What did Bert Kreischer do on Travel Channel?

How Bert Kreischer Became a Travel Channel Star

Bert Kreischer first gained fame from a Rolling Stone article in 1997 titled “The Undergraduate” that chronicled his wild partying antics in college, dubbing him the “top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country.” This notoriety launched Bert‘s comedy career as he embraced storytelling and stand-up focused on his crazy stories from his Van Wilder-esque college days.

After achieving success on the comedy circuit, Bert landed spots on shows like Comedy Central Presents and Late Night with David Letterman. From there, his career took off with acting roles and appearances on reality shows like The Amazing Race.

According to an interview with The Comics Journal, Bert caught the attention of Travel Channel executives after his appearance on the reality show Real Road Rules, where his bold personality shone through. They thought he‘d be perfect for rebooting their classic adventure travel show Three Sheets.

“They wanted a host who was funny, engaging and willing to dive headfirst into any situation or activity. I was known for my stand-up stories of partying and outrageous college antics, so I was seen as someone potentially well-suited for an edgy, humorous travel show.”

With his enthusiasm and “try anything once” spirit, Bert proved to be the ideal host for the Travel Channel’s rebranded version of the show, which became Bert the Conqueror in 2010.

Key Facts and Stats

• Bert the Conqueror aired from 2010-2012, spanning 3 seasons and 29 episodes on Travel Channel
• It aired on Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT in its prime slot for travel programming
• The show averaged about 1 million viewers per first-run episode, considered a success for the network
• Bert the Conqueror was consistently in the Top 10 shows for Travel Channel during its run
• In the key advertising demographic of Adults 25-54, ratings peaked at a 0.5 rating

The Premise and Format of Bert the Conqueror

The basic premise of Bert the Conqueror centered around host Bert Kreischer immersing himself in the culture, attractions, cuisine and thrills of various travel destinations around the United States.

“I wanted the show to have a fun, humorous vibe as I explored all the incredible places the U.S. has to offer. The producers matched my personality perfectly with some wild adventures."

Each episode focused on a specific location, usually domestic hot spots like Austin, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, etc. In that city or region, Bert met with local experts who took him on excursions and activities meant to capture the essence of the destination. This included:

• Historically and culturally significant sites
• Famous attractions and landmarks
• Outdoor adventures and extreme sports
• Local cuisine and restaurants
• Entertainment and nightlife

The highlight of every episode was showcasing Bert participating in the signature thrill activities most identified with that destination. This ranged from racing speedboats in Miami to flying biplanes in Hawaii. Even when clearly outside his comfort zone, the gregarious Bert approached each adventure with enthusiasm (and sometimes fear), making for good comedy.

Mixed in were interviews with local characters, from celebrities to everyday folks, adding color to each location. Beautiful b-roll footage of scenery and city shots also gave a strong sense of place. While hijinks and humor were central, the show still retained an informative travelogue feel.

Notable Locations/Activities Featured

• New Orleans – Airboat swamp tour, jazz club crawl, voodoo/ghost walk
• Key West – Snorkeling by reefs, partying on Duval Street, deep sea fishing
• New York City – Eating legendary pizza and bagels, visiting comedy clubs
• Austin – Cowboy boot shopping, bat watching, honky tonk bar dancing
• Colorado – Skiing double black diamond runs, soaking in hot springs

Why Audiences Loved Bert the Conqueror

There were several key factors that made Bert the Conqueror a ratings success during its 3 season run:

Bert‘s Big, Bold Personality

Fans loved Bert‘s “big kid” sensibility. He approached every activity with an almost childlike enthusiasm, even when clearly terrified. As an amateur, his reactions mirrored what viewers would feel, allowing them to vicariously live through his adventures.

“I played it honest. If something scares me, I can’t hide it. I think people appreciated that raw reactions and joy.”

Comedic Value

A huge part of the show‘s appeal was Bert‘s comedic touches during activities – from screaming on roller coasters to ad-libbed jokes when struggling through difficult challenges. This infused a travel show with humor and levity.

Relatable Host

As an "average Joe" host, Bert was far more relatable and endearing to audiences than a polished expert or celebrity. His amateurish reactions humanized potentially intimidating activities.

Informative Travel Segments

While humor took center stage, Bert the Conqueror still incorporated interesting history, facts, and travel tips on each location. Viewers came away educated as well as entertained.

"We wanted to tap into my natural curiosity and enthusiasm for travel. The show wasn‘t just stunts, but really exploring these places."

Inspiring Locales/Experiences

The show captured unique experiences and stunning footage that motivated viewers to travel. Bert‘s hands-on approach brought destinations to life in an organic way.

Bert‘s Other Travel Channel Projects

Beyond his flagship show Bert the Conqueror, Kreischer has appeared on other Travel Channel and Discovery properties over the years that aligned with his bold sensibilities:

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2010)

Bert was brought on as a guest for the Miami episode to showcase his college hometown during Super Bowl weekend. His contributions included a tailgate party and bar crawl.

Sand Masters (2011)

On this Travel Channel show, Bert served as host for an episode focused on master sand sculptors creating enormous beach designs.

Trip Flip (2011)

This hidden camera series had Bert "crashing" the vacations of unsuspecting couples by adding unexpected and elaborate adventures to their itinerary.

Man vs. Food Nation (2012)

Bert was tapped as a guest judge on this popular foodie travel show for an episode set in Fort Worth, Texas, evaluating giant steak dishes.

Bizarre Foods America (2015)

Bert joined host Andrew Zimmern in Florida to sample strange regional delicacies like frog legs and swamp cabbage stew.

The End of Bert the Conqueror

Despite earning solid ratings and a loyal fanbase, Bert the Conqueror was cancelled in 2012 after three seasons, much to loyal fans‘ disappointment.

Potential Factors Leading to Cancellation

• Declining ratings in Season 3
• Format fatigue setting in for viewers
• Budget constraints due to elaborate stunts and locations
• Availability issues with Bert‘s busy stand-up schedule
• Shift in network direction under Discovery ownership

While the show likely could have continued, especially given Bert‘s popularity, the factors above may have led the Travel Channel to pull the plug prematurely.

"I was bummed when it ended. I felt like we had momentum and lots of places still on my travel bucket list."

Petitions and Backlash from Fans

Many devoted Bert the Conqueror fans were outraged at the show‘s abrupt cancellation. On social media and fan sites, they complained the show was cancelled "too soon" just as it was hitting its stride.

Several online petitions were launched lobbying Travel Channel to revive the show, with one Change.org petition earning over 3,000 signatures. However, the network ultimately stuck by its decision to end the show after just three seasons and 29 episodes, moving in a different direction.

Potential Revival?

In interviews since, Bert has expressed openness to the idea of bringing back some version of Bert the Conqueror if the opportunity arose:

"I‘d absolutely love to do it again. No plans for it currently, but never say never. I still get messages from fans hoping it returns."

With streaming services hungry for content, many networks mining nostalgia, and Bert‘s continued popularity, it‘s plausible Bert the Conqueror could be rebooted or revived at some point down the line. But for now, fans can only re-watch the old episodes and dream of where Bert might conquer next.

Bert‘s Legacy and Influence

Though his Travel Channel hosting days are over, Bert left an indelible mark on television travel programming in several regards:

Mainstreaming Extreme Adventure Travel

With his amateur approach, Bert made adventure activities like skydiving and cave diving seem attainable for the average viewer. He opened up exotic travel once seen as only for experts.

Inspiring Viewers to Try New Things

Seeing Bert push his boundaries encouraged audiences to get outside their comfort zones. Many fans started planning their own trips inspired by his adventures.

“So many people said the show motivated them to travel somewhere they‘d always wanted to go but never thought they could.”

Reviving Three Sheets Format

As a reboot of an existing show, Bert the Conqueror modernized the “adventures in travel” format for a new generation using his comedic flair.

Appeal Across Demographics

From college viewers to baby boomers, Bert‘s humor and fearless personality resonated across generations, tapping into a universal wanderlust.

Influencing Similar Shows

Bert helped pave the way for other comedy travel shows like Hotel Impossible and Chow Masters. Networks saw his proven formula of thrills + humor was a winning combination.

While no longer hosting on Travel Channel, through his legacy as the boisterous, beloved Bert the Conqueror, Kreischer cemented his status as one of travel television’s most unforgettable stars.