The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich Edition)
Episode: C&R - Candy Corn, Fudge, NFL Crystal Ball
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis ("Covino & Rich"), with Iowa Sam, Dan Beyer, assorted callers
EPISODE OVERVIEW
This Halloween Eve edition of The Dan Patrick Show (hosted by Covino & Rich) delivers their signature energetic mix of sports and pop culture. Leading off with a deep (and hilarious) debate about the nation's most polarizing candy—candy corn—the crew segues into broader nostalgia about Halloween treats, “dad tax” candy heists, and the lack of variety in kids' treat bags today. The second half pivots to the NFL, as Covino & Rich use their “NFL Crystal Ball” to preview pivotal Week 9 matchups and speculate on the season’s turning points. Throughout, the conversation is laced with humor, audience calls, and classic banter befitting the Halloween spirit.
1. HALLOWEEN CANDY DEEP DIVE
Candy Corn Wars (07:40–13:20)
- The show opens with a raucous throwback segment, “Halloween candy deep thoughts,” led by Covino & Rich and their crew.
- Rich: “Candy corn is very divisive; so no family agrees. No, nobody agrees. People hate it. People love it. We’re so divided.”
- The team surveys everyone’s stance—pro or anti-candy corn—highlighting how it never unites an office, family, or friend group.
- Dan Byer: “I love it.”
Iowa Sam: “Hate it, hate it.”
The “Candy Corn of Sports” (09:30–10:10)
- Rich likens the polarizing nature of candy corn to sports stars.
- Rich: “Who’s the candy corn of sports? It’s got to be LeBron James, right?... Used to be Tom Brady.”
- Other suggestions include Aaron Rodgers and, humorously, anything related to Taylor and Travis.
Old Guy Candy & Dad Tax Confessions (13:40–25:30)
- Listeners and crew confess to which “old-guy candies” or oddball treats they secretly love and which ones always got stolen by their parents.
- Rich: “My runner up, I will house Tootsie Rolls like nobody’s business... But the number one for me? I love dots. They get stuck in your teeth. Give me a hug, Sam, I love dots!”
- The “dad tax”: Parents claim to be “checking for safety,” but are just scavenging favorites like Kit-Kats, Sour Patch, Butterfinger, or Milk Duds.
- Nostalgia for bygone treats: fudge, popcorn balls, circus peanuts, Good & Plenty, Alexander the Grape, wax bottles, Fun Dip, Necco Wafers, and the infamous “homemade fudge from old lady McGee.”
Notable Quotes
- Covino (on the “dad tax”) [16:10]: “I just take it and I call it the dad tax. And I also feel like there’s no way your kid could eat all that candy.”
- Rich (on oddball candies) [18:25]: “You want all these old guy candies... that’s what they sell at Dollar Tree. If you ever wondered where they sell the individually wrapped strawberry candies that look like little strawberries? Dollar Tree.”
- Caller Andy (on a weird family mix) [~32:25]: “My dad used to mix Spanish peanuts with the candy corn—get a sweet and salty...”
2. HALLOWEEN TREAT VARIETY: GONE FOREVER?
Lost Variety & Candy Memories (28:00–41:50)
- The hosts reminisce on how, in the past, trick-or-treating netted wild bags with wild variety—pillowcases full of “loot” and rare treats, rather than today’s standardized, store-bought packs.
- Rich: “I work the freakin’ neighborhood. I was out and about. I’m gonna come back with pillowcases... and stuff you never heard of mixed in.”
- Discussion about the dominance of the “boring” supermarket five-candy variety packs and the fun lost when every bag is Reese’s, Snickers, Kit Kat, etc.
- Listeners call in to remember homemade fudge, Dairy Queen and McDonald’s coupons, and the legendary old ladies with butterscotch and smarties.
Notable Quotes
- Covino [38:50]: “We used to be surprised... Now it’s like every single parent gets that same variety pack. You have the same five candy.”
- Rich (advice for listeners) [1:13:30]: “Buy something different... kids in your neighborhood will appreciate it. Throw some zots in there... No one wants those Necco wafers. We want some zots!”
3. NFL WEEK 9 “CRYSTAL BALL”: DEFINING MATCHUPS
NFL Weekend Outlook (1:17:00–1:39:00+)
- The show pivots to a sports “crystal ball” segment, highlighting upcoming Week 9 games that could decide the shapes of playoff races and divisional dominance.
- Rich: “I have five games circled that I think are going to determine the future of the National Football League.”
Broncos at Texans Analysis (1:17:35–1:20:45)
- The Broncos-Texans matchup is deemed crucial for assessing which team is “for real.”
- Rich: “This is a game where, like, I’m mildly shocked that Houston’s favored. I know the game’s in Houston, [but] the [Broncos] defense is elite.”
- Detailed breakdown of Houston’s close losses—potential for them to flip the narrative and go on a run.
Colts at Steelers, Ravens’ Soft Month (1:21:50–1:23:25)
- Rich projects consequences if the Steelers lose to the Colts and the pressure potentially mounting in that division.
- A mention that the AFC is still wide open, while the NFC’s playoff picture looks clearer.
Chiefs-Bills as Pivotal Rivalry (1:35:22–1:39:00)
- The classic AFC rivalry is spotlighted as a “statement game.”
- Covino: “Chiefs got to win this one because it seems like every week the Chiefs get better and better… But this one’s at Buffalo. To me, it’s a very telling game.”
- Implications: If Buffalo drops the game, it could signal the AFC East belongs to the Patriots again or that the Bills are destined for the wild card.
Injury Round-Up (1:28:36–1:31:12)
- Dan Beyer shares key player updates—e.g., Brock Purdy limited for 49ers, Mac Jones likely to start for San Francisco (in an error), other notable questionables.
Notable Quotes
- Covino (on Bills-Chiefs) [1:36:00]: “This is their chance to turn it around against the Chiefs. That’s a big statement game. I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
- Rich (on NFC vs AFC) [1:35:00]: “The NFC seems like you sort of have a clue of where we’re headed. The AFC, I’m intrigued to see…”
4. LISTENERS CHIME IN: CANDY DEBATES CONTINUE
- More calls fill the late show with stories about fudge, zots, and nostalgia.
- Andrew in San Diego: Family split on candy corn; mom goes for Almond Joy and Snickers, kid likes Swedish Fish.
- Jonathan in Colorado: “Every year, I’d always get a popcorn ball… old person that would give their homemade popcorn balls.”
- Chris in Virginia: “Bit-O-Honey... parents would always steal that for sure. But you know, they could have them.”
5. FINAL TAKEAWAYS & ADVICE
On Halloween
- “Switch it up”—don’t give out just the boring five-candy supermarket mix.
- Celebrate the quirky candies of yesteryear for a little Halloween magic.
On the NFL
- Week 9 is shaping up to be pivotal for the AFC playoff picture; watch Broncos-Texans, Colts-Steelers, and Chiefs-Bills for major clues.
- Injuries and recovery are major wildcards for several contenders.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS & QUOTES (TIMESTAMPS)
- “Candy corn is very divisive; so no family agrees…People hate it. People love it. We’re so divided.” – Rich [07:55]
- “Who’s the candy corn of sports? It’s got to be LeBron James, right?...” – Rich [09:35]
- “I just take it and I call it the dad tax...I mean, there’s no way your kid could eat all that candy.” – Covino [16:10]
- “If you ever wondered where they sell the individually wrapped strawberry candies...Dollar Tree.” – Rich [18:25]
- “We used to be surprised...Now it’s like every single parent gets that same variety pack. You have the same five candy.” – Covino [38:50]
- “Buy something different...kids in your neighborhood will appreciate it. Throw some zots in there…” – Rich [1:13:30]
- “This is a game where, like, I’m mildly shocked that Houston’s favored. I know the game’s in Houston, [but] the [Broncos] defense is elite.” – Rich [1:17:45]
- “Chiefs got to win this one because...every week the Chiefs get better and better…But this one's at Buffalo. To me, it’s a very telling game.” – Covino [1:35:22]
- “This is their chance to turn it around against the Chiefs. That’s a big statement game. I don’t think it’s going to happen.” – Covino [1:36:00]
FINAL WORD
Both a delightfully nostalgic Halloween debate and a sharp-edged sports talk episode, this edition of The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) captures the fun and fervor of sports radio, reminding listeners to appreciate both the treats of childhood and the thrills of the NFL season’s mid-point. Whether you’re team Candy Corn or not, and whether your NFL “crystal ball” disagrees, you’ll laugh, reminisce, and maybe rethink what you drop in the treat bowl this year.