Vault: This Guy Breaks Down the Dating Games Everyone Plays

Summary

---

The Bert Show: Vault – This Guy Breaks Down the Dating Games Everyone Plays

Date: April 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this vault episode, The Bert Show dives into the real-life dating escapades of listener Frank, using his story to unpack and analyze the subtle dating games people play. The relaxed, funny mood fits The Bert Show’s signature blend of authenticity and light-hearted banter. The conversation spotlights Frank's unexpected cancellation of a highly-anticipated first date, the reactions it sparked, and the implication of these little “power plays” in modern dating culture.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Frank’s Big Date Setup (02:18 – 03:08)

• Frank’s Nerves: Frank is anxious but excited for a first date with a woman his friends describe as “banging.” The show jokingly raises the stakes, referencing Eminem’s “one shot” from 8 Mile to hype up the anticipation.
• Bert sums up the excitement:

  “If she’s that good looking, you got one shot at him, Frank.”
  (02:25, Bert)

The Power Play: Cancelling Plans (03:08 – 04:17)

• What Happened?
  Frank had to cancel their Friday night date last-minute due to work, but handled it honestly. The woman responded positively, even suggesting not waiting until the next Friday to reschedule.
• Unexpected Advantage: Her friend commented that “no one ever really cancels on her”—signaling Frank did something rare.
• Co-hosts react:

  “It’s a really good move. Great move on your part.”
  (03:51, Co-host 2)
  “Which means they were talking about it.”
  (04:08, Co-host 1)

The Chase Gets Interesting (04:17 – 04:52)

• Unplanned Playing Hard to Get: After the cancellation, Frank didn’t answer her follow-up call, only seeing it the next morning. The hosts see this as serendipitously creating more intrigue.
• Bert remarks:

  “It’s all lining up perfectly. Cause now she calls, he’s not available.”
  (04:45, Bert)

Analyzing The “Game” & Gender Dynamics (04:52 – 05:20)

• The show debates whether these moves were intentional and jokes about how appearing “unavailable” or indifferent often becomes attractive in dating.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Frank modestly on his moves:

  “I got blocked by work, but it wound up working.”
  (04:14, Frank)

• Co-host sees the big picture:

  “I think it’ll be better in the end, I think.”
  (04:22, Frank)

• On following through:

  “If you make a dinner date with her on Wednesday night, you can’t cancel that one. Because then...”
  (05:11, Bert)

Post-Game, Jokes, and Gently Mocking Bert (05:39 – 06:15)

• The hosts continue joking about Frank’s newfound “hero status” and poke fun at Bert’s use of old-school phrases like “get on the horn” and “come hell or high water.”
• Co-host ribbing:

  “It’s two old world old school phrases in the course of three hours. Don’t fight it.”
  (06:05, Co-host 2)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 02:25 | “If she’s that good looking, you got one shot at him, Frank.” | Bert | | 03:51 | “It’s a really good move. Great move on your part.” | Co-host 2 | | 04:08 | “Which means they were talking about it.” | Co-host 1 | | 04:45 | “It’s all lining up perfectly. Cause now she calls, he’s not available.” | Bert | | 04:14 | “I got blocked by work, but it wound up working.” | Frank | | 05:11 | “If you make a dinner date with her on Wednesday night, you can’t cancel that one. Because then...” | Bert | | 06:05 | “It’s two old world old school phrases in the course of three hours. Don’t fight it.” | Co-host 2 |

---

Episode Flow & Breakdown

• [02:18–03:08] The pre-date nerves and epic build-up.
• [03:08–04:17] Frank’s unintentional power play: why canceling plans made him more attractive.
• [04:17–04:52] How not being immediately available amps up intrigue.
• [04:52–05:20] Rationalizing and breaking down the “game” and dating dynamics.
• [05:39–06:15] Jokes, generational gags, and friendly teasing.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Bert Show uses Frank’s dating story to shine a light on the subtle, sometimes accidental, games and power dynamics that play out in early-stage relationships. The hosts highlight how even genuine actions—like honest cancellations—can unintentionally make someone seem more desirable, prompting reflection and laughter about these unwritten rules of modern romance. The episode is rich with candid banter, playful analysis, and the show’s trademark warmth, making it both entertaining and insightful for anyone navigating the dating world.

Transcript

[Burt]

Delete Me makes it easy, quick and safe to remove your personal data online. At a time when surveillance and data breaches are common enough to make everybody vulnerable, it is easier than ever to find personal information about people online. Having your address, your phone number, family members, names just hanging out there online, it's all pretty scary stuff, right? With Delete Me, you can protect your personal privacy or or the privacy of your business from doxing attacks before sensitive information can be exploited. Look, I'm online all the time and it freaks me out that my info is out there. Take control of your data. Keep your private life private by signing up for Delete Me now at a special discount just for you guys. Get 20% off your delete me plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com Bert use the promo code Burt at checkout. That's join DeleteMe.com Bert enter the code Bert B R T at checkout.

[Hers Advertiser]

Okay, can we talk about how confusing weight loss has become? Like one minute it's carbs are bad and then the next it's no, actually carbs are fine, but only if you walk 10,000 steps and drink a green juice. And honestly, it's just a lot. And then even if you do lose the weight, keeping it off is a whole different story. If you're struggling and want something that fits your real life, hers can help. It's designed to support you in reaching your goals in a way that actually fits your life. That's why weight loss by hers is getting so much attention right now. Hers connects you with licensed medical providers who create doctor developed treatment plans tailored to you. They offer access to an affordable range of FDA approved GLP1 medications, including the Wegovy pill and the Wegovy pen. It helps regulate your appetite so you eat less and keep the weight off. If you're ready to reach your goals and want to try something new, visit forhers.combert to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. That's F O R h e r s.com Bert forhers.com Bert with us by hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A s Get started and learn more, including important safety information with Gobi clinical study information and restrictions. Visit borehurst.com the bird show.

[Burt]

In a situation like this, you only have one shot.

[The Bird Show Announcer]

One shot, one opportunity. Sees everything you ever wanted.

[Burt]

So there. Frank was going out this weekend. Said she was hot.

[Co-host 1]

He said she was banging. Banging.

[Burt]

This is how he was feeling driving over the restaurant. He's in the car and he's going over to the restaurant. He's getting all these feelings, he's nervous, and he's got one shot at this. If she's that good looking, you got one shot at him. Frank, when we talked to you on Friday, it seemed to us like you were going to be just fine, man.

[Frank]

I appreciate it. And boss, if you're listening, it's not my fault I'm late. Jeff Strong, Army.

[Co-host 1]

Sorry, boss.

[Burt]

So what happened on Friday or Saturday night?

[Frank]

I had a. I had an appointment reschedule and I didn't get home to like nine, so I rescheduled early in the day and I called her, said, hey, you know, we're going to have to do this at a later time. I'm sorry. She was really cool about it, you know, amicable, you know, everything's cool. Everything's cool. So I was like, well, I'll get back to you later on the week. We'll just do it sometime this week maybe. You know, we don't have to wait till Friday. Actually, she said that. She's like, you know, we don't have to wait till Friday. I was like, well, that's a good thing. All right. So I see her friend on the lake the other day and she's like, no one ever really cancels on her. And I was like, well, sorry. Work.

[Co-host 2]

It's a really good move. Great move on your part.

[Co-host 1]

It really was work.

[Frank]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it really was.

[Burt]

Works out nicely that way.

[Co-host 1]

But it does work out nicely. That's a good move.

[Burt]

And she even acknowledged it. She even said, no one has ever done this. This is beautiful.

[Co-host 1]

Well, no, she didn't say it. Her friend.

[Burt]

Oh, her friend did.

[Co-host 1]

Her friend.

[Frank]

Which means they were talking about it.

[Co-host 2]

Yes, that's what I thought.

[Burt]

Perfect.

[Co-host 1]

Dude, you are lining this one.

[Frank]

I got blocked by work, but it wound up working.

[Burt]

Yes, I'm very, very happy for you.

[Co-host 1]

That's.

[Frank]

I mean, it's. Yeah, I think it'll be better in the end, I think.

[Co-host 1]

And I like the fact that she responded by saying, well, we don't even have to wait till Friday, you know,

[Frank]

So I didn't even really. Yeah, Yeah, I guess that is a good thing.

[Co-host 1]

When are you gonna take her out?

[Frank]

Sometime this week. She called me last night, but I was already asleep and didn't get it till this morning.

[Co-host 1]

So she called last night and you

[Burt]

couldn't answer and he didn't pick up. It's all lining up perfectly. Cause now she calls, he's not available.

[Co-host 1]

This is great.

[Frank]

Like Eminem at the shelter or wherever they were at in the bathroom. You guys were playing that song.

[Co-host 2]

Well, make sure you're listening at 8:45 as we talk to Jada Pinkett Smith about the secrets of a good marriage.

[Frank]

8:45. I can do that.

[Co-host 2]

All right, perfect. Because that's the next step. Clearly here. Cause she's definitely gonna want to marry

[Burt]

you now, I think no matter what, come hell or high water, you have to. If you make a dinner date with her on Wednesday night, you can't cancel that one. Because then.

[Frank]

No, no, no, no, no, not at all.

[Co-host 2]

And I feel strongly about that too, but I'm not gonna use an old man to indicate that. Make sure you don't take any wooden nickels on that date.

[Frank]

You got your six shooter.

[Burt]

All right, Frank, Good luck, man. You're fine.

[Frank]

All right. Stephen. You recognize my voice?

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Who?

[Co-host 2]

That friend.

[Frank]

He called me at like 8. He was like, hey, do you have a date tonight? And I was like, you really recognize my voice, didn't you?

[Burt]

Well, now you're a hero, dude. In your circle, you're a hero.

[Frank]

Yes.

[Burt]

Congratulations, man.

[Frank]

Later, guys.

[Burt]

Nice job.

[Co-host 2]

I was listening to the 5:30 club this morning. You might need an elder vention. Burt, you started out with get on the horn come hell or high water.

[Burt]

It's two old world old school phrases in the course of three hours. Don't fight it.

[Co-host 1]

Don't fight it, Bert. We just all become our parents.

[Frank]

Don't say that.

[The Bird Show Announcer]

The bird show.

[Shopify Advertiser]

You didn't start a business just to keep the lights on. You're here to sell more today than yesterday. You're here to win. Lucky for you, Shopify built the best converting checkout on the planet. Like the just one. Tapping ridiculous, effortlessly fast acting sky high sales stacking champion at checkouts. That's the good stuff right there. So if your business is in it to win it, win with Shopify. Start your free trial [e-mail].

[Shopify Advertiser 2]

win when it's time to scale your business. It's time for Shopify. Get everything you need to grow the way you want. Like all the way. Stack more sales with the best converting checkout on the planet. Track your cha chings from every channel right in one spot. And turn real time reporting into big time opportunities. Take your business to a whole new level. Switch to Shopify. Start your free trial today.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

I'm here with Spinquest where you can play and win from the comfort of your own home with hundreds of slot games and all of the table games you love with real cash. Prizes. Right now, thirty dollar coin packs are on sale for $10. For new users, it's [e-mail] that's S P I N Q U-E-S-T.com SpinQuest is

[The Bird Show Announcer]

a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.