B&T Extra: Bill Glass, Dr. Rick on the Progressive commercials

Summary

The BOB & TOM Show Extra: Bill Glass, Dr. Rick on the Progressive Commercials

Episode Date: February 11, 2026
Podcast: The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast (Cumulus Podcast Network)
Guest: Bill Glass (Actor, “Dr. Rick” in Progressive Insurance commercials)

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Overview

This episode of The BOB & TOM Show Extra features a humorous and insightful interview with Bill Glass, the actor and comedian best known for portraying Dr. Rick in the popular “Don’t Become Your Parents” Progressive Insurance commercials. The hosts and Bill discuss the origins, creative process, and impact of the ads, as well as Bill’s experience as an improviser and actor navigating typecasting and career opportunities. The chat highlights the joy and camaraderie behind the scenes of a now-iconic ad campaign.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction of Bill Glass & "Dr. Rick" (04:19–05:12)

• Bill Glass joins the show, introduced with enthusiasm as the “handsome man” and comedic force behind Dr. Rick.
• The hosts and Bill share how distinctive the Dr. Rick commercials are within the world of advertising.

Chick McGee (05:14): “You don’t have a mustache right now. So is it fake in the commercials or do you grow it for those ads?”

Bill Glass (05:22): “It’s fake… It’s a little bit of Hollywood magic, which is why I don’t get stopped on the street. Nobody, nobody cares about the guy without the mustache.”

2. Origins and Character of Dr. Rick (05:43–06:15)

• Bill describes Dr. Rick as an “over-earnest professor doctor type who thinks his field of study is going to change the world, and his field of study just happens to be slightly ridiculous.”

3. The Audition Process and Improv Background (06:11–06:56)

• Bill details his improvised audition for the role and collaborative chemistry testing with other actors.
• He originally appeared as a group leader before the character evolved into “Dr. Rick.”

Bill Glass (06:20): “I had two days of like improvising for like eight hours straight with actors coming in. It was almost like an on-the-fly chemistry test. And then after a couple of days, I booked it.”

4. The Writing and Improvisational Process (07:15–08:53)

• The scenarios are created by the ad agency, but significant improvisation happens on set.
• Bill praises the talented cast, calling them “home run hitters,” including Chris Witaske, Mike Nelson, and others.

Bill Glass (07:25): “We do a fair amount of improv on the day… My job is basically to not break and to feed off of them.”

5. How the Commercials Are Produced and Released (09:03–09:52)

• Commercials run in cycles, with each cycle typically running for about three months.
• There are usually two commercials in rotation per cycle; occasionally, shorter versions are also produced.

Bill Glass (09:06): “Twelve, thirteen weeks is a general cycle… There are generally two commercials running in a cycle.”

6. Typecasting and Career Impact (10:01–11:12)

• Bill acknowledges some typecasting commercially but remains hopeful about TV and film roles due to his different appearance off-set.
• He discusses recent acting roles, including spots on NBC’s “St. Denis Medical” and the series “Rutherford Footballs.”
• Bill expresses his ambition for sitcom work and reflects philosophically on career trajectory and control.

Bill Glass (10:18): “I think as you can see, I look different enough and I wear glasses that… I think I could get some opportunities, you know, in TV and film.”

7. Social Media, Fame, and “Dr. Rick” as a Brand (11:35–12:14)

• Bill reflects on the realities of social media’s influence on casting and recognition.
• He jokes about being “so behind on social media” and the generational gap in today’s fame metrics.

Bill Glass (11:35): “You think you put out, make people laugh and it’ll be enough. And then the goal posts move and now you’ve got to be a social media guy. And I’m old, guys, I don’t, I don’t have the social media game.”

8. Personal Life and Success (12:14–13:17)

• Bill shares he now lives north of Los Angeles (originally from Chicago’s Arlington Heights).
• When asked if he splurged with commercial earnings, Bill jokes about his kitchen’s “Progressive Insurance wallpaper” and “big mustache on the wall.”

9. The Book of Dr. Rick (13:14–13:30)

• Bill confirms the “Dr. Rick” book is real—hard copies are rare, but a digital version is available.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On anonymity without the mustache:
  “Nobody, nobody cares about the guy without the mustache.” – Bill Glass (05:24)
• On the Dr. Rick character:
  “He’s an over-earnest professor doctor type who thinks his field of study is going to change the world, and his field of study just happens to be slightly ridiculous.” – Bill Glass (05:59)
• On improv on set:
  “My job is basically to not break and to feed off of them… If I make them look good and we make each other look good, hopefully you guys will keep laughing.” – Bill Glass (08:00)
• On the entertainment industry’s demands:
  “The goal posts move and now you’ve got to be a social media guy. And I’m old, guys.” – Bill Glass (11:42)

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Additional Highlights & Observations

• The hosts highlight the popularity and cultural resonance of both the Dr. Rick and “Flo” Progressive campaigns.
• They compare Progressive’s success to other insurance commercials (e.g., Liberty Mutual’s Emu).
• The comedic camaraderie is evident, with light teasing about industry perks and the joys of making effective ads.
• Bill is encouraged for more opportunities:
  Chick McGee (13:46): “What a treat. And we should be seeing him in more things.”

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Important Timestamps

• 04:19 – Introduction of Bill Glass and Dr. Rick
• 05:14 – The mustache revelation
• 05:59 – Dr. Rick character breakdown
• 06:11 – Audition and improv process
• 07:25 – Improv and working with top talent
• 09:06 – Commercial production cycles explained
• 10:01 – Career impact and typecasting
• 11:35 – Social media and industry pressure
• 12:14 – Life after ‘Dr. Rick’
• 13:14 – The real “Dr. Rick” book
• 13:32 – Social plugs and wrap up

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Conclusion

This episode delivers a warm, witty, and insightful behind-the-scenes look at the creative phenomenon of the Dr. Rick Progressive commercials. Bill Glass’s humility, passion for comedy, and love for improvisational performance shine, while the BOB & TOM crew celebrate the power of good fun, chemistry, and commercial storytelling. Listeners gain appreciation for the artistry and camaraderie that elevate a simple ad into pop culture.

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If you’ve ever wondered what goes into those beloved Progressive Insurance commercials—or wanted to root for the guy behind the mustache—this episode is a must-listen.

Transcript

[Christopher]

Welcome back. It's another Bob and Tom extra. This is Christopher. Not only is the Bob and Tom show live every weekday morning, but every afternoon. We'll give you a little extra in case you missed anything on the big show today, Bill Glass, he's Dr. Rick on the Progressive Insurance commercials. He's coming up in just a minute.

[Bob Kevoian]

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[Chick McGee]

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[Bob Kevoian]

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[Tom Griswold]

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[Bob Kevoian]

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[Announcer]

Enjoyed seeing the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan training pet pooches, you're going to love the new animal reality show from Bob and Tom Television. Instead of backyards and living rooms, we're heading to the ocean with marine biologist and animal behaviorist Cesar Cooter. He is the shark whisperer.

[Cesar Kooter]

Hello, I am Cesar Kooter coming to you from the coast of South Carolina, home to some of the most aggressive sharks in America. It takes mental strength and confidence to gain the Trust and respect of a shark. I've been working with this particular shark for a few days and I think we have built enough trust that he will let me touch him. Yes. Yes, that's it. Who's my good boy?

[Bill Glass]

You are.

[Cesar Kooter]

Okay, now watch as I tickle his dorsal fin. Look at that. I'm not sure, but I think he's smiling. Yes, yes, you like that, don't you boy? A shark can sense if you are uncertain or fearful. So we control these situations by being calmly assertive. He must always know that I am the alpha. And if he forgets a couple of quick thumps to the nose, remind him who's in charge. That's right. I am in charge here. Okay, big fella, now roll over. No, I said roll over.

[Tom Griswold]

Oh.

[Announcer]

The Shark Whisperer has been canceled. Join us next week for an all new show. So you think you can pole vault?

[Chick McGee]

Uh oh.

[Bill Glass]

Son of a.

[Chick McGee]

My leg.

[Announcer]

From Bob and Tom Television.

[Bill Glass]

The Bob and Tom show is still.

[Christopher]

Trying to wake up.

[Bill Glass]

In the meantime, more Bob and Tom extra.

[Bob Kevoian]

Hello, Chick Magie. We are joined by a special guest. We're going to get him on the screen here. I've been talking about it all morning.

[Chick McGee]

Ladies.

[Bob Kevoian]

Excellent. We love them.

[Chick McGee]

This is a, a terrific surprise.

[Bob Kevoian]

Ladies and gentlemen.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Massive home run.

[Bob Kevoian]

That handsome man is the comedian and actor Bill Glass.

[Chick McGee]

Wonderful.

[Bob Kevoian]

Who you know as Dr. Rick. We are such.

[Guest or Audience Member]

And I'm a standing ovation.

[Bob Kevoian]

And Bill, you do not have the mustache. For those of you that are familiar with anything on television, we were talking about this a couple weeks ago. At present, the best series of commercials on television are the progressive insurance commercials with Mr. Glass easily. Oh, they're amazing.

[Guest or Audience Member]

My favorite sitcom and my favorite line right now is when he says, you don't work here. Yeah.

[Bob Kevoian]

Hey, Bill, I guess we'll let you talk.

[Bill Glass]

Yeah.

[Chick McGee]

Mr. Glass, it's great meeting you. You don't have a mustache right now. So is it fake in the commercials or do you grow it for those ads?

[Bill Glass]

It's fake.

[Chick McGee]

Wow.

[Bill Glass]

It's fake. It's. It's a little, little bit of. Little bit of Hollywood magic, which is why I don't get stopped on the street. Nobody, nobody cares about the guy without the mustache.

[Bob Kevoian]

I've got a little bit of a.

[Bill Glass]

Chicago Bear playoff beard going right now.

[Bob Kevoian]

All right.

[Bill Glass]

I'm not going to shave until they lose and. Or my wife tells me to shave. That's really. That's two ways.

[Bob Kevoian]

Well, Bill Glass, those are. I mean, they're the funniest and best ads on television. They're for progressive, everybody has seen them. And how do you describe the character you play? Dr. Rick? What it was, how would you describe him?

[Bill Glass]

Oh, I would just say he's an over earnest professor doctor type who thinks his field of study is going to change the world and his field of study just happens to be slightly ridiculous.

[Bob Kevoian]

And now your background, you are an improv guy and a comedian. Did you have to audition a number of times to get this gig?

[Bill Glass]

Yeah, yeah, I. It was. Well, I actually booked a commercial, one of these commercials where I wasn't the doctor. It took place in like, like a church meeting setting and I was the group leader. I was just the group leader at that point. And then a couple years later, I believe it was a year and a half later, they brought me in to audition and make him a doctor. And so I had two days of like improvising for like eight hours straight with actors coming in. It was almost like an on the fly chemistry test. And then after a couple of days I booked it. So it was, yeah, big surprise. We didn't know what we had. I mean I knew it was funny but we didn't know what we had. This has been kind of cool.

[Bob Kevoian]

Once again, Mr. Glass is the very fine actor in the progressive commercials. How many are there? About 20 of them. What is it? I've seen so many, but I don't.

[Bill Glass]

I feel, I feel like we're in the 28, 26, 28 range.

[Tom Griswold]

Nice.

[Bill Glass]

Don't quote me on that now. You're very. I'm just grateful they keep calling me back so I don't keep count.

[Chick McGee]

And you're an accomplished improviser and you've done. Do you take place? Do you help with the writing of these or not?

[Bill Glass]

Not formally. The scenarios or any sort of pre, pre writing. That's all on the ad agency. But we do do a fair amount of improv on the day. I mean the guys I work with and the ladies I work with, the people I work with or some of the best improvisers going right now. Chris Watoski plays Tom Pritchard, the tall guy who's doing the Yan Jan or Jan right now. Mike Nelson. Mike Nelson is the guy at the, the counter, the grocery counter talking about how to bag the groceries. Julie. I mean, I'm just surrounded by home run hitters. My job is basically to not break and to feed off of them. And if I make them look good and we make each other look good, hopefully you guys will keep laughing and it's. We'll get to keep doing them.

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah. The essence of it is don't act like your parents. Right. For Progressive Insurance.

[Guest or Audience Member]

What is the name of the gentleman who thinks he works at the. The Starbucks, if you will, and calling out the name.

[Bill Glass]

Yeah, yeah. The actor's name is Chris Watoski. The character he plays, I think we've named him Tom Pritchard, but Chris is, he's been on the Bear. Oh, really talented actor, great guy. I mean, again, we just show up and it's, it's really nice to have a cast like this because it's really just. You slide into it so easy and the writing is good and our directors and comedy director Hill. Marty Granger is our director. And so we'll get a take or two and then we'll play a little bit and move on, you know, so it's a really fun way to work and we're having a blast.

[Bob Kevoian]

Do they run them?

[Bill Glass]

As long as you guys are enjoying.

[Bob Kevoian]

Them, do they run them in a cycle? Do they. The one I just saw the other night was the valet parking one. Are they like.

[Bill Glass]

Yeah.

[Bob Kevoian]

Did they time run them in?

[Bill Glass]

Well, we, it feels like they, we have something. We have like a quarterly cycle as actors. I don't want to get too down inside baseball, but it's like 12, 13 weeks is a generally like, it's called a cycle. So there are generally two commercials running in a cycle.

[Bob Kevoian]

I have, they don't.

[Bill Glass]

I thought they were going to cut them into more versions because we have so much improv and so much stuff on the editing room floor, but it's generally not. It might be a 32nd one and then a slightly shorter different version that's a 15. But they generally stick to one version ish of each commercial. And then they'll, they'll plop them out, like I said, for about three months at a time. And then they'll give me, or give us a break and then they'll run some flow and then they'll bring us back and they've got their whole ad wizardry magic that they like to adhere to.

[Bob Kevoian]

Once again, we're speaking with actor Bill Glass, who is the don't act like your parents guy on the progressive insurance commercials. They are wonderful, Mr. Glass.

[Chick McGee]

It's such a wonderful thing. And I know as an actor it's, it's, it's so great to get a gig like this, but do you, has it curbed you getting other roles? Because people are going, oh man, we can't have the, the Dr. Rick guy be, you know, this angry. Dad or whatever might come up.

[Bill Glass]

Kinda. I mean, commercially, of course. I think I'm branded commercially, but I think as you can see, I look different enough and I wear glasses that, yeah, I, I think I could get some opportunities, you know, in TV and film. So I did a, I did an independent movie. I did St. Denis Medical where I had a one off, which was great. That's a hit comedy on NBC. I was in an episode, I did four episodes of a show called Rutherford Footballs, which was with Ed Helms. That was a nice recurring role. So awesome. I just have to hope, you know, that, that somebody in tv, you know, sitcom is a dream. So I'd love a sitcom producer, casting director to take a shot. But I've learned I've been doing this 30 years. I have no control over who likes me. You know what I mean? All I can do, all I can do is try to take, if I get the opportunity, take my best swing and hope it lands my way. But yeah, I would love to be honest, it calm. I mean, that would be the dream, you know?

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah, they've, they on occasion have made a sitcom out of a series of commercials. The caveman thing comes to mind. These are so perfect with their short little blasts. I'm not sure it would work, but whatever works. I just think they're so funny and very effective because we're all going, oh yeah, the progressive guy.

[Bill Glass]

Well, my, my thought on that is, you know, this is Dr. Rick just without a mustache. Like I can, I could be, I could be funny in a 30 minute show if people really wanted to see it. We could try to, you know, bump up my follower count and make Hollywood pay attention. But like again, I can't control any of that. That's. But that's the truth. Like that's, I'm so, I'm so behind on social media. It's just a different game. You know, you think you put out, make people laugh and it'll be enough. And then the goal posts move and now you've got to be a social media guy. And I'm old, guys, I don't, I don't have the social media game. You know, you're gonna get, you're gonna get go. You're gonna get golf.

[Bob Kevoian]

That's it. Are you, are you still living in the Chicago area?

[Bill Glass]

No, I'm out north of Los Angeles now, but I grew up out in Arlington Heights, northwest of Chicago. And I did some time in the improv world in Chicago and then moved out here like in 98. So I'm I'm almost a 5050 guy between Chicago and LA now.

[Bob Kevoian]

Have you purchased anything with. With the obvious influx of a little bit of cash in the world of acting? Have you. Did you buy anything special when you realized these were going to take off?

[Chick McGee]

Well, yeah, yeah, we.

[Tom Griswold]

You are brought.

[Chick McGee]

You're.

[Guest or Audience Member]

You're talking to us from a. Nicely done.

[Bob Kevoian]

Very nice. I do like the Progressive Insurance wallpaper.

[Chick McGee]

I mean, it's almost a Hallmark movie kitchen.

[Tom Griswold]

Yeah.

[Bill Glass]

There is a.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Like a big.

[Bill Glass]

A big mustache on the wall here that says sponsored by.

[Bob Kevoian]

Well, Bill, thanks for getting up early. We really appreciate it. Love those. I mean, they are in many ways one of the best things on television.

[Chick McGee]

You're holding up a book. Is that a real book of that's available?

[Bill Glass]

Yeah, this is the real hard copy. I. We, you know, pressure Progressive to print more of them because people like when I send these out or hand them out, but there's a digital copy. I think you can download a digital copy, but the hard copies are rare.

[Bob Kevoian]

Okay, well, thank you, Dr. Rick. Yes.

[Bill Glass]

We appreciate you guys. I really appreciate.

[Bob Kevoian]

Oh, you're very welcome. And we'd like to say thanks to you again. Oh, such a great guy.

[Chick McGee]

Yeah.

[Guest or Audience Member]

And I will tell you right now, he is on Instagram at Underscore, Bill Glass. And you'll. You'll know who it is when. Yeah, it's him.

[Chick McGee]

What a treat. And we should be seeing him in more things.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Yes.

[Chick McGee]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Bob Kevoian]

So I didn't overstate it.

[Bill Glass]

No, no, no, that was great.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Wonderful.

[Bob Kevoian]

Like I said, the fact that I said you'll know who he is, but you may not know his name right away.

[Guest or Audience Member]

And just like that, you totally redeem yourself. Wonderful.

[Bob Kevoian]

Now, interestingly enough, another improv lady is also famous for. God, what a decade of commercials in the world plus. And then the. On the other hand, the other one would be the Emu. Emu.

[Tom Griswold]

Oh, yeah, for the Limu.

[Chick McGee]

Emu.

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah. For Liberty. But yeah, I mean, that's. Those are always. Those commercials are always such a delight to watch. And of course, the one I love the most is when he's holding up the coffee and reading the names.

[Guest or Audience Member]

You know, I find it interesting and maybe no one else does, but maybe that would be a college course sometime because Progressive has two really popular series of commercials running at the same time. Flow and.

[Chick McGee]

Yeah, and then there's the whole flow verse.

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah.

[Chick McGee]

The other characters doing things too.

[Tom Griswold]

It's a hell of an ad agency.

[Bob Kevoian]

And then they also. They also have the series in front of the Statue of Liberty.

[Chick McGee]

That's Liberty Mutual. Yeah.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Yeah.

[Bob Kevoian]

And a good friend of ours, his wife was in one of those that ran for three years. Wow. And they. They built their house.

[Guest or Audience Member]

There you go.

[Bob Kevoian]

You know I'm talking about.

[Tom Griswold]

I know who you're talking.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Okay.

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah, they. They built their house.

[Tom Griswold]

Guy from Wisconsin.

[Bob Kevoian]

What's his name now? Living in either. What, is he in Nashville or Louisville or Lexington?

[Bill Glass]

I don't know.

[Bob Kevoian]

Yeah. So anyway, I hope you're a fan, but I thought that was fun. Thank you very.

[Chick McGee]

Yeah.

[Bob Kevoian]

Jessica and Jason. I can't believe we got him up.

[Christopher]

That's it for another Bob and Tom show. Extra. Catch us on itunes, Google Play and Stitcher for Bob and Tom. Extra. This is Christopher. Take care, everybody.

[Bob Kevoian]

This isn't your average podcast.

[Bill Glass]

Do you like party? I do like a huge chug of tequila.

[Bob Kevoian]

The howler head whiskey bottle chug in.

[Bill Glass]

Front of Dana White. That was the first time we ever went to la. We somehow got into a biddy party. What's the Elon Musk House party look like?

[Bob Kevoian]

My party's generally a very high production value.

[Cesar Kooter]

This is Full Send.

[Bob Kevoian]

I do want to do a lot more prank.

[Bill Glass]

Bunch of different pranks.

[Bob Kevoian]

Join the party.

[Bill Glass]

Jack Doherty in the house.

[Guest or Audience Member]

Feeling good, man.

[Bill Glass]

What are we going to talk about with Will Smith? I know what you're going to say. Shout out to feel Vaughn.

[Bob Kevoian]

It's been entertaining, dude. The Full Send podcast got the boys, got the ps.

[Chick McGee]

Let's do it.

[Bill Glass]

Follow and listen on your favorite platform.