The Scribble with Jeremy Bradley

It is the end of an era for CBS. What a big week for finales: Wednesday night had the 50th Survivor finale with Jeff Probst giving a major spoiler halfway through the show, and across the country in New York, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert took its final bow on Thursday after the network offed the show following controversy with Donald Trump. Jeremy Bradley, an entertainment host for over 20 years, talks about the Colbert cancellation scandal. Later, he reflects on his memories with Jeff Probst on the radio -- including the time the Survivor host crashed a show!

That restaurant or store from childhood has a place in your memory -- and possibly your heart. You tune into the news and hear the national chain is in danger of closing. Then, it makes headlines when the final location closes. Jeremy Bradley talks about working for iconic brands in his 20s and reflects on shifting business models and consumer interests that has those long-time favorites becoming a distant memory and a thing of the past.

Many people look back at their childhood and think about what they wanted to be when they grow up and if it actually happened. Jeremy Bradley reflects on his early days of amateur broadcasting as a kid and how it turned into a career that saw him largely retire at 39 years old -- five years ago. Pretending to host a show with his dual-cassette recorder as a kid to anchoring red carpets in radio syndication as an adult, JB has only recently connected the dots that what he really wanted to do in life actually happened from his interests and hobbies as a youngster. Plus, he talks about the first time he was on the radio as a kid... and how the hosts made fun of him.

It's a question people always ask: Do you remember where you were when...? Whether it was Sept. 11 or presidential assassinations or the pandemic, these events are stamped in people's minds. JB looks back at the COVID-19 global shutdowns and how it impacted his life. "I was treated like a criminal for wanting to go to my own house and not be locked up in a jail hotel," JB said. He's referring to the controversial quarantine hotels that were mandated by the Canadian government. "I was fined $6,000 because I refused to be mistreated, starved and put at risk. And, to this day, I've still never paid it. Oh yeah, and I've still never had COVID."

Paying fees for the 'privilege' of being a customer? No thanks, says Jeremy Bradley. Service fee, delivery fee, small order fee, bag fee, handling fee -- they're all junk fees, according to most consumers. (Not to mention the fee's tax -- yup, taxes on fees.) JB loses his mind when he sees a restaurant charging a $20 delivery fee for orders. Then, he says, restaurants cry about declining sales and threaten to close because they don't have community support. "Hmm, now why could that be?" he asks.

It's not a new debate. Consumers are sick of the tipping expectation in the service industry. Jeremy Bradley dissects the concept and breaks down the terminology associated with tipping. In restaurants, tipping is for "rewarding good service" but he wonders why it's up to him as a customer to give performance reviews and incentives to staff. Also, it's for when a server "goes above and beyond." What exactly does that mean? JB talks through the ideas that, quite honestly, are ridiculous. "So, you walked 10 ft. to a kitchen and carried a plate to me. Wonderful. You asked me how the food is. Great. You took the dirty plate after I finished eating. Spectacular. Golly, you went above and beyond the job description of a server!"

If it's a new relationship, gift giving can be a stressful time. What happens if you spend more than they do? What happens if they give you something terrible and you went all out? Jeremy Bradley dishes on relationship gift giving on the show. He talks about the arrangement he has in his marriage. Is there a spending limit? Are there any gifts at all? JB talks about the relationship discussions he's had with podcast listeners.

Rarely does the White House Correspondents' Dinner get so much airtime -- especially so many days later. (Had most people even heard about it prior to Saturday night?) This year, however, it was a different story with Donald Trump making his first appearance as a sitting president. Therein lies the drama, according to, well, all the media in attendance. Jeremy Bradley talks about what the scene was like in D.C. and his thoughts, as a Canadian, on American politics.

You're enjoying your life, happy in your long-term relationship and suddenly... you get the text on your phone. It's your ex -- from over 10 years ago. They're in town. They want to meet up. Respond? Ignore? What's your play? Jeremy Bradley talks about a visitor to L.A. who shook up things with a surprise appearance. Was it drama and chaos? Was it a "meh" moment? JB talks about a recent blast from the past.

Back in the day, customer service reps would own the interaction with their clients. "That's a great question, let me find out for you. Thank you so much for your business over the years. You're a valued customer," Jeremy Bradley recalls. "Now, it's all do-it-yourself answer finding through "knowledge bases" and "resources" and when you can find contact information, the person on the other end is working remotely and doesn't even have co-workers in the same room (or country) to assist." When you do reach someone, he says, you're told "no" more often than not; or the employee doesn't know the answers and the interaction takes 10 times longer than it should. JB wonders why workers -- and people in general -- are quick to blame others for things they've done. Where is accountability culture?