The Dan Patrick Show (C&R Takeover) - "Lion Taming, 3pm Dinner, Lil' Cease Big Pay"
Date: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis (Covino & Rich), plus crew
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Theme & Purpose
On this Thanksgiving Eve episode, Covino & Rich (C&R) fill in for Dan Patrick with a fast-paced, irreverent show that balances sports talk, nostalgic humor, and pop culture. The crew explores NFL playoff expectations, petty insults and misconceptions, family Thanksgiving traditions, and even dips into some memorabilia and sports business news—always with plenty of laughs and audience participation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Tributes, Nostalgia & Sesame Street Shoutouts
[08:25]
- Opening with gratitude for their team and listeners—"A lot of hosts say it. We actually mean it." (Covino)
- Lighthearted banter on Sesame Street—how it influenced their childhoods and is now a marker of celebrity status.
- Personal Sesame Street stories (Covino's son is deep in the Sesame "zone" with Cookie Monster & The Count impressions), leading to playful football banter.
2. NFL NFC North: Playoff Pressures & Disappointment Stakes
[15:00]
- Central debate: Of the NFC North teams (Packers, Lions, Bears), which coach/QB duo would be a true disappointment if they missed the postseason?
- Packers: Matt LaFleur & Jordan Love have maintained consistency; missing the playoffs would be notable, but not disastrous.
- Lions: Dan Campbell & Jared Goff—"this little window of opportunity will continue to close for Detroit if they don't do it now." (Covino, [20:17])
- Lions have made big progress, so missing out would be "a step back," especially as Goff is the veteran.
- Injury updates: Star TE Sam LaPorta is "very slim" to return this year (from coach Dan Campbell, via Isaac [22:10]).
- Bears: First-year coach Ben Johnson & rookie Caleb Williams—any progress is a step forward for historically underperforming franchise.
- Consensus: The LIONS would have the biggest sense of disappointment.
Notable Quote
"For the Lions, it'd be a step backward. This little window of opportunity will continue to close for Detroit if they don't do it now."
— Covino, [20:17]
3. Thanksgiving Traditions & The Great '3pm Dinner' Mystery
[45:10]
- Why does everyone eat Thanksgiving dinner at 3pm? C&R poll the crew.
- Covino: “I’m half Mexican—my family’s on delay, not even close to 3 o’clock.”
- Rich: “I never understood why Thanksgiving is the one day a year I start early.”
- Spot: “You start early so you can have sandwiches by the time you leave.”
- Discussion on the never-ending stream of carbs at family gatherings.
- Covino: “It’s like carb central in New Jersey with my parents!”
- [46:12] “Mom’s houses always have—like you said—carb central. … Moms just fatten you up!” (Rich)
- Turkey tips and prep stories—smoking the turkey, brining advice from listeners.
4. Petty Insults & Misconceptions That Sting
[34:30]
- George Pickens deletes a post about Philly fans: "N-words known for their sandwiches" (referencing cheesesteaks over football fandom).
- Discussion turns to why certain jokes or insults stick with you, even when they're dumb or meant as a joke.
- Examples: Jersey's "stink" reputation; the fake "Joy-Z" accent ("Nobody says 'Joy-Z' my whole life!" – Covino [37:00])
- Personal anecdotes—kids' no-filter honesty:
- "Uncle Steve, are you fat?"
- "Uncle Steve, you got a bald spot."
- The pain of backhanded compliments: “That’s a pretty nice starter home…”
“He’s like, I spent all my money on this house. … He’s like, I hate that guy now!”
— Rich, [41:33]
- Lines between playful ball-busting and things that hit your insecurities.
5. Midweek Major: Sports & Pop Culture Hot Takes
[52:00]
- NFL: Kylie Kelce rails against the "America's Team" Cowboys.
- C&R: It’s “mid”—expected from an Eagles wife (“No one likes the Cowboys except Dallas fans.” – Rich [54:22])
- Memorabilia: Kobe/Shaq 2000 NBA Finals ball up for auction—mid, but borders on major for collectors.
- Aging & Retirement: Lee Corso hates post-TV life (“lousy, I hate it” [57:15])
- Major topic: relatable struggles of aging and losing a sense of purpose.
- AI & Athletes: Aidan Hutchinson's mom calls out AI wedding photos—major concern about deepfakes going forward.
- “My mom thinks everything she sees is real. … His mom’s young and gets AI—good for her.” — Rich, [1:04:31]
6. Sports News Highlights & Listener Engagement
[1:08:20]
- Breaking: Dylan Cease signs 7-year, $210 million contract with Blue Jays (Isaac’s update).
- C&R reaction: “If Dylan Cease is giving you ERAs in the threes and fours and under .500 for seasons… that makes me wonder what a guy like Skenes or Skubal is going to renegotiate for.”
- The escalating cost of pitching—“The world’s first billionaire athletes” is nearing.
- NBA injury updates and quirky fun—LeBron’s locker has 23 skincare products.
- “I just use whatever my wife has lying around, I’m gonna make sure I stay young too.” – Rich
7. Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On admiration and fans:
"A lot of hosts say it. We actually mean it." – Covino
[09:00] -
On the Lions' playoff chances:
"For Detroit, not getting there is not just not a step forward—it's a step backward." – Rich
[21:20] -
On stinging insults:
"There are things people say that for some reason hurt more than they should." – Covino
[37:40] -
On Lee Corso's post-TV struggles:
“Lousy. I hate it... I can’t get used to not working.” – Lee Corso, relayed by Spot
[57:15]
8. Listener Tips & Thanksgiving Messages
[1:13:40]
- Audience engagement: listeners call in with Thanksgiving turkey tips and words of thanks.
- A callout to how much the show (and its community) values each other—“These are the two best hours of our day for sure. Hanging out with you guys, this is the most fun we have.” – Covino
Timestamps – Key Segments
- [08:25] – Thanksgiving gratitude and Sesame Street childhood nostalgia
- [15:00] – NFC North playoff disappointment debate
- [20:17] – “This little window of opportunity…” (Covino on the Lions)
- [34:30] – George Pickens’ deleted post and Philly sandwich smack talk
- [41:33] – “Nice starter home” — why petty insults bug us
- [45:10] – The mystery of the 3pm Thanksgiving dinner
- [52:00] – Midweek Major: Kelsey/Cowboys, memorabilia, Lee Corso, AI
- [1:08:20] – Dylan Cease $210M deal: the future of athlete salaries
Memorable Lines
- "You know you made it when you appear on Sesame Street." – Covino
- "For them, it'd be a step backward. I hate to quote the great Rich Davis, but who talks about little windows more than you?" – Covino
- "Insults that bother you… even dumb ones can stick in your head." – Rich
- "For the Lions, this little window of opportunity will continue to close for Detroit if they don't do it now." – Covino
Conclusion
This episode of C&R in the Dan Patrick Show slot delivers sharp sports analysis, relatable stories about insecurities and holiday rituals, and always keeps the jokes coming. Heavy on NFL playoff stakes (especially for the Lions), spirited pop culture chat, and audience participation, it’s a relatable, high-energy Thanksgiving special for fans of sports and real-life banter alike.