The Dan Patrick Show (C&R Takeover): "Stirring the FernandoGate & Bad Bunny Pot!"

Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis (“Covino and Rich”), with Dan Byer, Stu Gotz, Dan Beyer, and guest Greg Tuohy
Theme: Radio row drama, halftime show controversy, and sports media behind-the-scenes

Episode Overview

This energetic episode of "The Dan Patrick Show" (during the C&R takeover) revolves around two central topics that generated buzz at Super Bowl Radio Row:

1. "FernandoGate"—the saga of a stolen high-profile interview with college QB Fernando Mendoza, leading to friendly but real tensions between sports talk shows.
2. Super Bowl Halftime Fallout—debates over Bad Bunny's halftime performance, fan reactions, and the broader implications for sports and entertainment culture.

The hosts deliver insider stories, playful confrontations, and spirited takes on sports and pop culture, all with their signature wit and candidness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post–Super Bowl Highs & Lows

• Dan Byer revels in his Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, sharing the mixture of nerves and elation during the game as a die-hard fan (04:01).
  • Quote: "When it's your team, you're so locked in...you thought it was the greatest day ever.” – Steve (04:27)
• The team reflects on the emotional rollercoaster sports brings, and how fan experiences differ from the general perception.

2. FernandoGate: The Interview That Got Away

• Set-up: C&R had booked an exclusive interview with college QB Fernando Mendoza at Radio Row, only for it to be swiped last minute by Colin Cowherd's show ("The Herd"), an incident quickly dubbed "FernandoGate."
• Feelings: Covino, Rich, and the crew professionally managed their disappointment but were open about the sting, using analogies both humorous and vivid:
  • Quote: “There's a category in porn for this... Like I was the dude sitting in the chair watching someone with my girl.” – Steve (08:44)
  • They clarify the pain of watching “their” interview happen just feet away on stage (08:44–09:10).
• Behind the Scenes:
  • The hosts sort out the timeline and source of the interview switch, sharing that a third-party booker (not Colin Cowherd's direct team) caused the mix-up (11:01–12:04).
  • Friendly pot-stirring from Stu Gotz (“maybe throwing gasoline on [the fire]”, 07:33).
  • Key Insight: Despite initial disappointment, nobody blames Colin Cowherd or his producers; most agree it’s just the messy reality of high-stakes sports media booking.
• Ethics Debate:
  • Would C&R have done the same (taken a prized guest) if roles were reversed?
    • Mixed answers, acknowledging showbiz realities but with real respect for “guest etiquette.”
    • Quote: "There's etiquette involved. And I honestly think that..." – Rich (15:35)
• Motivation:
  • Losing out on the interview becomes fuel for C&R’s competitive drive.
  • Quote: "A little piece of humble pie because it keeps you hungry...Dude, why did Tom Brady win seven Super Bowls? Because he always played with a chip on his shoulder." – Steve (17:36)

Greg Tuohy Joins for Clarification (Herd Producer)

• Tuohy’s Take: They didn’t poach intentionally—the slot was offered by a freelance booker, and they accepted (21:32–24:04).
  • Quote: "At these events, you’re always at the mercy of the rep...I have a hard time believing Paige would have done something like that." – Greg Tuohy (23:25)
  • Greg and the hosts hash it out with good humor, closing with mutual understanding and an invitation to keep up the rivalry.

3. Bad Bunny Halftime Backlash & Cultural Debate

• Social Media Response: C&R posted a neutral video about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, but the comment section exploded—far more political and divisive than expected (26:10–27:02).
  • Quote: "I think it's like a bunch of fake rage on social media...our post about Bad Bunny has gone mildly viral." – Steve (26:05)
  • Some fans objected to Bad Bunny’s lack of English; others hailed the cultural significance.
• Hosts’ Perspective:
  • Not everything needs to be for everyone—diverse acts can expand the NFL's reach, especially as international games become common (34:05–34:26).
  • Quote: "It's not political. It was cultural. It was business for the NFL." – Rich (33:26)
  • Example: Enjoying Korean K-pop or opera despite language barriers; references to Pavarotti and Gangnam Style (34:47–35:34).
• In-Stadium Experience: Dan Byer describes how modern, televised halftime shows can feel "flat" or non-engaging for live attendees, especially compared to the “concert feel” of previous acts like The Who, Prince, etc. (37:17).
• Big Picture:
  • The evolution of Super Bowl halftime shows is traced back to Fox’s “In Living Color” stunt in 1992, which forced the NFL to “get serious” starting with booking Michael Jackson the next year (46:52–47:48).

4. Other Sports & Pop Culture Highlights

• NBA Fight Recap: Breakdown of the Pistons-Hornets brawl (44:50), featuring ejections and a nod to old-school sports radio play-by-play.
• Quick Hits:
  • Mets' Francisco Lindor’s injury status update (38:16).
  • Retired bowl games, NFL coaching moves, and speculative talk about the Detroit Tigers’ pitching rotation (39:39–40:32).
• Stu Gotz’s Role: Repeatedly brings comic mischief to the show, “stirring the pot” around both the FernandoGate drama and other sports gossip.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "There's etiquette involved. And I honestly think that..." – Rich (15:35)
• "A little piece of humble pie because it keeps you hungry. Dude, why did Tom Brady win seven Super Bowls? Because he always played with a chip on his shoulder." – Steve (17:36)
• "There's a category in porn for this. I felt like the guy sitting in the corner watching someone else bang his wife." – Steve (08:44, 13:14)
• "Not everything's for you... They make it political, when it's business, it's cultural and it's business." – Rich (35:35)
• "The event is made for TV ... it just does not translate in the stadium." – Dan Byer (37:17)
• "At these events, you’re always at the mercy of the rep...I have a hard time believing Paige would have done something like that." – Greg Tuohy (23:25)
• "This is the kind of drama we needed after that Super Bowl." – Stu Gotz (25:15)
• "We were having a...we were on, like, a high...it reminds us that we're not Colin yet. We're not Dan Patrick yet. We're still busting our ass." – Steve (17:21)

Engaging Moments & Memorable Exchanges

• The FernandoGate segment feels like a comedic team therapy session—part venting, part ribbing, and part sincere reflection on competition and “booking wars” in sportstalk radio.
• Hosts reference wild analogies (including explicit but humorous ones about “cuckold” scenarios) to describe the pain of missing out on the Mendoza interview.
• The Bad Bunny halftime discussion morphs from business-oriented analysis to broader cultural observations, using references from Metallica to K-pop and Gangnam Style.
• The “alternate halftime programming” history lesson about “In Living Color” is a fun, educational pop-culture digression (46:52–47:48).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Post-Super Bowl reflections and Dan Byer's Seahawks joy: 03:18–05:07
• Fernando Mendoza interview drama ("FernandoGate") begins: 06:24–21:26
• Greg Tuohy (the Herd) joins to clarify the booking story: 20:46–24:28
• Discussion of guest booking etiquette and motivation: 15:23–17:21
• Bad Bunny halftime show backlash and cultural debate: 26:05–36:02
• Dan Byer on live halftime experience: 37:17–38:09
• NBA fight/audio highlight: 44:50–45:42
• Origin of alternate halftime shows ("In Living Color" story): 46:52–47:48

Conclusion

This episode of C&R on The Dan Patrick Show stands out for its irreverent, candid approach to both sports and sports media drama. With a focus on the “inside baseball” of radio row booking, real-time social media feedback to cultural moments like the Super Bowl halftime, and pokes at the egos and etiquette of sports talk, it’s both entertaining and unexpectedly insightful for hardcore sports fans and casual listeners alike.

Whether reliving the pain of “FernandoGate,” debating cultural authenticity in halftime shows, or recalling seminal moments from sports media history, Covino and Rich bring high energy, honest reflection, and plenty of laughs to the table.