WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.580 Imagine this. What if the wildest, most unbelievable 00:00:03.580 --> 00:00:06.400 stories of your youth didn't just become funny 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:08.740 anecdotes you shared with friends, but actually 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:12.240 inspired a Hollywood movie? Or what if you were 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:14.679 crowned the top partier in the entire country 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:17.199 and that notoriety wasn't the peak of your story, 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:20.899 but merely the unconventional beginning of an 00:00:20.899 --> 00:00:23.699 incredible, multi -faceted career? Right. It 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:25.179 sounds like something pulled straight from a 00:00:25.179 --> 00:00:27.280 screenplay, doesn't it? It really does. Almost 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:29.769 too wild to be true. Today we're taking a deep 00:00:29.769 --> 00:00:33.469 dive into a figure who embodies that exact scenario. 00:00:33.990 --> 00:00:37.530 And then some. Albert Charles Kreischer Jr., 00:00:37.530 --> 00:00:40.049 a name many of you know better as Burke Kreischer. 00:00:40.149 --> 00:00:42.929 Yeah, Burke. His journey is a master class and 00:00:42.929 --> 00:00:45.390 turning a larger than life persona into a thriving 00:00:45.390 --> 00:00:47.590 entertainment empire. Our mission in this deep 00:00:47.590 --> 00:00:50.289 dive is to really trace that unlikely evolution. 00:00:50.670 --> 00:00:53.469 We'll explore how a college legend, you know, 00:00:53.570 --> 00:00:55.969 immortalized in that Rolling Stone article, transformed 00:00:55.969 --> 00:00:58.149 into a truly multi -hyphenate entertainer. Or 00:00:58.149 --> 00:01:01.450 like comedian, podcaster. Exactly. We're talking 00:01:01.450 --> 00:01:04.349 about a standup comedian. with a truly unique 00:01:04.349 --> 00:01:07.250 stage presence, a prolific podcaster building 00:01:07.250 --> 00:01:10.609 an entire media company, a reality TV host who 00:01:10.609 --> 00:01:14.109 quite literally conquers fears, and now even 00:01:14.109 --> 00:01:17.430 an actor leading his own feature films. We're 00:01:17.430 --> 00:01:19.549 here to offer you a shortcut to understanding 00:01:19.549 --> 00:01:21.890 the man behind the machine, pulling back the 00:01:21.890 --> 00:01:23.430 curtain on the pivotal moments and surprising 00:01:23.430 --> 00:01:26.239 connections that have defined his ascent. And 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.459 our source material for this deep dive is truly 00:01:28.459 --> 00:01:31.780 comprehensive, giving us a rich tapestry of details 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:34.959 covering Kreischer's life and career. We're tracing 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:37.120 his journey from those early days in Florida, 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.480 through his formative comedic years in New York, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:42.239 all the way to his global reach today. And you're 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:44.540 going to uncover some genuinely surprising facts 00:01:44.540 --> 00:01:47.000 about his origins, dive deep into the distinct 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:49.400 comedic style that sets him apart, and appreciate 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:52.530 the sheer breadth of his media empire. All of 00:01:52.530 --> 00:01:54.209 this designed to give you that well -informed 00:01:54.209 --> 00:01:57.049 perspective without the usual information overload 00:01:57.049 --> 00:02:00.049 that comes with dissecting such a vibrant and 00:02:00.049 --> 00:02:03.049 active career. So whether you've been a longtime 00:02:03.049 --> 00:02:05.829 fan, just caught glimpses of his viral stories 00:02:05.829 --> 00:02:08.229 on social media, or you're simply curious about 00:02:08.229 --> 00:02:12.289 how an unconventional, almost accidental path 00:02:12.289 --> 00:02:15.830 can lead to such massive, undeniable success. 00:02:15.909 --> 00:02:18.590 Yeah. You're about to get the ultimate inside 00:02:18.590 --> 00:02:21.930 scoop on Burt Kreischer. Get ready. because this 00:02:21.930 --> 00:02:24.090 is going to be quite the ride. Buckle up. OK, 00:02:24.150 --> 00:02:26.699 let's unpack this. Before Burt Kreischer was 00:02:26.699 --> 00:02:29.639 the shirtless storytelling machine, captivating 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:33.039 sold out arenas, he was known as the undergraduate. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:35.419 Right, that Rolling Stone title. A title, mind 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:37.639 you, not just given by his college buddies, but 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:39.460 bestowed upon him by none other than Rolling 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:42.080 Stone magazine. And this is where his origin 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.319 story really takes a fascinating, almost mythological 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:47.599 turn. It really does. It's foundational. You 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:50.500 see, Burt's early life, on the surface, looked 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:53.199 remarkably conventional, perhaps even a bit buttoned 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:55.460 down compared to the legend he'd become. Yeah, 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:58.659 kind of normal, right? Totally. He was born Albert 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:02.080 Charles Crusher Jr. on November 3rd, 1972 in 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:04.560 St. Petersburg, Florida, and raised in the city 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:07.800 of Tampa. His mother worked in early childhood 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:10.199 development, a seemingly stable and nurturing 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:13.180 profession, while his father built a successful 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:16.080 career as a real estate attorney. So you can 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.860 picture a solid upper -middle -class upbringing, 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:21.939 a foundation that seems a world away from the 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:24.120 wild antics that would later define his public 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:26.240 image. That conventional background is actually 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:28.340 quite striking, isn't it? It sets up a compelling 00:03:28.340 --> 00:03:31.240 contrast with the wild persona that emerged. 00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:34.300 It's almost as if he had a canvas of normalcy. 00:03:34.409 --> 00:03:36.930 against which the vibrant, chaotic colors of 00:03:36.930 --> 00:03:39.770 the undergraduate could truly pop. It makes you 00:03:39.770 --> 00:03:41.969 wonder how much of that wildness was always simmering 00:03:41.969 --> 00:03:43.849 beneath the surface, just waiting for the right 00:03:43.849 --> 00:03:46.050 environment to explode. Absolutely, it's a great 00:03:46.050 --> 00:03:48.330 point. He attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, 00:03:48.569 --> 00:03:51.030 a private institution known for its rigorous 00:03:51.030 --> 00:03:53.449 academics and structure. Okay. From there, he 00:03:53.449 --> 00:03:55.650 enrolled at Florida State University, FSU, where 00:03:55.650 --> 00:03:58.030 he decided to major in English. During his time 00:03:58.030 --> 00:04:01.069 at FSU, he also joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. 00:04:01.409 --> 00:04:04.340 ATO. Exactly. This all - This paints a picture 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:07.219 of a fairly standard, perhaps even predictable 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.360 path for a young man from his background in the 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:12.580 late 20th century. A typical academic and social 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:14.939 life that could have led to a career in law or 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:18.040 business or teaching. But then as you hinted, 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:20.740 something truly extraordinary or perhaps extraordinarily 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:23.860 wild began brewing at Florida State that would 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:26.839 irrevocably alter his trajectory. The stage was 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:30.560 set in 1997, a year that would go down in infamy 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:34.120 for FSU and more importantly, for Burt. That 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:37.740 FSU year in 1997, key moment. And what a stage 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.439 it was. The phenomenon truly began to solidify 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:42.399 during Kreischer's sixth year at the university 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:45.279 in 1997. Sixth year. That detail always gets 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:47.259 me. Right. Now, the fact that he was in his sixth 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:49.819 year is a crucial, almost legendary detail in 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:52.480 itself. And in the very same year, the Princeton 00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:54.860 Review famously ranked Florida State University 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:57.839 as the number one top party school in the entire 00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:00.480 United States. Number one. That's quite the title. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:02.620 Think about that for a moment and let it sink 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:06.360 in. Bert Kreischer, the top partier at the number 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:10.259 one party school. It created an undeniable, almost 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:13.899 mythical context for his burgeoning legend. That 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:16.639 combination is almost too perfect to be accidental. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:19.779 It's like the universe conspired to create the 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:23.160 ideal backdrop for this specific character to 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:26.120 emerge. The timing, the location, his personality, 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:29.720 it all converged at a point that truly amplified 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:33.050 his story to an almost unbelievable degree. It 00:05:33.050 --> 00:05:34.689 wasn't just students who liked to party, it was 00:05:34.689 --> 00:05:37.149 the student at the party school. Exactly. And 00:05:37.149 --> 00:05:40.029 it was precisely this environment and his burgeoning 00:05:40.029 --> 00:05:41.930 reputation within it that caught the attention 00:05:41.930 --> 00:05:44.470 of Rolling Stone magazine. Ah, the article. In 00:05:44.470 --> 00:05:47.269 that very same year, 1997, they published a seminal 00:05:47.269 --> 00:05:49.889 six -page article titled, Burt Kreischer, The 00:05:49.889 --> 00:05:52.389 Undergraduate. This wasn't just a fleeting mention, 00:05:52.629 --> 00:05:55.569 it was an extensive, in -depth feature that... 00:05:55.610 --> 00:05:58.129 quite literally cemented his public image early 00:05:58.129 --> 00:06:00.610 on. Six pages, that's significant. Hugely. The 00:06:00.610 --> 00:06:02.990 article unequivocally named him the top partier 00:06:02.990 --> 00:06:04.610 at the number one party school in the country. 00:06:04.829 --> 00:06:07.810 To truly grasp the impact of that Rolling Stone 00:06:07.810 --> 00:06:10.769 piece, you have to imagine the sheer audacity 00:06:10.769 --> 00:06:13.110 it conveyed. The article didn't just mention 00:06:13.110 --> 00:06:15.329 heavy drinking and public nudity. It painted 00:06:15.329 --> 00:06:19.129 a vivid, almost mythological picture of a student 00:06:19.129 --> 00:06:22.189 living life with an unparalleled, uninhibited 00:06:22.189 --> 00:06:24.410 gusto. Yeah, it really leaned into the light. 00:06:24.470 --> 00:06:27.449 Oh, totally. One famous passage might have detailed 00:06:27.449 --> 00:06:30.569 a particular incident where he, perhaps, commandeered 00:06:30.569 --> 00:06:33.329 a golf cart through the library or spontaneously 00:06:33.329 --> 00:06:35.829 organized a campus -wide scavenger hunt that 00:06:35.829 --> 00:06:38.629 ended with, well, let's just say, a lot less 00:06:38.629 --> 00:06:41.470 clothing than it began. Oh my gosh. These weren't 00:06:41.470 --> 00:06:44.209 just descriptions. They were narrative brushstrokes 00:06:44.209 --> 00:06:46.790 creating the legend of the undergraduate broadcast 00:06:46.790 --> 00:06:49.569 to a national audience, cementing an outrageous 00:06:49.569 --> 00:06:51.949 larger -than -life persona that would stick with 00:06:51.949 --> 00:06:54.750 them. for better or worse for decades to come. 00:06:55.009 --> 00:06:56.810 Kreischer's journey from the undergraduate reveals 00:06:56.810 --> 00:07:00.470 a critical insight. Sometimes the most potent 00:07:00.470 --> 00:07:03.370 personal brands aren't meticulously built or 00:07:03.370 --> 00:07:06.689 strategically marketed. Instead, they're discovered 00:07:06.689 --> 00:07:09.930 or even accidentally outsourced to media. His 00:07:09.930 --> 00:07:11.850 Rolling Stone feature and the subsequent Van 00:07:11.850 --> 00:07:15.310 Wilder connection show how an initially uncontrollable 00:07:15.310 --> 00:07:18.889 narrative paradoxically became the bedrock of 00:07:18.889 --> 00:07:21.490 his incredibly intentional and successful career. 00:07:21.689 --> 00:07:23.910 That's a great point. It raises a fascinating 00:07:23.910 --> 00:07:29.720 question about ownership. their story once it's 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:31.699 captured and amplified by a major publication. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:33.899 That's such a keen observation. It makes you 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:35.660 think about the power of storytelling, doesn't 00:07:35.660 --> 00:07:38.339 it? What's truly remarkable, almost unbelievable, 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:41.139 is how quickly this campus legend transcended 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:43.720 the pages of a magazine and landed directly on 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:45.779 Hollywood's radar. Right, the Oliver Stone thing. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:48.839 Exactly. The impact of that Rolling Stone article 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:51.740 was so immediate and profound that none other 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:54.300 than acclaimed director Oliver Stone initially 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:56.399 optioned the film rights to Kreischer's Life. 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:59.360 Oliver Stone. Can you imagine Oliver Stone, the 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:01.259 director behind critically acclaimed films like 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:04.740 Platoon and JFK, seeing movie potential in your 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:08.040 college escapades? That truly signifies the instant 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:10.399 cultural resonance of his story. It's absolutely 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:13.339 wild. However, As often happens in Hollywood, 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.759 the development deal with Oliver Stone eventually 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.279 fell through. Yeah, that happens. When that happened, 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:20.439 all the scripts that had been submitted for the 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:22.579 project reverted back to their original writers. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:25.100 And here's the surprising twist that connects 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.160 this even further to pop culture. One of these 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:30.759 writers, taking the core of Kreischer's story, 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:34.299 simply changed his name and sold the script to 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.860 National Lampoon. Ah, so that's how Van Wilder 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:39.039 happened. That's how it happened. This script 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:42.340 became the basis for the incredibly popular 2002 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:45.220 film National Lampoon's Van Wilder, starring 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:47.759 a then -rising star, Ryan Reynolds. And that's 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:49.580 where the narrative of accidental branding gets 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:52.799 even more complex. Burt's experiences, once a 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:55.659 Rolling Stone feature, now became a major motion 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:58.460 picture. largely outside of his direct control. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.820 This transformation from personal story to public 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:04.639 property is a powerful illustration of how cultural 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.759 osmosis works in entertainment. It's a testament 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.899 to the sheer compelling nature of his persona 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:12.440 that it could inspire such a widely recognized 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:15.620 film. It's a wild connection, especially considering 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:18.100 Kreischer's own perspective on it. He's often 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:20.159 quoted as saying, I've never seen it. I had nothing 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:22.340 to do with it. Right. He distances himself from 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.889 it. Yet. He also shared on Joe Rogan's podcast 00:09:24.889 --> 00:09:27.450 that executives from National Lampoon themselves 00:09:27.450 --> 00:09:30.029 eventually confirmed to him that he was indeed 00:09:30.029 --> 00:09:33.009 the basis for the film. Does that surprise you 00:09:33.009 --> 00:09:36.590 to walk away from potentially significant legal 00:09:36.590 --> 00:09:39.149 action over something so clearly inspired by 00:09:39.149 --> 00:09:41.210 your own life? You know, it's a really interesting 00:09:41.210 --> 00:09:44.149 point and perhaps speaks volumes about his character 00:09:44.149 --> 00:09:48.399 and maybe a strategic foresight. while many might 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.559 jump at the chance for a lawsuit. Right, free 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:54.159 money, kind of. Yeah, you'd think. But Burt's 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:57.539 choice suggests an acceptance or even a strategic 00:09:57.539 --> 00:10:00.299 detachment from the legend his early life created. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.259 It might also be that the notoriety itself, even 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.379 without direct financial compensation from that 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:08.080 film, was actually a more valuable asset for 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:10.940 his future career. Huh. Like the story was worth 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:13.840 more than the lawsuit. Exactly. The cultural 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.019 capital he gained from being the guy who inspired 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:18.679 Van Wilder might have outweighed any immediate 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.179 legal settlement. It's a complex interplay between 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:25.879 authenticity, public perception, and the commercialization 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.179 of personal stories that he seems to have navigated 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:31.940 with the peculiar wisdom. So you've inspired 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:34.200 a Hollywood movie. You're the top partier in 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:37.659 the nation. And your legend is already cemented 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:40.360 in popular culture. Where do you even go from 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:43.139 there? Yeah. What's next? For Burt Crasher, that 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.879 unprecedented college legend status became less 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:48.379 of a destination and more of a launch pad, leading 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:51.500 him directly into the unpredictable, often unforgiving 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:54.399 world of standup comedy. But it wasn't an instant 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:56.740 leap from party animal to comedic superstar. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:11:00.039 It was a deliberate, often gritty ascent. You 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:03.340 had to work for it. Totally. His very first experience 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:05.799 with standup comedy was at a bar and nightclub 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.980 called Potbellies in Tallahassee, Florida. Back 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:10.460 in Tallahassee. Right. You have to imagine that. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:13.080 that raw, unfiltered energy of that first set, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:15.580 likely fueled by the same uninhibited spirit 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.899 that made him the undergraduate. Probably shirtless 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:20.759 from day one. Maybe. He probably hit the stage 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:23.279 with a confidence born from years of entertaining 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:26.120 frat parties. But the skill of crafting jokes 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:29.139 and holding a room is entirely different. This 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:31.659 humble beginning is a stark contrast to the sold 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:34.139 out arenas and Netflix specials he commands today, 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:37.620 highlighting just how far he's come. That initial 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.820 leap into stand -up is crucial because it shows 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:42.600 a willingness to channel that wild unscripted 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:45.580 energy into a creative disciplined art form. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:48.159 Good point. It's one thing to be the life of 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:51.100 the party, but to deliberately seek out a stage 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:54.100 and try to make strangers laugh repeatedly is 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:56.580 an entirely different beast. It speaks to an 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.179 underlying drive beyond just being noticed. Absolutely. 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.639 And a pivotal moment came when a tape of one 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:04.100 of his early sets found its way to a talent agent. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.720 Okay, so someone saw the potential. Yeah. This 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:09.080 agent, recognizing something genuinely unique 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:11.779 and compelling in Burt's raw delivery, invited 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:13.620 him to New York City to watch some stand -up 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:17.240 shows. This invitation was the spark, the critical 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:19.539 validation that ignited his move to the city 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:22.279 and his full commitment to a career in comedy. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:25.879 The NYC move. Big step. Huge. Once in New York, 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:28.539 he didn't just walk onto a brightly lit stage. 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:32.000 He put in the grind. He famously worked the door 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.340 at the now -defunct Boston Comedy Club, a classic 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:38.019 rite of passage for many aspiring comedians. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:40.840 Work of the door, paying dues. Exactly. This 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:43.039 period wasn't glamorous. It was about paying 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.340 dues, watching every set, absorbing the rhythm 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:48.080 of the clubs, and honing his craft in the trenches 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:51.059 of the demanding New York comedy scene. It's 00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:53.460 a testament to his dedication, proving he wasn't 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:55.340 just coasting on his Rolling Stone fame. Right, 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:57.240 he had to prove himself as a comic, not just 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.639 the party guy. And it didn't take long for significant 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:02.360 opportunities to start knocking, even in unexpected 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:05.480 places. Within a remarkably short time, just 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:07.840 five months of moving to New York City to pursue 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.299 his stand -up career, Will Smith's production 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:12.740 company offered Kreischer a deal for a sitcom. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:16.039 Will Smith. Wow, that's fast. Isn't it? This 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.240 highlights an early magnetism that went beyond 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:20.600 just his live performances. There was clearly 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:23.179 something about his persona that producers immediately 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:26.059 saw as marketable for television, a natural, 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:29.259 unforced charisma. Yeah, that X factor. Definitely. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:32.460 In 2001, he also starred in a television pilot 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:35.440 titled Life with David Jay, which was based on 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:38.799 the life of TV producer DJ Nash. These early 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:41.080 television ventures show that Hollywood's interest 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:43.840 in Burt Kreischer wasn't just a fleeting moment 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.980 tied to Rolling Stone. It was a continuous recognition 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:49.600 of his unique appeal and potential for broader 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.929 entertainment. It's remarkable how quickly he 00:13:51.929 --> 00:13:53.850 garnered attention from established industry 00:13:53.850 --> 00:13:56.070 players like Will Smith. That doesn't happen 00:13:56.070 --> 00:13:58.070 just because you're a good stand -up. It happens 00:13:58.070 --> 00:14:00.730 because you have an undeniable presence, a personality 00:14:00.730 --> 00:14:03.269 that translates. Even if you're still refining 00:14:03.269 --> 00:14:06.289 your comedic voice, it shows that he had that 00:14:06.289 --> 00:14:09.169 inherent... star quality from very early on. 00:14:09.429 --> 00:14:12.070 He certainly did. And during his time navigating 00:14:12.070 --> 00:14:14.830 the rigorous New York comedy circuit, he was 00:14:14.830 --> 00:14:17.470 also deeply immersed in the vibrant open mic 00:14:17.470 --> 00:14:20.809 scene. The grind. He regularly attended open 00:14:20.809 --> 00:14:23.929 mics hosted by DJ Nash, sharing the stage and 00:14:23.929 --> 00:14:26.629 developing alongside future comedic powerhouses 00:14:26.629 --> 00:14:29.570 like Demetri Martin, Bobby Kelly, and Jim Norton. 00:14:29.769 --> 00:14:32.769 Wow, that's quite a group. Right. This placement 00:14:32.769 --> 00:14:35.909 within such a talented cohort further underscores 00:14:35.909 --> 00:14:38.570 the early recognition of his distinct comedic 00:14:38.570 --> 00:14:40.789 talent and the fertile ground he was sowing for 00:14:40.789 --> 00:14:43.990 his future success, learning from and riffing 00:14:43.990 --> 00:14:46.350 with the best of the up and coming talent. You 00:14:46.350 --> 00:14:48.129 gotta sharpen your skills against the best. But 00:14:48.129 --> 00:14:50.970 what truly sets Bert apart beyond just his early 00:14:50.970 --> 00:14:54.269 breaks and his raw talent is his signature style, 00:14:54.549 --> 00:14:57.330 which has become instantly recognizable globally. 00:14:58.139 --> 00:15:00.899 Kreischer is famously known for performing stand 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:03.279 -up comedy while shirtless. The shirtless thing. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.759 Iconic. It really is. This isn't just a gimmick. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:08.620 It's become a significant, almost iconic part 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:12.120 of his brand, symbolizing a raw, uninhibited 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:14.440 honesty that resonates deeply with his audience. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:17.700 His signature move, performing shirtless, it's 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:20.960 so iconic, but also incredibly vulnerable. Do 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:23.779 you think that element of raw, almost confrontational 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:26.320 honesty was a deliberate choice to stand out 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:29.799 or just a natural of his partier persona. That's 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:32.120 a fantastic observation. It's likely a bit of 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:34.700 both. Brilliant synergy. On one hand, it's an 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:37.059 unforgettable branding move. It screams authenticity 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:39.419 and distinguishes him immediately in a crowded 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.340 field. Yeah, you won't forget it. Definitely 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:43.899 not. On the other, it perfectly encapsulates 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:46.779 that unfiltered, what you see is what you get 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:48.960 attitude that was documented in Rolling Stone. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:52.179 It creates an intimacy. a shared vulnerability, 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:55.440 which makes his often outrageous stories feel 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:58.980 even more authentic because he's quite literally 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:01.759 bearing it all, both physically and emotionally. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:05.919 It's a high wire act, but one he's clearly mastered, 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:08.960 making vulnerability a strength. He truly has. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:11.700 And beyond the physical aspect, he's also renowned 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:14.480 for his incredible talent for storytelling, a 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:16.379 skill that truly sets him apart in the comedy 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:18.820 world. Oh, yeah. The storytelling is key. His 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:22.649 narratives are vivid. detailed and often uproariously 00:16:22.649 --> 00:16:25.950 exaggerated, masterfully blurring the lines between 00:16:25.950 --> 00:16:28.149 fact and legend in the most entertaining way. 00:16:28.529 --> 00:16:30.669 It's a style that pulls you in, making you feel 00:16:30.669 --> 00:16:32.309 like you're right there with him, experiencing 00:16:32.309 --> 00:16:34.809 the chaos. He paints a picture, doesn't he? Absolutely. 00:16:35.029 --> 00:16:37.409 And of all his stories, one stands above the 00:16:37.409 --> 00:16:39.590 rest, a tale that has almost eclipsed the man 00:16:39.590 --> 00:16:43.070 himself, the machine. The machine. Yes. This 00:16:43.070 --> 00:16:45.549 anecdote is, without a doubt, his most popular 00:16:45.549 --> 00:16:48.269 and iconic narrative. And it's become a modern 00:16:48.269 --> 00:16:52.179 legend in its own right. Imagine this. Burt, 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:55.299 on a college trip to Russia, innocently enough, 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:58.480 finds himself on a train. Okay, Russia. Train. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:01.120 The tale goes that he was on a serious bender, 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:04.519 completely topless and oblivious, when he inadvertently 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:07.200 became the perfect distraction for a group he 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:10.039 later realized was the Russian mafia. Wait. The 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:12.619 Russian Mafia. Yep. While he was entertaining 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:14.960 the train car with his drunken antics, perhaps 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:17.380 leading a sing -along or attempting to teach 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:20.099 someone an English phrase with questionable pronunciation, 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.539 they were systematically robbing everyone else. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:25.599 No way. The sheer audacity, the unbelievable 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:28.019 coincidence, the accidental nature of it all, 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:30.079 combined with his larger -than -life delivery, 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:33.460 made this story explode. It's a quintessential 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:35.500 Kreischer narrative blurring the lines between 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:37.700 unbelievable truth and comedic embellishment, 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:40.599 and it single -handedly launched him into a new 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:43.259 stratosphere of notoriety. It's the ultimate 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.880 example of how a personal narrative, even one 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:48.319 that seems too outlandish to be true, can become 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.779 a comedic cornerstone. The genius of the machine 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:53.599 story isn't just the content, it's Burt's ability 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:56.640 to perfectly craft and deliver it, making millions 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:59.579 believe they're witnessing a real, albeit exaggerated 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:02.420 slice of his life. It speaks to a deep understanding 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:04.779 of what makes a story resonate and how to harness 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:07.400 that into a powerful, repeatable, comedic moment. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:10.119 And the sheer impact and popularity of The Machine's 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:12.680 story culminated recently with an incredible 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:17.579 feat, a movie adaptation. Movie? On May 26, 2023, 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.980 a major feature film titled The Machine was released, 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.599 starring Kreischer himself playing the role of 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:26.680 himself. This transformation of a personal anecdote 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:29.880 into a major motion picture is a powerful testament 00:18:29.930 --> 00:18:32.190 the enduring appeal and masterful storytelling 00:18:32.190 --> 00:18:34.170 prowess of Bert Kreischer. If we connect this 00:18:34.170 --> 00:18:36.549 to the bigger picture, Bert Kreischer's early 00:18:36.549 --> 00:18:39.150 career truly illustrates a profound lesson among 00:18:39.150 --> 00:18:42.230 successful entertainers. the ability to leverage 00:18:42.230 --> 00:18:44.529 their unique personality and real -life experiences 00:18:44.529 --> 00:18:46.990 into utterly compelling narratives. He didn't 00:18:46.990 --> 00:18:50.009 just tell jokes. He crafted elaborate stories 00:18:50.009 --> 00:18:52.930 that, even if embellished for comedic effect, 00:18:53.349 --> 00:18:55.970 felt incredibly authentic because they were deeply 00:18:55.970 --> 00:18:58.769 rooted in his very public identity. This approach 00:18:58.769 --> 00:19:01.910 allowed him to transition seamlessly from a collegiate 00:19:01.910 --> 00:19:04.980 partier to a professional comedian. Proving that 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:07.599 notoriety, when handled selflessly and authentically, 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:09.839 can be an invaluable asset. Yeah, he really owned 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:12.640 it. He did. It also highlights the unpredictable 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:15.640 nature of career paths, where a party reputation, 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.920 documented in a national magazine, can unexpectedly 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:22.220 open doors in comedy and film, leading to opportunities 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:24.700 like the Will Smith sitcom deal, and eventually 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:27.640 his own movie. Right. His consistency in using 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:30.140 his own life as material, often with a shirtless 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:33.420 vulnerability, created a distinctive and memorable 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:36.140 brand that truly set him apart and built a loyal 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:38.279 following. From his early club days and those 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:40.720 initial TV opportunities, Burt's presence didn't 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:43.339 just grow. It exploded. Yeah, he really took 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:46.480 off. He didn't simply stick to stand up. He expanded 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:49.140 across television, streaming platforms and even 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:52.099 into literature, demonstrating a truly remarkable 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:54.940 versatility and an innate understanding of how 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:58.269 to build a media empire around his distinct brand. 00:19:58.470 --> 00:20:01.089 Diversified. Smart move. Totally. Here's where 00:20:01.089 --> 00:20:03.789 it gets really compelling because his career 00:20:03.789 --> 00:20:07.190 trajectory becomes a blueprint for modern entertainment 00:20:07.190 --> 00:20:09.890 success. Okay. His journey to wider recognition 00:20:09.890 --> 00:20:12.250 began with early televised comedy appearances 00:20:12.250 --> 00:20:14.650 giving him a platform beyond just the clubs. 00:20:15.049 --> 00:20:17.890 In 2004, he was featured alongside four other 00:20:17.890 --> 00:20:20.710 comedians on the DVD release National Lampoon 00:20:20.710 --> 00:20:23.569 Live, New Faces Volume 2. National Lampoon again, 00:20:23.650 --> 00:20:25.750 huh? Right, which was a notable platform for 00:20:25.750 --> 00:20:27.789 emerging talent at the time, a real stamp of 00:20:27.789 --> 00:20:30.670 approval. That same year, one of his distinct 00:20:30.670 --> 00:20:33.150 stories, recognized for its narrative flair, 00:20:33.529 --> 00:20:35.690 even appeared on an episode of the animated comedy 00:20:35.690 --> 00:20:38.589 central series Shorties, watching Shorties. Animated 00:20:38.589 --> 00:20:41.569 Burt? Yeah, showcasing his narrative style in 00:20:41.569 --> 00:20:45.319 a completely different cartoon format. As his 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:47.359 stand -up career gained significant momentum, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:50.380 he became a familiar face on major late -night 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:53.019 talk shows, making appearances on The Late Show 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:55.420 with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:57.720 Conan. The late -night circuit, yeah. Big exposure. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:01.099 Huge. This exposure put him in front of millions 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:03.880 of viewers, solidifying his reputation as a unique 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:07.059 and hilarious voice. Beyond the traditional late 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:09.779 -night circuit, he also showcased a broader appeal 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:12.460 by serving as a regular guest on Rachael Ray 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:16.390 from 2011 to 2015. Rachel Ray. That isn't it. 00:21:16.730 --> 00:21:18.890 It reached completely different demographic and 00:21:18.890 --> 00:21:21.009 truly demonstrated his ability to connect with 00:21:21.009 --> 00:21:23.349 diverse audiences, proving his charm extended 00:21:23.349 --> 00:21:25.450 beyond adult -oriented comedy. What's striking 00:21:25.450 --> 00:21:27.869 here is his early adaptability. He wasn't just 00:21:27.869 --> 00:21:29.970 waiting for one door to open. He was finding 00:21:29.970 --> 00:21:32.329 ways to get his distinctive voice and stories 00:21:32.329 --> 00:21:35.210 out through animation, late night, and even daytime 00:21:35.210 --> 00:21:37.809 television. It speaks to an early recognition 00:21:37.809 --> 00:21:40.490 of his own unique selling proposition that he 00:21:40.490 --> 00:21:43.309 himself and his stories were the product. and 00:21:43.309 --> 00:21:46.009 any medium could amplify that. And that strategic 00:21:46.009 --> 00:21:48.670 approach really paid off as the rise of his stand 00:21:48.670 --> 00:21:51.569 -up specials truly marked his ascent in the comedy 00:21:51.569 --> 00:21:54.569 world. His first full -length comedy special, 00:21:54.829 --> 00:21:57.809 Burt Kreischer, Comfortably Dumb, premiered on 00:21:57.809 --> 00:22:00.190 Comedy Central in 2009. Comfortably Dumb. Good 00:22:00.190 --> 00:22:03.490 title. Right. Giving his growing fan base a dedicated 00:22:03.490 --> 00:22:06.650 hour of his unique brand of humor. He then returned 00:22:06.650 --> 00:22:09.369 to Comedy Central in 2015 for the storytelling 00:22:09.369 --> 00:22:12.509 series, This Is Not Happening, where he famously 00:22:12.509 --> 00:22:15.190 recounted his experience wrestling a bear. Oh, 00:22:15.289 --> 00:22:18.549 the bear story. Classic. Exactly. This performance, 00:22:18.849 --> 00:22:20.970 filled with his signature embellishment in physical 00:22:20.970 --> 00:22:23.509 comedy, further reinforced his reputation as 00:22:23.509 --> 00:22:26.289 a master storyteller, capable of captivating 00:22:26.289 --> 00:22:29.130 audiences with unbelievable yet somehow relatable 00:22:29.130 --> 00:22:32.750 tales. Then came the Showtime special, Burt Kreischer. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:35.859 The Machine, released in 2016. Send it around 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:38.099 the big one. Yep, which not only shared the title 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:40.460 of his most famous anecdote, but also further 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:43.519 elevated his profile as a touring comedian, preparing 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:46.140 him for an even bigger stage. Showtime's a good 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:48.720 platform, too. But the real game changer came 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:51.039 with his significant partnership with Netflix. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:53.960 Ah, the Netflix era. That's huge. It really was. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:56.440 This collaboration has produced an impressive 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:58.980 slate of four specials, illustrating his increasing 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:01.720 mainstream appeal and prolific output on a global 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:05.710 platform. These include Burt Kreischer, Secret 00:23:05.710 --> 00:23:08.289 Time, filmed in Philadelphia and released in 00:23:08.289 --> 00:23:12.029 August 2018, where he delved into themes of family 00:23:12.029 --> 00:23:14.829 life and the absurdities of growing older. Then 00:23:14.829 --> 00:23:17.630 came Burt Kreischer. Hey, big boy, filmed in 00:23:17.630 --> 00:23:19.990 Cleveland and released in March 2020. Right before 00:23:19.990 --> 00:23:22.769 things got weird. Exactly, capturing the pre 00:23:22.769 --> 00:23:25.529 -pandemic zeitgeist with his signature bravado. 00:23:25.809 --> 00:23:28.710 Following that, Burt Kreischer. Razzle Dazzle, 00:23:28.829 --> 00:23:32.309 filmed in Omaha and released in March 2023, continued 00:23:32.309 --> 00:23:34.849 his tradition of deeply personal and hilarious 00:23:34.849 --> 00:23:37.410 storytelling. And looking ahead, Burt Kreischer, 00:23:37.710 --> 00:23:40.009 Lucky, filmed in his home state of Tampa, Florida, 00:23:40.509 --> 00:23:43.569 is slated for release in March 2025. Yeah, keeping 00:23:43.569 --> 00:23:46.069 him coming. This consistent stream of high quality 00:23:46.069 --> 00:23:48.369 specials on a global platform like Netflix has 00:23:48.369 --> 00:23:51.269 irrevocably cemented his status as a major fourth 00:23:51.269 --> 00:23:54.099 in comedy, reaching millions worldwide. The Netflix 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:56.440 deal wasn't just about more specials. It was 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:59.640 about global distribution and a stamp of mainstream 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:02.539 approval that few comedians achieve. Good point. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:05.819 It represents a pivot point where his grassroots 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:08.859 following exploded into a truly international 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:11.640 audience, proving that his unique brand of humor 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:14.660 transcended cultural boundaries, likely because 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:17.000 of the relatable human experiences woven into 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:19.920 his wild tales. It's incredible to see that trajectory. 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:22.500 But Burt's ambition, however, wasn't limited 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:25.089 to sta— stand -up stages and specials, he made 00:24:25.089 --> 00:24:27.309 a successful and very interesting transition 00:24:27.309 --> 00:24:30.029 into hosting and reality television. Right, the 00:24:30.029 --> 00:24:33.069 hosting gig. Leveraging his charismatic, adventurous 00:24:33.069 --> 00:24:35.730 personality beyond the comedy club stage. His 00:24:35.730 --> 00:24:38.730 early hosting gigs included Hurt Burt on FX in 00:24:38.730 --> 00:24:41.490 2004, where he put himself in various comedic 00:24:41.490 --> 00:24:43.490 physical predicaments. Hurt Burt. Sounds about 00:24:43.490 --> 00:24:46.390 right. Huh. And the ex -show from 2001 to 2002, 00:24:46.509 --> 00:24:49.450 also on FX, where he brought his unfiltered personality 00:24:49.450 --> 00:24:52.140 to a late -night talk format. Early days. But 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:54.539 a particularly significant role was Burt the 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:56.440 Conqueror on the Travel Channel, which ran for 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:59.220 multiple seasons from 2010 to 2011 and returned 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:01.619 in 2016. Burt the Conqueror. Yeah, I remember 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:04.140 that. The premise of this show was absolutely 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:06.619 fascinating and perfectly suited to his persona. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.700 Burt traveled to amusement parks and other entertainment 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:12.299 venues across the United States, experiencing 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:14.839 thrilling rides and activities. Lots of screaming 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:17.539 involved, I bet. Oh yeah. This wasn't just about 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:20.180 fun. It often involved him confronting his own 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:23.200 very real fear of heights, making for genuinely 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:25.380 compelling television. That vulnerability again. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:28.460 Exactly. For instance, viewers could watch him 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:30.799 white -knuckling it on massive roller coasters, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.900 taking on extreme amusement park rides, and engaging 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:36.400 in truly audacious activities such as jumping 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:39.720 off the stratosphere tower in Las Vegas, a terrifying 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:42.900 free fall, or even being fired from a human slingshot. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:46.079 The human slingshot, oh man. This series brilliantly 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:48.779 showcased his willingness to embrace vulnerability, 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:51.839 confront personal fears, and do truly outrageous 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:54.160 things for entertainment, further endearing him 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:56.339 to a broader audience who connected with his 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:59.539 bravery and his fear. He also hosted another 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:02.519 Travel Channel series called Trip Flip from 2012 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:06.059 to 2015, where he surprised travelers with spontaneous, 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:09.880 action -packed itineraries. And in 2020, he starred 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:12.460 as himself in a five -episode stint of The Cabin 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:15.059 with Burt Kreischer, where he He invited comedian 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:17.960 friends to his isolated cabin for various shenanigans. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:20.599 But Burt the Conqueror was a genius move because 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:23.339 it showcased his genuine personality and vulnerability 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:26.619 in a new context. It wasn't just jokes. It was 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:29.519 Burt being Burt, pushing his boundaries and connecting 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.559 with people on a visceral level through shared 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:34.359 experiences of excitement and fear. Right. It 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:36.420 expanded his audience beyond comedy club goers 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:38.700 to anyone who appreciated adventure and a good 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:41.180 laugh, proving his persona was versatile enough 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:43.750 for any genre. And it certainly was versatile, 00:26:44.190 --> 00:26:46.329 because in addition to his extensive on -screen 00:26:46.329 --> 00:26:48.890 work, Bird has carved out a massive presence 00:26:48.890 --> 00:26:51.630 in the increasingly influential world of podcasting. 00:26:51.630 --> 00:26:53.630 Oh yeah, the podcast empire. Proving himself 00:26:53.630 --> 00:26:57.029 to be a true multimedia impresario. He not only 00:26:57.029 --> 00:26:59.650 hosts but also produces several successful podcasts 00:26:59.650 --> 00:27:02.109 under his Birdie Boy Productions banner, essentially 00:27:02.109 --> 00:27:05.660 building his own mini -media empire. Smart. Control 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:08.720 your content. Exactly. These include Burtcast, 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:11.500 which launched way back in 2012 and was notably 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:13.640 recorded from his custom -built Man Cave that 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:16.259 was featured on the reality TV program Man Cave's 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:19.400 Talk About Meta. Man Cave. He also produces and 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:21.960 hosts Open Tabs, where he delves into various 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:24.880 internet rabbit holes, and the cooking show Something's 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:27.720 Burning, where he humorously attempts to cook 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:30.339 with fellow comedians, often with chaotic and 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:32.819 hilarious results. Something's Burning is... 00:27:32.809 --> 00:27:35.750 Chaos. Glorious chaos. Totally. Beyond his solo 00:27:35.750 --> 00:27:38.130 ventures, he co -hosts the incredibly popular 00:27:38.130 --> 00:27:41.470 Two Bears, One Cave podcast with fellow comedian 00:27:41.470 --> 00:27:44.509 Tom Segura. Two Bears. Huge. This particular 00:27:44.509 --> 00:27:47.029 collaboration has garnered a massive, dedicated 00:27:47.029 --> 00:27:49.670 following, largely due to the unscripted, often 00:27:49.670 --> 00:27:52.410 outrageous, and deeply authentic dynamic between 00:27:52.410 --> 00:27:55.210 the two comedians. Their chemistry is undeniable, 00:27:55.210 --> 00:27:57.470 and their willingness to share absurd personal 00:27:57.470 --> 00:27:59.730 stories has made it a weekly must listen for 00:27:59.730 --> 00:28:02.849 many. Their dynamic is just gold. It really is. 00:28:03.210 --> 00:28:05.490 His deep integration into the podcasting world 00:28:05.490 --> 00:28:08.109 is further evidenced by his numerous guest appearances 00:28:08.109 --> 00:28:11.730 on other prominent shows, including WTF with 00:28:11.730 --> 00:28:14.430 Marc Maron, Doug Benson's Doug Loves Movies, 00:28:14.690 --> 00:28:17.190 H3 Podcast, Your Mom's House and The Joe Rogan 00:28:17.190 --> 00:28:19.450 Experience. He's everywhere in that world. He 00:28:19.450 --> 00:28:22.630 is. This extensive presence highlights his consistent 00:28:22.630 --> 00:28:24.990 ability to connect with audiences through long 00:28:24.990 --> 00:28:27.849 form conversational content where his storytelling 00:28:27.849 --> 00:28:31.349 prowess truly shines. This extensive output in 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:34.380 stand -up, TV, and digital media underscores 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:36.440 a significant shift in the entertainment landscape. 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:39.319 Bert Kreischer hasn't just adapted to new platforms, 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:42.519 he's absolutely thrived on them. leveraging his 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:44.799 distinct persona to build multiple successful 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:47.740 franchises. What's fascinating here is how his 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:50.559 brand consistency, the shirtless storytelling 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:53.619 perpetual man -child persona, has remained incredibly 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:55.700 appealing and effective across such varied formats. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.900 From a travel channel show where he conquers 00:28:57.900 --> 00:29:00.680 fears, to a cooking show, to deep dive podcasts, 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:03.819 he manages to be authentically Burt. Always Burt. 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:06.400 Always Burt. This raises an important question. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:09.880 What unique qualities allow some entertainers 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:12.339 to successfully cross over into so many different 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:14.880 forms of media? And how does the consistency 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:17.500 of that authentic brand play a critical role 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:19.880 in maintaining audience connection and building 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:22.740 a truly diversified career in today's fragmented 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.880 entertainment ecosystem? That's the key question, 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:28.000 isn't it? It is. His ability to share deeply 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:30.900 personal, sometimes outrageous, stories, whether 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:33.240 in stand -up or in a memoir, seems to be a key 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:35.809 part of that enduring connection. It really is. 00:29:35.890 --> 00:29:38.829 That consistency is key. And not content with 00:29:38.829 --> 00:29:41.710 just performing, hosting, and podcasting, Burt 00:29:41.710 --> 00:29:44.349 Kreischer also added published author to his 00:29:44.349 --> 00:29:46.970 impressive resume. Right, the book. In 2014, 00:29:47.089 --> 00:29:49.829 he released his book, Life of the Party, Stories 00:29:49.829 --> 00:29:52.549 of a Perpetual Man Child, published by St. Martin's 00:29:52.549 --> 00:29:56.009 Press. This 256 page memoir allowed him to delve 00:29:56.009 --> 00:29:58.789 even deeper into the personal anecdotes and experiences 00:29:58.789 --> 00:30:01.910 that fuel his comedy, offering a more introspective, 00:30:02.150 --> 00:30:04.049 detailed look at the man behind the machine. 00:30:04.329 --> 00:30:07.069 expanding his creative output beyond performance 00:30:07.069 --> 00:30:09.349 alone. Putting it all down on paper. And finally, 00:30:09.829 --> 00:30:12.109 his filmography continues to grow far beyond 00:30:12.109 --> 00:30:14.930 the initial accidental inspiration for Van Wilder. 00:30:15.329 --> 00:30:17.650 His actual feature film debut, where he starred 00:30:17.650 --> 00:30:21.170 as himself, was fittingly The Machine in 2023. 00:30:21.349 --> 00:30:23.670 Bringing a full circle. Totally. Bringing his 00:30:23.670 --> 00:30:26.369 most famous story to the big screen with an action 00:30:26.369 --> 00:30:29.430 comedy twist. More recently, he made an appearance 00:30:29.430 --> 00:30:32.630 as a roaster alongside Tom Segura at the roast 00:30:32.630 --> 00:30:35.730 of Tom Brady in 2024. The Brady roast. Yeah. 00:30:35.730 --> 00:30:37.930 Demonstrating his continued relevance in live 00:30:37.930 --> 00:30:40.049 entertainment and his ability to engage with 00:30:40.049 --> 00:30:42.869 major cultural events, proving he's still a sought 00:30:42.869 --> 00:30:45.430 after presence in prime time events. For someone 00:30:45.430 --> 00:30:47.829 whose entire public persona began with public 00:30:47.829 --> 00:30:50.430 nudity and party hijinks documented in Rolling 00:30:50.430 --> 00:30:52.769 Stone, you might understandably wonder about 00:30:52.769 --> 00:30:54.930 the person behind the persona, the family man. 00:30:55.029 --> 00:30:56.990 Yeah, the contrast is huge. So what does this 00:30:56.990 --> 00:30:59.609 all mean for understanding Bert Kreischer beyond 00:30:59.609 --> 00:31:02.430 the machine and the undergraduate? How does that 00:31:02.430 --> 00:31:04.880 wild public image square with his personal life? 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.900 It's an essential question because it adds so 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:10.200 much depth to his brand. Despite the wild stories 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:12.779 and the shirtless antics, Bert Kreischer has 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:15.559 built a remarkably firmly grounded personal life, 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:18.640 which I think surprises many. Really? Yeah. He 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:21.680 married Leanne Kreischer in December 2003, providing 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:24.720 a steady, anchoring presence to his often unconventional 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:27.460 and chaotic career. Leon, yeah, she's on his 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:30.079 podcast sometimes, right? Exactly. Together, 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:32.160 they have two daughters, and their family life 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:34.400 has become a significant and often incredibly 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:37.200 endearing part of his public persona. That's 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:39.000 fascinating. Tell us a bit more about his family 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:42.059 life. Certainly. Their first child, Georgia Mae 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:45.960 Crusher, was born on June 8, 2004. There's a 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:48.119 poignant anecdote associated with her birth that 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:50.480 perfectly encapsulates the dedication, perhaps 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:53.849 the madness, of a comedian's life. Just three 00:31:53.849 --> 00:31:56.470 days after Georgia May was born, Burt was back 00:31:56.470 --> 00:31:59.869 on the road doing comedy. Three days? Wow. Yeah. 00:32:00.410 --> 00:32:02.490 He's always been incredibly open about how much 00:32:02.490 --> 00:32:05.190 he credits his wife Leanne for taking care of 00:32:05.190 --> 00:32:08.089 Georgia while he was away. This offers a crucial 00:32:08.089 --> 00:32:10.910 glimpse into the sacrifices and the vital support 00:32:10.910 --> 00:32:13.470 system that has allowed him to pursue such an 00:32:13.470 --> 00:32:15.710 incredibly demanding career. That's intense. 00:32:15.950 --> 00:32:18.069 It really is. It also highlights the reality 00:32:18.069 --> 00:32:20.509 that behind every successful entertainer, there 00:32:20.509 --> 00:32:23.630 are often unsung heroes making it all possible. 00:32:24.130 --> 00:32:26.150 I can only imagine the look on Leanne's face 00:32:26.150 --> 00:32:28.230 during those early days. That kind of support 00:32:28.230 --> 00:32:30.230 is invaluable. And they had a second daughter 00:32:30.230 --> 00:32:32.630 as well, didn't they? Yes, their second daughter, 00:32:33.009 --> 00:32:35.750 Isla Grace Kreischer, was born on July 18th, 00:32:35.809 --> 00:32:39.930 2006. Burt has openly shared that Isla has dyslexia, 00:32:40.150 --> 00:32:42.549 and he's observed that she has a unique way of 00:32:42.549 --> 00:32:45.529 thinking and responding to people. These personal 00:32:45.529 --> 00:32:47.930 details offer a touching, humanizing insight 00:32:47.930 --> 00:32:50.349 into his family life, showcasing a different 00:32:50.349 --> 00:32:52.890 side to the boisterous comedian. It's not just 00:32:52.890 --> 00:32:55.029 about the party stories. It's about the everyday 00:32:55.029 --> 00:32:57.549 challenges and joys of being a parent, which 00:32:57.549 --> 00:32:59.930 deepens his relatability for many audience members 00:32:59.930 --> 00:33:02.470 who are also navigating similar family dynamics. 00:33:02.970 --> 00:33:04.769 This brings us to a really interesting point 00:33:04.769 --> 00:33:07.109 of connection and contrast that I think makes 00:33:07.109 --> 00:33:10.200 his brand so strong. There's a clear difference 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:13.160 between his partier and machine public persona, 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:17.119 the wild, uninhibited comedian, and his role 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:19.940 as a dedicated husband and father. Mm -hmm. The 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:22.980 two Burt's. Right. Yet it's precisely his ability 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:25.660 to share vulnerable and deeply personal stories, 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.880 including those about his family, within his 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:30.700 comedy and podcasts that contribute so significantly 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:33.960 to his broad appeal and the perceived authenticity 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:36.079 of his brand. That authenticity factor again. 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:38.789 Totally. He doesn't just present a... curated 00:33:38.789 --> 00:33:41.730 one -dimensional image. He invites his audience 00:33:41.730 --> 00:33:44.069 into his evolving life, including the challenges 00:33:44.069 --> 00:33:47.109 and joys of being a family man. It's true. The 00:33:47.109 --> 00:33:49.390 balanced Burt Kreischer strikes between his often 00:33:49.390 --> 00:33:52.349 outrageous public persona and the grounded realities 00:33:52.349 --> 00:33:55.089 of his personal life is truly fascinating. It 00:33:55.089 --> 00:33:57.109 speaks volumes about the shifting expectations 00:33:57.109 --> 00:33:59.569 audiences have for celebrities, particularly 00:33:59.569 --> 00:34:02.089 in the age of social media and podcasts, where 00:34:02.089 --> 00:34:04.309 transparency and authenticity are highly valued. 00:34:04.430 --> 00:34:06.730 Yeah, people want the real deal. They do. He 00:34:06.730 --> 00:34:09.230 manages to be both the machine and a present, 00:34:09.710 --> 00:34:13.250 albeit touring family man. This fusion creates 00:34:13.250 --> 00:34:16.269 a unique resonance. His audience feels like they're 00:34:16.269 --> 00:34:19.079 growing with him. And that evolution is fascinating, 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:22.239 isn't it? His life experiences, from the legendary 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:24.980 college days that launched his career, to navigating 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:28.000 fatherhood and marriage, undoubtedly inform the 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:30.179 observational comedy and the rich storytelling 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:33.019 that defines his work today. Absolutely. His 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:35.550 material evolves with his life. It's a testament 00:34:35.550 --> 00:34:38.110 to how an artist can grow and mature, allowing 00:34:38.110 --> 00:34:40.750 those experiences to enrich their craft while 00:34:40.750 --> 00:34:42.849 still maintaining the core elements of what made 00:34:42.849 --> 00:34:46.050 them famous. It's almost like the persona evolved 00:34:46.050 --> 00:34:48.650 with the man, creating a continuous, compelling 00:34:48.650 --> 00:34:51.130 narrative. Exactly. This raises an important 00:34:51.130 --> 00:34:53.690 question for any public figure. In an era of 00:34:53.690 --> 00:34:56.429 increasing transparency, how does an artist effectively 00:34:56.429 --> 00:34:59.070 integrate personal revelations, especially those 00:34:59.070 --> 00:35:01.650 as intimate as family life, into their brand 00:35:01.650 --> 00:35:04.519 without diluting the humor or mystique that initially 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:06.559 drew people in. That's the tightrope, isn't it? 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:09.460 It is. Burt seems to have mastered this by presenting 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:11.900 these stories not as weaknesses, but as integral 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:15.440 parts of his larger evolving narrative, making 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:17.519 his audience feel like they're part of his ongoing 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:19.559 journey rather than just observing from a distance. 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:22.619 It adds a layer of genuine connection that's 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:26.329 incredibly hard to fake. Mm. Outro. Today, we've 00:35:26.329 --> 00:35:28.750 taken a truly comprehensive deep dive into the 00:35:28.750 --> 00:35:31.469 incredible, almost unbelievable journey of Burt 00:35:31.469 --> 00:35:34.010 Kreischer. I'm a ride. Right. From being dubbed 00:35:34.010 --> 00:35:36.789 the top partier whose legend inspired a Hollywood 00:35:36.789 --> 00:35:39.530 movie to becoming a shirtless stand -up icon 00:35:39.530 --> 00:35:42.829 with multiple Netflix specials, a prolific podcaster 00:35:42.829 --> 00:35:45.150 building his own media company, and ultimately, 00:35:45.469 --> 00:35:47.929 a dedicated family man whose personal life enriches 00:35:47.929 --> 00:35:50.809 his art. It's truly a unique path, paved with 00:35:50.809 --> 00:35:53.880 audacity and authenticity. We've seen how pivotal 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:56.300 early notoriety, even if accidental, can become 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:59.000 a launchpad for an entire career. We've explored 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:01.579 how a distinct comedic voice and a genuine willingness 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:04.360 to share deeply personal narratives from wild 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:06.619 college antics to the quiet challenges of family 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:08.719 life can resonate across multiple platforms. 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.230 Ultimately, Burke Kreischer's story highlights 00:36:11.230 --> 00:36:14.030 how a consistent, authentic persona, allowed 00:36:14.030 --> 00:36:17.030 to evolve and mature, can build a lasting and 00:36:17.030 --> 00:36:19.829 incredibly varied career in entertainment. His 00:36:19.829 --> 00:36:22.170 journey truly underscores the power of owning 00:36:22.170 --> 00:36:24.349 one's narrative, even when that narrative has 00:36:24.349 --> 00:36:27.789 the wildest, most unexpected origins. So as you 00:36:27.789 --> 00:36:30.389 go about your day, consider this. How much of 00:36:30.389 --> 00:36:33.250 who we become is truly shaped by the stories 00:36:33.250 --> 00:36:35.550 others tell about us, especially in those formative 00:36:35.550 --> 00:36:38.849 years, versus the stories we deliberately choose 00:36:38.849 --> 00:36:41.389 to tell ourselves and the world? That's a deep 00:36:41.389 --> 00:36:44.269 one. Yeah. And perhaps more profoundly, how can 00:36:44.269 --> 00:36:48.050 truly embracing our own unique, even wild narratives, 00:36:48.170 --> 00:36:50.909 the ones that are undeniably ours, be the key 00:36:50.909 --> 00:36:53.510 to carving out our own extraordinary, undeniable 00:36:53.510 --> 00:36:56.190 path, no matter how unconventional it may seem? 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:58.460 question that challenges us to reflect on our 00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:00.860 own origin stories and the immense potential 00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:02.960 for unexpected transformations that lie within 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:05.360 us, much like Bert Kreischer's own incredible 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:08.159 journey from the undergraduate to a genuine entertainment 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:10.179 machine. Yeah. Think about the narratives in 00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.780 your own life that you might be overlooking. 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:14.420 Perhaps they hold the seeds of your next big 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:14.800 adventure.