Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: The Best Of Covino & Rich

Release Date: April 4, 2025

1. Introduction to Covino & Rich

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Covino and Rich take center stage, engaging listeners with their signature blend of humor and insightful commentary on current sports topics. The episode begins with a reflection on how technology has rendered certain traditional skills obsolete, setting the stage for a broader discussion on the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment.

2. Technology’s Impact on Traditional Skills

Covino and Rich delve into the ways modern technology has diminished the necessity of mastering skills that were once commonplace:

• Memorizing Phone Numbers & Keeping Scores
  Covino (01:16) reminisces about being a “wizard” at memorizing phone numbers and keeping track of bowling scores manually. He laments how smartphones and automated scorekeeping have eroded these abilities:

  "Girls, I was dating everyone's friend, their parents, house. You were a mental Rolodex of phone numbers. And then you got your first smartphone and now you might not even know your girlfriend or wife's phone number."
  [01:16]

• Reliance on Technology vs. Cognitive Skills
  Rich emphasizes the cognitive decline resulting from over-reliance on tools like Google and ChatGPT:

  "We don’t rely on our brain. And we’re getting dumber by the day."
  [01:45]

• The Loss of Handwriting and Obsolete Skills
  The hosts discuss how handwriting, particularly cursive, is becoming a lost art, citing an example where the Yankees struggled to spell their name in cursive:

  "The Yankees actually did a bit on this recently, and they asked people to spell the Yankees in cursive. And these dudes didn’t know how to do it."
  [06:26]

3. Shohei Ohtani: The Ultimate Sports Superstar

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to celebrating Shohei Ohtani's unparalleled status in the sports world:

• Shohei’s Unmatched Stardom
  Rich passionately argues that Shohei Ohtani is the greatest sports superstar since Michael Jordan, highlighting his multifaceted talent as both a pitcher and a hitter:

  "Shohei Ohtani, especially after a walk-off home run on his own bobblehead night, is proving over and over again that he’s the biggest star in sports in the world, period."
  [13:14]

• Comparisons to Other Sports Legends
  The hosts compare Ohtani’s influence to that of iconic figures like Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth, emphasizing his international fame and on-field performance without the need for extensive commercial endorsements:

  "Shohei Ohtani is like on that level of Michael Jordan. If not there already, he’s getting there."
  [15:49]

• Top MLB Players Ranked by ESPN
  Covino and Rich review ESPN's top 10 MLB players list, consistently positioning Shohei Ohtani at the pinnacle:

  "Shohei Ohtani's number one."
  [21:56]

  They critique the list, praising players like Bobby Witt Jr., Mookie Betts, and Aaron Judge while questioning the absence of veterans like Bryce Harper:

  "We got Shohei Witt Jr., Mookie Betts, number three, Aaron Judge at number four."
  [23:31]

4. National Film Score Day & Val Kilmer Tribute

Transitioning from sports, Covino and Rich shift their focus to celebrate National Film Score Day, blending discussions about movie soundtracks with a heartfelt tribute to the late Val Kilmer:

• Val Kilmer’s Legacy in Film
  They reflect on Val Kilmer's memorable performances, particularly his role as Doc Holliday in Tombstone, highlighting his range and emotional depth:

  "His portrayal of Doc Holliday was amazing."
  [35:21]

• Favorite Movie Scores and Soundtracks
  The hosts share their top picks for films with exceptional music scores, citing iconic soundtracks that elevate the cinematic experience:

  "Rocky wouldn't be the same without the music."
  [39:26]

  Rich elaborates on how Bill Conti's score for Rocky is integral to its emotional impact:

  "Bill Conti created a masterpiece and it still had a great soundtrack. Moving forward in the franchise."
  [39:26]

  Covino adds to the discussion by mentioning John Williams and Alan Silvestri, emphasizing their contributions to film music:

  "John Williams did Jurassic Park and Star Wars. Alan Silvestri did Forrest Gump."
  [45:26]

5. Embracing Movie Soundtracks and Scores

Covino and Rich delve deeper into the significance of movie scores, highlighting how they enhance storytelling and evoke emotions:

• Impact of Specific Scores
  They discuss how certain scores like John Williams' work in Indiana Jones and Star Wars are inseparable from the films' identities:

  "Five of them are John Williams."
  [37:45]

• Tributes to Composers
  The importance of composers such as Randy Newman and James Horner is also acknowledged, with particular reference to iconic pieces like Chariots of Fire and Braveheart:

  "Randy Newman deserves respect too."
  [47:05]

6. Recent NFL and NBA Updates

The episode also touches on current happenings in football and basketball:

• NFL Contracts and Trades
  Spot provides updates on NFL contracts, notably Geno Smith's extension with the Raiders and Trey McBride's deal with the Arizona Cardinals:

  "Raiders quarterback Geno Smith getting an extension... could be worth up to $85.5 million."
  [57:11]

• NBA Playoffs and Key Games
  The hosts discuss exciting NBA matchups, including an anticipated game between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers, emphasizing the competitive Western Conference:

  "Tonight, the Golden State Warriors at the LA Lakers... definitely watch it because we'll be talking about it tomorrow."
  [63:08]

7. Closing Remarks and Promotions

As the episode concludes, Covino and Rich promote upcoming segments and express their admiration for Shohei Ohtani's continued excellence:

• Express Pro of the Week
  Ohtani is honored as the "Express Pro of the Week" due to his outstanding performance, reinforcing his superstar status:

  "Congrats to Shohei Ohtani for again having another moment last night and for being our express pros Pro of the week."
  [60:35]

• Upcoming Bonus Show
  Listeners are encouraged to tune into the upcoming bonus episode on Fox Sports Radio's YouTube page, which promises discussions on the Dodgers and moments of forgiveness:

  "Enjoy your Thursday night and enjoy over promised episode 86... we go live on Fox Sports Radio's YouTube page."
  [64:24]

• Final Tributes and Farewells
  The episode circles back to the recurring promotion of "Bone Valley," seamlessly integrating it into the conversation while reiterating the importance of cherishing talents like Val Kilmer:

  "Listen to new episodes of Bone Valley Season 2 starting April 9 on the iHeartRadio app."
  [64:45]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "We don’t rely on our brain. And we’re getting dumber by the day."
  Rich – [01:45]

• "Shohei Ohtani is like on that level of Michael Jordan. If not there already, he’s getting there."
  Rich – [15:49]

• "Every time I hear about my dad is, oh, he's a killer. He's just straight evil."
  Gilbert King – [26:32; 49:07]

• "Rocky wouldn’t be the same without the music."
  Rich – [39:26]

• "Great call, man. Thank you, Kevin."
  Rich – [54:56]

Conclusion

Covino and Rich deliver a dynamic and engaging episode, balancing discussions on technological shifts in sports fandom with celebrating the unparalleled prowess of Shohei Ohtani. Their heartfelt tribute to Val Kilmer and appreciation for iconic movie scores provide a nostalgic yet relevant perspective, making the episode both informative and entertaining for listeners.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core discussions and insights presented by Covino and Rich.