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Bert Kreischer

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Bert Kreischer
Kreischer in 2012
PseudonymThe Machine
Born (1972-11-03) November 3, 1972 (age 52)[1]
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
MediumStand-up, film, television
Years active1997–present
GenresObservational comedy, black comedy
Subject(s)Human behavior, human sexuality, American politics, gender differences, weight loss
Websitewww.bertbertbert.com Edit this at Wikidata

Bert Kreischer (born November 3, 1972), nicknamed "The Machine",[2] is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, reality television host and actor. In 1997, he was featured in an article in Rolling Stone while attending Florida State University.[3] The magazine named Kreischer "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country."[3] The article also served as inspiration for the 2002 film National Lampoon's Van Wilder.[4] Kreischer has served as host of the television series Hurt Bert on FX as well as Bert the Conqueror and Trip Flip on Travel Channel.[5][6][7][8][9] He appeared in The Machine, a comedy film loosely based on his life.[10]

As part of his production company, Berty Boy Productions, Kreischer produces and hosts the podcasts Bertcast and Open Tabs and the cooking show Something’s Burning. He also co-hosts the podcast 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura.[11]

Early life

Albert Kreischer Jr. was born November 3, 1972, in St. Petersburg, Florida,[12] and raised in Tampa.[3] His mother worked in early childhood development and his father worked as a real-estate attorney.[3] He attended a private Jesuit high school then went on to attend Florida State University (FSU).[3] Kreischer majored in English and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.[3][9]

In 1997, during Kreischer's sixth year at FSU, the university was ranked number one by The Princeton Review in their annual list of the top "party schools" in the United States.[3][4][13] Later that same year Kreischer became the focus of a six-page article in Rolling Stone who named him "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country."[3][5] Titled "Bert Kreischer: The Undergraduate," the article recounted Kreischer's party hijinks, which included bouts of heavy drinking and public nudity.[3][4] From the Rolling Stone article director Oliver Stone optioned the film rights to Kreischer's life.[14] When the development deal with Oliver Stone fell through, all the scripts that were submitted went back to their writers. One of these writers changed Kreischer's name and sold the script to National Lampoon.[14] This became the basis for the 2002 film National Lampoon's Van Wilder, starring Ryan Reynolds.[4][5]

When asked about his involvement in the film, Kreischer told the New York Post in 2014: "I've never seen it. I had nothing to do with it."[4] On Joe Rogan's podcast, Kreischer talked about how National Lampoon executives confirmed to him that he was the basis for the film.[14] He also confirmed that he would never sue National Lampoon for having made the movie without his involvement.[14]

Career

Stand-up comedy

Kreischer's first experience with stand-up comedy was at Potbelly's, a bar and nightclub in Tallahassee, Florida.[15][16] Kreischer moved to New York City after a tape of one of his sets was sent to a talent agent who invited him to the city to watch some stand-up shows.[15] Kreischer worked the door at the now-defunct Boston Comedy Club.[4][17]

Kreischer is known for performing stand-up comedy while shirtless.[18][19][20] He is also known for his storytelling; his most popular story is about how he allegedly earned the nickname "The Machine".[18][17][15][21] The story revolves around how he inadvertently helped the Russian mafia rob a train while on a college trip to Russia. A The Machine (2023 film) was released on May 26, 2023.[19][21][22]

In 2004, Kreischer was featured along with four other comedians on the DVD release National Lampoon Live: New Faces – Volume 2.[23] That same year one of his stories appeared on an episode of the animated Comedy Central series Shorties Watchin' Shorties.[24]

As a stand-up comedian Kreischer has performed internationally and has appeared on late night talk shows Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan.[5][18][19][25][26] He also appeared regularly as a guest on Rachael Ray from 2011 to 2015.[5][18][27]

His first comedy special Bert Kreischer: Comfortably Dumb appeared on Comedy Central in 2009.[18][22] Kreischer returned to the network in 2015 for the storytelling series This Is Not Happening, recounting his experience wrestling a bear.[28]

Showtime released Bert Kreischer: The Machine in 2016.[29]

Netflix has subsequently produced three comedy specials, filming Bert Kreischer: Secret Time in Philadelphia released August 2018 ; filming Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy in Cleveland released March 2020 ; filming Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle in Omaha released March 2023.

Podcasting

Kreischer produces and hosts the podcasts Bertcast and Open Tabs and the cooking show Something’s Burning.[30] Bertcast launched in 2012, was previously recorded from his Man Cave that was built for him for an episode of Man Caves, a home improvement reality television program.[31] Kreischer also co-hosts the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura.[32]

Kreischer has also been a guest on podcasts such as WTF with Marc Maron, Doug Benson's Doug Loves Movies, H3 Podcast, Your Mom's House and The Joe Rogan Experience.[22][16][33]

Published works

  • Kreischer, Bert (2014). Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-1-250-03031-3. - Total pages: 256 [8][22][16]

Other media

Within five months of moving to New York City to pursue a career in comedy, Will Smith's Production Company offered Kreischer a deal for a sitcom.[5][16] When he was featured on Bert the Conqueror, Kreischer traveled to amusement parks and other entertainment venues across the United States in order to experience thrilling rides and activities. Kreischer, who has a fear of heights, can be seen riding roller coasters and other amusement park rides as well as engaging in activities such as jumping off the Stratosphere tower in Las Vegas and being fired from a human slingshot.[9][34][35] While in New York Kreischer attended open mics hosted by TV producer DJ Nash that were also attended by the likes of Demetri Martin, Bobby Kelly and Jim Norton.[16] In 2001 Kreischer also starred in a television pilot based on Nash's life titled Life With David J.[5]

Personal life

Kreischer lives in Los Angeles with his wife LeeAnn and their two daughters.[8][9][15][34]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Life With David J Himself His acting debut starring in the CBS pilot, starring alongside Elliott Gould and Peter Jacobson.[5][16] Based on the life of TV producer DJ Nash.
2001–2002 The X Show Himself as host Kreischer served as host on the variety show.[5][16]
2004 The Shield Alfred Minor role on an episode, Cracking Ice, of the police TV drama.[36]
2004 Hurt Bert Himself as host FX series based on a segment he had done for The X Show and featured him performing various dangerous stunts.[5][6][16]
2010–2011, 2016 Bert the Conqueror Himself as host Travel Channel reality show.[9][7][34] Returned for a third season in 2016.[9]
2012–2015 Trip Flip Himself as host Also on Travel Channel.[7][9][8] Trip Flip featured Kreischer surprising random people with the offer of an immediate 5-day vacation of his choosing.[7][9][8][17] Trip Flip continued for 3 more seasons, ending in 2015.
2017 The Loud House Rip Hardcore (voice) Episode: "Mall of Duty"
2020 The Cabin with Bert Kreischer Himself Kreischer is sent to the woods to detox but he brings friends.
2023 The Machine Himself Based on his special of the same name.

Specials

Year Title Label
2009 Comfortably Dumb Showtime
2016 The Machine Showtime
2018 Secret Time Netflix
2020 Hey Big Boy Netflix
2023 Razzle Dazzle Netflix

Appearances

Notes
2004 National Lampoon Live: New Faces – Volume Two segment
2015

2017

This Is Not Happening 2 episodes

References

  1. ^ "Bert Kreischer Biography". IMDb. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. ^ The Machine – Bert Kreischer: THE MACHINE, retrieved May 2, 2022
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hedegaard, Erik (April 17, 1997). "Bert Kreischer: The Undergraduate". Rolling Stone. No. 758. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Tucker, Reed (May 19, 2014). "The real-life Van Wilder". New York Post. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j BWW News Desk (June 9, 2017). "Bert Kreischer to Embark on Australian Tour this September". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Gallagher, Danny (August 1, 2010). "How Bert Kreischer Conquered The Travel Channel's 'Bert the Conqueror'". TV Squad. AOL. Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Dolan, Rebecca (June 28, 2012). "'Trip Flip,' New Travel Show, Is More Than Your Average Vacation". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d e Kim, Jae-Ha (May 6, 2014). "Go Away With ... Bert Kreischer". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Tatham, Chelsea (June 6, 2016). "Tampa's Bert Kreischer faces his fears on Travel Channel's 'Bert the Conqueror'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 14, 2021). "Peter Atencio To Direct Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer". Deadline. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  11. ^ Ostby, Ingrid (March 14, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle'". Netflix.
  12. ^ "Episode #482 – Rosebud Baker". Bertcast (Interview). September 16, 2021. Event occurs at 1:43:00. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021 – via YouTube. [Discussing throwing a party for those born on the same day, in the same place as himself] I am throwing a party in St. Petersburg, where we were all born—St. Petersburg, Florida—bring your birth certificate. If you were born on November 3, 1972...
  13. ^ Kingkade, Tyler (August 4, 2014). "A History of the Princeton Review's Top Party School Ranking". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d Rogan & Kreischer 2013, p. 1:49:00
  15. ^ a b c d Fitzgerald, Christine (September 24, 2014). "Bert Kreischer Is Still The Life Of The Party". Socialite Life. Unimpressed Media. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Eakin, Marah (May 27, 2014). "Bert Kreischer on Will Smith, frat bros, and the first time he got drunk". AV Club. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c Heid, Derek (July 10, 2014). "Bert Kreischer Learns "Everything's Kind of Fleeting"". Broward Palm Beach New Times. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  18. ^ a b c d e Wohlfarth, Matt (March 5, 2014). "Bert Kreischer still lives and makes jokes in the moment". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c Interrobang Staff (January 25, 2017). "Conan's Audience Gets a Crash Course in Bert Kreischer". Interrobang. Orange Pop Media. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  20. ^ McIntyre, Michael K. (July 27, 2017). "Bert Kreischer bares his soul, and his chest, in stand-up shows this weekend at Hilarities". cleveland.com. Advance Ohio. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  21. ^ a b Interrobang Staff (December 28, 2016). "The Award for Remarkable Achievements of Exceptional Noteworthiness for Unrelated Things in Comedy". Interrobang. Orange Pop Media. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  22. ^ a b c d Hwang, Kellie (October 10, 2017). "Stand Up Live in Phoenix to host comedy podcast festival with Doug Benson, Felipe Esparza". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  23. ^ National Lampoon Live: New Faces – Volume 2 (2004) at IMDb. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  24. ^ "Bert Kreischer – Kids' Urinal". Shorties Watchin' Shorties. Season 1. Episode 5. Comedy Central. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  25. ^ "Bert Kreischer, Credits". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  26. ^ "Bert Kreischer on Conan". teamcoco.com. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. January 24, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  27. ^ Kaczmarczyk, Jeffrey (December 3, 2015). "NBC's late night host Seth Meyers coming to LaughFest 2016 in Grand Rapids". MLive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  28. ^ "Bert Kreischer – Fighting a Bear – Uncensored". This Is Not Happening. Season 1. Episode 2. Comedy Central. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  29. ^ Butler, Bethonie (November 10, 2016). "TV highlights: 'Red Oaks' returns to Amazon". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  30. ^ Ostby, Ingrid (March 14, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle'". Netflix.
  31. ^ "Bert the Conqueror". Man Caves. Season 9. Episode 1. DIY Network. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  32. ^ Ostby, Ingrid (March 14, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle'". Netflix.
  33. ^ H3 Podcast (August 24, 2018). "H3 Podcast #80 – Bert Kreischer". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ a b c Spychalla, Craig (July 16, 2010). "Conquering The World: Travel Channel's Bert the Conqueror takes on Wisconsin Dells with a little comedy, and a few screams". Portage Daily Register. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  35. ^ "The House Is Filling Up Under the Scripps Networks Roof". The New York Times. April 20, 2010.
  36. ^ The Shield: Cracking Ice (2004) at IMDb. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
General sources
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