Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "The Best Of Covino & Rich" (May 7, 2025)

The Best Of Covino & Rich episode on May 7, 2025, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, delves into a variety of engaging topics, blending sports analysis, nostalgic reflections, personal anecdotes, and interactive segments. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode, structured into distinct sections for clarity.

1. Historical Events on May 7

[01:23 – 02:27]
Covino and Dan Byer kick off the episode by discussing significant historical events that occurred on May 7. The primary focus is on the Hindenburg disaster of 1937, which tore down stereotypes about its location.

• Dan Byer highlights common misconceptions:
  "I think a lot of people don't realize that happened in Jersey. All the humanity." [01:53]

• Covino draws a parallel with the Titanic, emphasizing how many believe it sank far from New York:
  "People think it's like really far. It's not that far in England to the grand scheme of New York right now." [02:17]

2. Nostalgia: Friends Finale Anniversary

[02:27 – 04:27]
The hosts reminisce about the "Friends" series finale, celebrating its 21st anniversary.

• Dan Byer humorously suggests:
  "If you have clear memories of the finale of Friends, you're probably due for a colonoscopy because that means you're at least 40 something." [03:03]

• Covino shares a personal story about attending a Friends themed party:
  "I was dragged to a friend's party with a bunch of people who were big fans. I'm like, this sucks. I feel like Beavis and Butthead." [03:14]

• The discussion touches on the show's enduring popularity and its groundbreaking approach of equal earnings among the main cast:
  "Like they all said, we're going to make the same amount of money, which takes away the drama it does." [04:02]

3. NBA Playoffs Analysis: Knicks vs. Celtics & OKC Thunder

[05:01 – 16:02]
A substantial segment is dedicated to analyzing recent NBA playoff games, focusing on unexpected outcomes and team performances.

Knicks vs. Celtics:

• Dan Byer recounts flipping expectations mid-game:
  "If you had turned on that Knicks-Celtics game midway through the third quarter, you were thinking, all right, this is a clear Celtics game one at home victory." [05:01]

• Discussion around Boston Celtics' missed three-pointers and the Knicks' capitalizing efforts:
  "Both teams, Knicks and the Nuggets, stole one away. Stole one away. So those are heartbreakers, hard to recover from." [07:43]

• Dan Byer speculates the series could extend to six or seven games:
  "I think that series is going to go six or seven regardless. I could be totally wrong." [09:35]

OKC Thunder:

• The hosts debate whether the OKC Thunder or the Celtics "blew it" more in their respective games.
  "My answer to Thunder blew it more." [15:57]

• Covino praises Russell Westbrook's energy despite the team's challenges:
  "Russell Westbrook's energy throughout this run has been really contagious too." [17:00]

Playoff Intensity vs. Regular Season:

• Covino likens playoff excitement to "hotel sex," emphasizing the heightened intensity:
  "NBA playoffs are like hotel sex. You nailed it." [11:07 – 11:53]

• Reflection on how playoff intensity surpasses regular-season games, fostering greater fan engagement:
  "If the games were this exciting all throughout the season, you'd be a hell of a bigger NBA fan." [12:15 – 12:50]

4. Stepping Up in Broadcasting and Sports Moments

[16:02 – 43:38]
The conversation shifts to stories of individuals stepping up in critical moments, both in broadcasting and sports.

Broadcasting Stories:

• Covino shares his experience covering for a late host to interview Collective Soul:
  "I had to step up and fill in for Booker." [37:54 – 42:42]

• Dan Byer recounts witnessing a confrontation while working in New York City:
  "I was working in Midtown... the guy couldn't talk to me, so he... he... slapped me with his belt." [22:29 – 25:07]

Sports Success Stories:

• Dan Byer highlights Jacob deGrom’s rise from a minor league spot starter to a generational pitcher:
  "Jacob deGrom took that and ran with it and became a generational pitcher." [43:30 – 43:38]

• Covino reflects on team dynamics and stepping up during adversity:
  "We reaped all the benefits because that was fun to watch." [38:02 – 43:38]

Additional Anecdotes:

• Personal stories about stepping up in moments of need, such as covering broadcasts or performing under pressure, are shared by both hosts, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.

5. Interactive Segment: Shaq Diesel Trivia

[53:30 – 59:16]
The episode features an interactive trivia segment hosted alongside a virtual appearance by Shaquille O'Neal.

• Shaq engages with the hosts, participating in trivia questions about NBA history and leadership quotes. Notable questions include:

  • "Which player was the first to win two NBA Finals MVPs?"
    Dan Byer correctly answers Willis Reed [56:18 – 56:37].

  • "What did Shaq say about leadership?"
    Covino props up the correct answer:
    "Generals don't panic, then the troops never panic." [57:34 – 57:27]

  • "Which former NBA player has the highest career free throw percentage?"
    Dan Byer correctly answers Steve Nash [57:59 – 58:06].

• The segment concludes with friendly banter and congratulatory remarks for participants, enhancing listener engagement.

6. Light-Hearted Topics: Viral Videos and Cereal Trivia

[20:06 – 65:55]
The hosts transition to more casual and humorous discussions, including viral videos and a fun cereal trivia game.

Viral Videos:

• Crabs in an Air Fryer:
  "These crabs are like... live crabs in the air fryer look like they're crying, but they're not." [20:06 – 21:12]

• Employee Confrontations:
  Stories about employees defending their workplaces, such as spitting incidents and physical altercations, are shared:
  "The dude working at the stadium... he took his belt out and... yeah, mother... he... used his belt." [22:04 – 22:46]

Cereal Trivia:

• The hosts engage in a playful debate about favorite cereals, discussing preferences and childhood memories:
  "My answer is Cocoa Pebbles because they taste like tricks a little bit." [63:37 – 64:00]

• Participants share their cereal preferences, ranging from Rice Chex to Cinnamon Toast Crunch, fostering a relatable and entertaining segment for listeners.

7. Closing Remarks and Announcements

[65:58 – 66:38]
The episode concludes with sponsor messages from Talkspace, emphasizing mental health support, particularly for military members and their families.

• Rich Davis promotes Talkspace, detailing its services and promotional offers:
  "Talkspace provides professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatric providers online." [65:58 – 66:06]

• Austin shares a personal testimonial about leveraging Talkspace for family support:
  "I just answered a few questions online, and Talkspace matched me with a therapist." [66:21 – 66:38]

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps

• "Generals don't panic, then the troops never panic." – Shaquille O'Neal [57:27]
• "NBA playoffs are like hotel sex. You nailed it." – Dan Byer [11:07]
• "If you have clear memories of the finale of Friends, you're probably due for a colonoscopy because that means you're at least 40 something." – Dan Byer [03:03]
• "Russell Westbrook's energy throughout this run has been really contagious too." – Covino [17:00]
• "These crabs are like... live crabs in the air fryer look like they're crying, but they're not." – Dan Byer [20:15]

Conclusion

The Best Of Covino & Rich episode skillfully navigates through a plethora of topics, balancing in-depth sports analysis with light-hearted banter and personal stories. The integration of interactive segments like trivia with Shaquille O'Neal adds a dynamic element, ensuring the content remains engaging and relatable. Listeners are treated to a blend of nostalgia, critical insights, and entertaining discussions, making it a comprehensive episode for both avid sports fans and casual listeners.