Vault: How will she handle her crush next week?

Summary

The Bert Show: Vault - "How Will She Handle Her Crush Next Week?"

Date: August 7, 2026

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers around Wendy’s major crush on Casey James, a recently eliminated contestant from American Idol. The Bert Show cast discusses (and debates!) how Wendy should approach her interview with Casey during the finale week in LA. The episode is packed with playful banter, flirtation strategy, and a steady stream of genuine (and hilarious) support from Bert, the co-hosts, callers, and even former contestants.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Wendy’s Crush on Casey James

• Wendy shares her excitement and nerves about meeting Casey James, setting the stage for a week in LA filled with American Idol interviews.
• She confesses her long-time crush:

  “I’ve had the biggest crush on Casey since he was like in the top 24, it’s really good looking. And he plays the guitar, which is two really good qualities in a man.”
  —Wendy (02:27)

2. Prepping Wendy for the Interview

• The show’s team brainstorms ways for Wendy to break the ice and subtly signal her interest.
  • Texas connection, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and hot dogs are suggested as casual conversation entries.
  • Siobhan and Jen recall past celebrity crush moments (like meeting Sean William Scott).
  • The team laughs about the logistics: Should Wendy have “wingmen” by her side, or go solo for a more honest moment?
• Bert’s vote: Wendy should do the interview one-on-one for authenticity.

  “My preference would be to have Wendy handle this one on one with Casey.”
  —Bert (05:18)

3. Flirtation Strategy, On-Air & Off

• Joanna’s Advice (08:15–10:27):
  • Use body language, eye contact, and confident smiling to signal interest in the interview (even outside a social context like a bar).
  • Classic moves: smiling, direct eye contact, maybe even a playful wink.

    “You just gotta show them with body language that you’re interested. Because you’re not gonna be able to tell them in an interview…but you can tell them with your eyes and with your smile and the way you carry yourself.”
    —Joanna (08:36)

• The Team’s Suggestions:
  • Hair flipping, laughter, and using “inside scoop” details for authentic conversation.
  • Playful joking about wearing two bras, pushing cleavage, and “going commando” for hidden confidence.

    “Put on two bras. I mean, put ’em out there, girl.”
    —Siobhan (14:20)

• Physical Touch as Icebreaker:
  • Callers and hosts debate whether a small, friendly touch (like on Casey’s hand or hair) could help Wendy relax and be memorable.

4. Debate: Team or Solo?

• Arguments for group support: “Be her security blanket but not say much.” (Jen, 11:25)
• Arguments for solo: “I think it’s better for Wendy to sit one-on-one with Casey because we have built up to this…” (Bert, 11:52)
• Everyone agrees the setting—fast-paced, TV publicists waving, quick interviews—makes for a unique, high-pressure mix.

5. Real Talk & Comic Relief

• The show’s tone is equal parts supportive and teasing:
  • They revisit past “crush” antics and make fun of each other’s failed flirting moments (“I’m gonna screw it all up. I’m gonna wrinkle my nose and wink at the same time, all while trying to lift my foot.” —Wendy, 16:15).
  • Authentic advice and playful reminders: Wendy just needs to be herself.

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Notable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Casey James’ Shoutout:

  • “My name is Casey James. Hi, Wendy. In Atlanta. In Atlanta, awesome. Okay. My aunt lives close to there.”
    —Casey James (03:59)

• Classic Bert Show Banter:

  • “He is tall and hot.” —Siobhan (02:51)
  • “Should we try to get the aunt on? She lives close here.” —Bert (04:21)
  • “Every time Bert tries to talk, it's…” —Jen (02:13, as Wendy keeps interrupting Bert out of excitement)

• Advice Segment:

  • “If you’re cute, if you’re not good looking, he’s not attracted to you and you wink at him and that’s cheesy. He doesn’t want anything to do with you. But if he thinks you’re cute and you wink, it’s a totally different ball game.”
    —Bert (14:02)

• Call-in Confidence Boosters:

  • “She comes across on the radio just adorable and charming… Parvati is the perfect flirt. She’s got that, you know, you drop your chin, you crinkle your nose when you giggle. You got to use your eyes…”
    —Caller Carol (14:52)
  • “Wendy should go commando.”
    —Caller Chris (16:02, callback to previous show advice)

• Wendy’s Comic Anxiety:

  • “I’m gonna screw it all up. I’m gonna wrinkle my nose and wink at the same time, all while trying to lift my foot.”
    —Wendy (16:15)

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Episode Timeline & Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:30 | Recap of American Idol eliminations and Wendy’s mission | | 02:27 | Wendy confesses her crush; plans for interview | | 03:57 | Casey James’ shoutout/connection-making | | 04:42 | Strategy debate: business-style vs. one-on-one vs. group | | 05:24 | One-on-one vs. group support—Bert leads decision making | | 08:15 | Joanna’s “Winning a Guy Over 101”: Flirt advice & body language| | 11:25 | Group as “security blanket” idea; comic proposals follow | | 12:15 | Building up Wendy’s inside scoop checklist | | 13:07 | Call-in advice: touch as an anxiety diffuser | | 14:52 | “Be yourself!” encouragement from listeners and hosts | | 16:02 | Confidence tip: going commando—playful ending |

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is classic Bert Show: lively, irreverent, full of genuine group support laced with sarcasm and self-deprivation. The focus is on building Wendy’s confidence for a playful, potentially flirty (but professional) interview with her TV crush. Heartfelt peer advice blends smoothly with teasing, making for a relatable and entertaining primer on handling nerves, celebrity interviews, and workplace crushes.

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Best Summary in One Line:
A hilarious, heartfelt group coaching session for Wendy’s high-stakes celebrity crush interview, with plenty of real-world advice and classic Bert Show camaraderie.

Transcript

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[Host (Bert)]

the Birch show the good night on American Idol last night for Wendy. Very good night. It's all playing out just the way we wanted it to. Joining Lee

[Co-host (Jen)]

for a shot at the title is Crystal Bower socks.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Is that safe?

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

That means Casey James is going home.

[Casey James]

I can't believe it man. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and it's been an amazing, amazing journey and I'm just so honored that that I'm here. It's amazing.

[Host (Bert)]

So why is that?

[Wendy]

We wanted to hear him sing one more time.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Every time Bert tries to talk it's

[Host (Bert)]

so why is that important to you?

[Wendy]

No, because I'm now we're going to LA week of course for American Idol. So we'll be at the finale but we get to talk with all the eliminated American Idol contestants and since Casey James has been eliminated he'll get to come to our table and I will get some one on one time with Casey James. And I've had the biggest crush on Casey since he was like in the top 24, it's really good looking. And he plays the guitar, which is two really good qualities in a man.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

He is tall and hot.

[Host (Bert)]

He's got that long, good Juvexin hair.

[Wendy]

He is hunky. I love that.

[Host (Bert)]

So we've really, over the last couple of weeks, we're kind of invested in this because every time that we have a former contestant of American Idol on, what we'll do is we'll ask them, look, can you give us a little insight about Casey that Wendy will be able to throw in? A casual conversation that Casey at some point might go, whoa, everything this chick is saying is connecting with me.

[Caller Krista]

Uh huh.

[Announcer]

Wow.

[Wendy]

We have a lot in common.

[Host (Bert)]

We have a lot in common randomly. We gotta walk a fine line here because we don't want it to be overt, but we want her to be able to just sort of throw in from time to time that she's from Texas.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

That's right.

[Host (Bert)]

And he's gonna be like, what? I am on from Texas.

[Announcer]

Let's talk.

[Host (Bert)]

Or there was a band.

[Wendy]

Was it Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[Host (Bert)]

Stevie Ray Vaughan. You might just throw that in there somehow, some way.

[Wendy]

Or buy a T shirt somewhere.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Doesn't he like hot dogs? Didn't somebody say he likes to eat hot dogs?

[Wendy]

I think Siobhan said he likes hot dogs. So I'm just gonna have some hot dogs prepared. I don't know how I'm gonna do that.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

But he's already heard about you once. Remember when I was in LA on the red carpet? That's right. He already said hi to you. I have that.

[Casey James]

My name is Casey James. Hi, Wendy. In Atlanta. In Atlanta, Awesome. Okay. My aunt lives close to there.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Tons of fans in Atlanta. We're all really proud of you. But Wendy's just gonna love hearing from you. So you want to say something really sweet?

[Casey James]

Well, thank you so much, Wendy, for being a fan of mine. I really, really, really appreciate it.

[Wendy]

I don't want to be more than a fan though, does it?

[Host (Bert)]

Should we try to get the ant on? She lives close here.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

I mean, why not and get advice from her.

[Co-host (Jen)]

He's from Texas though. Like any the United States outside of Texas is close to everywhere else in the United States. She could be in Chicago, it's just not in Texas.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

But you could bring that up. That's another thing that's true conversation. You have family dies to Atlanta.

[Host (Bert)]

Immediate connection right there.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

See, it's great.

[Host (Bert)]

All great stuff. So we still have to talk about how we're going to handle this with Casey. Because the way that it will roll next week, where and we're in LA for American Idol week, is that Fox will roll out contestant after contestant after contestant, former contestants from former seasons, some from this season. And at one point, we're all going to be sitting there at our little broadcast studio and Casey James is going to be next up. So we're deciding, do we do this as a straight business interview and just have Wendy sort of just throw things in and be part of the conversation? My. My preference would be to have Wendy handle this one on one with Casey.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

I agree.

[Caller Krista]

And.

[Host (Bert)]

And she seems a little freaked out by that.

[Wendy]

It's not necessarily that I'm freaked out, but it would be nice to have wingmen and women around just to sort of help you out in case you need like a filter or a bumper. Just in case, you know, I mean, just in case my words get a little bit frazzled because we helped Jen out when she had the big old crush with Stifler. We didn't leave the room when we all had to talk to Stifler on the air.

[Host (Bert)]

That's not true. She actually went up to Stifler's hotel room alone.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Yeah, I did talk to Stifler one on one. Sean William Scott, by the way.

[Co-host (Jen)]

And they did.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

P.S. i don't have a crush on him anymore.

[Wendy]

Not anymore.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Way uglier.

[Co-host (Jen)]

And Jen was. Jen was the inside of the spoon and Stiffer. Used her back for friction.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

I'm so confused.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

It's a trick. It's a trick. I have.

[Wendy]

I don't get that one.

[Host (Bert)]

But either way. So we helped out on that, but we did what I'm saying she went up there by herself. I mean, she had some real one on one with him.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

You can do it. I mean, I think it would be awkward if we're all sitting there and they bring Casey James over quickly, drop him, and we all stand up and leave.

[Host (Bert)]

Can't do that.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Like that wouldn't be an awkward moment.

[Host (Bert)]

Because then it's too. It's overtly obvious what's going on. And it's unprofessional at that point.

[Joanna]

Point.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

And the intimidation is not just to talk to him, it's the fact that it's an interview. I mean, because we're there for interviews. So I think what's intimidating Wendy is not to have a conversation with him, but to lead him into an interview style conversation.

[Host (Bert)]

Here is TC. Good morning, tc. What is up, dude?

[TC]

Hey, how's it going, everybody?

[Host (Bert)]

Good to hear from you again, man.

[TC]

Hey, good to Talk to y', all, too. Hey, I think that you guys all should just. As soon as he walks up to the table, all of y' all instantly turn around like you're busy or gotta make a bathroom break and just let Wendy handle it on her own.

[Host (Bert)]

That would be so uncomfortable, though. That part to me would seem unprofessional. Like, if the publicist. If we know in advance that he's gonna be there, he's the next guest up, then I think it makes it way easier if we're just not at the broadcast facility and you're the only one. Maybe that's it. It's like, I can't believe I don't know where the rest of the show is. I mean, and here I am, I'm stuck here with you. And then maybe that's how you get into it.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Well, you've done. I mean, because we were there last year and I forgot which idolist it was that I think there was only a couple of us at the table at the moment because of. Because again, there. There are some stragglers that come in at odd times, people run into. It's a very intensive, fast paced environment. And I do believe, if I remember, you and I were at a table with somebody and I mean, since I don't talk to anybody, then Wendy handled the interview well. So it could be the same scenario where I don't know where everybody else is, but here, have a seat and just start going.

[Host (Bert)]

Started to happen with Miley yesterday.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Yeah, exactly.

[Host (Bert)]

Half of us weren't even in the studio.

[Co-host (Jen)]

And you have the same crush on Miley Cyrus that you just lose that Liam dude.

[Host (Bert)]

So Joanna heard us talking earlier this morning. She heard some insecurity in your voice, and she thinks she can help you out.

[Joanna]

Well, it actually started off as a joke where I said, if you wanted me, I could teach you how to win a guy over 101 class. But I do. You know, I dated, you know, yeah, I'm engaged now, but I dated before Jason, and I think I was really good at it. You know, I dated a lot of guys. And I don't think. Because it is an interview, I think you have to show a lot through body language, and you have to. The way you got to look at him right in the eyes. And you've got to do certain things with, you know, you just got to show them with body language that you're interested. Because you're not gonna be able to tell them in an interview that you're interested, but you can tell them with your Eyes and with your smile and the way you carry yourself.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Joanna, I guarantee there are guys that you went out with that don't even know you have eyes.

[Joanna]

Well, when I went out with them, I didn't have boobs, so they had to know I have eyes.

[Tyler Reddick]

Oh, yeah.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Then they did.

[Joanna]

Now they know. So anyways, so yes. I mean, I'm not gonna be like, oh, I'm an expert. I know so much. But I think I was really good at it. And I could. If you really want, I could tell you a couple of things.

[Wendy]

I see. I think it's different when you go out and you want to hit on somebody and pursue somebody, and it's easy that way. But this is like a whole different style. This is not like at a bar or where everyone has a little bit of alcohol in their system. You know that. I think it's easier in that sort of setting. In like a party setting. And you're out for a reason. You're single with your girlfriends. But this is like an interview.

[Joanna]

I disagree. I think you can flirt anywhere. It doesn't have to be in a bar or. I mean, I flirted, you know, when I'm in the car next to a guy. I mean, not now, obviously, but before I was in a, you know, traffic light. And the way you look at them and things like that. I mean, you flirt everywhere.

[Host (Bert)]

So if you were in Wendy's situation here, I mean, obviously you actually are Wendy, Then what do you do that day, body language wise? Because I think there is something a little bit different here. There's no.

[Caller Krista]

It's.

[Host (Bert)]

There's no alcohol. You know, when you go to a bar, it's almost implied. I'm here to meet dudes. Dudes are here to meet women. And you don't have this here, so what can she do?

[Wendy]

Work?

[Joanna]

Well, it's just the way. The way, like, you've got to hold yourself and just be very confident and come off as a confident person. Smile at him a lot. You know, you just gotta look at him directly in the eyes and, you know, maybe sneak a wink in if you want. I mean, in a very appropriate way.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Sneak a wink? How do you sneak a wink?

[Joanna]

Like, maybe he says something funny and you smile and wink at him.

[Host (Bert)]

He's gonna be like something that's cheesy.

[Tyler Reddick]

I think that

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Joanna's right, like, as far as, like, turning it on with the smiling and laughing. Because guys want to be funn. And so I think girls kick up the laughter notch in front of a guy that they think is Cute.

[Casey James]

Absolutely.

[Co-host (Jen)]

A wink, though, is kind of a.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

And like the hair flip. I think that the hair flip is a key.

[Joanna]

Yeah, flipping the hair. And trust me, Jeff, if I were.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

And touching your hair a lot. You know, the hair flip is good.

[Host (Bert)]

Now, I'm reading body language, too, here. And I think that you don't think that you need any of this advice.

[Wendy]

I think it's just a completely different setting. It's different than when I go out because I think when I go out, I'm okay and I'm confident, But this is. You can do the same thing, different situation. I think it's just gonna be rushed and get it over with because the fox people are in the background waving. You like, gotta wrap it up. Gotta wrap it up. So you can only do so much in a certain amount of time.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Right. Is it possible for all of us to sit there and kind of be her. Be like her security blanket but not say much?

[Co-host (Jen)]

What if we all wink at him?

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

I mean, is it possible for Jeff not to say something rude in front of him if we're still sitting there in front of microphones? But we just. We just all know we're not going to say a lot. We're going to let Wendy kind of take the lead on this. I don't know.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

I think.

[Host (Bert)]

I mean, for a couple of reasons, but one of them is entertainment. Value wise, I think it's better to hear Wendy one on one with Casey.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

That's probably true.

[Host (Bert)]

Confidence wise, I think it's better for Wendy to sit one on down with one on one with Casey because we

[Co-host (Jeff)]

have built up to this point all the inside scoop for her to bring up in the conversation. So it's a challenge for in the interview that every. We almost do a checklist of what we've learned from all the other idol contestants. And then it's almost a challenge for Wendy to make sure that she includes all that information within the interview.

[Wendy]

I'm smiling because of Jen's facial reaction right now, because I don't know what

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

it means, But I'm just saying he is hot. And it is gonna, like. It's gonna take you some real preparation for this interview because you're gonna be overwhelmed with his looks.

[Host (Bert)]

Does he pass the regular guy test?

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Yes. Yes.

[Co-host (Jen)]

He looks just like Larry Wax.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

No. What Bert's saying is, like, if we were out at a bar and we saw Case, he's not Casey James. He is a head turner. I would say he's better looking in person than he is on camera. You know how there's some of those people that you meet him in person. You're like, wow, you're so much prettier on tv or you're so much prettier in the movies. He's the opposite. Like he's even better looking in person than he is on camera. So I think you gotta just be really prepared because the hotness is gonna be overwhelming and take your breath away a bit. I'm just telling you.

[Host (Bert)]

Here is Krista. Good morning, Krista. You're on the bird show. Hi.

[Caller Krista]

Hey, good morning, guys. Thank you so much. Wendy, you have to own that you, when you go to interview him, touch him because that would diffuse all of that anxiety that you have. You know, just touch his hand. And Big Mike already told you that he's really into his hair. You know, comment on his hair and say, oh, can I touch your hair? Or you know, be something cute and flirty like that. But touch him and that would diffuse anything that you have and you can get some of that hot energy off of him.

[Joanna]

Can you touch? Are you close enough?

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Oh, yeah.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Oh my God, you're so funny.

[Joanna]

Maybe touch him on the knee.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Why don't you get one of those G shot things and then touch him with that?

[Host (Bert)]

And you gotta remember something also with guys, like if he thinks you're cute, there's no such thing as cheesy.

[Joanna]

Okay?

[Host (Bert)]

If you're cute, if you're not good looking, he's not attracted to you and you wink at him and that's cheesy. He doesn't want anything to do with you. But if he thinks you're cute and you wink, it's a totally different ball game.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Absolutely.

[Joanna]

And you have to have confidence. Confidence.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

And I mean, use Joanna's number one trick.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Cleavage.

[Joanna]

Yes.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Put on two bras. I mean, put him out there, girl. Yeah.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Will we get a heads up on when he's in the round of people coming through?

[Co-host (Jen)]

Yeah, we'll see him coming through.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

I just for, for her preparation that day, is she going to have to dollop every single day or is she going to.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Oh, no, I'll know what day.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Is she going to have to push her cleavage to her chin every day or is it just.

[Host (Bert)]

What are we going to.

[Co-host (Jen)]

Well, I'll know what day, but considering I have to sit next to her for six hours for three consecutive days, I'm not gonna tell.

[Host (Bert)]

Hey, Carol, good morning. You're on the first show.

[Caller Carol]

Hey, guys. Hey, good morning. You know, she just needs to be her adorable self. She comes across on the radio just Adorable and charming, and she just needs to remind herself that she is that type of person. And I don't know if you watch Survivor at all, but Parvati is the perfect flirt. She's got that, you know, you drop your chin, you crinkle your nose when you giggle. You got to use your eyes. Eyes are just your eyes, your smile. You got to crinkle that nose when you laugh, kind of kick up your back heel. It is all about body language. You have to own that, you know, and start practicing with people that you see at Starbucks that you think are cute.

[Host (Bert)]

I think you do this all. You already do all of this, but you do it when you're buzzed. Like, you don't. You don't like. The tools go away when you're selling.

[Co-host (Jen)]

So why don't we all do one of those recycle chats with Wendy?

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Oh, but ask Casey James to do a recycled shot and you'll do it.

[Sleep Number Rep]

Oh, perfect.

[Host (Bert)]

Here's Chris. Good morning. You're on the birch.

[Caller Carol]

Hey, a while ago, you guys gave

[TC]

advice to girls to get confident secretly. Wendy should go commando.

[Co-host (Jen)]

That's right.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

Good call, dude.

[Host (Bert)]

Excellent, Chris.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

He can't remember anything else that was talked about on the show that he remembers. That's right.

[Co-host (Siobhan)]

Awesome.

[Wendy]

I'm gonna screw it all up. I'm gonna wrinkle my nose and wink at the same time, all while trying to lift my foot.

[Co-host (Jeff)]

It's all out of the chair.

[Host (Bert)]

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