I’m not gonna lie to you.” – [E] (24:47)

Tone

• Flirty, awkward, supportive, and ultimately lighthearted—classic Bert Show matchmaking with plenty of friendly teasing.

Takeaways & Themes

• Intensity of Parental Involvement: Competitive youth activities like cheerleading can incite extreme parental behaviors, sometimes overshadowing the kids’ enjoyment and wellbeing.
• Self-Awareness and Humor: Some “cheer moms” recognize and even embrace the absurdity—an attitude the hosts respect.
• Healthy Boundaries: The best involvement strikes a balance between enthusiasm and letting children be children.
• Vulnerability in Connection: The matchmaking segment is both cringe-inducing and sweet, demonstrating radio’s power to reconnect and amuse.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:45 — Listener email on intense “cheer mom” culture
• 02:29–04:13 — Call-in (Michelle) confirms mom competitiveness
• 04:57–06:41 — More experiences of cheer drama in multiple counties
• 07:34–09:42 — Coaches and parents weigh in on over-involvement
• 12:00–16:10 — ‘Real’ cheer mom shares her journey and limits
• 17:13–19:15 — Historical stories of competitive mothers (1980s–90s)
• 19:39–25:52 — “Love lost and found” with Corey and Jamie

Final Thoughts

This episode balances its exposure of extreme cheer culture with empathy and humor, encouraging listeners to reflect on both the funny and worrying parts of parenting in competitive environments. The cheerful matchmaking segment is classic Bert Show—awkward, relatable, and always entertaining.