The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) – Podcast Summary

Episode: Leading Men, Rams/Seahawks, Bears Bag
Air Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich
Producer: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode is all about the intersection of sports and pop culture, focusing heavily on the idea of the "leading man" in Hollywood, particularly in light of Brad Pitt’s birthday. Covino & Rich dissect what makes a classic leading man—someone who attracts both men and women to the theater—and wonder if modern actors still have that star power. The episode shifts gears into a spirited breakdown of the Rams vs. Seahawks NFL matchup and pivots to a viral story about a Bears fan who brought spaghetti in a Ziploc bag to a game. The tone is lively, humorous, and sometimes nostalgic, with consistent banter and audience engagement.

Main Themes & Segments

1. Brad Pitt & The Death of the "Leading Man"

[03:56–15:08]

• Birthday Tribute & Leading Man Criteria:

  • The show recognizes Brad Pitt’s birthday, sparking nostalgia for an era when a select few actors commanded universal appeal. (“He is hateable, but somehow we still like him.” – Covino, [05:13])
  • Debates whether anyone today could make people go to theaters just based on their name.

• Criteria for Leading Men:

  • Someone who men think is cool and women find attractive—a rare overlap.
  • “Name the guy, essentially, that dudes think is cool and women want, because that's gonna be your answer to who is the leading man that draws you to the box office.” – Rich, [06:50]
  • It's noted this dual appeal is rare now.

• Contenders, Past & Present:

  • Brad Pitt as the gold standard (and other classic names: Paul Newman, Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington).
  • Tom Cruise, Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington, Glenn Powell, Paul Rudd, The Rock, Kevin Hart, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pedro Pascal, Jason Momoa, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, Bradley Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, Will Smith, George Clooney, Zac Efron, Chris Pratt, Miles Teller, Timothy Chalamet, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland.
  • “Brad Pitt is one of those guys that everybody sort of is down to watch.” – Covino, [07:11]
  • DiCaprio’s romantic life impacting his appeal: “He treats women like a carton of milk.” – Rich, [12:11]

• Modern Media’s Fragmentation:

  • “We live in a world now…back in the day there was they called the monoculture. We all watched the same movies…Now, with a million streaming services, everyone you know is watching a different show.” – Rich, [09:52]
  • There’s less consensus around big stars.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “I think he ends it. I think it was Robert Redford. He was the answer, right? Then it became Brad Pitt…And now we live in a world where there really isn't an answer because we're oversaturated with, like, beautiful people on social media. Like, celebrity. Celebrity doesn't really matter.” – Covino, [20:44]

• Audience & Caller Contributions

  • Callers suggest names: Paul Newman, Harrison Ford, Idris Elba, Bradley Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Renner.
  • Female perspective: Alice from Pittsburgh touts Renner (“I sort of think he's handsome and it works.” — Alice, [25:58])

2. NFL Week 16: Rams vs. Seahawks Deep Dive

[32:36–39:10]

• High Stakes Breakdown:

  • Huge implications for the playoff picture, potential one-seed at stake.
  • Rams' and Seahawks' injury statuses, home-field advantage factors, defensive matchups explored.

• Game Predictions:

  • Rich expects a close contest: “I'm going to go Rams 24, Seahawks 20. Yeah, I think it's be close.” – Covino, [38:03]
  • Strategy talk: Rationale for betting teasers, spreads, and over/under.
  • Danny G highlights Rams’ defensive consistency: “Points allowed an average of 16.3 per game this season. Number one in the NFL.” – Danny G, [37:34]

• Fantasy/Betting Angle:

  • Bet suggestion: “Rams plus seven and a half and go up to 48 and pick the under... Lock that in.” – Rich, [39:03]

3. Going Viral: The Bears Fan with Spaghetti in a Bag

[44:56–49:48]

• The Story:

  • A Bears fan goes viral for bringing a labeled bag of spaghetti to a Browns game.
  • Hosts debate whether this is “diabolical,” economical, or just funny.

• Food at Sporting Events:

  • Discourse on what’s acceptable to bring/eat at games (popcorn, cotton candy, tomato soup).
  • Story of Rich famously eating and spilling tomato soup at a cold Broncos game.

• Economic Considerations:

  • Framing leftovers as practical given the exorbitant cost of stadium food and parking.
  • “In today's world where everybody's so in debt…Isn't it economical? Isn't he technically doing the right thing?” – Covino, [49:00]

• Notable Quote:

  • “Do you remember there was a baseball game...someone drinking through a hole they made in their hot dog...” – Rich, [46:33]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “He won't even put his hands around a girl's waist in a photo.” – Covino on Keanu Reeves, [14:52]
• “Is there a guy in sports, though, that you think could be that guy for younger people?...Tom Brady would have been that guy, right?” – Covino and Rich, [24:28–24:52]
• “Brad Pitt is definitely that guy.” – Covino, [11:39]

Key Timestamps & Highlights

• [03:56] – Brad Pitt birthday & legacy opens the leading man debate
• [06:50] – What defines a true “box office” draw
• [09:52] – How streaming killed the monoculture and diluted star power
• [13:11] – Jason Momoa as a modern “guy’s guy” and female favorite
• [14:29–15:08] – The Keanu Reeves cult of personality
• [21:23] – Callers chime in with classic and modern “leading men”
• [32:36] – Analysis and hype for Rams vs. Seahawks
• [37:34] – Rams’ defensive strength and game projections
• [44:56] – Bears' “spaghetti in a bag” viral moment, etiquette and economics of stadium food

Tone & Style

Conversational, humorous, and slightly irreverent, Covino & Rich riff off each other and their audience, never straying far from pop culture or sports references. The episode strikes a balance between nostalgia, contemporary analysis, and lighthearted ribbing.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode is a fun, relatable exploration of what it means to be a star in a fragmented culture. The NFL content is smart and accessible, while the social commentary—especially about “leading men” and stadium food—offers fresh conversational fodder. There's something for sports buffs, movie fans, and anyone who loves a good viral story.