The Dan Patrick Show – C&R: "The Dirty Fonz," Key NFL Games, Bananas

Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich (C&R)
Producer/Wisdom Guru: Big Mike
Notable Guests: Dan Patrick (featured in show title/network, but Covino and Rich are primary voices in this episode)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Covino and Rich, subbing in on The Dan Patrick Show, is packed with irreverent sports talk, relatable life hacks, and plenty of locker room banter. The hosts dissect the legitimacy of the NBA Cup (and its viral, eyebrow-raising "Dirty Fonz" celebration), break down pivotal NFL matchups approaching playoff season, dole out wisdom for navigating the holidays (including last-minute gift survival tips), and even go on an unexpectedly deep dive on America’s favorite fruit: bananas. Throughout, the tone is playful, opinionated, and peppered with running jokes and memorable asides.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The NBA Cup & The "Dirty Fonz" Moment

Timestamps: 04:00–18:00

• The show opens with animated coverage of the recent NBA Cup final, particularly focusing on Josh Hart’s viral and infamous celebration dubbed "The Dirty Fonz" (double thumbs up in an unconventional place during a post-game moment).
  • Quote (Covino): “Last night, Josh Hart gave Brunson the Dirty Fonz. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, just open up social media… That was the top highlight from the NBA Cup.” (05:00)
• Mixed reactions to both the cup itself and its fan engagement.
  • Many players are excited, notably because of the $500,000 payout incentive, but the guys debate if fans and the league genuinely care or if it’s mostly manufactured hype.
  • Sparse attendance at T-Mobile Arena is called out, with ESPN hype (via Stephen A. Smith’s on-air antics) scrutinized as overkill.
  • Panel references Charles Barkley’s blunt criticism (paraphrased): The NBA shouldn’t have to bribe players to give effort in an extracurricular tournament.
    • Quote (Barkley, paraphrased by hosts): “To do an in-season tournament to make them extra money, come on, man. That’s… that’s a little bit ridiculous.” (16:20)
  • Hosts agree it might catch on in future years, but right now, the extra celebration (“like passing around the Sunday softball trophy as grown men”) feels forced and a little cringe.
• Memorable banter: C&R joke about their own events drawing more fans than the NBA Cup (“You guys had more people in attendance at the CRC20 in Vegas...”).

Notable Quotes

• Covino: “I’m not one to poo-poo on something new and potentially fun, I just don’t think we’re there yet.” (17:15)
• Rich: “Championships matter. The Knicks need to win an NBA Finals, not just an NBA Cup.” (13:40)

2. Big Mike’s Wednesday Words of Wisdom (Holiday Edition)

Timestamps: 18:00–27:00

• In a recurring segment, “Big Mike,” the studio’s resident sage, drops a holiday-inspired piece of wisdom:
  • Big Mike: “Holiday generosity isn’t measured by the presents you buy, but by the presence of your kindness, patience, and time.” (20:55, 22:39, 38:14 as repeated)
• The crew riffs on how to survive unexpected holiday gift exchanges with coworkers or acquaintances—keep a bottle of wine or a Starbucks gift card in the trunk as backup.
  • Rich: “You may bump into someone that’s like, ‘Oh my God! Hey, I got you a little something.’ And then you feel like an ass clown, like, I didn’t get anything.” (23:42)
• Big Mike shares a story about Betty White gifting See’s Candy to anyone who stopped by her house (as well as being bitten by her dog).
• The words of wisdom segment becomes a mini-game: listeners can win a prize by repeating Mike’s wisdom verbatim.

3. Key NFL Matchups: Playoff Implications & Predictions

Timestamps: 27:00–55:00

• Rich flags this week’s NFL slate as unusually potent, with six or seven ‘almost playoff-magnitude’ games. The crew proceeds to break down the biggest ones, debating outcomes and playoff stakes:
  • Rams at Seahawks: Panel split; Rich and some lean Rams, others like Seattle’s home-field advantage.
  • Packers at Bears: Discussion of injuries (Micah Parsons, Josh Jacobs) and the odds of each team. Majority think the Bears will pull off a split.
  • Panthers vs. Buccaneers: Big Mike, a rare Panthers fan, pessimistically takes the Bucs. The panel notes both teams’ recent struggles, with some leaning Panthers.
  • Jaguars at Broncos: The only undefeated home team left is Denver, but some sense the Jaguars are due for a statement win.
  • Steelers at Lions: Most believe the Lions will win “no way the Lions lose in Detroit,” but Danny G. plays contrarian for Steelers.
  • Ravens at Patriots: Almost unanimous that the Patriots will handle a middling Ravens team; bounce-back potential noted.
  • The hosts highlight how even “lesser” games carry significance due to tight playoff races.
• Gamblers’ reality check: 6-leg parlays are “a sucker’s game,” as none of the group hit one earlier this season.
  • Rich: “Six for six is tough. Three or four leg parlays are doable but six… muy dificulté.” (31:35)
• Playoff scenarios—Rich mentions potential for teams (like the 49ers, referenced as “my” Niners), to clinch home field or get elbowed out in the final weeks.
• Stephen A. Smith parody: After each key matchup, someone jokes about punctuating analysis with “a Stephen A. scream” to match the overblown NBA Cup coverage.

Notable Quotes

• Rich: “Remember back in the day, we’d be like: ‘Wow, this team’s undefeated at home.’ As of right now, the only team undefeated at home in the AFC is the Broncos.” (46:12)
• Covino: “The excitement was real for these games. Unlike the NBA Cup.” (54:30)

4. Locker Room Camaraderie: "Dirty Fonz" in Context & Bro Culture

Timestamps: 59:52–1:05:00

• Recap of Josh Hart’s “Dirty Fonz” (two thumbs up the backside) on teammate Jalen Brunson after Knicks win, which went viral.
  • Quote (Covino): “We’re bros here but I’ve never crossed those lines with Rich... Is this how the young guys get down nowadays?” (1:00:04)
  • The group points out how playful—and occasionally outlandish—NBA locker room camaraderie can be, and how it bonds a team.
  • Consensus: It’s funny and harmless, a sign of healthy team chemistry.

5. NBA/Lakers Gift Giving: Luka’s Big E-Bike Surprise

Timestamps: 1:05:00–1:07:00

• Luka (presumed reference to Luka Dončić) gifts over 100 E-bikes (worth ~$3,000 each) to Lakers players and staff. The gesture dubbed him “Luka Claus.”
  • Covino: “He’s winning over his teammates. Tis the season to give—that’s awesome.” (1:06:10)
  • The panel compares it to other athlete gifts, noting the power of generosity and team leadership.

6. World Cup 2026 Ticket Pricing – Accessibility Debate

Timestamps: 1:07:00–1:10:00

• Panel covers upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America—ticket prices range from $60 (tiny share) up to $8,680 for finals, sparking public outcry.
• Discussion of capitalist “reality check”—supply, demand, and the new normal: “The hundred dollar bill is the new 20.”
• Reference to inflation in sports and even takeout food as evidence of broader economic shift.

7. Dodgers’ Deferred Contracts: Billion Dollar IOUs

Timestamps: 1:10:00–1:13:00

• Dodgers reportedly owe $1.06 billion in deferred contracts to stars like Ohtani, Betts, Snell, and more.
  • Chunky future payments seen as the price of winning now; hosts joke about “IOUs” and Bobby Bonilla comparisons.
  • Quote (Covino): “To quote Lloyd Christmas, these are IOUs—they’re just as good as money.” (1:12:29)

8. Banana Consumption Revelation

Timestamps: 1:18:00–1:24:00

• Lighthearted but surprisingly deep panel debate: Is eating a banana daily normal? Most of the crew do, but Rich scarcely does (“one every three or four months”).
• Bananas are confirmed as the most sold item at Walmart.
  • Covino: “I eat a banana every day… it’s kind of bananas when you think about it.” (1:19:30)
• Bananas lauded for fitness and potassium; references to games where athletes noshed on them as a muscle cramp cure.
• Riff on psychological meanings of banana size selections devolves into classic C&R innuendo.

Memorable Moments & Runner Quotes

• On the NBA Cup Celebrations:

  • “I’m a grown man… It feels weird. It feels like the NBA Cup. The players are pumped about the extra 500k. That’s what they’re pumped about. But were the fans?” – Rich (10:23)

• Big Mike’s Words of Wisdom (repeated winner):

  • “Holiday generosity isn’t measured by the presents you buy, but by the presence of your kindness, patience, and time.” – Big Mike (20:55, 22:39, 38:14)

• On deferred contract payments:

  • “If they pay ‘em eventually, Bobby Bonilla is saying, exactly.” – Rich (1:12:35)

• On bananas:

  • “I feel like I’m living in a weird world… am I missing out? Is the key to health eating bananas?” – Rich (1:20:10)

Additional Segments

• Listeners called in to repeat Big Mike’s wisdom and win prizes.
• Quick-hit segment “Midweek Major”: Rapid-fire takes on sports and pop culture headlines (NBA Cup celebration, Lakers gifting, World Cup pricing, Dodgers payroll).

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode maintains a breezy, conversational style with rapid topic changes, recurring jokes (the “Dirty Fonz,” Stephen A. screams), and a mix of genuine sports analysis and comedic pop culture digressions. The camaraderie between regulars keeps the energy high, while segments like “Words of Wisdom” and gift-giving tips ground the show with relatable holiday warmth.

TL;DR

• NBA Cup lacks genuine hype (outside of player cash incentives and some manufactured media excitement), but produced an instantly iconic bro-moment with the “Dirty Fonz.”
• NFL playoff races are thrilling, and this week’s matchups are full of win-or-go-home implications.
• Big Mike’s holiday wisdom and impromptu gifting advice make for useful, feel-good content.
• Banana consumption turns out to be much more common (and debate-worthy) than Rich ever thought.
• Spot and Producer Mike keep the fun (and wisdom) rolling as C&R deliver their signature blend of sports, culture, and comedy.

For more C&R or Dan Patrick coverage, catch the show weekdays or search for key segments through iHeartPodcasts and Fox Sports Radio.