The Dan Patrick Show – C&R “Retro Tech, Purdy Back, Big Dumper Smack”
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show – C&R (Covino & Rich)
Date: November 14, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode is a lively blend of sports talk, nostalgic throwbacks, and dynamic audience interaction, centered on three main themes:
- The resurgence of retro technology and nostalgia among younger generations.
- Breaking sports news—specifically, Brock Purdy’s return for the 49ers.
- Debates around the AL MVP race in baseball, especially between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh (“Big Dumper”).
Hosted by Covino, Rich Davis, and Danny G, the show maintains its signature humor, irreverence, and mix of pop culture reflection with sports analysis, welcoming both fan perspectives and expert guests.
Main Segments & Key Discussion Points
[03:35] The Big Dumper Debate & MLB MVP Branding
- Cal Raleigh vs. Aaron Judge (The “Big Dumper” angle):
- Covino and Rich debate baseball's MVP branding—should MLB spotlight quirky fan-favorite players like Cal Raleigh (“Big Dumper”) or established superstars like Aaron Judge?
- Quote:
- Rich: “You’re gonna put your brand on the back of Cal Raleigh or a proven superstar like Aaron Judge? Baseball’s popping. Lean into Judge.” ([03:42])
- Covino quips about the “only time you’ve leaned away from a big dumper.”
[05:55] Retro Tech: Why Millennials & Gen Z Love It Again
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Covino introduces the main topic: youth are ditching smart tech for nostalgic devices per a Wall Street Journal piece.
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The crew reminisces about the tangible pleasure of analog/lower-tech lifestyle—mixtapes, burning CDs, disposable cameras—and how putting effort into things gave them heart.
- Quote:
- Covino: "It makes sense to me because I think they live in a world of soulless art... These digital pictures, yeah, they're great... but it's not the same fun." ([05:41])
- Rich’s daughter's “famous” among friends for her old-school digital camera:
- Rich: “All the kids wait for her to upload the photos so they can get the old school feel of a digital photo.” ([07:23])
- Quote:
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Disposable/film cameras and absence of instant gratification—missing out on the thrill of not knowing if the photo "turned out."
- Sebastian Maniscalco referenced as a comic who highlights these nostalgic moments.
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Rich: “Digital world, things start to mean less because it’s just so easy to get.” ([06:56])
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Covino and guests: The desire for tactile, “real” experiences is driving the comeback.
[09:01] Taylor Swift: Symbol of Tangible Nostalgia
- Taylor Swift sells over a million vinyl copies of her new 2025 album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” in a week—the highest since 1991.
- Covino: “This generation does crave some of that old school feel.” ([09:31])
- They note Swift released multiple album versions, fueling demand.
[10:24] Old School Video Games & Arcades
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Rich and Danny G reminisce about the fun and creativity of classic video games compared to ultra-real modern titles.
- Danny G: “Some of them had to be more creative because the technology is not advanced...” ([10:54])
- Discussion of arcades, tangible game cartridges, and pinball nostalgia.
- Danny G: “Analog pinball machines are like a collector's item now...” ([14:20])
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“Marrying” old and new—could companies reintroduce physical cartridges for new games to combine nostalgia and tech?
- Suggestion that new MLB games could be on collectible cartridges.
[11:18] Breaking News: Brock Purdy Returns
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[11:18] Dan Beyer Sports Update:
- 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announces Brock Purdy will start Week 11 after injury.
- Covino and Rich recount being present at Purdy’s initial breakout game and meeting him, filled with humor about Covino’s “stalking.”
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Quarterback discussion:
- Danny G: “Are you a little worried though...he's going to come back and be super rusty like you've been winning with Mac Jones?”
- Covino: “Brock Purdy and Mac Jones have a similar skill set... advantage Purdy, he actually has a ton more mobility.” ([13:03])
[16:02] Why Kids Crave the Analog Experience
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Stranger Things, 80s/90s pop culture, drive youth to seek real-life camaraderie and tangible fun.
- Rich: “Social media made them more antisocial so now they're rebelling toward things that are more tangible and more real.”
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The “pendulum always swings”—technology cycles, leading to renewed interest in physical stuff like Game Boy cartridges, boomboxes, and VHS.
[19:28] Back to the Landline: Communication Skills and Parenting
- Reports of landlines making a comeback so kids develop communication skills and independence.
- Covino cites articles about millennial parents reclaiming landlines so kids have to talk to real people, not just text.
- Rich: “Missing out on job opportunities because they have anxiety of answering the phone, like, they have no communication skills...” ([20:28])
[21:12] Boomboxes & Retro Gadgets
- Discussion about whether bluetooth boomboxes, Discman, or Casio watches could make a revival.
- Reference to NFL players carrying modern “bump box” boomboxes—old form, new tech.
[22:19] Listener Calls: Call of Duty Time, Album Shopping & Reel-to-Reel Film
- Alex from Florida: Mind-blowing fact—if you add up all time humans have spent on Call of Duty, it exceeds human existence (they debate the math).
- Trip from Vegas: Misses waiting in line for albums/cassettes and watching family reel-to-reel films.
- More calls reminisce about rotary phones, CD changers, car audio, and communal living room gaming.
[23:58] Real-Life Interaction in Gaming
- Daniel from Mississippi laments the loss of in-person gaming, sharing beers and laughter, compared to today's isolating online multiplayer experience.
- Rich and Covino agree that simple, face-to-face fun (“if you die, you start from the beginning!”) is priceless.
[25:38] Sports & Nostalgia Crossovers
- Casio calculator watches, 80s Buick “touchscreen” cars, and old camcorders—how sports and tech nostalgia intermingle.
- Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez with a camcorder at a victory parade mentioned as emblematic of retro-cool.
[36:06] Final Listener Thoughts: Carnival Games, Discman, Living Room Gaming
- References to Wall Drug (South Dakota) and Manitou Falls (CO) as havens for retro arcade/carnival games.
- “Kids want tangible things” discussion, from Discmans to Walkmans and needing to go to Costco for batteries.
- Rich: “Some kid busts out a Discman... might be cool. He’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s got megabass and anti-skip.’”
- Danny from Mississippi: Bring back living room gaming—not just online.
[39:03] Transition to NFL Storylines
- Packed man challenge: Name all the PacMan ghosts.
- Rich and Covino preview the “three most telling games” of this NFL weekend:
- Broncos vs. Chiefs at Mile High (Broncos favored at home).
- Lions vs. Eagles—potential for Lions to overtly claim status as NFC elite.
- Rams/Seahawks and MVP bid for Matthew Stafford.
- Steelers/Bengals as a litmus test for the “Steelers falling apart.”
[47:31] MLB MVP Final Word with Rob Parker
- Rob Parker joins to discuss the AL MVP race: “If it’s not Aaron Judge, I’m protesting.”
- Rob: “He would be the third player to win three MVPs in four years. The other two—Barry Bonds and Ohtani. He should be in that light.” ([48:21])
- They acknowledge Kyle Raleigh’s story but stress Judge’s performance and star power.
- Stat drops:
- Covino: “Aaron Judge batted .331 with power... league average is .242... on-base percentage .457!” ([49:29])
- The hosts rebuke “sympathy MVP” voting and push for big narrative moves.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- On old tech’s appeal:
- F: “It’s like all treble and no bass. Everything is digital. No analog in their life.” ([05:55])
- On nostalgia and effort:
- Covino: “You lose that touch. Now...Apple puts together its own little music video for you.” ([07:01])
- On boombox comebacks:
- Rich: “Why wouldn’t it [the boombox] come back? These kids are dressed like we did in the 90s. It’s all coming back.” ([21:52])
- About parenting through retro tech:
- Covino: “Landlines on the major comeback as families find a way to bond. The dumbest phone is now parenting genius.” ([20:49])
- Rob Parker on MVP:
- “You’re giving a one-off... Cal Raleigh. Is he gonna repeat this year, next year? Come on, man.” ([48:17])
Timestamps & Segment Guide
- [03:35] – MLB MVP Branding (Judge vs. Raleigh)
- [05:55] – Retro Tech & Nostalgia: Why It’s Back
- [09:01] – Taylor Swift’s Vinyl Dominance
- [10:24] – Classic Video Games & Arcades
- [11:18] – Breaking: Brock Purdy Returns
- [16:02] – The Stranger Things Effect & Youth Nostalgia
- [19:28] – Landline Comebacks & Parenting
- [21:12] – Boombox/Nostalgia Gadgets
- [22:19] – Listener Calls: Retro Fun & Stats
- [23:58] – Living Room Gaming Plea
- [25:38] – Sports-Nostalgia Crossover (Casio, Buick, etc)
- [36:06] – Final Nostalgia Thoughts, Carnival Games
- [39:03] – NFL Preview: Telling Weekend Games
- [47:31] – Rob Parker on MVP: Judge Deserves It
Tone & Takeaways
- Style: Playful, irreverent, and highly interactive, peppered with gentle roast-like humor and pop-culture references.
- For Listeners: This episode is a celebration of tactile things in a digital world, a debate over sports’ biggest awards, and a reflection on what’s gained and lost as technology advances. It’s for any fan who’s wondered why cassette tapes, vinyl, and boomboxes feel “cool” again—and for anyone with strong MVP opinions.
- Best for:
- Sports & pop culture fans
- Millennial/Gen Xers feeling nostalgic
- Parents wondering what makes Gen Z tick
