The Bert Show – "Vault: Can You Guess The Real And Fake Accents?"

Date: November 10, 2025
Host: The Bert Show cast (Bert, Melissa, Jeff, with callers)
Theme: The Bert Show cast and listeners test their ability to detect real vs. fake accents, prompted by a discussion of "foreign accent syndrome."

Episode Overview

In this entertaining and lighthearted episode, The Bert Show crew jumps into a playful challenge: can they and their listeners distinguish between genuine and fake accents? The premise is sparked by a real-life neurological phenomenon—foreign accent syndrome—adding a touch of curiosity to their usual morning banter. The cast invites listeners to call in, try their best accents, and see if the team can guess their authenticity. Throughout the show, the laughter is infectious, skepticism is high, and the friendly rivalry takes center stage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Foreign Accent Syndrome: Truth or Hype?

• Story Introduction (01:02–02:39):
  Bert introduces the unusual case of a 60-year-old British woman who, after a stroke, emerged with a mixed accent (Jamaican, Canadian, Slovakian).
  • Bert: “Her accent didn’t sound anything like it did before she had the stroke.” (01:48)
  • Melissa: “It’s some sort of portion of her brain… involving speech patterns, and that’s what gave her the new accent.” (01:52)
  • Bert: “Doctors have a name for it. It’s called foreign accent syndrome.” (01:59)
• Skepticism and Flashback to Judy Roberts (02:35–04:39):
  The team recalls an interview with Judy Roberts, an American who reportedly developed an English accent after a stroke.
  • Jeff (skeptically): “Because there’s 40 people in the whole world who are desperate for attention and have…” (02:35)
  • Clip of Judy explains the struggles and disbelief she faces.

2. Challenging the Reality of Foreign Accent Syndrome

• Judy Conversation Highlights (03:12–04:53):
  • Bert (to Judy): “This is not the voice we’re hearing now… not always been the accent you had.”
  • Judy: “No, I had a lot of a northeast accent… you’re never the same again. It changes you a bit.” (03:38)
  • Jeff: “Could you answer my first question in an American accent?” (04:06)
  • Judy: “This is what I’ve got. I’m stuck here.” (04:10)
  • Judy: “It’s hard enough… to have to learn to walk and talk again, an idiot would have to be an idiot to put themselves up for this.” (04:43)
  • Jeff (joking): “A bloody idiot.”
• Cast Reaction:
  • Melissa: “You can just tell the words that you try to make come out with an accent… let me be the first to call BS on this.” (05:02)
  • Jeff: “Let’s take the lift to my flat. Pardon me. I seem to have had a strange stroke.” (05:24)

3. Can We Tell If You’re Faking?

• Game Setup (06:02–06:46):
  The team challenges callers to test their accent-spotting skills. Bert claims a “gift” for detecting origins.
  • Bert: “If I hear your accent, I can tell you exactly where you’re from—the others don’t have it, so I don’t even want to compete.” (06:55)

4. Caller Challenge: Real vs. Fake?

First Round of Calls

• Richard, the ‘Asian Accent’ (07:14–08:08):
  • Bert instantly guesses it's fake.
  • Richard (Caller): “Actually, I’m half Korean, half white. It was supposed to be an Asian accent.”
  • Jeff: “Your Korean side sucks. You’re not good at being Korean.” (07:55)
• Natalie, the ‘English Accent’ (08:25–09:44):
  • Natalie fakes a British accent admirably.
  • Bert and Melissa debate real vs. fake; she reveals it’s fake and her boyfriend asks for the accent routinely.
  • Melissa (laughing): “It’s good, funny.” (09:44)
• Andre, the ‘Canadian’ (09:50–10:39):
  • The team is split; Andre says he's Mexican, confirming the accent is fake.
  • Melissa (cracking up): “Are you choking on something?” (09:55)
• Paul, the ‘Jamaican’ (10:54–12:12):
  • The accent blends British and Jamaican. Bert guesses fake, but Paul insists he’s Jamaican and even teaches them “Wagwan.”
  • Jeff (joking): “Maybe he had a stroke while we’re on the phone!” (11:34)
  • Paul (Caller): “No, I’m from Jamaican.” (11:49)

Second Round of Calls

• Natalie, the ‘Authentic’ Jamaican (12:43–13:46):

  • Speaks with a subtle accent, reveals she’s Jamaican and has lived in the US for 11 years. Bert and the team are finally stumped.
  • Natalie: “People really can’t tell unless they talk to me for a while.” (13:46)

• Jeff’s Turn (Mocking):

  • Jeff tries his own fake accent, prompting the others to groan.
  • Melissa: “I think it’s really annoying.” (14:23)

• TJ from Boston/Worcester (14:28–15:33):

  • TJ brings a thick New England vibe, outlining the subtlety between Worcester and Boston accents.
  • TJ: “Only people from Boston say piss up. People in Worcester say wicked.” (15:17)
  • Bert: “I love a Boston accent though. I do. I really do.” (15:33)

5. Conclusion: Who Holds the Accent-Detecting Crown?

• Bert (humorously): “So we have proven absolutely nothing here… Maybe we now know that Jen Hobby has the real gift, and I have none at all.” (15:40)
• The crew reflects on their wildly inconsistent guesses and the random nature of accent acquisition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judy (on foreign accent syndrome):
  “This is what I’ve got. I’m stuck here.” (04:10)

• Melissa (on skepticism):
  “Let me be the first to call BS on this.” (05:02)

• Jeff (teasing):
  “Your Korean side sucks. You’re not good at being Korean.” (07:55)

• Paul (Caller):
  “No, I'm from Jamaican.” (11:49)

• Natalie (on blending in):
  “People really can’t tell unless they talk to me for a while.” (13:55)

• TJ (from Worcester):
  “Only people from Boston say piss up. People in Worcester say wicked.” (15:17)

• Bert (wrapping up):
  “We have proven absolutely nothing here…” (15:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02–01:59]: Foreign accent syndrome story introduction
• [02:35–04:53]: Flashback and skepticism about foreign accent syndrome
• [06:14–06:55]: Bert claims his "gift" for detecting accents
• [07:14–08:08]: First fake accent caller (“Richard”)
• [08:25–09:44]: Fake British accent (“Natalie”)
• [09:50–10:39]: Fake Canadian/Mexican accent (“Andre”)
• [10:54–12:12]: Jamaican accent guessing game (“Paul”)
• [12:43–13:46]: Real Jamaican caller ("Natalie") surprises the hosts
• [14:28–15:33]: TJ with real Boston/Worcester accent

Episode Tone and Style

The episode is playful and irreverent, full of inside jokes, friendly ribbing, and tongue-in-cheek skepticism. The cast is quick to poke fun at each other and the callers, all while mixing education (a real phenomenon) with lighthearted competition and audience engagement.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy radio banter, games, and accents, this episode will keep you entertained. The mix of skepticism, failed guesses, and authentic moments captures The Bert Show’s signature spirit—fun, real, and a little bit chaotic.