Episode Overview

Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (“Covino & Rich” hour)
Episode: C&R - Green Day, C.J. Karma, Thin Mints, Fernando
Date: January 20, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode blends sharp sports analysis with pop-culture takes and humor. Covino, Rich, Dan Byer, and the crew recap NFL and college football storylines, debate musical acts at the Super Bowl, riff on the Girl Scout cookie season, and look ahead to prospects like Fernando Mendoza and baseball’s hot stove moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Reflections

• The team marks MLK Day by discussing Dr. King’s legacy and surprising facts about his life.
  • "How old do you think he was when he got assassinated?" – Dan Byer [02:15]
  • "He had a dream, bro." – Steve Covino [02:14]
  • The group realizes Dr. King was only 39 at the time of his assassination, reflecting on the impact such a young leader had.

2. NFL Playoff Recap: Moments That Made You Go ‘Hmm’

• Discussion over standout moments, coach firings/hirings, and under-the-radar plays:
  • “That one-handed booty grab in the end zone. What a catch, dude.” – Steve Covino [03:42], Danny G [03:44]
  • The crew agrees the NFL continues to be full of surprises.

Patriots and Drake May

• Covino and the gang discuss the emergence of likable NFL teams and personal stories:
  • "You know what I found adorable? Fernando Mendoza talking about his mom... How do you root against this guy tonight?" – Steve Covino [04:31]

3. Super Bowl 60 Opening Act Debate: Is Green Day Too Big?

• C&R debate the merits of Green Day being tapped to open Super Bowl 60 instead of headlining halftime.
  • “I think it's beneath them to open up anything. I think they're a halftime act, honestly.” – Steve Covino [05:32]
  • “No one gives an S about Green Day in 2026. I think Green Day’s a classic.” – Dan Byer reading listener feedback, then disagreeing [07:08]
• The group speculates about the NFL’s move to incorporate "local flavor" for opening ceremonies and whether this could be a new tradition.
  • “Would it be too predictable if I said they’re going to roll out ‘Time of Your Life’ by Green Day for 60 years of NFL montage?” – Dan Byer [08:26]

4. CJ Stroud’s Playoff Woes & ‘The C&R Effect’

• The group scrutinizes Stroud’s difficult postseason performance and jokes about a show jinx:
  • “I think we really saw the pressure get to C.J. Stroud. I think the moment was just too big for what he was capable of.” – Steve Covino [09:18]
  • “You could call it karma—he declined to come on the Covino and Rich show...” – Danny G [10:25]
  • The “C&R Effect”: Joking that bad luck follows those who spurn the show.

5. Girl Scout Cookie Season: New Flavors, Higher Prices, and Cookie Culture Wars

• Hilarious banter about Girl Scout season arriving early, the introduction of new “Exploremores” cookies, mandatory minimum orders, and inflation:
  • “It’s a four box minimum. At six bucks, it used to be, what, five?” – Steve Covino [11:33]
  • “Honestly, my family ordered at least 20 boxes deep. So you guys are going to reap the benefits and get chubby off of the cookies I’m bringing in here.” – Dan Byer [12:27]
  • The mixed nostalgia for Samoas/Thin Mints vs. excitement for new varieties.
  • Fun fact: Cookie names and recipes vary by region and bakery (“Samoas” vs. “Caramel Delights,” “Tagalongs” vs. “Peanut Butter Patties”).

Notable Quote

• “You avoid the Girl Scouts at the supermarket?” – Dan Byer

• “Hell, no. I always give out... I donate.” – Steve Covino [17:38-18:00]

• The conversation takes a humorous detour about making Girl Scout avoidance tactics analogous to refusing a strip club dancer (“Only Rich Davis can make a Girl Scout and stripper analogy.” – Fact Checker [18:50])

6. Listener Call-In: Patriots, Raiders, and Hot O-line Takes

• Rodney from Sacramento shares his dual love for working on a dozer and the podcast, brings up Girl Scout cookies in NFL locker rooms, and discusses his concerns about the 49ers’ facilities and Raiders’ QB prospects.
  • "One of the greats, Jonas Knox, likes to call it Chernobyl – they’re right next to the nuclear power plant." – Caller Rodney [21:00]
  • “Are we going to keep going with this [Will Campbell at tackle]?” – Caller Rodney [21:54]

7. Fernando Mendoza: Prospects and National Championship Spotlight

• Excitement about Mendoza’s potential at the pro level, especially for Raiders fans.
  • “You might as well start ordering your Mendoza jerseys unless something crazy happens, right?” – Dan Byer [23:05]
  • Debate over how Mendoza will hold up against Miami’s elite college defense and discussion of Carson Beck’s NFL viability.

“Quarterback Face”

• “I'll be honest. I’m a Paul Colin Cowherd. He doesn’t have quarterback face. He doesn’t have quarterback—that's not the guy for my team.” – Dan Byer [24:41]

8. Sports Trivia: ‘Last One Standing’ Segment

• Show tradition: listeners (and in-studio) battle in rapid-fire sports trivia.
  • Notable categories: NFL teams with most playoff home games; NBA’s top individual scoring games in history.
  • Celebration of Dan Byer's trivia prowess: “The only 49er who won this weekend, Dan Byer. He celebrated his 49th. Congrats to him.” – Steve Covino [29:26]

9. Baseball Hot Stove: Cody Bellinger Sweepstakes

• The crew analyzes the sweepstakes for Bellinger and implications for Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers.
  • “If the Yankees don’t get Bellinger, that means the Yankees have put up nothing in the off season. And Yankee fans don’t like that.” – Dan Byer [41:53]
  • “Whoever gets Bellinger is truly proving to everybody they're in it to compete and really want to win.” – Steve Covino [42:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That one handed booty grab in the end zone. What a catch, dude.” – Steve Covino & Danny G [03:42-03:44]
• “Don’t want to be an American idiot. You know they're playing that one and they're giving a big fu to somebody.” – Steve Covino [05:54]
• “There’s two different bakeries… and they have slightly different names. Some people call them actually different names depending on where you live.” – Dan Byer [15:15]
• “Only Rich Davis can make a Girl Scout and stripper analogy.” – Fact Checker [18:50]
• “If a stripper had a temporary tattoo, like, you know… you can put a QR code…” – Dan Byer [20:08]
• “I think we really saw the pressure get to C.J. Stroud. That’s just hard to watch… like they were going to put a backup in.” – Steve Covino [09:18]
• “Whoever gets Bellinger is really saying, we’re willing to pay this guy… we’re willing to do everything to compete with the Dodgers.” – Steve Covino & Dan Byer [42:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• MLK Day Reflection: [02:08]–[02:41]
• NFL Playoff Recap & Standout Moments: [03:40]–[04:45]
• Green Day / Super Bowl Opening Act Discussion: [05:24]–[08:52]
• CJ Stroud Struggles & ‘C&R Effect’: [09:18]–[10:37]
• Girl Scout Cookie Season Riffs: [11:10]–[14:28], [15:06]–[16:34]
• Cookie Name Differences & Trivia: [15:28]–[17:09]
• Audience Call: "Rodney" – NFL and Girl Scout cookies: [20:26]–[22:04]
• Fernando Mendoza & National Championship Preview: [23:05]–[24:39]
• Sports Trivia Segment, “Last One Standing”: [28:26]–[35:28]
• Cody Bellinger MLB Free Agency Analysis: [40:44]–[42:32]

Tone, Style, and Dynamics

The episode moves seamlessly from sports intensity to playful banter and pop-culture riffs. The hosts are quick-witted, unafraid to roast each other or toss in an irreverent analogy (Girl Scouts vs. strippers!). Listener calls and trivia segments keep the energy high and include the audience as part of the show’s fabric.

For New Listeners:

This episode is a must-listen for fans of sports/entertainment crossover. It features insightful football analysis, music and cookie debates, and a behind-the-scenes feel only possible from a crew who’ve spent years together on and off-air. Even if you missed the live show, you’ll catch the highlights, inside jokes, trending sports topics, and have a few laughs along the way.