The Dan Patrick Show: C&R – The Most Lovable Nerds
Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts: Covino & Rich (with Danny G., Sam, and Dan Byers)
Episode Overview
On this playful and nostalgia-filled episode, Covino & Rich riff on the idea of "nerds" in popular culture, inspired by the anniversary of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. The conversation explores how the concept of "nerdiness" has evolved—once a source of ridicule, now often a badge of honor. With contributions from listeners and the show's crew, they cite memorable real and fictional nerds, discuss the difference between "nerds" and "geeks," and touch on the phenomenon of nerd culture becoming mainstream.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Mr. Rogers Spark: Was He a Nerd?
- [05:18] The discussion launches with the anniversary of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood (debuted 1968), as the hosts read a description calling Fred Rogers a "gentle and deeply curious nerdy man."
- Covino shares admiration for Fred Rogers, seeing him as kind rather than "nerdy" in the wedgie-target sense:
“The world’s a better place because of guys like him.” – Covino [05:33]
- The crew debates whether Rogers’ “nerdy” qualities—curiosity, sweaters, gentle nature—really make him a nerd.
Defining Nerds, Geeks, Dweebs, and Dorks
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[07:45] Distinctions between geeks and nerds are discussed, with Danny G. citing:
“A geek is passionate about a specific subject, like technology or pop culture, while a nerd is a studious academic intellectual focused on mastering knowledge or skills.” – Danny G. [07:52]
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Sam and others add the terms "dweeb" and "dork," referencing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off [08:53].
Nerds Across Pop Culture: Who’s in the Club?
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[09:01 - 26:09] The crew and callers list and debate the greatest (and most lovable) nerds across TV, movies, sports, and real life:
TV & Movie Nerds:
- Revenge of the Nerds crew (“Arnold Poindexter, Lamar Luttrell…”)
- Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
- Sheldon & cast (Big Bang Theory)
- Indiana Jones (“He was a college professor—does that make him a nerd?” – Covino [11:40])
- Doogie Howser and Vinnie Delpino
- George McFly
- The kids from Stranger Things
- Rick Moranis characters, especially in Ghostbusters (“Rick Moranis was a fantastic nerd.” – Rich [18:02])
- The Goonies (“Would all the Goonies be considered nerds?” – Rich [18:27])
- Waldo from Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” video
- Pee Wee Herman (“Cool nerd.”)
Real-life Nerd Icons:
- Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos (“Now he looks like Lex Luthor.” – Sam [10:10])
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (“He might be the coolest nerd.” – Rich [14:11])
- Bill Nye the Science Guy
- Weird Al Yankovic (“Underrated superstar.” – Covino [20:00])
Fictional/Comics Nerds:
- Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Velma (Scooby-Doo)
- Clark Kent/Superman
- Egon (Ghostbusters)
- Ducky (Pretty in Pink)
- McLovin (Superbad)
- Screech (Saved by the Bell)
- Napoleon Dynamite (“He’s the ultimate geek.” – Caller [20:55])
Athletes/Sports Nerds:
- Greg Maddux (“The Professor”)
- Oral Hershiser (“Bulldog on the mound, but kind of nerdy.” – Covino [08:21])
- Mike Mussina
- Kobe Bryant (“A student of the game—he was a nerd.” – Caller Jay [30:52])
- Richard Sherman (Stanford)
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (Harvard)
- Kurt Rambis (NBA: “Always looked like the biggest nerd.” – Rich [34:23])
- Chris Sabo (with iconic goggles)
How Nerd Became Cool
- [16:18] They discuss how “nerd” status flipped from outcast to cool starting with the rise of tech, computers, video games, Glee, and High School Musical.
- Comic Con’s mainstreaming is cited as a clear example:
“Comic Con was designed for nerds, and now regular people are like, ‘Let’s go to Comic Con!’” – Covino [16:52]
Blurred Lines and Overanalysis
- [15:14 - 16:08] The hosts repeatedly note how the once-clear lines between geeks, nerds, and coolness are now blurred.
“Now, I guess there’s something cool about [nerds], because we’ve seen nerds take over.” – Covino [15:33]
Listeners Chime In: Top Nerds Rapid Fire
- [19:23 - 34:39] Listeners call in with their own nominations (and the occasional definition), including:
- Weird Al Yankovic
- Velma (Scooby-Doo)
- Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Bruce Banner/The Hulk
- Spock (Star Trek)
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Clark Kent/Superman
- Egon (Ghostbusters)
- Ducky (Pretty in Pink)
- McLovin (Superbad)
- Screech
- Urkel (“But not Stefan Urkel!” – Rich [33:49])
- Eric Sogard, “Nerd Power” (MLB)
- Kurt Rambis
- Chris Sabo
- Murdoc (A-Team)
- Ben Stein (Win Ben Stein’s Money)
- Listener Big Burt defines nerds as “outcasts… not mainstream… not normal people.” [21:55]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- "When a girl that's really hot puts on glasses and says 'Oh my God, I'm such a nerd.' I'm like, no, you're hot. You're not a nerd." – Rich [07:12]
- “Indiana Jones… he might be a nerd. He was a college professor!” – Covino [11:40]
- “Can I tell you, I… not to call my dad out…but glasses were so nerdy in the 80s, that … for family photos, my dad would make me take them off.” – Rich [35:45]
- “You know who's not a nerd? Stefan Urkel.” – Rich [33:51]
- “Now, I guess there's something cool about [nerds] because we've seen nerds take over.” – Covino [15:33]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 05:18 – Mr. Rogers: Nerd or Not?
- 07:45 – Geeks vs. Nerds debate
- 09:01–15:06 – Iconic Nerds in pop culture
- 16:08–17:15 – How nerd culture became cool (“Upside Down”)
- 19:23–34:39 – Listener call-ins: Favorite nerds and nerd definitions
- 30:52 – Kobe Bryant as a “studious” sports nerd
- 35:45 – Rich’s personal 1980s “nerd” anecdote
Original Tone: Playful, Nostalgic, Self-Deprecating
The show flows with lighthearted debate, self-reflection (“Did I have a nerdy sense of humor?”), playful banter, pop culture deep dives, and interactive listener participation—all with Covino & Rich’s signature humor.
Notable Quotes (With Attribution & Timestamp)
- “Fred Rogers was often described as a gentle and deeply curious nerdy man.” – Covino quoting article [05:33]
- “When I hear nerd, I think of a guy you want to give a wedgie to.” – Covino [06:43]
- “I never considered Fred Rogers a nerdy guy. He’s just like a goofy, nice guy.” – Covino [10:19]
- “Now, I guess there’s something cool about him because we’ve seen nerds take over.” – Covino [15:33]
- “Comic Con was designed for nerds, and now regular people…go.” – Covino [16:52]
- “Just picture every movie Rick Moranis was in because he was such a great nerd…” – Caller via Rich [17:54]
- “Ben Stein's whole gimmick was ‘I'm a nerd.’” – Rich [26:04]
- “The lines are blurred throughout the past couple decades.” – Danny G. [15:29]
- “Steph Curry’s dealing with swelling…” – Dan Byers, (sports update) [36:31]
- “If you can make sense of this, by all means…” – Covino on the nerd debate [13:33]
- “Kobe…was a real studious type of guy. The late, great Kobe Bryant. Great answer.” – Rich [31:06]
Conclusion
The episode is less about settling the definition of a nerd and more about celebrating the quirkiness, intelligence, and authenticity behind the label. Affirming that nerds can be cool, athletic, successful, or even superheroes, Covino & Rich invite their audience to see a little nerd in everyone—making it, these days, a point of pride.
Further Segments and Teasers
- [40:05–41:41] Show and Tell segment
- [43:05] Covino teases a hot take for tomorrow: “Aaron Judge is the best hitter in the game. I have the stats!”
- [44:13] The gang moves over to their bonus pod “Over Promised” on YouTube
For new listeners:
If you love playful deep-dives into pop culture with a side of sports, history, and interactive community, this episode is a must-listen, blending nostalgia and hilarity with serious nerd cred!