The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) — “Big Peanuts Debate & 49-ER Room”

Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino, Rich Davis, Danny G, Sam

Episode Overview

This episode is a freewheeling mix of sports talk, pop culture nostalgia, and robust debate as Covino, Rich, and crew dive into the legacy of Peanuts (Charlie Brown and friends) on its 75th anniversary, debate which classic cartoons truly stand the test of time, and discuss pivotal moments from NFL and MLB. The show brims with playful ribbing, sharp takes, and a live connection to their passionate audience through call-ins and social media feedback.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Great Peanuts Debate

[03:13–12:13]

• Occasion: 75th anniversary of Peanuts, which debuted October 2, 1950.
• Rich’s Take: Rich calls the old Peanuts specials, particularly "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," “trash,” claiming they don’t hold up with kids or modern attention spans.
  • “Let me tell you something. It’s trash. Don’t watch it with your kids.” – Rich Davis [07:41]
• Sam & Covino’s Defense: They counter that the melancholy, quiet style is a feature, not a bug—appealing for its emotional realism and serene pacing.
  • “That’s what Charles Schulz’s magic was...It wasn’t about all positive feelings. He was about a mix of life’s feelings.” – Sam [07:39]
  • Covino faults modern “overstimulated” expectations and defends Peanuts as peaceful nostalgia.
• Notable Laughter: Peppermint Patty (the character) “drives a Subaru” [11:47], setting the tone for their riff-heavy dynamic.

Cartoon Nostalgia: Which Shows Hold Up?

[12:09–26:58, 31:34–43:13]

• Old-School Picks:
  • Popeye — Beloved for its animation style and physical comedy. Covino and Sam champion the enduring appeal of classic Popeye episodes like “Sinbad the Sailor.”
  • Heathcliff & Garfield — Modern underdog vs. established favorite.
  • Hanna-Barbera classics (Johnny Quest, Flintstones, Jetsons)
  • Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy Dog
• The Disney Era:
  • Rich highlights “DuckTales,” “Darkwing Duck,” “Rescue Rangers,” and “Tailspin” as formative “classics” for millennials.
    • “DuckTales all day. That’s a classic.” – Call-in feedback [24:18]
• Generational Clash:
  • The older hosts (Covino, Danny G) rally for the “classics” as truly timeless, while Rich insists that many don’t hold up on rewatch—pitting legacy against contemporary taste.
    • Covino: “One’s a classic, one is not.” [19:45]
    • Rich: “DuckTales is classic to you. No, to everyone.” [19:47]

Call-In Highlights: Cartoon Fandom Across Generations

[15:39–18:39, 24:52–45:09]

• Favorite Cartoons Shared:
  • Johnny Quest (Hanna-Barbera) [15:44]
  • Laugh Olympics, Bugs Bunny/Roadrunner, Tom and Jerry, Foghorn Leghorn [16:39–18:17]
  • Smurfette origins and “temptation” debate [17:09]
  • Popeye as parental tool: eating spinach out of the can [14:30]
  • Voltron [43:30]
  • Speedy Gonzalez, with a humorous aside about what wouldn’t be acceptable today [43:47]
  • Love for Looney Tunes (Snoopy vs. Red Baron, Pepe Le Pew’s cancellation in modern context, Mel Blanc’s legendary vocal work)

Rich vs. the World: The Peanuts Hill to Die On

• Rich stands nearly alone—callers, cohosts, and even a “Schultz” from Peanuts territory challenge his take.
  • “Rich, you suck. I’m in Northern California in Peanuts territory, and my last name is Schultz.” – Ray [44:43]
  • “90% of the country is going to disagree with you on this.” – Danny G [10:19]
• Covino and the team joke Rich should “slap yourself, then watch Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Slap yourself again...” [10:02]

Cartoons & Cultural Commentary

• Discussion of changing standards (violence in old cartoons, Pepe Le Pew’s problematic persona).
• Debate over how nostalgia affects perception: Are childhood favorites really “better,” or do we just project our memories onto them?

Sports Segments: NFL and MLB Bites

[31:34–37:01, 39:16–41:31]

• Playoff Baseball:
  • Quick updates on Cubs vs. Padres, Tigers move on over Guardians.
  • Light analysis on pitching lineups, rest schedules, and playoff pressure.
• Yankees Legacy Debate:
  • Is Aaron Judge’s career defined by winning a World Series?
    • Rich: “Aaron Judge needs a World Series to be a Yankee great.” [34:43]
    • Covino: Argues Judge’s “circus numbers” and MVPs might make him an exception, like Griffey or Bonds.
• NFL Notes:
  • Casual Thursday Night Football picks, including Rich’s “Niners plus 14½” teaser bet [45:14–45:35]
  • Pete Carroll called “a young 73” and not to be trifled with physically [30:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s what Charles Schulz’s magic was... It wasn’t about all positive feelings. He was about a mix of life’s feelings.” – Sam [07:39]
• “Let me tell you something. It’s trash. Don’t watch it with your kids.” – Rich Davis [07:41]
• “You’re reminiscing and you’re glorifying your childhood.” – Rich Davis [06:58]
• “Peppermint Patty drives a Subaru.” – Covino [11:47]
• “One’s a classic, one is not.” – Covino on DuckTales vs. Woody Woodpecker [19:45]
• “Rich, you suck...and my last name is Schultz.” – Ray (caller) [44:43]
• “I thought anvils were going to be falling from the sky.” – Rich Davis, on Looney Tunes [25:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:13–12:13 — The Great Peanuts Debate
• 12:13–20:18 — Old School vs. New School Cartoons
• 15:39–18:39 — Callers share their favorite vintage cartoons
• 24:18–26:58 — Generational cartoon classics and the DuckTales defense
• 31:34–37:01 — MLB Playoff talk: Yankees, Cubs, Judge legacy
• 39:16–41:31 — NFL quick hits, Pete Carroll, ongoing baseball
• 43:13–45:13 — Final cartoon call-ins, wrapping up the Peanuts debate

Show Tone & Remarks

• Language: The banter is sharp, playful, often irreverent with flashpoints of “hot take” humor.
• Audience Involvement: Call-ins are robust and enthusiastic, reflecting real generational divides and shared pop culture love.
• Pacing: Fast-moving, with debates jumping between nostalgia, sports, and ribbing among hosts, maintaining energy and listener engagement.

Summary Takeaways

• The generational divide over what counts as a “classic” is alive and well—Peanuts and DuckTales are the battle lines.
• Nostalgia’s power and the reality of revisiting childhood favorites get explored with honesty, humor, and a dash of ranting.
• The Covino & Rich crew excel at weaving sports debates and cultural nostalgia, drawing in passionate, opinionated fans for a conversational, interactive experience.