The Bert Show: "Vault: We Test Movie Cliches In Public"

Original Air Date: January 6, 2026
Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & the Bert Show Cast
Episode Format: Discussion & segment-based, conversational and humorous

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Bert Show team dives headfirst into Hollywood tropes by testing iconic movie clichés in real life—specifically, those scenes where dramatic or joyous encounters spark spontaneous responses from the public or sage advice from a friendly bartender. The cast recounts previous and new experiments, sharing entertaining results, behind-the-scenes moments, and their signature wit as they explore whether movie magic holds up in Atlanta’s real-world bars, restaurants, and stores.

Key Discussion Points & Experiments

1. Testing the "Public Proposal" Applause Cliché (01:48)

• Setup: The team previously sent Producer Tracy and Phil into a restaurant, where Phil "proposed" to Tracy in front of the patrons.
• Result: The restaurant erupted in applause, and a coffee shop even offered to cater their "reception."
• Insight: Sometimes, people really want to believe in love stories and enjoy participating, just like in the movies.

Notable Quote:

• "And the coffee shop we went to even offered to cater our reception."
  — Phil Tyranna (02:32)

2. The "Spontaneous Public Singing" Trope (02:40)

• Setup: Phil and Producer Jen visited a Walmart to test whether starting a well-known song would lead strangers to join in.
• Result:
  • Song: "Lean on Me"
  • Walmart managers watched unamused, but all the McDonald's workers at the in-store franchise sang along from behind the counter.
• Insight: Some bystanders embrace these moments, especially in lighthearted workplace settings, though not everyone is in the spirit.

Notable Quote:

• "All the workers at McDonald's were on the counter singing with us."
  — Phil Tyranna (03:03)

3. The "Bartender Philosopher" Cliché – A Major Experiment (04:14)

Concept:

• Movie trope: When someone hits rock bottom and orders a drink, the wise bartender dispenses life-changing advice.
• Task: Phil Tyranna visits three bars, delivering an over-the-top “my-life-is-falling-apart” story and asks for genuine guidance.

A. Stop 1: Southern Sports Bar ("Dixie Tavern") (06:15)

• Bartender’s Advice:
  • "Take some time to relax. Like you said, just collect your old self. Have a few beers and don't think too hard about it, but don't let it take too long to get back into whatever it is you gotta get into. Cause money doesn't last forever." (06:15)
• Team’s Commentary: The advice is generic—lots of clichés, but nothing too profound or actionable.
• Follow-up: Bartender gives more generic advice after 10 minutes, then shifts attention to happier customers.

Notable Quote:

• "Take your time, but don't take too much time. Have a beer, but don't drink too much..."
  — Commentator/Co-host (07:18)

B. Stop 2: Mexican Restaurant Bar (07:33)

• Bartender’s “Advice”:
  • "Margarita. Tequila." (07:56-08:07)
• Team’s Commentary: Advice is limited to “have a margarita/tequila.” Conversation is hindered by blaring Telemundo.
• Result: No pearls of wisdom, just drink suggestions.

Memorable Exchange:

• Phil: "Is that your advice, drink tequila?"
• Bartender: "Yes." (08:13)

C. Stop 3: Irish Pub ("Meehans in Vinings") (09:01-11:41)

• Setup: Phil asks for an Irish bartender. Damien, a gregarious Irishman, joins him for a 20+ minute, empathetic chat.
• Condensed Advice:
  • "Try to stay out of your head as much as you can... surround yourself with good people... get out and do things... concentrate on yourself... go run... you'll feel fantastic... If you need anybody to call on or to hang out with... you're more than welcome to hang out and crush a few beers down, have a good old-fashioned chin wag." (10:20-11:23)
• Extra: Damien offers Phil his number and companionship.
• Team’s Reaction: Damien is universally beloved—kind, genuine, and ready to make new friends, but, of course, part of the advice boils down to having more drinks.

Notable Quotes:

• "A chin wag is just what we're doing. You're wagging your chin, having a bit of a chit chat, nice powwow."
  — Damien, the Irish bartender (11:24)
• "Just get hammered as often as possible."
  — Damien, the Irish bartender (11:40)

Insights & Takeaways

• Cliché Reality Check: In the real world, movie clichés sometimes play out—you might get applause for a public proposal, but spontaneous singing is hit or miss. Bartenders, however, are rarely film-level sages; more often, their “wisdom” is to relax, surround yourself with good people, and (unsurprisingly) have a drink.
• Universal Bartender Advice: The team observes that, whether at a Southern sports bar, Mexican cantina, or Irish pub, every bartender’s ultimate advice is to have a drink and not dwell too much on your problems.
• Lighthearted Self-Awareness: The episode is filled with friendly teasing and quick quips about stereotypes, pop culture, and each other’s antics, maintaining a playful and relatable vibe throughout.

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Public Proposal Outcome:
  "They did get a round of applause. And the coffee shop... offered to cater our reception."
  — Phil Tyranna (02:31-02:37)

• Walmart Song Experiment:
  "All the workers at McDonald's were on the counter singing with us."
  — Phil Tyranna (03:03)

• First Bartender’s Cliché Advice:
  "Take some time to relax. Like you said, just collect your old self..."
  — Bartender 1 (06:15)

• Mexican Bartender’s Advice:
  "Margarita."
  — Bartender (07:56)
  "Tequila."
  — Bartender (08:01)

• Irish Bartender’s Heartfelt Guidance:
  "Surround yourself as many good people as you can... concentrate on yourself..."
  — Damien (10:20-11:23)

• Damien's Humorous Addendum:
  "Just get hammered as often as possible."
  — Damien (11:40)

Conclusion

Wrap-Up: Real-life rarely matches Hollywood’s scripts, but there’s usually some truth—people sometimes do break into applause or song, and bartenders can be both kind and cliché. At the end of the day, the best real-world advice is simple: lean on friends (and maybe enjoy a drink), and don’t take life’s darkest moments too seriously.

Summary of Cliché Outcomes:

• Public proposal applause: TRUE
• Spontaneous singing: PARTIALLY TRUE
• Wise bartender: MOSTLY CLICHÉ (with bonus Irish charisma!)

For more antics, behind-the-scenes stories, and daily laughs, catch new episodes of The Bert Show.