Vault: Update on Jeff's contract

Summary

The Bert Show — "Vault: Update on Jeff's Contract"

Date: June 2, 2026

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Overview

This episode centers around a major behind-the-scenes development: the ongoing contract negotiations between longtime show member Jeff and corporate (Cumulus). The cast candidly discusses Jeff's absence, the stalled negotiations, and the emotional and business impacts on the show's future. The hosts respond to listener calls and emails, reflecting concerns from fans about the show's chemistry and continuity. There's a clear undertone of worry, hope, and a strong sense of team unity throughout.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. State of Jeff’s Contract (00:06–02:30)

• No Definitive Update: Host Bert makes it clear up front that, despite numerous inquiries from listeners, there’s no real update regarding Jeff’s contract; negotiations between Jeff and corporate are ongoing with no resolution as yet.

  • "Jeff wants a certain amount of money and corporate doesn't want to pay it. And they're negotiating. They're still negotiating. ... I want this to be perfectly clear, that everybody on this show, and I am leading the charge on this, wants Jeff back on this show." — Bert (00:11)

• The cast emphasizes they want Jeff to return but decisions are out of their hands.
• Bert underscores that they’ve communicated their support to both Jeff and corporate, but ultimately, it’s not up to the team.

2. Show’s Uncertain Future & Emotional Toll (02:30–05:47)

• Facing Reality: Bert acknowledges that, if negotiations fail, Monday might mark a new era for the show without Jeff.

  • "There is a possibility on Monday morning that this is going to suck, but this is going to be a Jeff dollar list show that could happen." — Bert (02:20)

• The team reflects on how difficult and emotional the process has been, pointing out the familial bond among the cast.
• Practical realities vs. emotional ties: Bert describes the tension between personal relationships and professional obligations.

  • "This is a family in here... Not having Jeff here the last couple of days has hurt all of us. Jen started crying on the air about it the other day. I lost sleep." — Bert (05:15)

3. Listener Reactions and Community Impact (06:02–09:02)

• Supportive Caller: Listener Kay highlights how much the chemistry of the show means, affirming her support and noting the show’s broad appeal.

  • "I love you guys collectively and individually. ... You do have to think about the business, and you have to think about people like me, who are listeners and who really, really want a great product." — Kay (06:22)

• The cast jokes about “Bert Show Down Low” listeners—those who tune in but might not admit it.
• Emotional impact on listeners and the team is explored, with recognition that change is hard but sometimes necessary.

4. Chemistry, Business, and the Unique Dynamic (07:28–09:02)

• Cassie and Bert illustrate how the chemistry among cast members is vital and unique:

  • "We know the timing of each other so well in here... It would be weird to be missing that part of the amoeba." — Cassie (07:28)

• Bert shares a memorable analogy comparing radio personalities to bottles of vodka (“Grey Goose”) in a bar, emphasizing that, even with good ratings, everyone is replaceable in entertainment.

  • "You are a grey goose bottle to Cumulus Broadcasting... We're just a vodka bottle in entertainment." — Bert (08:13)

• The cast stresses the formula of the show still works and they don’t want to upset it.

5. Further Listener Call and Reflections (09:14–11:26)

• Second Caller’s Perspective: Debbie calls to offer both reassurance and tough love, suggesting the show will survive without Jeff, though it will hurt for a while.

  • “Jeff is not the show... Your show will survive without him. You'll have a little bit of a hiccup, and... in about two, three months, people aren't even going to remember at all.” — Debbie (09:14)

• Bert responds by defending the ensemble chemistry and respecting Jeff's role:

  • "Yes, it's the Bert Show in name, but it's our show. This is our team." — Bert (09:53)

• The hosts liken losing Jeff to losing an arm—painful, but not the end.

  • "Like, it'd be like, without my right arm." — Cassie (10:33)

• They recognize any replacement will face challenges but assure listeners the show’s quality remains a top priority.

6. The Path Forward and Hope (11:05–11:26)

• The cast maintains cautious optimism that a solution will be found by the end of the week.

  • "It is not over till the fat lady sings, and she isn't singing yet." — Cassie (11:08)

• Bert sets Friday as a tentative deadline for resolution; after that, the team will face a new chapter.

  • "I'd say we probably have until Monday. ... We're all hoping that doesn't happen. So we have till Friday." — Bert (11:11)

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Bert’s Vodka Analogy:

  "We're just a vodka bottle in entertainment. The problem here is that our ratings are still so good that people are drinking Grey Goose." (08:13)

• Cassie’s Chemistry Insight:

  "We know the timing of each other so well... It would be weird to be missing that part of the amoeba." (07:28)

• Candid Reflection:

  "I can't even imagine looking over to my left here and seeing somebody other than Jeff." — Bert (05:46)

• Listener Wisdom:

  "It's just people don't like change, and it'll be okay." — Kay (07:18)

• Hopeful Note:

  "It is not over till the fat lady sings, and she isn't singing yet." — Cassie (11:08)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:06–02:30 — State of Jeff’s contract, no new update, internal efforts by the cast
• 02:30–05:47 — Preparing the team and audience for all outcomes, emotional impact
• 06:02–07:21 — Listener Kay’s call, acknowledgment of business and chemistry
• 07:28–09:02 — The cast discusses unique chemistry and Bert’s vodka bottle analogy
• 09:14–10:32 — Listener Debbie’s call, chemistry vs. individual roles
• 10:33–11:26 — Acknowledgment of challenges ahead, choosing optimism, Friday as a deadline

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains its trademark mix of warmth, humor, and authenticity—even through a difficult topic. While business realities are directly addressed, there’s a deep sense of camaraderie and transparency with listeners. The conversation is open, honest, sometimes raw, and always supportive.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode captures The Bert Show at a crossroads, wrestling with the possible departure of a core cast member. Their openness about the business and emotional dimensions, combined with real-time feedback from listeners, gives audiences a rare, inside look at the realities of morning radio—the tough negotiations, the power of chemistry, and the devotion to both each other and their fans. Ultimately, the show stands firm in its commitment to “give you guys the best product we can,” whatever the outcome.

Transcript

[A]

The Burt Show. Good morning, Robin. You were on Q100. Hi.

[B]

Hi.

[C]

I wanted to.

[B]

I had to go into work yesterday when you guys were talking about Jeff and his contract. Can you talk about that?

[A]

Yeah. I mean, as much as we can today, there's really no update. For those of you that didn't get a chance to listen to the show yesterday, here's the bottom line with Jeff is that he and corporate are kind of at a stalemate right now. Jeff wants a certain amount of money and corporate doesn't want to pay it. And they're negotiating. They're still negotiating. And they were negotiating over the weekend. They negotiated yesterday. And there's really no update at this point. I got a ton of emails about it yesterday. And I want this to be perfectly clear, that everybody on this show, and I am leading the charge on this, wants Jeff back on this show.

[C]

Absolutely.

[A]

We just don't have anything to say about. There's nothing. We don't sign his paycheck. I mean, I've talked to corporate a trillion times over the last couple of months, and they know how we feel about it. And at this point, there's nothing that we can do. This is between Jeff now and Cumulus Corporate, and we're hoping and hoping and hoping that they settle over the next couple of days.

[B]

Okay, good deal. Thanks so much.

[A]

Okay, thank you.

[B]

All right. All right, bye.

[A]

Yeah, I promised you guys yesterday I wouldn't give you updates on non updates. There is no update, so we won't do that. I mean, my hope is after today, when most people hear that Jeff still isn't part of the show yet, his contract expired, it's. I mean, he's technically, he's not an employee of Q100 anymore. So the next time we talk about it, hopefully after today, is us telling you that Jeff is coming back on Thursday or Jeff is coming back on Friday or Jeff is going to be back on Monday or unfortunately, we gotta move in a different direction. You know, I had a lot of. A lot of time to think about this over the last couple of weeks in between calling corporate and calling Jeff and getting my agent to call Jeff's agent and my agent to call corporate and trying to get everybody on the same page together that at some point, you know, a decision has to be made by Jeff and by corporate. And at that point, we're gonna have to move on as a show. It's gonna be a crappy, crappy day for us if this happens. But I want to brace you guys as an audience that come Monday that might happen. And I got to brace ourselves as a staff, too, that there is a possibility on Monday morning that this is going to suck, but this is going to be a Jeff dollar list show that could happen.

[C]

We're just hoping that that doesn't happen and that we have really great news by Friday that Jeff will be back and the family will stick together.

[A]

And I feel the same way. I like a whole bunch of you guys do. I got the emails yesterday, man. I mean, I don't think the show is as good without Jeff dollar. This is a better show with Jeff on it. And that's why I have fought so hard and tried to do everything I can to get him back in studio. But I have only. I can only do what I can do. And if that doesn't happen, then my promise to everybody else in this studio and everybody else at this radio station and our families, too, is to give you guys the best product we can. And I've been doing radio for a long time and I've never been on a show that wasn't successful. So I'm fairly certain that I will fill that spot with somebody that's gonna raise the level of the show or make it as good as it has been. That is my promise to you guys. I don't want it to get to that point.

[C]

No, none of us do.

[A]

None of us do.

[C]

You seem more defensive today in your tone in talking about it where the email's really critical of you yesterday.

[A]

No, I'm not.

[C]

Because I try to stay away from all those message board posts and all that kind of stuff because everybody can sit behind a computer and say things they would never say to somebody's face or whatever. So I just ignore that stuff and don't really read it. But I was just wondering. You seem more defensive today.

[A]

I'm not defensive. I'll tell you what I am. And I don't read the message boards either. I'll read the emails because those are our listeners direct to us. But message boards I will never go to because that's just a whole bunch of people that probably don't listen to the show all that much and aren't fans and are just being critical and just being mean. So I won't go to those. But the emails I read, I'm not being defensive. Is there a difference between defiant and defensive? Because I think what I want to express today is this is that. And I've gone through this process with Jeff and corporate much longer than anybody else in the studio. So I've sort of been through the battle. And I've had to mentally say there's a possibility that this is going to be a Jeff dollar list show. And my job to you, Jen, and to Wendy and to Melissa and to everybody else at this radio station because a lot of the revenue here at the station depends on this morning show getting ratings. And if we don't, then salespeople don't eat. Our production guys don't eat. You don't eat, Jen. And we're all out of jobs. And I was hired to make sure that we are the best morning show in Atlanta. So if Jeff's not here, then I. Unfortunately, the business side of me has to go on the practical side.

[C]

Has to kick in.

[A]

Has to kick in. And I think that.

[C]

And now it's still so emotional. And because you've been going through this for months and months, it's exhausting. It's exhausting you emotionally. So I think that. Yeah, I understand where your mind goes. Okay, Click over and start thinking practical.

[A]

Yeah. The personal side of this. And I've always had a very difficult time separating both the personal from the professional. Professional we are. This is a family in here.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And this really does. This is one of the things that separates us from other shows is that it's very difficult for us to make business decisions because we do care about each other so much. So not having Jeff here the last couple of days has hurt all of us. Jen started crying on the air about it the other day. I lost sleep. I mean, a whole bunch of sleep the last couple of weeks about it. Because my friend isn't going to be here.

[C]

I know, Poppy.

[A]

Possibly our friend's not going to be here. And I can't. I can't even imagine looking over to my left here and seeing somebody other than Jeff.

[C]

I know.

[A]

But at some point, I do have a responsibility for business guy to kick in and make sure that we're all right, we're all secure.

[C]

Well, let's not let him kick in until Friday.

[A]

Positive energy. Positive energy.

[C]

We got today's Tuesday. We got the rest of the week. And hopefully our brother will be back. That's what we're all hoping for.

[A]

100%. Absolutely. Not even questioned. Hey, Kay. Good morning. You're on Q100.

[D]

Hey, good morning, guys.

[C]

How are you? Okay.

[D]

Until we have a new year.

[A]

We're good. Until we have to talk about this.

[C]

Yeah, until we talk about this. This stinks. And then Melissa doesn't have a voice.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

SHE LAUGHS we got two men down today.

[A]

Two men Down.

[D]

I know. Well, I just want to say that, you know, I love you guys collectively and individually. And just to let you know, I'm African American, and I listen to you guys every. Every single morning, like I said, because I love you guys collectively and individually.

[C]

But you don't tell your friends. You do, right?

[D]

No, I tell them, too.

[C]

I'll tell them the word.

[D]

We start laughing, and they're like, what? Usually the crazy chicks that follow their boyfriends around, they're like, what? I'm like, yeah, you need to listen to them. They are hilarious.

[A]

You know what? We got to start calling this. This is the Burt Show Down Low.

[D]

I know, right?

[A]

Like, if you're on the Burt Show Down Low, you're listening, you're listening.

[C]

You're just not telling anybody.

[A]

It's okay.

[D]

In all serious talk, it is a business, and you do have to think about the businesses, and you have to think about people like me, who are listeners and who really, really want a great product, which is what you guys give us. And so, Bert, I have a lot of respect for you. Keep it up. You're doing the right things. You're saying the right things. And I think deep down, listeners understand. It's just people don't like change, and it'll be okay.

[A]

Look, nobody in here likes change either. So we hope that we don't have to do it. I mean, when you've got this kind of formula that's worked, I don't wanna change it.

[C]

No, especially with Jeff. We know the timing of each other so well in here that, like, when Melissa breathes a certain way, I know she's about to say something funny or get mad about something, or Jeff shifts in his chair, and we know he's gonna feed us a line of bs. Like, we just know each other so well. It works like an amoeba in this room. And so it's just. It would be weird to be missing that part of the amoeba.

[A]

And it's just unheard of that, you know, it's. I think I told you guys this before. The analogy that my friend used, Justin, who owns 10 Degrees south, when I was having some contract problems a couple of years ago, also said this to me. He's like, hey, Bert, take a look at my bar. I gave you guys. I've told you guys this analogy before, right? I haven't heard it.

[C]

I don't think so.

[A]

He's like, take a look at my bar. And he breaks out a gray goose bottle, and he says, you are a gray goose bottle to Cumulus Broadcasting. When people are done coming to my bar and drinking Grey Goose, what do I do with the bottle? I throw it out and I replace it with a different kind of vodka that people are gonna like. And if they don't like it anymore, then I get another bottle of vodka and I give the people what they want. In the entertainment field, you are no different. So if people are done with you, then they bring in another show. We're just a vodka bottle in entertainment. The problem here is that our ratings are still so good that people are drinking Grey Goose. And the problem that I'm.

[C]

We're still top shelf.

[A]

We're still top shelf. We're still top shelf. We're not a well drink yet.

[C]

No, not yet.

[A]

So the problem that I'm having here is that it's such a successful formula, and we're messing with that formula. So it doesn't make business sense to me. And personally, it doesn't make any sense either. Hey, Debbie. Good morning. You're on Q100.

[B]

Hey, good morning, Bert. Hey, you could have said it better. This is a business, and even though Jeff is your friend, you have to separate your business and your personal feelings. And to be quite honest with you, Jeff is not the show. The show is called you are the show. And your show will survive without him. You'll have a little bit of a hiccup, and you'll probably feel a little left out or lost for a couple months, but then in about two, three months, people aren't even going to remember at all.

[A]

Well, I would agree in a discreet.

[B]

And to be honest with you, I personally did get annoyed with Jeff. Having him go on there has been, like, a blessing.

[A]

Well, that's part of his charm here. I'll agree with you on some things, and I'll disagree with you on some things also. The show isn't about Bert, even though it's called the Bert show. What I've done here is I've assembled a whole bunch of people that make this a great show. This is a. This is a great chemistry show, and Jeff is a large part of that calculation and that chemistry. So that part of it, I can't agree with that. It's the. It's. Yes, it's the Burke show in name, but it's our show. This is our team. You know, the second part is, I totally agree with you that there will be a hiccup for a while. If on Monday, Jeff is not here and we have to go in a different direction, the show is not going to be as good for a while, period.

[B]

Missing a limb.

[C]

Like, it'd be like, without my right arm.

[A]

It's gonna happen.

[C]

That's what I said yesterday.

[A]

Oh, really?

[C]

Yeah. I put it. I said on Twitter. I said, I want my right arm back. Yeah.

[A]

It can't be the same show. I feel bad for the guy that's gonna come in first and try to replace Jeff if it gets to that point, because that's gonna. He's gonna get a lot of reluctance. A lot of reluctance. And it won't be as good a show for a while, but eventually it will be, because I. I can't allow this thing not to be good. None of us can.

[C]

Right. Well, they say in show business, the show must go on, but we don't want it to go on without him.

[A]

Right.

[C]

And like, we keep saying, it's not over yet.

[A]

It's not over yet.

[C]

It is not over till the fat lady sings, and she isn't singing yet.

[A]

I'd say we probably have until Monday, Like, Friday, if they're still at a stalemate, then on Monday morning, I'm gonna have to come in here, and we're gonna. I'm just gonna be totally honest with you and say this is a new era on the Bird Show. We're all hoping that doesn't happen. So we have till Friday. Okay.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

The Bird Show.