Vault: Hotlanta Violator

Summary

The Bert Show — “Vault: Hotlanta Violator”

Episode Date: July 24, 2026
Podcast: The Bert Show
Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy (not all present in segment—mainly lead host and co-hosts)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around a listener call-in segment about the divisive use of the term “Hotlanta.” Prompted by an incident at a 30 Seconds to Mars concert where Jared Leto uses the phrase onstage, the Bert Show hosts and a passionate caller debate the local backlash against “Hotlanta,” etiquette for visitors, and the responsibility of both celebrities and locals to uphold Atlanta’s (cooler!) reputation.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “Hotlanta” Incident (01:20–03:25)

• Caller recounts: Attended 30 Seconds to Mars concert. Jared Leto asked the crowd for social media caption ideas; audience members suggest “Hotlanta,” which Leto repeats and then publicly professes his love for “Hotlanta.”
• Violation: The term “Hotlanta” is considered by many locals to be outdated and cheesy; its use is, in the caller’s words, a “Hotlanta violator” moment.

Notable Quote:

• “Jared Leto completely violated the hotline.” —Caller (01:52)

2. Who’s to Blame? Leto or the Locals? (02:12–02:45)

• Hosts discuss: Is this truly Jared's fault, or should the locals who fed him the phrase shoulder some blame?
  • The consensus: Locals on stage should have prevented the moment.
  • Even if provoked, it’s still a violation.

Memorable Moments:

• “Now, see, I think he was set up. See, I don't blame him as much as I blame the locals that were in the audience.” —Co-host 3 (02:12)
• “Like some of the guys from 9X were on stage and they didn't even tell him, hey, dude, you cannot say that.” —Caller (02:25)

3. Atlanta’s Image and the “No More Hotlanta” Campaign (02:45–03:25)

• Hosts reiterate: Atlanta has moved past “Hotlanta.” The show has an ongoing campaign urging people not to use it, educating visitors and even celebrities.
• Responsibility: Locals should guide visitors away from old stereotypes about Atlanta.

Notable Quote:

• “No more Hotlanta. That was an old—it's an old term. We're a cool, hip city and Hotlanta just makes it sound cheesy.” —Radio Host (02:46)

  Another Key Quote:

• “Doesn’t matter how hot you are. You still can’t use that word.” —Co-host 2 (03:25)

4. Jared Leto’s Onstage Attitude (03:29–03:57)

• The caller’s assessment: Leto’s “hotness” took a hit not just because of the “Hotlanta” faux pas, but because he was notably cocky during the show, frequently referencing his own attractiveness and asking the crowd to validate it.
• Adds a layer: The incident wasn’t just about the word, but the performer’s vibe.

Memorable Moment:

• “Yes, but you know what? His hot facts went down a little bit because he's extremely cocky and in the entire concert, talked about how hot he was and wanted the crowd to tell him how hot he was.” —Caller (03:34)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• Caller:
  “Jared Leto completely violated the hotline.” (01:52)
• Co-host 3:
  “Now, see, I think he was set up. See, I don't blame him as much as I blame the locals that were in the audience.” (02:12)
• Caller:
  “Like some of the guys from 9X were on stage and they didn't even tell him, hey, dude, you cannot say that.” (02:25)
• Radio Host:
  “No more Hotlanta. That was an old—it's an old term. We're a cool, hip city and Hotlanta just makes it sound cheesy.” (02:46)
• Co-host 2:
  “Doesn’t matter how hot you are. You still can’t use that word.” (03:25)
• Caller:
  “Yes, but you know what? His hot facts went down a little bit because he's extremely cocky and in the entire concert, talked about how hot he was and wanted the crowd to tell him how hot he was.” (03:34)

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Structure and Tone

• The conversation is lively, playful, and rooted in the camaraderie of Atlanta locals having fun while debating a genuine pet peeve.
• There’s a fair amount of teasing—both of outsiders for not “getting it,” and of each other, in the way only morning radio hosts can.

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Useful Takeaways

• Atlanta locals feel strongly about outdated characterizations like “Hotlanta.”
• Even celebrities aren’t immune from public correction—and should be careful using local jargon onstage.
• The “Hotlanta” debate is emblematic of how cities’ images evolve, and how communities can guide outsiders—sometimes with a little sass.

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For new listeners:
If you’ve ever wondered why Atlanta shudders at “Hotlanta,” or how celebrities can accidentally step in it with hometown crowds, this segment is a spirited, funny, and revealing mini-case study on local pride—with all the attitude and affection you expect from The Bert Show cast.

Transcript

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[Radio Host]

Good morning, cat. You are on Q100.

[Caller]

Hello. How are you guys doing?

[Radio Host]

Perfect. How are you?

[Caller]

I'm doing wonderful. A little tired, A little tired. But I'm gonna. I'm gonna be just fine today.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Co-host 2]

Okay.

[Radio Host]

What can we do for you?

[Caller]

I was at the 30 seconds of Mars concert last night and I just have a Hotlanta Violator.

[Radio Host]

Thank you for calling us.

[Caller]

Actually, Jared Leto took a picture of the concert, of the crowd, and he asked everyone, what should he have as his caption? I'm guessing he was tweeting the picture. I'm not sure.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Caller]

And people were shouting out answers of our suggestions for what it should be. And a couple people said, you know, hot. Something related to Hotlanta. So he would repeat what they said. And then later on, he decided that he should tell everyone that he loves Hotlanta. So Jared Leto completely violated the hotline.

[Co-host 3]

Now, see, I think he was set up. See, I don't blame him as much as I blame the locals that were in the audience.

[Co-host 1]

And that was, you know what? That was our sister. That was 99 Extra Show.

[Radio Host]

They should know.

[Co-host 1]

Yes, that's like your cousin flipping you off in traffic.

[Caller]

Like some of the guys from 9X were on stage and they didn't even tell him, hey, dude, you cannot say that.

[Co-host 3]

So he still violated.

[Caller]

No matter if it was someone that kind of provoked him to or not, he still did it.

[Radio Host]

He should know better.

[Co-host 2]

She is vehemently against this, and it

[Co-host 3]

was a listener in the audience that obviously moved here from somewhere else.

[Radio Host]

So we have a couple of things to address. First. Again, we have this Hot Lanta campaign. No more Hotlanta. That was an old. It's an old term. We're a cool, hip city, and Hotlanta just makes it sound cheesy. So we're trying to spread the word. Don't refer to Atlanta as Hotlanta anymore. And as locals, we have a responsibility, because it generally is the people that are coming in from Chicago, Louisiana, and they're all, oh, I can't wait to visit you in Hotlanta. Well, you have to educate them, and it's old. That's kind of old, right? So we have to address that. Then someone has to get on Twitter today and be sure to tell Jared Leto. Know that. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Don't do that again the next time you're here. No.

[Co-host 2]

Doesn't matter how hot you are. You still can't use that word.

[Radio Host]

You don't get a pass.

[Co-host 2]

He may get a little bit of a pass. Is he still, like, as hot as he's always been?

[Caller]

Yes, but you know what? He. His hot facts went down a little bit because he's extremely cocky and in the entire concert, talked about how hot he was and wanted the crowd to tell him how hot he was.

[Co-host 1]

What would he say?

[Co-host 2]

How did he do that?

[Caller]

Yeah, he was just like, oh, I know all of you guys want to be my groupies, and, you know, oh,

[Co-host 1]

guess what? You mess with Jared Leto and things happen to you. You know what I mean? Like, you're there, things are cool, whatever, and next thing you know, gone.

[Radio Host]

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