Vault: Taylor Lautner Joins The Show

Summary

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The Bert Show: Vault – Taylor Lautner Joins The Show

Original Air Date: March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special "vault" episode, The Bert Show hosts chat with actor Taylor Lautner as the Twilight movie premiere sparks nationwide excitement. Taylor discusses his journey landing the role of Jacob Black, the shocking intensity of Twilight fandom, and how the experience has impacted his life and family. The show maintains its signature informal, humorous tone throughout, offering listeners an inside look at pre-premiere anticipation and a young star on the cusp of mega-fame.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Twilight Hysteria Hits Its Peak

• Massive Fan Craze:

  • The hosts open by marveling at the scale of Twilight mania, with 2,000 theaters showing midnight screenings and 600 already sold out.
  • Quote: “It’s nuts. I mean, the hysteria behind this movie. This weekend, 2,000 movie theaters around the country are showing Twilight at midnight. 600 of them are sold out already.” — Radio Host 1 (00:59)

• No Casual Fans:

  • “There is nothing stronger or more excited than a 14 or teenage Twilight.” — Taylor Lautner (03:12)
  • Taylor and the hosts agree that fans are deeply dedicated, with little dabbling or half-hearted enthusiasm.

2. Taylor Lautner’s Path to Jacob Black

• Unfamiliar with Twilight At First:

  • Taylor confesses he hadn’t read or even heard of the Twilight series before being cast.
  • “Absolutely not. No. I hadn't read any of the books. I hadn't even heard of the series.” — Taylor Lautner (02:15)

• Discovering the Fandom:

  • Taylor only realized the magnitude of Twilight’s popularity after being cast, when he began reading the books and attending the promotional tour.
  • “So after I got cast is when I found out the popularity of the book series. But still, I had no idea it was gonna be like this. So it's mind blowing and I'm just so excited to be a part of it.” — Taylor Lautner (02:00)
  • Attending fan events in multiple cities, Taylor was surprised at the turnout: “We had like 3,000 fans at each city we were in, jam-packed in a mall, and it was just unique.” — Taylor Lautner (02:39)

3. Life on the Verge of Change

• Handling the Fame:

  • The hosts tease Taylor about the upcoming “target” of fame, paparazzi, and loss of anonymity.
  • “Do you have any fear at all that now...your career is going to be propelled, and you’re going to be so in the spotlight?” — Radio Host 1 (03:55)
  • Taylor (laughing): “Really. You put that in a scary way, man...that definitely would be scary.” (04:09)

• Family Support:

  • Taylor’s family moved from Michigan to California to support his acting ambitions; now they’re experiencing Twilight fever too.
  • “My whole family moved from Michigan to California for this, for me to pursue my dream. And now it's coming true and it's absolutely amazing.” — Taylor Lautner (04:39)
  • He jokes about family members suddenly reading all the Twilight books: “All of my family members have read Twilight now, the whole series.” (04:56)

4. Future of the Franchise & Jacob’s Evolution

• Sequels Hinging on Twilight’s Success:

  • Taylor is excited at the prospect of sequels but cautions that nothing is official yet.
  • "I'm trying to manage my expectations because no sequels are confirmed. ... I'm telling all the fans, including you, see [the movie] a minimum of three times." — Taylor Lautner (05:26)
  • He expresses enthusiasm about potentially playing Jacob’s werewolf side: “I definitely love Jacob’s werewolf side. So that would be very cool to bring to life.” (05:44)

• Relating to Jacob the Character:

  • Taylor became "uber focused" on the character while reading the book after being cast.
  • “I'm not a big book reader, but this thing is amazing.” — Taylor Lautner (06:02)

5. Celebrity Encounters and Memorable Moments

• A Surreal Premier Moment:

  • Taylor recounts being recognized at the premiere—not by a fan, but by Jamie Foxx looking for a photo for his daughter.
  • “I hear Jamie Foxx. 'My daughter's a huge fan. Can I get a picture?' And I was like, are you kidding me? Can I get a picture with you?” — Taylor Lautner (06:44)
  • He describes it as a “dreaming” moment. (07:19)

• On-Air Ticket Giveaways:

  • Taylor records promotional spots for the show’s Twilight ticket giveaways, obliging to playful banter and minor confusion about the station’s name.
  • “[in character] Hey, what’s up? It’s Taylor Lautner playing Jacob Black in Twilight. Call right now to get Twilight tickets.” (07:38 – 08:03)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Twilight fandom:
  • “There is nothing stronger or more excited than a 14 or teenage twilight.” — Taylor Lautner (03:12)
• On his family's support:
  • “My whole family moved from Michigan to California for this, for me to pursue my dream.” — Taylor Lautner (04:39)
• Surreal celebrity moment:
  • “Jamie Foxx. ‘My daughter's a huge fan. Can I get a picture?’ And I was like, are you kidding me? Can I get a picture with you?” — Taylor Lautner (06:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Twilight hysteria & ticket demand: 00:59 – 01:27
• Taylor’s reaction to landing the role & his introduction to Twilight: 01:33 – 02:37
• On tour with Twilight & fan events: 02:39 – 03:12
• Discussing the coming change and fame: 03:55 – 04:09
• Family’s support & new-found Twilight fandom: 04:29 – 05:06
• Sequels and Jacob’s werewolf transformation hopes: 05:15 – 05:51
• Celebrity encounter with Jamie Foxx: 06:44 – 07:19
• Taylor's ticket giveaway promo recording: 07:38 – 08:14

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode blends excitement, candidness, and playful humor. Taylor’s sincerity and amazement at the Twilight phenomenon shine through, while the hosts keep things light, friendly, and a little mischievous. Their style makes for a breezy and engaging listen for both longtime fans and newcomers.

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This summary captures the full essence of Taylor Lautner’s guest appearance, highlighting how Twilight mania was not only sweeping audiences, but also impacting the lives of those at its center.

Transcript

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[Radio Host 1]

I have considered radioactive spiders and kryptonite. It's all superhero stuff, right?

[Taylor Lautner]

What if I'm not the hero? I want to find the bad guy.

[Radio Host 1]

It's nuts. I mean, the hysteria behind this movie. This weekend, 2,000 movie theaters around the country are showing twilight at midnight. 600 of them are sold out already.

[Radio Host 2]

And that was the overnight numbers. I'm sure it's more by now.

[Radio Host 1]

People have been calling all morning for these tickets. First thing they called for this morning at 5:30. And they've been calling all morning long.

[Radio Host 3]

Yeah. Whenever the first book came out, that's how many years it's been that people have anticipated this movie. So they are ready to go.

[Radio Host 4]

They read the first chapter right here, man.

[Radio Host 1]

Taylor Lauder is playing Jacob Black in the movie. And he knows what we're just now finding out that this is nuts.

[Radio Host 3]

Right.

[Radio Host 1]

That these people are crazy about this movie. Hey, good morning, Taylor.

[Taylor Lautner]

Hey, how you guys doing?

[Radio Host 1]

Good, man. How are you?

[Taylor Lautner]

Oh, wonderful.

[Radio Host 3]

Congratulations on getting the role.

[Taylor Lautner]

Oh, thank you so much. It's. It's hard to believe.

[Radio Host 1]

I'm assuming that you knew what you were getting into before you got cast for this part.

[Taylor Lautner]

Definitely not. No idea.

[Radio Host 2]

Had you read the book?

[Taylor Lautner]

After I got cast is when I found out the popularity of the book series. But still, I had no idea it was gonna be like this. So it's mind blowing and I'm just so excited to be a part of it.

[Radio Host 1]

So Jen just asked, like, you didn't read any of the books? You had no knowledge of this thing at all?

[Taylor Lautner]

Absolutely not. No. I hadn't read any of the books. I hadn't even heard of the series. But I remember my agent telling me, you know, this thing, this thing has the potential of. And I was like, really? I've never heard of it before in my life. And yeah, as soon as I was cast is when I read the first book and I was like, wow, this is a great story. This could be cool. So are you sort of blown away

[Radio Host 2]

with all the hysteria now?

[Taylor Lautner]

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I had no idea. I mean, I just did a sick city tour and now I'm in New York and the premiere was insane. And I mean we had like 3,000 fans at each city we were in jam packed in a mall and it was just unique.

[Radio Host 1]

Yeah. And this isn't like 3,000 fans at a Harry Connick Jr concert, you know, that are gonna sit there and be chillin. We're talking about crazy hysterical because there's no dabbling. It doesn't sound like there's no dabbling in Twilight.

[Taylor Lautner]

Oh no. There is nothing stronger or more excited than a 14 or teenage twilight.

[Radio Host 3]

Now I know that, Taylor, that there's been some previews and like you said, you've gone to places and the fans have showed up. Is there anything that you're able to do today that you want to get done before tomorrow's big premiere nationwide? Because of course your life is going to completely change forever tomorrow.

[Radio Host 4]

Sit by yourself in the food court of a mall.

[Taylor Lautner]

Well, if I had the time to do that, then maybe I would. But the past two weeks and the next two weeks have been the busiest time of my life and it's a wonderful busy. So I'm keeping busy, going to be on the Tyra Banks show tonight. So I'm really excited.

[Radio Host 1]

Do you have any fear at all that now? Because this career of yours is going to be propelled and you're going to be so in the spotlight now. You're a target for paparazzi. You can't go anywhere because of cameras. I mean, this is going to be your life. I think Saturday morning.

[Taylor Lautner]

Really. You put that in a scary way, man. Well, we'll see. I mean, I never really thought about it like that, but that definitely would be scary.

[Radio Host 2]

What does your family think about all of this? I mean, you've been this, you know, this actor and striving and trying to make it out in Hollywood and your parents have, you know, been encouraging you all along the way and everything. But now this is your big break. What do they think about it?

[Taylor Lautner]

We're all very excited. I mean, my whole family moved from Michigan to California for this, for me to pursue my dream. And now it's coming true and it's absolutely amazing. And the funny thing is with Twilight, I've had all my family in Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, everywhere. All of My family members have read Twilight now, the whole series.

[Radio Host 1]

Sure.

[Radio Host 4]

They want something to talk to you about when they call up to borrow money.

[Taylor Lautner]

Oh, boy.

[Radio Host 1]

Angel has a question for you. Hey, Angel.

[American Express Representative]

Hello.

[Caller Angel]

I'm so excited. I have a question. What do you think it's going to be like if y' all make more movies to play the kind of character that you turn into? Have you, like, read all the books and everything?

[Taylor Lautner]

Absolutely. I've definitely read them. I'm very excited. But I'm trying to manage my expectations because no sequels are confirmed. We're waiting to see how Twilight does. So I'm telling all the fans, including you see a minimum of three times. But no, I definitely love Jacob's werewolf side. So that would be very cool to bring to life.

[Radio Host 1]

I'm really curious because you said you started reading the books after you got the part. Did you read the book differently? Like, were you uber focused on this Jacob Black? Like, you're reading it like, this is gonna be me.

[Taylor Lautner]

Yeah, I know. It's weird to picture yourself. Yeah. Originally I just started reading the book because, I mean, I'm gonna be in it. I better be familiar with it. And then you just become attached. And I mean, they say it's a page turner, but it truly is. You can't stop it. I'm not a big book reader, but this thing is amazing.

[Radio Host 3]

Now, Taylor, I know, I mean, you've done other projects. You've. You've been Shark Boy and you've done other things, and so. But this will definitely, I mean, by far, gonna be your biggest role and have a bigger fandom base. So who, after this weekend, when you become the superstar, who's the first person you're gonna call that you're able to call now, celebrity wise, that you weren't able to call today,

[Taylor Lautner]

like, first person? Really? I don't know. I mean, a funny thing is that at the Twilight premiere, when I was done watching the movie, I was signing autographs and stuff and couldn't really get out of the theater. And I hear a name. I hear somebody going, taylor, Taylor. I turn around and think it's a fan. And I see Jamie Foxx. Jamie Foxx. My daughter's a huge fan. Can I get a picture? And I was like, are you kidding me? Can I get a picture with you?

[Radio Host 3]

It was great.

[Taylor Lautner]

So hard to believe. I thought I was dreaming.

[Radio Host 1]

Cool. Hey, Taylor, we know you got a whole bunch of these things to do, but can you do one favor for me before you take off? Of course, because we're going to be giving tickets away all morning this morning and then tomorrow morning also. Can you just say, this is Taylor Lauder, Jacob Black in Twilight. Call now for Twilight tickets. Yeah, can you do that?

[Taylor Lautner]

All right, go for it. Hey, what's up? It's Taylor Lautner playing Jacob Black in Twilight. Call right now to get Twilight tickets.

[Radio Host 1]

Beautiful. I'm gonna use that, like 19 times.

[Radio Host 4]

And we just say on Q100 on T100.

[Radio Host 1]

Beautiful.

[Radio Host 4]

Q100.

[Taylor Lautner]

2 100.

[Radio Host 4]

Q100.

[Taylor Lautner]

Okay, so I'll do the whole thing again. Call right now.

[Radio Host 4]

Go ahead.

[Taylor Lautner]

Right now to get Twilight tickets on two. 100.

[Radio Host 4]

Q100. Like Queen.

[Taylor Lautner]

Like what?

[Radio Host 4]

Q like Queen. Q100.

[Radio Host 1]

Why are you jacking with our guests? Get out of here. Hey, Taylor, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

[Taylor Lautner]

Okay, thanks.

[Radio Host 1]

I see you now.

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