Vault: Final Update: Is Jeff coming back?

Summary

The Bert Show — Vault: Final Update: Is Jeff Coming Back?

Episode Date: June 4, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode addresses the long-awaited resolution to the contract standoff involving Jeff Dollar, a key member of The Bert Show’s cast. For weeks, listeners have been in suspense, with concerns mounting over whether Jeff would return. The team discusses the emotional strain, listener reactions, and ultimately, celebrates Jeff’s contract renewal and return to the show. The episode is candid, appreciative of their audience, and reflective on the unique bond between the cast and their listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Emotional Toll of Jeff’s Absence

• Bert (Host, [00:30]): Expresses deep frustration and stress over the contract impasse, noting the absence created “a huge void” in the studio atmosphere.
  • “Not having Jeff in here has left a huge void for all of us… The studio has felt empty.”
• The team shares feelings of helplessness, revealing that all efforts were made to support Jeff, but much was out of their hands given the negotiations with corporate (Cumulus).

Negotiations Recap and Outcome

• Announcement ([03:07]): After months of uncertainty, Bert reveals Jeff Dollar is officially coming back:
  • “Jeff Dollar is coming back to the Bert Show. We are gonna be a family again.”
• Jeff’s Return ([03:45]): Jeff physically returns to the studio, met with enthusiasm and relief by the team.
  • The group humorously verifies that everything is truly finalized and not another twist.

The Rollercoaster of the Last Weeks

• Jeff ([04:15]): Describes the process as an "emotional rollercoaster," never sure from day to day if things would work out.
  • “On one day, Jeff and I would talk and it was like, ‘Alright, buddy, looks like it's gonna happen.’ And then the next day…it was like, ‘Doesn't look like it's gonna happen.’”
• Bert admits he almost advised Jeff to walk away, given how turbulent the process had become ([05:04]).

Listener Support and Community Impact

• Jeff shares candidly how the outpouring of support initially embarrassed him but grew to be deeply meaningful ([06:39]):
  • “At the beginning, it was really humbling and really embarrassing…By yesterday, it was just weird. Like, I seriously felt like there were people walking through hallways of schools with Pepsi cans doing save Ferris campaigns.”
• He reflects on radio’s role in people’s daily routines and gains a renewed appreciation for their listeners ([08:01]):
  • “What we do is kind of a big deal. You know what I mean? Like, it's superficial, but it's a comfort thing.”
• Bert and Kristin emphasize that the show’s passionate fan base makes community projects and ongoing success possible ([09:19]).

Shutting Down Publicity Stunt Theories

• Bert explicitly denies rumors that the contract saga was fabricated for ratings ([09:41]):
  • “This had zero to do with any kind of publicity stunt. This has all been 100% authentic.”
• The exhaustion and strain on the team reinforce the seriousness of the situation ([10:14]):
  • "We wouldn't be as exhausted as we all are if it were a stunt."

Call-Ins: Listener Reaction

• Multiple callers share emotional responses to Jeff’s return ([10:34]–[12:41]):
  • “Thank goodness that Jeff is back. I love the Bert Show, but it's been on a comedy hiatus since he's been gone.” — Michael
  • “I just want to tell Jeff I'm about to cry. I'm so happy to hear him on the radio.” — Amy
  • “He just adds something to the whole team, and I'm glad y’all are whole again.” — Michelle
• Jeff humbly responds, often self-deprecating, grateful for the outpouring.

Family Impact and Lingering Effects

• When asked about his wife Jessica, Jeff explains that while there was never a real risk to their livelihood, the uncertainty was emotionally taxing ([12:43]):
  • “There was never a place where my future was in danger... So that made everything okay. There's certainly a lot of frustration and a lot of anger…”
  • He compares the reconciliation to "asking out the person who just called you really ugly and fat," underscoring the emotional whiplash of negotiations ([12:50]).
• Jeff credits his colleagues for his decision to stay ([14:00]):
  • “The reason I'm in this chair right now is because of the people in this room and no other reason at all.”

Reflecting on Negotiations and the Road Ahead

• Bert ([14:11]): Recognizes that tough negotiations always leave an emotional residue for both sides, but reiterates the special connection among the team and with listeners.
• Jeff ([15:18]): Admits to being embarrassed by the attention but grateful and committed to moving forward.

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Notable Quotes

• Bert ([00:30]): "Jeff leaves this show, it doesn't sound the same. How could it?"
• Jeff ([08:01]): “What we do is kind of a big deal. You know what I mean? Like, it's superficial, but it's a comfort thing.”
• Bert ([09:41]): “This had zero to do with any kind of publicity stunt. This has all been 100% authentic.”
• Jeff ([14:00]): “The reason I'm in this chair right now is because of the people in this room and no other reason at all.”
• Jeff ([06:39]): “I'm not good with humility. I really, really like myself, but I'm not comfortable with other people liking me.”
• Listener Michael ([10:40]): “It's been on a comedy hiatus since he’s been gone.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30 — Bert reflects on stress and impact of Jeff’s absence
• 03:07 — Announcement: Jeff is officially coming back
• 04:15 — Jeff on the turbulence of negotiations
• 06:39 — Jeff on social media support and listener impact
• 08:01 — Jeff discusses radio’s daily presence in listeners’ lives
• 09:41 — Bert denies publicity stunt rumors
• 10:34–12:41 — Emotional listener call-ins
• 12:43 — Jeff on family challenges during the ordeal
• 14:00 — Jeff credits the show’s team for his decision to return
• 15:15 — Show reflects on lessons, unity, and future

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Memorable Moments

• The banter about needing Jeff simply to retrieve office supplies ([06:23]) lightens the mood amid tense discussion.
• Jeff’s self-deprecating humor about “retirement” and “selling Mary Kay” during his contract hiatus ([07:55]) draws laughs and brings levity to the conversation.
• Multiple listeners nearly in tears express just how much Jeff means to their morning routine, underscoring his importance as a comfort voice.

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Summary

This episode is a heartfelt, often humorous exploration of what happens when a central team member’s future is in doubt. The team shares the behind-the-scenes stress and the outpouring of listener support, ultimately celebrating Jeff’s return. The group affirms their bond, the impact of passionate listeners, and acknowledges lingering feelings from a fraught contract process—all delivered in the candid, authentic, and funny voice that defines The Bert Show.

Transcript

[A]

Hey everybody, lady luck here. And we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now all summer long I'm going to be celebrating by playing on spinquest.com which is an American owned social casino. It obviously features over a thousand slot games and live blackjack, live craps, live bubble craps. Head on over to spinquest.com get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. The Birch show if you haven't been listening the last couple of days, we have tried to detail for you guys as much as we have been able to, the stalemate between Jeff and Cumulus when it came to his contract. Jeff's contract expired on December 31st and he hasn't been with us all week while they tried to work it out. And it's been, it's, they've both been very hard headed about the whole thing if you ask me. And it's been a stressful, stressful time for everybody in here. Uh, it's been very stressful for Jeff and his family also. Uh, I, I have received very few emails the last week that have been enjoyable to read because if you think about it, none of them are complimentary. Um, the ones that say, hey, you guys will be fine without Jeff, I get offended by because they belittle Jeff's role on the show and that's my friend and he's our partner. Uh, the ones that say, hey, I won't listen again if Jeff's not there aren't fun to listen to either because for obvious reasons, there's nothing I could do about it. The ones that were demanding that I bring Jeff back were frustrated, frustrating also because I had nothing to do with it. I've been fighting for Jeff now for six weeks, eight weeks with corporate. So I'm doing everything I can. So reading the email saying, hey, you gotta bring Jeff back or show's never gonna be this same. Well, you're right. I mean, I know everything that you guys wrote in emails the last couple of weeks are absolutely true. Jeff leaves this show, it doesn't sound the same. How could it? If Melissa leaves the show and we've got no Melissa, the show changes and it changes for the worse for a while and then you gotta replace him with somebody hopefully that we bring up to the same quality level or beyond, you know. So it has been no joy for anybody the last couple of weeks for sure. It's taken its toll on everybody in here. We've all sort of been on edge. The studio has felt empty to us the last couple of days too, partially because Melissa wasn't here as well. But not having Jeff in here has left a huge void for all of us. So I don't know. I've been getting the tweets and the emails and I've just been getting more and more frustrated the last couple of days because there's nothing I could do about it. We've done everything that we can. If Jen could run over to Cumulus the last couple of days and, you know, figure out a way to get this done, it would have happened. Wendy to Melissa. I'm not so sure.

[B]

No, I don't have interrupted nap time. Yeah. I would have to get on a

[A]

phone to make the appointment.

[B]

I'm not going to do too much effort.

[A]

Just tell me tomorrow what happened.

[B]

Yeah, just fill me in later.

[C]

Whatever.

[A]

So the bottom line is this, is that through weeks and weeks and weeks and months and months of negotiations that Jeff dollar is coming back to the Burt show. Okay. We are gonna be a family again.

[B]

Good. Good.

[A]

And I don't know the details of the whole thing, but I do know this, that Jeff should be here any second.

[D]

Oh.

[A]

He will be in studio this morning. And it is thankfully done. Done. Done. Done.

[B]

You're sure?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

It's like signed on the dotted line. Done.

[A]

It has been so close to being done for a while now, but I am much like you, so skeptical that could anything could turn cuz these neg.

[C]

There he is.

[A]

Hey.

[B]

Hi, Jeff.

[A]

D. Get over here. Jen was just asking 100. Are we 100% certain? Are we sure?

[B]

Are you really, really sure?

[A]

I remember you.

[D]

I remember you.

[A]

I'm so excited.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Hey. You got a haircut.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

You do.

[B]

It looks good.

[D]

I had a lot of time to do a lot of things.

[B]

Yeah, we noticed. We've been working.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Jeff just said to me, are you 100% sure? This is.

[B]

Are you 100% sure? Like, signed on the dotted line? Done.

[A]

Jeff and I have gone through the thing the last couple of days like we weren't gonna allow this to happen unless it was 100% signed, sealed, delivered and signed. And because it really. I mean, things have been so turbulent the last couple of months, in the last couple of weeks especially, that it felt to me like the negotiations were blowing from one end to the other. On one day, Jeff and I would talk and it was like, all right, buddy, looks like it's gonna happen. And then the next day, Jeff and I would Talk. And it was like, doesn't look like it's gonna happen. Then the next day it's fine. Then it sucked. So he's been on this emotional roller coaster. He's putting his mic in with Jessica also. And every day, he didn't want to leave. You know, he hasn't wanted to leave either. And every day, him and Jessica have been going through this as a family as well.

[D]

There were moments.

[A]

Yeah, right. There were moments, actually, during this whole thing that I almost advised him to take off.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. Just because of the way everything was handled. In some cases. Yeah.

[D]

But that's all behind us, right?

[B]

Is it all behind us?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

I don't know why I want to see it. Show me the big stack of papers with that stapler that's extra big. I actually see your signature on it.

[D]

I actually thought about bringing it in, like, framed yesterday, because I signed it yesterday, and it's not. And I was also. It's not really that big. It's only three pages.

[A]

Really only.

[D]

It's actually only two pages. And I wanted so much more than that. Like, I wanted.

[A]

I want to be bound.

[D]

I wanted it in one of those little attorney things like the Da Vinci Code. Like, I didn't want just two pieces of paper. I wanted something written on the flesh of someone. But whatever, it's done.

[B]

Welcome back, Jim.

[A]

You must want to say more than that about it.

[D]

Well, yeah. I heard the break with Serial Monogamist this morning, and I've got. I'm not going to make her cry yet, but, God, you're an idiot. So I hope we can talk about that again. And I honestly.

[A]

That wasn't a caller if you weren't listening.

[D]

That was Jen Hobby, and I haven't listened to the show since. That was the first. The first break I heard was that one this morning, so I missed it.

[B]

Well, and also welcome back because we're

[A]

glad that you have the key to

[B]

the cabinet that has all the office supplies in it. That's what we were really upset about.

[D]

You guys haven't had spoons.

[A]

We have not been able to eat. We came to that realization a couple of days ago that if for nothing else, you gotta come back and at least give us the key to the cabinet.

[D]

I didn't even think of that. I would have given it to Tracy. I do want to say that, and I wrote about this on my blog, that the attention that this has gotten started out as very humbling. And I'm not good with humility. I really, really like myself, but I'm not comfortable with other people liking me. So at the beginning, it was really humbling and really embarrassing. And by yesterday, it was just weird. Like, I seriously felt like there were people walking through hallways of schools, like, with Pepsi cans doing save Ferris campaigns. Because, I mean, in the whole big scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal. But I appreciate the fact that everybody, including, you know, you all in this room and. But everybody on Facebook and Twitter and the fact that there was an interest like that, I mean, that made me feel good. So that was. That was cool and almost made it worth it, you know what I mean? Like, to go to bed at night and think, wow, this is really cool. People like me and people like the show and people care. As someone who was I unemployed or retired?

[A]

You were unemployed.

[D]

Unemployed, Yeah. I want to come out of retirement. Can I be retired instead?

[A]

Yes, I guess you could say that.

[D]

Okay, so when I was retired, are

[A]

you planning on not working ever again?

[D]

There was a minute there where I was like, I know there were some

[A]

people that were trying to make that happen.

[D]

Yeah, there was a minute there where I was wondering if a guy could sell Mary Kay or a Pampered Chef. But during that time, that brief time, like earlier this week, and reading all the messages, it became apparent how, like, the people that my parents listened to on their low clock radio in the kitchen when they were getting ready, and then how integral and comfortable that becomes part of your life. Like, I remember distinctly who I listened to, who my parents listened to, and then when I became probably 16 and got my own car, like, who I listened to, and, you know, those different morning shows and stuff, and I was reminded of, you know, like, what we do is kind of a big deal. You know what I mean? Like, it's superficial, but it's a comfort thing. So there's also an appreciation there for the people who are fans and who have supported us. I have a lot of appreciation for the fact that they're allowing us to be the ones to be in their kitchen or bedroom or shower or car every morning. That's really cool.

[A]

And I've worked on a lot of different morning shows, but the passion level of Burt show listeners is something pretty unique to me.

[B]

Always has been.

[A]

To me, it always has been. But you really got to see it the last couple of days for sure. One way or the other, People are passionate.

[B]

I was gonna say, from before I ever even joined the show. And you guys doing Masha's graduation, I mean, that was the listeners passion and support coming forward. To make that happen. Burt's big adventure exists because our listeners are passionate about what we do. You know, we're able to do all kinds of amazing things throughout this community because of the listeners. And I think you're right. I think they, they showed up in full force when there was the possibility of Jeff not being here.

[A]

For the one or two or three of you guys that thought this was some kind of publicity stunt for ratings, I with 100% wholeheartedly tell you this had zero to do with any kind of publicity stunt. This has all been 100% authentic. I would never put our staff through that and I would never put you guys through that. This is not like an April Fool's joke, right? I mean, this is our lives. And we do take it very seriously that we gotta entertain you guys before you get into, to work or school. And there's, there's a trust between the two of us and we wouldn't stunt you guys with something this big.

[B]

We wouldn't be as exhausted as we all are if it were a stunt.

[D]

Especially coming off of a vacation week when listenership is down. If we'll stunt, we're going to do it in primetime rating season when listenership's out.

[B]

April, May or June, baby, we're not

[D]

wasting it right now. We'll do it. It'll happen at 7:15 when we're kicking off our thousand dollar giveaway people on Monday. Not now.

[A]

Hey, Michael, good Morning. You're on Q100.

[C]

Hey, thank goodness that Jeff is back. I love the vert show, but it's

[A]

been on a comedy hiatus since he's been gone.

[D]

Oh, thanks, man. I appreciate that.

[A]

Yeah, again, like, I don't know how to respond to stuff like that. Again, there are no comments or no emails that feel good because I think the show has been fine the last couple of days. But when you take, when you take a call like that, it's offensive for the people that are in here. So there has been no constructive criticism or no email or no call the last couple of days. That sits well on at any level because the ones that came in that said that it's been fine without you are offensive also to me because you're

[D]

part of our team and they're wrong.

[A]

Hey, Susan, good morning. You're on Q100.

[C]

Good morning. I won't offend anybody. I just want to say welcome back, Jeff. I'm so happy. And now I don't have to send out any more emails.

[D]

Thanks, Susan.

[A]

Hey, Amy, good Morning. You're on Q100. Hi. Hey.

[C]

I just want to tell Jeff I'm about to cry. I'm so happy to hear him on the radio.

[D]

That's awesome. But I feel weird about that. I'm not worth it.

[C]

Oh, yeah? Yeah. I've been following you on your blog and everything all week, so it's like everything's good now.

[B]

That was a well constructed blog yesterday.

[A]

You did a great job.

[D]

What do you mean?

[A]

Good morning, Michelle. You're on Q100.

[C]

Hey, guys. I was so worried this was going to be like a toucher thing. I didn't listen to y' all until y' all took over from 99X, but he just adds something to the whole team, and I'm glad y' all are whole again.

[A]

Absolutely. I think you guys are all saying what we were feeling the last couple of days.

[C]

Y' all are awesome.

[A]

Thank you.

[D]

That touch, I think, was one of those veiled compliment things. I get what you're saying. Very talented. But, God, that guy looked bad at the end of his morning show run here in Atlanta.

[A]

Good morning, Kim. You are on Q100. Hi.

[C]

Hey, there. How you guys doing this morning?

[A]

Good. How are you?

[C]

I'm doing great. I just wanted to say welcome back, Jeff. I love you so much. I love each and every one of you. I think you all add something very different and special to the show. And I'm just so glad he's back.

[D]

Awesome. Thank you very much.

[C]

Thank you very much.

[A]

How's Jessica done with this whole thing? I got a whole bunch of emails wondering how the family has done the whole thing. Because you go through one of these, everybody in your life goes through it.

[D]

She's fine. It's. Yeah. I mean, it was a weird journey. And I joke about the blog thing, but if you do read the blog, there is never a place where my future was in danger. Like, there was never a place where I was gonna lose a house. You know what I mean? So that made everything okay. There's certainly a lot of frustration and a lot of anger and a lot of questioning, you know, which, you know, door to open or whatever, however you want to say it. And that, I think, was really stressful for both of us, especially making decisions, despite. I feel like it's almost like asking out the person who just called you really ugly and fat, you know what I'm saying? Like, that there was a lot of that.

[A]

During the negotiations, you mean?

[D]

Yes. And at the end when I. Yeah, so there was a lot. There was a lot of that, like, weird, conflicting, not feeling wanted, but Feeling wanted. I will tell you this, and I told this to Bird on the phone and I'll have no problem saying this, this publicly, but the reason I'm in this chair right now is because of the people in this room and no other reason at all.

[A]

Understand that. Yeah, these are tough to go through. They really are. I mean, when you're in any negotiation with any company, it's your job to get the most for your family and the most for yourself. And you take a certain amount of pride in what you do and you want to feel appreciated. And your company, it's their job to keep you there for as little as they can. They've got budgets to take care of also. And how those two meet in the middle is sometimes very, very difficult. In this case, it hasn't been pretty at all. And there's ramifications, I mean, that are probably your attitude is going to be different towards the company because it didn't go as well as you wanted it to. I mean, it's done. Or a family again. But there's still, I mean, there's some things that in any negotiation, if it's not handled well or you don't feel it's handled well, those linger.

[D]

Indeed.

[A]

And I think you're gonna feel that for a while. But what we do have here is special and the company saw that and Jeff knows that and we all know that also. So it's together again.

[B]

Huge sigh of relief.

[A]

It is together again.

[D]

And I really am, I do, I do appreciate the well wishes but God, I am so embarrassed by it. Like, it's really not like I don't get embarrassed easily. Especially I don't get embarrassed and people are telling me how much they like me. But this is.

[A]

This doesn't happen often.

[D]

No.

[A]

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[D]

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