The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Touchdown in Vegas, Ross Tucker

Date: November 20, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

Broadcasting live from Las Vegas, Dan Patrick and the Danettes kick off with lively banter about their arrival to Sin City and a classic DP Show blend of humor, behind-the-scenes travel stories, and timely sports discussion. Hour 1 spotlights Ross Tucker’s analysis of upcoming NFL action, the buzz around Shador Sanders’ first start, and the cultural crossover of sports and celebrity in Vegas during the Formula 1 weekend. The episode's main themes are the unpredictability and spectacle of Vegas, college football playoff debates, and NFL storylines entering the weekend.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

Vegas Arrival, House Calls & Celebrity Sightings

[02:34-03:30]

• The crew is broadcasting from the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. Dan jokes about being under the weather, recounting a memorable doctor house call for a shot "in my butt" and riffing, "How many times have I heard that in Vegas?"
  • Quote (Dan, 03:10): "For the first time in, I think, 45 years, she said, 'pull down your pants.' And I got a shot in my butt."
• Discussion of the unique services available in Vegas, including “celebrity” doctors assisting performers and athletes.
• Recap of Vegas’ unique “walk of fame”—spotting Michael Douglas and up-and-coming impressionist Matt Friend, and previewing celebrity guests joining the show.

The Impressions Showdown: Frank Caliendo vs. Matt Friend

[05:45-06:44]

• Describes a surreal Vegas moment: comedians Frank Caliendo (veteran impressionist) and Matt Friend (social media sensation) squaring off with on-the-spot impersonations.
• Quote (Paulie, 06:18): "Go ahead, give me your Jon Gruden. I'm gonna come back with Howard Stern."
• Reflection on how fast Matt Friend has risen in the comedy scene, using red carpet impressions to go viral.

Residency in Vegas: Dan Patrick Show Style

[06:54-07:31]

• The hosts joke about their “residency” at the Fontainebleau—comparing their unusual 6–9am time slot to Vegas superstars like Adele and Celine Dion.

NFL Headlines: Bills-Texans Preview and Playoff Race

[07:31-09:02]

• Hype for the night's "Thursday Night Football": Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans, with Houston’s strong defense and QB changes.
• AFC South at a glance: Texans are 5–5, still facing tough games but in playoff contention.
• Updates on injuries: Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson’s status.

College Football Playoff Debate

[09:02-13:32]

• Discusses the latest college football playoff poll and hypothetical matchups, focusing on looming controversies—Notre Dame vs. Miami for a playoff spot and how TV ratings may sway the final picks.
• Quote (Dan, 09:58): "If Notre Dame and Miami are sort of equal, even though the Irish—yeah—Miami will be on the outside looking in."
• Talks about Lane Kiffin’s possible departure from Ole Miss, referencing his comments on the Pat McAfee Show denying rumors of an ultimatum.
• The Danettes riff on college coach “trades” and the fast-changing college football job market.

Brian Kelly’s Image, Coaches’ Accents & Movie Boston

[13:06-13:55]

• A lighter segment turns to Brian Kelly’s PR moves and infamous shifting “accents”—with impressions and references to “The Departed,” “The Town,” and bad Boston accents in movies.
• Quote (Paulie, 13:55): “I don't know what it is about hearing a Boston accent in a movie that doesn't sound real, but when you're in Boston and you hear that accent, you know it is real. And it still doesn't sound real, actually.”

Notable Moments & Quotes

Paulie’s Celebrity Sighting: Michael Phelps

[14:36-16:33]

• Paulie recounts bumping into swimming legend Michael Phelps at Newark Airport—bantering about “taking the elevator,” buying drinks (“they're free”), and fans mistaking him for Usain Bolt.
  • Quote (Paulie, 15:09): "This guy's an athlete, and he is clearly the greatest ever to do what he did. Michael Phelps is correct."
  • Michael Phelps fan moment: "A woman came up to him and goes, 'You're the Olympic guy… Usain.' And he goes, 'That's right, man.'"

Vegas Dinner with Frank Caliendo

[17:31-18:32]

• Describes dinner with impressionist Frank Caliendo at the classic Vegas steakhouse Golden Steer (a Rat Pack haunt), highlighting how Caliendo can’t resist slipping into character voices—sometimes even doing impressions of the Danettes themselves.
• Quote (Paulie): "You can't have a conversation with Frank Caliendo at dinner without having a conversation with Morgan Freeman, John Gruden, Charles Barkley…"

Interview: Ross Tucker (NFL Analyst)

[24:55-39:58]

Shador Sanders’ NFL Starting Debut

[25:25-29:42]

• Discussion centers on what to expect from Shador Sanders (Deion’s son) in his first NFL start for the Raiders.
  • Ross Tucker (25:25): "He made some really good throws. They very much struggled to pick up the blitzes that the Ravens were bringing at him. … I'm really excited, like everybody is, to see what he can do with having everything aligned for him, at least for this week."
• Both Dan and Ross express hope that Sanders won’t suffer the fate of Tim Tebow (media/fan distraction over actual performance).

The "Tebow Effect" and Media Agenda

[27:48-29:42]

• Ross notes the polarizing, agenda-fueled coverage of Shador Sanders, sharing his own experiences of fans (and bots) attacking both criticism and praise on social media.
  • Quote (Ross, 28:51): "Nobody’s just kind of like relaxed with him. … There’s a weird group of people or bots or whatever, and if you say anything positive about Shador, they jump down your throat right away."
• Conversation about possible reasons Shador slid in the draft, including teams' hesitation to bring in a highly visible backup.

NFL & College Football Insights

[31:05-39:58]

• Discussion of rumored “you can’t draft me” stances among certain NFL prospects and missed landing spots for Shador, including the Raiders with minority owner Tom Brady involved.
• Ross discusses culture-building moves by the Raiders (bringing in Pete Carroll, Geno Smith), the poor state of their offensive line, and questionable running back draft strategy.
• Texans defense, Bills uncertainty, and Thursday Night Football betting odds breakdown.
  • Ross (34:54): "This is a major, major challenge for the Bills… The Bills might have to win it ugly. … That works as well."
• AFC playoff picture: Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills as potential wild cards but still favorites in key matchups; new faces unlikely to dethrone star QBs in the playoffs.
• On the Cowboys: If they beat the Eagles, credit Jerry Jones for not giving up on the season.
• On Myles Garrett: He’s already the “defensive Joe Thomas”—generational player on a losing team.
  • Ross (38:32): “...For him to do what he does every week when I know for a fact, having been a former offensive lineman, that he's the guy you talk about and game plan and say we're not going to let him ruin the game and yet he still ruins games is unbelievably impressive.”

Vegas Formula 1, Motorsports Banter

[42:18-47:37]

• The Danettes muse about Formula 1’s mystique, ticket prices, and driving conditions, with listeners calling in to share F1 insights.
• Difference between F1 and NASCAR rain rules, F1’s open cockpits (no windshield wipers), and the physical G-forces drivers endure.
• Quote (Dan, 46:55): "When you go from a couple hundred miles an hour and then you have to go into a turn... they talk about the G forces on your neck... At the end of the race, it's like you could use a neck massage."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:34] – Dan’s house call doctor story (Vegas arrival)
• [05:45] – Frank Caliendo/Matt Friend impressionist standoff
• [14:36] – Paulie’s Michael Phelps celebrity encounter story
• [17:31] – Dinner with Frank Caliendo at the Golden Steer
• [24:55] – Ross Tucker interview begins
  • [25:25] – Shador Sanders/NFL debut analysis
  • [28:51] – The social media “Shador Sanders effect”
  • [34:54] – TNF Bills vs. Texans breakdown
  • [38:32] – Myles Garrett’s legacy
• [42:18] – Formula 1, motorsports, and racing culture in Vegas

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick [03:10]: "For the first time in, I think, 45 years, she said, 'pull down your pants.' And I got a shot in my butt."
• Paulie [06:18]: "Go ahead, give me your Jon Gruden. I'm gonna come back with Howard Stern."
• Ross Tucker [28:51]: "Nobody’s just kind of like relaxed with him. … If you say anything positive about Shador, there’s a weird group of people or bots or whatever, they jump down your throat right away."
• Paulie [15:09]: "This guy's an athlete, and he is clearly the greatest ever to do what he did. Michael Phelps is correct."
• Dan Patrick [46:55]: "At the end of the race, it's like you could use a neck massage."

Summary

This hour of The Dan Patrick Show sets the scene in Las Vegas, blending the show’s trademark witty style and sports analysis. The banter draws listeners into their “residency” at Fontainebleau, loaded with candid travel stories, celebrity run-ins, and reflections on the Vegas vibe during F1 week.

The central sports block features Ross Tucker's insights: expectations for Shador Sanders’ NFL start, the media circus around rising stars, pitfalls of being high-profile as a backup QB, and deeper looks into NFL and college football storylines (from culture resets in the Raiders/Seahawks to the intricacies of playoff seeding).

As always, the Danettes maintain a conversational and comedic tone, making the episode both accessible and insightful for sports and pop culture fans alike.

For New Listeners:
This episode captures why The Dan Patrick Show endures: sharp sports insight, self-deprecating humor, and authentic, behind-the-scenes stories—whether from the NFL sidelines or the bright lights of Vegas.