The Bert Show — Vault: Tyler Perry Joins The Show
Date: February 26, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode features an in-depth and entertaining conversation with Tyler Perry, renowned filmmaker, playwright, and actor. The Bert Show crew (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and others) talk with Perry about the complexities of relationships, his creative process, the inspiration behind his latest projects, and his personal journey from homelessness to success. The tone is candid, witty, and warm, bringing listeners behind the scenes of Perry’s life and work.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Men, Women, and Communication in Relationships
[01:32 – 02:14]
- The hosts discuss the common communication gaps between men and women, prompting Tyler Perry to share his own experience.
- Tyler Perry: “Are you kidding me? ... Men and women communicate on two different paths.” [01:48]
- Tyler reveals his current relationship with a woman from another country, highlighting cultural and scheduling challenges.
2. Keeping Relationships Private
[02:20 – 03:26]
- Perry explains his decision to keep personal relationships out of the public eye, drawing lessons from past experiences and the pitfalls of celebrity relationships.
- Tyler Perry: “If you want your relationship to work, you have to, you must keep it out of the public.” [02:52]
- He discusses learning to protect his personal life from media scrutiny and emphasizes privacy as key to discovering genuine connection.
3. Inspiration from Personal Experience
[03:39 – 04:09]
- The hosts ask if Perry’s own relationships inspire his stories.
- Tyler Perry: “Are you kidding me? I took everything I knew from my— I had a really bad relationship and I wrote everything in Why Did I Get Married?” [03:46]
- Perry stresses the relatability of his work, especially when dealing with complex relationship themes.
4. Boundaries in Storytelling: Avoiding Sex Scenes
[04:14 – 05:14]
- Perry outlines personal boundaries, especially his decision to avoid sex in his relationship narratives.
- Tyler Perry: “I've never gotten into sex in relationships because...sex always clouds everything.” [04:14]
- He suggests that sex can obscure the true nature of a relationship, advising people to abstain in order to assess the real foundation.
- Memorable advice: "Stop having sex and see what you really have with a person. That'll tell you." [04:36]
5. Making Movies and Creative Catharsis
[05:51 – 07:40]
- Perry relates his personal hardship, from homelessness to creative and financial success.
- Tyler Perry: “I really want people to know that life gets better. Life get. No matter what you’re going through, life gets better.” [06:02]
- Discusses his upcoming film, The Family That Preys, and how it was inspired by both personal struggles and catharsis during difficult times.
- Inspiration drawn from the Leanne Womack song “I Hope You Dance” — encouraging listeners to live every day fully.
- Tyler Perry: "Life is short. Live every day like it's your last...if we live every day as if it's our last." [06:38]
6. Working with Big Names & Behind-the-Scenes Stories
[07:40 – 08:23]
- Describes the filming process with actors like Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard, with a humorous anecdote about directing Kathy Bates referencing her “Misery” role.
- Tyler Perry: “[Kathy Bates] gave me that look, like you remember when she was in ‘Misery’... Man, I— but that was a process, you know?” [07:48]
7. Building a Film Studio and Community Engagement
[08:27 – 10:23]
- A listener, Kenya, calls in to ask about auditions at his new studio in Greenbrier.
- Perry provides insight into his casting process, highlighting Alpha Tyler, his casting director, and emphasizes his commitment to discovering new talent:
- “We always need fresh people. I’m always looking for new talent.” [08:57]
- Perry provides insight into his casting process, highlighting Alpha Tyler, his casting director, and emphasizes his commitment to discovering new talent:
- Shares a touching story of community support in the new neighborhood, contrasting it with past complaints at his old location:
- “There’s a woman outside, man, cleaning up outside...she was cleaning up trash that people would throw out of their cars.” [10:11]
8. Upcoming Projects & Personal Milestones
[10:23 – 11:01]
- Excitement for The Family That Preys release, coinciding with Perry’s upcoming 39th birthday.
- Tyler Perry: "This is my birthday weekend. I'll be 39. So that's a good gift for me if you guys go out and see the movie." [10:27]
- Light-hearted banter about schedules and celebrity life, culminating in Perry joking about attending a Janet Jackson concert:
- Tyler Perry: “And getting tickets to Janet’s concert on the 4th of October. Yeah, you know, doing all that stuff. Absolutely.” [10:49]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Communication:
"Men and women communicate on two different paths." — Tyler Perry [01:48]
-
On Privacy and Relationships:
"If you want your relationship to work, you have to, you must keep it out of the public." — Tyler Perry [02:52]
-
On Foundation in Relationships:
"Stop having sex and see what you really have with a person. That’ll tell you." — Tyler Perry [04:36]
-
On Overcoming Hardship:
"No matter what you're going through, life gets better." — Tyler Perry [06:02]
-
On Living Fully:
"Life is short. Live every day like it’s your last." — Tyler Perry [06:38]
-
Comedic Moment:
“[Kathy Bates] gave me that look, like you remember when she was in ‘Misery’...” — Tyler Perry [07:48]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:32: Tyler Perry joins the conversation, relationship communication
- 02:20: Discussing keeping relationships private
- 03:46: Personal relationships inspiring screenwriting
- 04:14: Why Perry avoids sex topics in films
- 05:51: Perry’s journey from homelessness to success, inspiration for new film
- 06:38: Inspirational messages drawn from his own experiences
- 07:48: Directing Kathy Bates, “Misery” anecdote
- 08:27: Listener Kenya calls in, discussion about auditions/casting
- 10:27: The Family That Preys release and Perry’s birthday
- 10:49: Light-hearted end: concerts, celebrity life
Conclusion
This episode reveals Tyler Perry’s thoughtful approach to relationships, storytelling, and the entertainment industry. Blending humor, real-life lessons, and motivation, Perry’s candidness offers encouragement and insight for listeners while demystifying his creative process and public persona. The hosts’ camaraderie with Perry keeps the episode lively, authentic, and full of memorable moments—making it a standout installment in The Bert Show’s archive.