The Bert Show – “Vault: Rachel Bilson Joins The Show”

Air date: November 17, 2025
Guest: Rachel Bilson
Cast: Bert, Melissa Carter, Jeff Dollar

Episode Overview

This lively episode features a candid and humorous interview with actress Rachel Bilson, best known for her role as Summer on "The OC." The hosts—Bert, Melissa Carter, and Jeff Dollar—chat with her about fame, fan encounters, the blurring of identity between actor and character, media attention, and her transition to film in her first big movie, "The Last Kiss" with Zach Braff. The tone is friendly, authentic, and marked by laughter, inside references, and relatable showbiz anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Melissa Carter’s “OC” Connection

[01:33–03:12]

• Melissa shares that she was actually an extra on the first season of "The OC" as part of a DJ promotion.
• Rachel is amused by this, noting she’s heard from several people claiming to have been extras.
  • Rachel Bilson (03:04): "Wait, someone just said that, though, in my last interview, that they were on the OC as an extra on set the first year."

2. Rachel Bilson’s Rise on “The OC”

[02:05–03:12]

• Bert points out Rachel’s character was originally meant to be minor, but she became a fan favorite.
• They joke about Melissa being Rachel’s “inspiration” to join the industry.
  • Rachel Bilson (03:21): "Because you were my inspiration. So thank you."
  • Melissa Carter (03:23): "You're welcome, Rich. Anytime. I can do it."

3. Fan Encounters & Seeing Yourself as ‘Summer’

[03:26–04:19]

• Rachel shares that fans often approach her as “Summer,” blurring the lines between her real identity and her character.
  • Bert (03:38): "I am curious if you have ever been approached on the street from a fan as Summer and not Rachel."
  • Rachel Bilson (03:38): "Oh, gee, that would have to be. Yes, all the time."
• Some people are genuinely surprised she’s not “Summer” in real life, and this can get “awkward and uncomfortable.”
  • Rachel Bilson (04:19): "Yeah, they scare me."
• Melissa and Jeff joke about quirky fan gifts, including a clock with Rachel’s face on it.
  • Rachel Bilson (04:28): "Yeah, well, I’ve had, like, weird... like, they made a clock with my face on it. And it’s always weird."

4. The Price of Fame: Privacy & Paparazzi

[04:37–06:56]

• Bert asks how fame has changed Rachel’s private life.
  • Rachel Bilson (05:00): "You definitely have that [loss of privacy], where your privacy's gone and it's a little invasive, but it also comes along with the territory."
• Her first paparazzi encounter marked the moment she realized her private life was over.
  • Rachel Bilson (05:22): "Their first paparazzi encounter is always a bit odd. So probably that would have to be when you kind of realize that it's out the window."
• She jokes about “personally calling the paparazzi,” but reflects that while publicity was exciting at first, the attention can be cruel and intrusive.
  • Rachel Bilson (05:41): "Actually, I’m the one who personally called the paparazzi. So yes, it was very exciting."
• She notes the duality of feeling proud when her grandmother could see her in a magazine, but critical of negative and invasive coverage.
  • Rachel Bilson (05:53): "The first time I saw it in a magazine, it was cool... But other than that, they're very, very cruel. Can be anyway... They go after the negative and try to put you in a bad light."
• Jeff and Bert question how much celebrity media is staged. Rachel explains that many stars go to paparazzi hotspots on purpose, and much of it can be avoided.
  • Rachel Bilson (06:36): "They go to certain places where you know that paparazzi are because they expect celebrities to go there... A lot of it they could control."

5. Transition to Film: “The Last Kiss” with Zach Braff

[07:08–08:34]

• Bert praises the trailer for “The Last Kiss.” Rachel explains it’s a remake of an Italian film, not a sequel to "Garden State," and notes Paul Haggis adapted the script.
  • Rachel Bilson (07:37): "You know, it's not a follow up to Garden State by any means. It's actually a remake of an Italian film, and Zach's only acting in it. He didn't direct it or write it."
• She believes fans of "Garden State" will appreciate this movie’s “real and honest” tone.
  • Rachel Bilson (07:37): "If you like Garden State, I feel like you will like this movie."
• Addressing rumors, Rachel clarifies there is a sex scene in the film, but she opted not to do nudity, feeling it wasn't necessary for her first movie.
  • Rachel Bilson (08:09): "Actually, there is a sex scene still. I just didn’t want to show nudity because I felt confident about not having to do that... the sex scene’s still there and it’s very present."

6. Fun Closing Banter & Social Media Shoutouts

[08:44–08:57]

• Jeff and Bert joke about Melissa and Rachel being “top 8 friends” on MySpace, with the group keeping the energy light to close the segment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Melissa’s “Five Frames of Fame” on The OC (01:40):
  "So my five frames of fame..."

• Rachel on fan confusion (04:19):
  "Yeah, they scare me."

• On paparazzi (05:53):
  "The first time I saw it in a magazine, it was cool... But other than that, they're very, very cruel... they’re definitely not your friends."

• On Hollywood hotspots (06:36):
  "A lot of it they could control... If they go to lunch at the Ivy or something, you know there's going to be tons of paparazzi."

• On keeping things real in her movie (07:37):
  "It's actually a remake of an Italian film... it's a very real movie and an honest movie in that sense."

• On setting boundaries in her first film role (08:09):
  "I just didn't want to show nudity because I felt confident about not having to do that. And we still got the point across without it."

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:33] – Melissa’s backstory as an extra on The OC
• [03:26] – Rachel talks about being approached as “Summer”
• [04:33] – Gifts from fans and the oddity of fan culture
• [05:00] – Reflecting on newfound fame and loss of privacy
• [06:36] – Staging paparazzi moments in Hollywood
• [07:08] – Discussion about “The Last Kiss” and comparisons to “Garden State”
• [08:09] – Being selective about nude scenes in her first film

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an authentic, lighthearted interview with Rachel Bilson, blending behind-the-scenes insight, humorous anecdotes, and thoughtful reflection on the challenges of fame. Fans of “The OC” and “The Last Kiss” will appreciate the personal stories and Rachel’s grounded outlook. The episode’s friendly, conversational vibe ensures listeners feel in on the fun, making even casual celebrity interviews engaging and relatable.