Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: Phone Scam – Booted Car
Date: December 12, 2025
Platform: Pionaire Podcasting
Featured Host: Rudy (Bert Show Host)
Guest: Jim Stamps (target of the phone scam)

Main Theme

The focus of this episode is a classic “phone scam” segment, where Rudy from The Bert Show orchestrates a playful prank on a listener, Jim Stamps. The premise: Jim—already wary from a past experience—receives a call informing him that his legally parked car has been booted yet again, and he must pay to have it removed. What ensues is a comedic exchange layering frustration, confusion, and ultimately, the big reveal.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting Up the Scam

• Host Context: Rudy opens by sharing his own recurring “parking boot” anxieties as a relatable intro, setting the reason for the prank (01:36).
  • “I don’t know why I have this fear…if I park, if I don’t pay…some dude…goes, ‘Let’s get that one and wait for my $50 cash.’”
• Victim Background: Jim had recently paid for a monthly parking spot but still was targeted for a boot. His coworkers tipped off The Bert Show after Jim’s first ordeal, making him the perfect target for the prank (01:36-01:59).

The Prank Call Begins: Playing It Straight

• Initial Call: Rudy, posing as the parking lot attendant, calls Jim and calmly tells him he needs to bring $75 to unboot his car, “just a courtesy phone call.”
  • Jim: “I shouldn’t have a boot on my car. I paid for the spot, so…” (02:38)
• Pushback: Jim is immediately confused and frustrated, insisting repeatedly that he’s paid legally and shouldn't be booted again (02:48-03:53).
  • Jim: “I mean, obviously, if I’m paying for the spot, you can take the boot off, right?” (03:11)

Comedic Escalation: The Runaround

• Rudy’s Excuses: Rudy suggests paperwork delays as the “reason” for the boot, shifting the blame:
  • “The lot owner hasn’t filled out the paperwork and faxed it over to us yet, so we don’t know that your car is legally parked there.” (03:53-04:09)
• Administrative Dead End: Even after Jim offers to have paperwork faxed, Rudy sticks to his line, calmly repeating the $75 demand.
  • “Sure, but today it’s $75 and you can do that cash or credit card or you can, you know…” (04:35)

Notable Frustration and Humor

• Jim’s Boiling Point: Jim remains polite but increasingly frazzled, asserting the absurdity:
  • “Look, Rudy, I understand you’re just doing your job, but I mean I’m not paying $75 for a boot on a car that’s legally parked. I mean, that’d be ridiculous.” (04:42)
• Dialogue Highlights:
  • Rudy’s Dad Joke: “Are you getting dizzy by any chance?” (05:02)
    • Jim (confused): “Am I getting what?” (05:04)
    • Rudy: “Well, we just keep going round and round and round and round and round and round.” (05:09)
• Climax:
  • Jim: “This is friggin ridiculous, right?” (05:13)
  • Rudy (dryly): “I 100% completely understand. So.” (05:28)

The Reveal

• Call to Supervisor: Jim threatens to call the police, seeking escalation as the only resolution (05:56-06:21).
• Surprise Reveal:
  • Rudy: “Okay, all right, then you call the cops and let them know when you talk to them that you just got phone scammed. This is Jeff with the Bert Show at all the hits Q100 and you’ve just been phone scammed.” (06:25)
  • Jim, in shock: “Crap. You’ve just been phone scammed by all of your new co-workers at the office who told us how upset you were at the first boot.” (06:46)
• Relief and Laughter: Jim laughs, admits defeat, and takes the joke in stride.
  • Jim: “That’s very funny…I appreciated the joke.” (06:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Parking Anxiety - Setting the Scene:
  • Rudy: “I’m convinced there’s no such thing as an official boot…let’s get that one and wait for my $50 cash.” (01:36)
• Jim’s Rational Plea:
  • “I paid for a lot, you know, and I don’t understand why you booted the car in the first place.” (03:32)
• Dad Joke Pivot:
  • Rudy: “Are you getting dizzy by any chance?” (05:02)
    • Jim: “Am I getting what?” (05:04)
    • Rudy: “Well, we just keep going round and round and round and round and round and round.” (05:09)
• Peak Frustration:
  • Jim: “This is friggin ridiculous, right?” (05:13)
• Final Reveal:
  • Rudy: “You’ve just been phone scammed by all of your new co-workers…” (06:25)
  • Jim: “Oh my God. All right, well, I appreciate it. Thanks very much. That’s very funny.” (06:46)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:36 – 01:59: Rudy sets up the context and launches the call.
• 02:18 – 04:42: Jim’s confusion and frustration escalate as Rudy persists with boot fees.
• 05:02 – 05:13: Rudy’s “dizzy” joke breaks the tension.
• 05:44 – 06:21: Jim threatens to call the police; the situation reaches a peak.
• 06:25 – 06:59: The prank is revealed; laughter and relief follow.

Tone & Atmosphere

Lighthearted, playful, and very “Bert Show”—the segment balances prank tension with comedic timing, using everyday frustrations (parking woes) as fuel for entertainment. Jim’s genuine reactions amplify the humor, while Rudy maintains an even-keeled and cheeky demeanor.

Conclusion

This Vault episode is a hallmark of The Bert Show’s approachable, funny, and authentic style—from host Rudy’s opening quips to the perfectly executed “gotcha.” Perfect for listeners who appreciate relatable humor, good-natured pranks, and a window into daily life’s little absurdities.