The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich) Summary

Episode: "We're Still On the Air!" & NFL Big TV
Date: December 20, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino, Rich Davis, Danny G, Dan Beyer

Episode Overview

This lively installment of The Dan Patrick Show (guest-hosted by Covino & Rich) covers the week's sports and pop culture news with their signature banter and humor. The main highlights include viral sports broadcaster mishaps, Super Bowl party essentials, a breakdown of the NFL weekend schedule, interactive games with callers, and what to watch for the weekend. Expect candid takes, playful debates, and memorable stories on the power of live microphones, parenting, nostalgia, and NFL anticipation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Classic Toy Crazes and Holiday Gifts

• Nostalgic Kicks: The hosts reminisce about hot holiday items, referencing the Tickle Me Elmo toy craze of the 1990s.
  • “If anyone needs a Tickle Me Elmo from 1990-something, Uncle Joe’s your guy.” – Covino (03:50)
• Trending Now: Discussion on this year’s must-have novelty gifts (Labubu toys), influenced by pop culture and celebrities like Taylor Swift, who sparked a digital camera craze.
  • “Taylor Swift, speaking of, could make anything cool again.” – Covino (04:43)

2. Pricey Youth Sports and Baseball Bat Nostalgia

• The crew jokes about the escalating prices of youth sports equipment, such as the Easton Hype Fire baseball bat.
  • “Put a few hundo for a little kid that picks his nose.” – Rich (06:42)
• Reflection on parents’ willingness to spend for their children’s athletic gear, despite questionable returns.

3. NFL Quarterback Age Surprises

• Caller Jimmy chimes in about the Minnesota Vikings and sparks an age comparison between Sam Darnold and Joe Burrow.
  • “Do you know that Sam Darnold is actually younger than Joe Burrow?” – Jimmy, Caller (07:44)
• The hosts revel in how some QBs feel older than they are, specifically noting Lamar Jackson’s youthful career.

4. Viral Broadcaster Bloopers: The Hot Mic Incident

• Main Segment: Dissection of Thomas Saunders, the Philadelphia Flyers play-by-play announcer, who was suspended after an off-color comment was accidentally broadcast live due to a “hot mic.”
  • [10:30–13:13]
  • Notable Quote:
    “While you’re down there, would you mind—? …I think we’re still on the air, Tim.” – Thomas Saunders (11:07)
  • Panel Reaction:
    • The group laughs about the incident, likening it to classic broadcaster mistakes and emphasizing the importance of always assuming a mic is “hot.”
    • “You always have to edit yourself... I try to do the same exact thing here at the studios because you don’t know if a mic’s gonna pick you up somewhere.” – Danny G (09:31)
    • The consensus: Suspension is warranted, but cancellation isn't. The gang shares personal stories of “hot mic” or pocket dial mishaps, underscoring a lesson for anyone in broadcast or digital age life.

5. The Big TV NFL Preview

• Rich’s Big TV Game of the Week:
  • “How are you not all pumped about Packers at Bears? That happens at 8:20 Eastern, 5:20 out here on the west side. Packers at Bears, prime time, Saturday...” – Rich (17:49, 18:12)
  • Callout of notable Sunday games: Bucs vs. Panthers (“battle for first”), Jags vs. Broncos, and Lions vs. Rodgers.
  • Monday matchup: Patriots at Ravens—with skepticism about the Vegas spread.
• Tech Tie-in:
  • Extended TCL TV promotion and playful chiding for anyone watching on a “tiny TV."
    • “If you’re watching the small TV, why—yeah, you’re embarrassing yourself. You have a tiny TV. You’re only seeing about half the game.” – Covino (23:16)

6. Interactive Game: Brainwave

• Game Mechanics: A caller attempts to match responses with the hosts on subjective topics.
• Fun Categories & Highlights:
  • Essential Super Bowl Food? – “Wings” sweeps the board. (30:51)
  • Most Overrated Band: Kiss, Bon Jovi, or U2?—New York/Jersey pride prevents Bon Jovi from being picked, and the debate is lively. (32:58)
  • Toughest MLB Position?—Unanimous vote for “catcher.” (35:15)
  • Cartoon Longevity?—Split between Flintstones and Tom & Jerry, demonstrating generational differences.

7. Weekend Hobnobbing Recommendations

• Sporting Events to Watch:
  • Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua boxing match on Netflix—hosts make this a Friday night “must-see.”
  • College Football Playoff games, particularly Alabama vs. Oklahoma (48:29).
• TV/Streaming:
  • The Beast In Me on Netflix (recommended as a fun thriller).
  • Landman on Netflix (Danny G’s pick).
  • My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman (Rich’s pick).
  • Fallout Season 2 (Prime) and new Avatar animated film.
• Shameless Plug:
  • The hosts promote their OverPromised podcast for further fight breakdowns and sports banter.

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• Hot Item Power:
  • “Taylor Swift, speaking of, could make anything cool again. She's got that power.” – Covino (04:43)
• Mic Awareness:
  • “If there’s a microphone, what do they say? Assume it’s on.” – Rich (09:17)
• Broadcaster Blooper:
  • “While you’re down there, would you mind—...I think we’re still on the air, Tim.” – Thomas Saunders (11:07)
• Relatable Tech Fails:
  • “Always make sure you hung up the phone, right?...Sometimes it’s picking up everything you say. And you could almost text that to somebody.” – Covino (12:10)
• NFL Game Anticipation:
  • “Packers at Bears, prime time, Saturday...Your primetime game tomorrow, which deserves the TCL love.” – Rich (17:49–18:30)
• Big TV Energy:
  • “If you’re watching the small TV, why...you’re embarrassing yourself. You have a tiny TV.” – Covino (23:16)
• Party Game Showdown:
  • “Which of these can you not skip when preparing Super Bowl party spread?” – Danny G (30:23)
  • “Wings.” – (x6 hosts, 31:01–31:45)

Segment Timestamps

• Nostalgic Toys & Holiday Gifts: 03:20–05:16
• Youth Sports Equipment & Bat Talk: 05:16–06:42
• NFL QB Ages & Caller Segment: 07:10–08:33
• Broadcaster Hot Mic Incident (Thomas Saunders): 10:30–13:13
• Big TV NFL Games Preview: 17:29–22:10
• TCL TV Promotion: 23:16–24:12
• Brainwave Game: 28:06–38:09
• Weekend Hobnobbing / What to Watch: 44:34–48:29

Tone & Style

Hilarious, fast-paced, lightly irreverent, and sports/pop-culture savvy. Covino & Rich thrive on riffing off each other and looping in the crew and callers for a community feel. There’s genuine nostalgia, self-deprecating humor, and a recurring theme about always being careful with technology (mic/live fail stories), making the show relatable and fun for all ages.

Final Takeaway

This episode is a blend of old-school sports radio (complete with listener participation), timely sports previews, and the hosts’ infectious enthusiasm. It’s a celebration of sports community, the evolving NFL schedule, and the unpredictability of live broadcasting — all with plenty of laughs and pop culture references.

For more laughs and deeper dives, check out Covino & Rich weekdays on Fox Sports Radio, and seek out their OverPromised podcast on YouTube for bonus segments!