The Bert Show: "Vault: Boiling Point At The Gym" (December 5, 2025)

Host: Bert Show Cast (including Phil, Lorraine)
Episode Theme: Hidden camera "Boiling Point" prank in a gym—How much will an unsuspecting gym-goer tolerate before losing their cool?

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a hidden microphone prank inspired by MTV’s "Boiling Point," but adapted for the radio format. Phil, a member of the Bert Show team, puts an unsuspecting woman at the gym through an increasingly annoying and competitive treadmill situation to see how long she keeps her cool. Listeners are then challenged to guess the outcome for a prize, combining audience interaction with a dose of cringe-worthy humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Boiling Point" Segment Background (01:02–02:31)

• Phil introduces the "Boiling Point" concept, explaining the challenge of adapting a visual hidden camera show for radio.
• Recap of a previous segment where Phil tried to put a baby in a tanning bed, with the "boiling point" being the staff threatening to call the police after 7 minutes.

“The quote unquote, the Boiling Point moment was to get her to call the police on me. And sure enough, she threatened to call the police. And that's when she reached that mark at seven minutes.” — Phil (02:25)

2. Explaining the Gym Treadmill Scenario (03:22–03:53)

• Phil sets up this episode’s "Boiling Point":
  • Only two treadmills available; Phil chooses to run next to an “absolutely gorgeous young lady.”
  • He decides to be “that guy”—the one who tries to race her and even messes with her treadmill settings.

“I reach over and try to speed up her treadmill.” — Phil (03:53)

• He admits that competitive spirit is common in gyms as people peek at each other’s treadmill speed or incline.

3. Listener Game Mechanics (03:57–04:41)

• Listener Lorraine (“Lolo,” a regular caller) is challenged to guess what happens:
  • 1. Phil falls off the treadmill
  • 2. The woman gets a musclehead to escort him out
  • 3. The woman ignores him and leaves

Lorraine picks option 2: escorted out by a musclehead.

4. The “Boiling Point” Prank: Treadmill Escalation (05:04–06:57)

Phil’s tactics:

• Phil repeatedly increases his pace, taunts the woman about speed and calories burned, and even tries to shame her into going faster.
• He reaches over and tries to “help” by physically adjusting her treadmill.

Notable Quotes and Banter:

“I’m going faster than you.” — Phil (05:10)
“You could use it. Come on.” — Phil (05:41)
“Dude, I’m really not here to run. I’m just walking…” — Woman on treadmill (06:43)

• Phil keeps pushing her, even joking about her possibly being a smoker, which she denies with some irritation.

5. The Climax: Phil Falls Off the Treadmill (06:57–07:39)

• As Phil reaches over one last time to increase her speed, he loses his balance and falls.
• Chaos ensues as the microphone is disturbed; he explains that’s what the audience just heard.

“And that, my friends, is me falling on my ass.” — Phil (06:59)

• He then reveals himself to the unsuspecting gym-goer, who is oblivious to the setup but amused.

“I just look at her and I go, I’m Phil from the Virtual. I was recording you. Is that okay? And she’s like, yeah. And I walk out of the gym right there.” — Phil (07:21)

• Lorraine loses the prize, having guessed incorrectly.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gym Competition:

  “Aren’t you constantly peeking over to see how fast they’re going and what incline they’re at? And then you start to get all competitive in your head…” — Phil (04:00)

• On his fall:

  “I fell right on my elbow. I get up, and the noise you hear is me grabbing the microphone…I have to stop it right there.” — Phil (07:04)

• The gym-goer’s dry response:

  “Dude, I’m really not here to run. I’m just walking.” — Woman on treadmill (06:43)

• Phil’s closing reflection:

  “I’ve always wanted to meet a guy who fell off a treadmill.” — Lorraine (07:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• MTV "Boiling Point" explanation and recap: 01:02–02:31
• This episode’s prank setup (Gym version): 03:22–03:53
• Listener Lorraine joins and game explained: 03:57–04:41
• Treadmill prank escalation: 05:04–06:57
• Phil falls off the treadmill: 06:57–07:39

Tone and Style

The show is informal, playful, and prank-heavy, focusing on awkward humor and interactions. Phil’s narration is self-deprecating and entertaining, while the rest of the cast and Lorraine add banter and lighthearted teasing. The tone throughout is real, funny, and geared for laughs.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a classic Bert Show hidden-mic prank full of gym awkwardness, cringe comedy, and interactive fun with the audience. Most memorable is Phil’s relentless treadmill competition antics culminating in a blundered fall—reminding listeners that sometimes, the prankster ends up being the butt of the joke.