The Best Of Covino & Rich

Summary

Episode Summary: The Best Of Covino & Rich

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hosted by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Episode: The Best Of Covino & Rich

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Introduction

In this lively episode of "The Best Of Covino & Rich," hosts Covino and Rich Davis navigate through a plethora of sports-related topics, interspersed with humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions. From regional language quirks to major sports news and media evolution, the duo covers it all in an engaging and entertaining manner.

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1. Regional Language Differences in Food and Everyday Terms (00:03 – 06:00)

The episode kicks off with a humorous exploration of how different regions pronounce common Italian dishes and everyday terms. Covino, Rich, and guest A.J. Jacobs delve into variations like "manicotti," debating whether it's pronounced "manakote," "manicotte," or "manicotti."

• Covino ([05:08]): "Or if you're like an East Coast Italian guy, mana got with the G."
• Rich Davis ([05:28]): "People have different ways of saying all sorts of things. It's like when your wife or certain people say pop, I'm like, who says pop? I know it's not a mispronunciation. Yo, that's soda, bro."

This segment not only provides laughs but also highlights the cultural diversity in language across the United States.

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2. Russell Wilson’s Transition to the New York Giants (03:00 – 10:00)

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Russell Wilson's recent move to the New York Giants. The hosts analyze his career trajectory, noting the rapid changes and expectations surrounding his performance.

• Rich Davis ([03:12]): "He went from superstar in Seattle to didn't work out in Denver, then Steelers, now the Giants."
• Covino ([10:22]): "It's a fun storyline. I mean, if you're in it for the storyline, which we are, I can't wait to see."

They speculate on how New York media and fans will embrace Wilson, considering his personable demeanor and the potential impact on the Giants' season.

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3. Evolution of Athleticism in Sports (12:00 – 24:00)

The conversation shifts to a broader debate about how athleticism has evolved over generations. Inspired by LeBron James' comment that Giannis Antetokounmpo could score 250 points per game in the 70s, Covino and Rich discuss the advancements in training, conditioning, and global talent pools.

• Covino ([19:48]): "You're right. I love when LeBron's like, he made it seem like I didn't want to address this."
• A.J. Jacobs ([23:05]): "They have better training resources and global talent now, making direct comparisons between eras challenging."

This segment underscores the complexities of comparing athletes across different eras, emphasizing how advancements have continually pushed the boundaries of sports performance.

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4. Media Evolution: From Radio Legends to Podcasts (25:00 – 33:00)

Covino and Rich reflect on the transformation of media from the golden age of radio to today's podcasting landscape. They compare legendary radio personalities like Casey Kasem to modern podcasters, discussing how technological advancements have changed audience engagement.

• A.J. Jacobs ([25:05]): "Think about all the old time people in our industry."
• Spot ([26:10]): "They didn't have to be influencers, right?"

The hosts highlight the shift from mystery and enchantment to transparency and connectivity, noting both the losses and gains in media evolution.

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5. Jimmy Butler’s Awkward Return to Miami Heat (48:00 – 55:00)

A poignant segment covers Jimmy Butler's return to the Miami Heat, which was met with lukewarm fan reactions. The hosts dissect the lack of emotional response from both Butler and the audience.

• Covino ([55:09]): "Jimmy Butler had one [awkward return]."
• Spot ([49:51]): "The crowd in the arena looked kind of confused. They didn't know how to clap or boo."

They analyze the implications of such an indifferent reception and what it means for Butler's future with the team.

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6. WNBA Coverage and Nafisa Collier’s Concerns (64:32 – 68:00)

Nafisa Collier voices concerns over the unequal distribution of televised WNBA games, specifically highlighting the disparity between stars like Caitlin Clark and other talented players.

• Covino ([64:32]): "Caitlin Clark is the reason that anybody cares right now."
• A.J. Jacobs ([67:14]): "Caitlin Clark's a star."

The hosts discuss the impact of selective coverage on the league's visibility and the importance of featuring diverse talents to promote the sport effectively.

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7. Dodgers’ White House Invitation (67:30 – 74:28)

The Dodgers accepting an invitation to the White House is another major topic. The hosts discuss the honor and political nuances surrounding the invitation, referencing past controversies involving team management.

• Covino ([68:29]): "I think that's major."
• A.J. Jacobs ([73:11]): "We’ve interviewed so many celebrities, we’ve never interviewed a president sitting in the office."

They reflect on the significance of this event in the context of sports achievements and political recognition.

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8. Russell Wilson and Dodgers' World Series Prospects (70:03 – 74:28)

The hosts engage in a spirited debate about the Dodgers' chances of repeating as World Series champions versus other MLB teams.

• Covino ([72:52]): "It's crazy that it feels like a risk to take the field. That's how good the Dodgers are."
• A.J. Jacobs ([73:16]): "If you had to bet your life savings, Dodgers or the rest of the field?"

They analyze team strengths, historical precedents, and the unpredictability of baseball championships.

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9. Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement (75:00 – 77:02)

As the episode wraps up, Covino and Rich share funny listener stories and reflections on past discussions, maintaining an entertaining and personable atmosphere. They also touch upon upcoming topics, ensuring listeners stay engaged and look forward to future episodes.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [05:08] Covino: "Or if you're like an East Coast Italian guy, mana got with the G."
• [03:12] Rich Davis: "He went from superstar in Seattle to didn't work out in Denver, then Steelers, now the Giants."
• [19:48] Covino: "You're right. I love when LeBron's like, he made it seem like I didn't want to address this."
• [25:05] A.J. Jacobs: "Think about all the old time people in our industry."
• [55:09] Covino: "Jimmy Butler had one [awkward return]."
• [64:32] Covino: "Caitlin Clark is the reason that anybody cares right now."
• [68:29] Covino: "I think that's major."
• [72:52] A.J. Jacobs: "If you had to bet your life savings, Dodgers or the rest of the field?"

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Conclusion

"The Best Of Covino & Rich" masterfully blends humor, insightful analysis, and engaging discussions on current sports events and media trends. Covino and Rich demonstrate a deep understanding of their topics while maintaining a relatable and entertaining dialogue, making this episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Transcript

[A.J. Jacobs]

Dressing. Dressing.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Oh, French dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Covino]

That's good.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm A.J. jacobs and my current obsession is puzzles. And that has given birth to my podcast the Puzzler. Something about Mary Poppins?

[Rich Davis]

Exactly.

[Danny G]

This is fun.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You can get your daily puzzle nuggets delivered straight to your ears. Listen to the Puzzler every day on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Spot]

My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell bent effort to sabotage a war.

[Rich Davis]

J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees.

[Spot]

Listen to Divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

Are your ears bored?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Spot]

Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say que?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today.

[Spot]

Okay, now that's what I call a podcast. I'm Theosa.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio.

[Spot]

A radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Rich Davis]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. Reality TV and social media have love all wrong. So what really makes relationships last? On this episode of Dope Labs, poet and relationship expert Young Pueblo breaks down the psychology of love and provides eye opening insights and advice we all need.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You should not be postponing your happiness. Your greatest happiness is not necessarily going to like come from a relationship. Your partner should add to your happiness, but your happiness is really coming from within you.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to Dope Labs on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Are you hungry? Colleen Witt here. And Eating While Broke is back for season four every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. This season we've got a legendary lineup serving up broke dishes and even better stories. On the menu we have Tony Baker, Nick Cannon, Melissa Ford, October London and Kerry Harper Howey turning Big Macs into big moves. Catch Eating While Broke every Thursday on the Black Effect podcast. I heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts. Wherever you get your favorite shows. Come hungry for season four.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Best of Covino and Rich podcast. Be sure to catch us live every day from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Covino]

Find your local station for Cavino and [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Russell Wilson has changed. You said it right before you went on the air. He was one Marshawn lynch run away from being a back to back super bowl champion.

[Covino]

He went from superstar in Seattle to didn't work out in Denver, then Steelers.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Now the Giants, then the whole Mr. Unlimited and the cringy stuff like.

[Covino]

And it all happened so fast.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Oh, my goodness, what a. What a change.

[Covino]

So this is his last hurrah, and we're seeing live coverage as we speak. He's live at a news conference in New York for the Giants. So that story broke yesterday. You had a day to process it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm glad you said New York, because my first dumb question of the day has nothing to do with LeBron. We're going to get there. We're going to get to Jimmy Butler and Jose Canseco's in the news for a funny reason. And you said Puka Nakua, one of our good pals, a regular on the show. We'll get to all that. But my wife is cooking something for dinner tonight. Everyone grab a pen. Danny G. I was saying, everyone grab a pen. I want you to write down this word because I want to hear all of you pronounce it. My wife's a Southern Texan. I'm from New York. Cavito. And spotted from Jersey, Dan Byers. And Midwest. Dude, write down this word and I want to hear you pronounce it. Okay, man.

[Covino]

I. Oh, sorry.

[A.J. Jacobs]

M, A, N, I, C, O, tti. An Italian dish my wife is preparing tonight. Hold on. Let's start with Iowa. Samuel, how do you pronounce that meal?

[Spot]

Well, I could pronounce it like one of the guys.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I don't know. How do you say it?

[Spot]

I say manicotti.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Danny G. How do you say it?

[Spot]

The way my grandma said it. She said manakote.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Okay.

[Spot]

Everyone's saying manakote.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Damn Buyer.

[Danny G]

I would say manicotte. Not e, but tay.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Hey.

[Covino]

Oh. I pronounce it the same way Paulie Walnuts pronounce it?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, the soprano manicotti.

[Covino]

A GC Like God, man, I got.

[A.J. Jacobs]

And spots got a flow to it.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

If you're gonna say the Italian way would be manacotti. You bounce the teas. Manacotti.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or if you're like an East Coast Italian guy, mana got with the G. Like my wife said, tonight I'm making manicotti. And I just think that. Nothing wrong with that. To me, it just sounds so weird being an East Coast Guy making manicotti. Are there any regional words that just drive you bonkers?

[Covino]

Oh, there's. Yeah, there's a ton of them. People have different ways of saying all sorts of things. It's like when your wife or certain people say pop, I'm like, who says pop? I know it's not a mispronunciation. Yo, that's soda, bro. You're my tennis sneakers. I'm like, who are you?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Jimmy Connors, bro. Can I tell you, that's the one. I don't want to harp on this.

[Covino]

Those are sneakers.

[A.J. Jacobs]

There's too much to get to. But you just nailed my number one answer on the board. So either we share a brain or we're on the same track. When my wife calls my kids sneakers like, Ben, Emmy, grab your tennis shoes. I'm like, tennis shoes? What are they? Steffi Graff. What are we sneaking around are the shoes for sneaking? Yeah, but they're sneakers. If I got a pair of Jordans, what am I wearing now? What are these?

[Covino]

Much like manicott and manicotti. It's just, I think it's a regional thing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

These, these low top dunks. These are sneakers. These are not tennis shoes.

[Covino]

Those are weakers because those are pandas. People hate pandas. Weakers.

[Spot]

Seeing spot. I was gonna say some people. Some people say supper. That's like your grandparents.

[A.J. Jacobs]

My mother in law and father in law who just left. They were here for like a week or so, visiting every night. You grandkids ready for supper. And every night I'm like, supper. It makes you cringe. What is this Little House on the Prairie?

[Covino]

I know you're a product of your environment. Not to state the obvious because I probably would pronounce it manicotti if I wasn't surrounded by a bunch of sausage fingered bacha galoops. Growing up. Growing up in Jersey.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Spot]

There's not a lot of Italians in Iowa, I'll be honest.

[Covino]

So it's a fair assessment. It's just they're regional differences.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Like gabagool is actually capicola.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Spot]

Or like a nice. Brazil is also another dishonor. I thought Ben Maller invented that.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But what type of cheese is on top of a slice of pizza? I was Sam.

[Spot]

Of course, if I was a child.

[A.J. Jacobs]

If I was 15 years old, I'd say the name. Just say, how do you say mozzarella?

[Danny G]

There we go. Thank you.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

He reads like an Internet recipe all the way down to the bottom.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Now I'd say a mozzarella because I'm.

[Covino]

Trying to be Authentic. You have to say fresh mozzarella.

[Danny G]

Rich is trying to make a point. He just wants you to play along, Sam. So it's like when somebody asks you how much, and if they want to show you what a deal they got, you say, oh, $500. And you go, Nope, 49.99. You don't say, 20 bucks. Yeah, just play along.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I was. Sam's the guy. When you say Sam, if a genie granted you wishes, Sam would be like, I would want more wishes. You can smile.

[Covino]

I love you.

[Spot]

I am smiling.

[Covino]

You got to put a little quiver like John Travolta when you say mozzarella. Mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella. So this is all regional differences again. Rich and I and Spot, we're all from the east coast, so of course we're gonna lean.

[Spot]

Can I wrap this with one from a listener?

[Danny G]

Sure.

[Covino]

Please. Yeah, yeah.

[Spot]

So I get a call in the studio lines the other day, and they said, look, they were nice about it. Rich. Tell Rich. It's Gonzaga. Not Gonzaga.

[Covino]

Gonzaga. Yeah.

[Spot]

Yeah. Cause they're the Zags. They're the Zags. It's not Nevada. It's Nevada.

[Covino]

You know, a lot of that happens, too, when you're not from the area, right? Like when, before we first moved out here, we would say Cali. And people like one says Cali. We would say San Fran. And then all of a sudden, people. No one says San Fran.

[Spot]

No one says Frisco.

[Covino]

So. And you know what? Being from Jersey, nobody says Joyce. I've lived there my whole life. I never heard one person say, listen to your.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, she may say.

[Covino]

She says coffee, but she doesn't say Joyce. Anyways, all regional differences.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Listen, I could tie it in. Get used to it, Sierra. Get used to it. Russell Wilson. Sierra's from Texas. Russell Wilson. Not a New Yorker, Played college at Wisconsin, was in the, you know, Pacific Northwest, then Pittsburgh. So, you know.

[Covino]

You mean Russell Wilson's gonna have to say he's Mr. Unlimited.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Oh.

[Covino]

Moving forward.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, he's got to change. Mr. Unlimited. Get Maddie.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Mr. Mister.

[Covino]

Mr.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Unlimited. You gotta be Unlimited gabagool.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

No, he just says mister.

[Spot]

Unleame.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

He doesn't finish it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Mister.

[Covino]

So he has to adjust again. Once again. And like, he posted on social media, he's been there before, starting all over again. But, man, that's a crazy roller coaster of a life when you have family.

[A.J. Jacobs]

And, you know, a wife of note like Sierra. I'm not saying it's a big adjustment, but, hey, welcome to the Big Apple, Russell Wilson. It's moving To New York again, not. Not for everyone. So it should be an interesting thing because he's a very personable guy, awkward and cringy, as many have said. But the New York media and Russell Wilson, to be determined.

[Covino]

Yeah, it's a fun storyline. I mean, if you're in it for the storyline, which we are, I can't wait to see.

[A.J. Jacobs]

What if he. What if he blends in? All of a sudden he's, you know, you know, throwing out first pitches at the Yankees game. He's going to Broadway shows. What if he pulls an Aaron Rodgers successfully?

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Yeah, that worked. What is that word they say in Pittsburgh? Is it Yin's, which means like you all or like everyone? And now he's going from yin to say, use guys.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Use guys.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Use guys.

[Covino]

Use guys. Use guys. Need to block.

[A.J. Jacobs]

That's how he started the press conference. He goes, I want to welcome you guys.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Use guys.

[A.J. Jacobs]

So, hey, enjoy your Taylor ham and your pizza. Russell Wilson with the fresh mozzarella now with Giants.

[Spot]

Let me, let me quiz you real quick. A little more experience with the state of Pennsylvania. If you go into the. Anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania, you order a lager, what kind of beer are you going to be getting?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, Sam, is it northern Pennsylvania or all state?

[Spot]

Yingling.

[A.J. Jacobs]

There you go. Very good. Yingling is a say.

[Spot]

Give me a lager. Better be Yingling.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yingling.

[Covino]

Yingling was my answer.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Oh, how do you. If you go to Philadelphia, home of the super bowl champion Eagles, if you get a cheesesteak, how do you tell them you want it? With cheese.

[Spot]

Give me the whiz.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Whiz.

[Covino]

Whit. Whiz. Whit.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No wiz wit.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Whiz.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Whiz.

[Covino]

Whit.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Whiz with onions.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, Whiz with onions and you get the works.

[Covino]

Whiz.

[A.J. Jacobs]

All right, well, hey, there you go. Russell Wilson, New York. I just figured when my wife just texted me. Well, little voice message. I'm making manicotti. I'm like Mel.

[Covino]

Yeah, but you, you can't. It may grate your ears, but you can't blame her for that.

[A.J. Jacobs]

She's from Paris.

[Covino]

Great. Your ears.

[Spot]

You just make a cheese joke.

[Covino]

I did.

[Spot]

Oh, very well done.

[Covino]

You know, it's. It's just how it's really said.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No doubt. No diggity. No doubt.

[Covino]

How do you say sherbet? Sherbert.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I always say sherbert, but I feel like that's wrong. It's sherbet.

[Spot]

But who says that?

[Covino]

My mom always says sherbet.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Sure.

[Spot]

Really?

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Sherbet?

[Covino]

Nah, sherbet do you say crank calls or prank calls?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Prank.

[Spot]

Prank calls.

[Covino]

No, I don't say. Maybe it's generational more than regional. But a lot of older folks say crank calls.

[Spot]

That's funny.

[Covino]

Maybe because my mom's so old she used to crank the telephone.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I don't know.

[Spot]

She's not that old.

[Covino]

I don't know. She is. She's old.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know, interestingly enough, regional differences. I'll wrap it up with one thing that has probably killed all of our spring diets. Have you guys finished all your Girl Scout cookies?

[Covino]

No, I still got some Thin Mints in the freezer. Still got a few.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Did you know there are two Girl Scout cookie factories? And based on where you live in the country, they're different? Is that mind blasting to everyone here? Did you know this? Like, there are.

[Covino]

There's two distributors.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Like, there's two distributors. So your Thin Mints in, I don't know, Minnesota may look different than the ones in California. Everything Tagalongs and Samoas. There are two different factories. So they are slightly different and called slightly different things.

[Danny G]

I thought I saw something of that with Dr. Pepper. Like if. Because Dr. Pepper isn't Coke and isn't Pepsi, it's its own company. But if it's bottled by a Pepsi distributor, it's in a different bottle than it would be if it was from a. Look at that distributor.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I didn't know that they do that for. What is it? Spot with mayonnaise, too.

[Covino]

Oh, yeah.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Hellman's and Best Foods. It's like, west of the Rockies. She says it on the jars.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Do you have Hellman's Mayo or Best Foods?

[Spot]

It's like Carl's Jr. And Hardee's. Yeah.

[A.J. Jacobs]

So look at that. Sorry for the ridiculous conversation, but that's where ADD Radio brings you. He would see our.

[Covino]

Like I said, when you see Russell Wilson, as he said it back in New York. It does make you think of those regional differences. Now he has to say, Mana got to fit in.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah. He can't be going to some place in Hoboken, New Jersey, ordering the Maticotti.

[Covino]

I gotta tell you, man. Like, you know, I'm half Mexican. And when I go. And my sister's very Jersey American. When I go get Mexican with her and she orders taquitos, I want to vomit. I'm like, can you put a little, like. Just a little, like, taquito in it? She's like, I'll have some taquitos. I'm like, can you at least pretend like you have a Little bit of a flair about you. Little quesadilla.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, taquitos. Before we get into LeBron, which I feel like there's so many great things he said on. It was a great interview. You got to give credit where credit's due. McAfee had a great sit down with LeBron. And there's one particular thing LeBron talked about that we got to dissect a little bit.

[Covino]

Is it real or offensive? Or real offensive.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Listen, something LeBron said I feel was so on the money. I got LeBron's back. There's something he said I couldn't agree with more. We'll get to that. Awkward returns, Jimmy Butler style. All that. But my last question about the New York Russell Wilson deal. You lived on the east coast most of your life. You'd been out in LA now for a while. But when you think of that local New York media, sports radio, sports tv, people still get newspapers in New York sometimes. Like, do you think the local New York press is going to embrace this?

[Covino]

Russ Salzberg is going to get him.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Russ Salzburg water wolf is really. What do you think? Do you think, Russ, you think because the expectation you're coming off a 3 and 14 season, they can't expect this guy to light it up and be a playoff team?

[Covino]

Yeah. But I'll tell you what, as we watch the live coverage, unless this is a reason. Yeah, it looks like he's really having fun up there. He's smiling a lot, looks real personable. I think New York gravitates toward that sort of personality. Like, he looks like he's having fun up there. It looks. It looks visually really great right now. We don't know what he's saying, but it looks like, body language wise, body language wise, it looks like he's having a great time up there. And I would imagine New York's embracing this moment.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Big Mike, who runs this place.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Spot]

Who?

[Covino]

Mike?

[A.J. Jacobs]

He said, you guys are way too much fun. I go, no, Mike, that's the vibe, bro.

[Covino]

Yeah. I mean, we do.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Sorry, Charlie Murphy. I was having too much fun.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I just played the dumbest joke on I was lamb.

[Covino]

We'll post it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'll post it after today's show. All I'll say is that I think he felt the setup coming, but he didn't know what it was.

[Spot]

No idea.

[Covino]

I got Mike with a pretty good one. I'm not going to give you the punchline, but I'll tell you the joke. I asked Mike, who runs this place? You know Mike, he looks like he's like Bruce Willis a little bit.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Mike looks like an older stone cold.

[Covino]

Yeah, Mike. I asked him if he was going to saw con this year. He was like, sarcon was that? And I said, you going to saw con? And the punchline is a very juvenile one, but, oh, it felt so good.

[A.J. Jacobs]

When I got him with it. Oh, okay.

[Covino]

Yes, yes, yes. But we also got Sam with something else. Man.

[Spot]

I've been taking it from all angles today.

[Covino]

Yeah. @ co so I've heard Sam at Covino enriches where you could play along at home. Dan Byers got your updates in about 10 minutes. Danny G. Super producing spots getting ready for midweek. Major. We're live from the Tyrack.com studio. Remember CNR on FSR Covino and Rich is brought to you by Travis Matthew apparel designed for confidence and comfort no matter where the day takes you. Visit travismathieu.com receive 20% off your first order when you sign up for email. It's at Travis Matthew. And I always spell Matthew wrong, so don't be a dummy like me. It's1t travismathu.com 20% off your first order when you sign up for email. And honestly, right about this time of the year, you always gear up for springtime, summertime. You're buying new shorts, new shirts. You might as well get your 20% off your first order when you sign up for email. Really good stuff, including that MLB collection you're rocking right now.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know what? If you go to our instagram at Rich Davis later on I'll post a picture. I have the. The mets collection. Yeah. Who?

[Covino]

[e-mail] thanks again to them all right now.

[A.J. Jacobs]

LeBron James.

[Covino]

LeBron James.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know, the kid that said that is 35 years old now.

[Covino]

That kid? Yeah, he's. He's 135. That's how long it's been.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, think about it. He Kavino. I know Camino's thinking. Camino always thinks a lot of clout comes with those things. Like you probably think, man, that guy's probably got so much booty because he's lebron James.

[Covino]

Goes to the club and he's like, I'm lebron James kid. And he gets so much attention.

[A.J. Jacobs]

What do you mean? Remember like 15 years ago, the little kid that was like lebron James.

[Covino]

I bet. I love turtles. Kid is probably the coolest kid in town. Lebron James, he's probably the king of the campus wherever he is right now.

[Spot]

How about the apparently kid?

[Covino]

Apparently kid is slay. Apparently apparently, apparently he gets more booty than all of you combined because he's.

[Danny G]

Done a video with apparently kid grown up now. I have seen that.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It's not as fun.

[Danny G]

No.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Now he's just apparently, man.

[Covino]

Actually, to really give this story some truth, you remember the numa numa kid in the early 2000s, we had him on our show and I was like, dude, you must have got so much action back in the day when that was the thing, huh? And he was like, no, not. Not at all. I'm like nine. Like, he's like, no.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It was the height of the early days of YouTube and Camino really thought.

[Covino]

I was like, he must be getting like more than the average fella.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He must be getting so much booty. You're the guy with millions of views my. And the guy's like, in fact, none at all.

[Covino]

I'm like, come on, Gary Brolsma.

[Spot]

I mean, goes to show you still gotta have game.

[Covino]

That's the truth.

[Spot]

It doesn't matter if you have a video that' here.

[Covino]

Rich, why'd you bring this up?

[A.J. Jacobs]

I don't know. But I do know this LeBron James said something.

[Covino]

LeBron James, there you go.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He said something during his interview with Pat McAfee that I couldn't agree with more. Samuel L. Johnson. Johnson from Iowa. Hit the clock.

[Spot]

You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn't be able to play an NBA game in the 70s? He wouldn't be able to do.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Neither would you.

[Spot]

Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in a 70.

[A.J. Jacobs]

250 now.

[Covino]

What does he mean? Giannis is 70 years old.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I think LeBron James, while of course exaggerating with 250 points. I don't think it's crazy to think that a guy like Giannis, we forget. I don't subscribe to and love these conversation of this guy from this generation versus this guy versus mj.

[Covino]

I always hated the old Tyson versus.

[Spot]

Ali era versus this era.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know why I hate it? Not because I think it's an unwinnable debate. Because I hate the reality of. I think the newer generation wins 90% of the time with the exception of an MJ with everyone, which everyone's convinced is the ultimate competitor of all time. We just evolve athletically as a society. I'm not saying socially, I'm not saying. I'm not saying work ethic. I'm just saying we evolve when we were kids. Lawrence Taylor. What made Lawrence Taylor special? No one was that big and that Fast.

[Covino]

It's like the babe. We talked about it recently. The dude was what, 6, 2, 2, 15. But 6, 2, was it 6 2, 62 2, 15. At that time he was like a giant fat guy. Fat guy. I weigh that at a. On a bad weekend nowadays.

[Spot]

But, but Rich, put the body types aside for a second. Don't you think there were some nastier athletes like Jack Tatum and Ronnie Lott?

[A.J. Jacobs]

There were, but I, I genuinely think athleticism evolves over time, which is why Olympic records are always broken, which is why speed continues. The Lawrence Taylor example. What I was going to say was back then he was a like a beast among boys. Every team has a linebacker that has the size and strength of a Lawrence Taylor. I'm not saying they're better than Lawrence Taylor.

[Covino]

Every baseball player is over 62 and over 2, 15.

[A.J. Jacobs]

For the most part, every baseball player. Nolan Ryan was special because he threw heat 100 miles an hour. Teams have middle relievers that hit three, you know, three figures. 100 on the gun. Some guy out of your bullpen.

[Covino]

Girl on softball do over 100 miles per hour.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, the softball girl throws 78 miles an hour. Softball equaling like 110 baseball. Point is, I think LeBron James is right and it does feel disrespectful to the older generation. But if you go through any industry, the industry has evolved where the current person doing it is more effective at it than the previous person. Look at the ball handling skills of anyone in the NBA now dribbling between their legs casually. Back in the 70s and 80s, learning to dribble between your legs was special. 12 year olds do it now, but.

[Spot]

They didn't travel as much in the 80s.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I know the ultimate sides of the argument. Are you going to always be like, well, it's a softer game and this and that. Everyone's just playing. And as Draymond Green said, I'm just playing under the rules that are out there.

[Covino]

He's also an international star and basketball back then wasn't as international as it is now. So you didn't have Greek freaks in the NBA in the 70s. At 6 foot 11, 243, you know, you had some big dudes, obviously it's the NBA, but built like that guy.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Give me a break.

[Covino]

So Yeah, I mean, LeBron stating the obvious, you know, in my opinion, but it's not a fair assessment. It just isn't.

[A.J. Jacobs]

They didn't have. They didn't have the workout routines and the resources a current player has.

[Covino]

And it wasn't global to Me, it's.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Just always such a tired argument. But I do think it's always easy to have these debates and they're eye rolling, but I always lean towards whoever's doing it now is probably doing it best just based on evolution or different.

[Covino]

You can't say the same about music necessarily.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Music is subjective. It's an art. Right. Like artistry is different. Athleticism could be rated, it could be measured. You can't measure art.

[Covino]

It's a matter of for the time. That's really what it is for the. You know, they were great for their.

[Spot]

Time, but not every stat was recorded back in the day, Rich. So it's also a little harder to compare eras.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But they also didn't play against every ethnicity and color because there was a time where it was like, man, you're the greatest baseball player, but we don't allow Latinos or black people to play. Well, you're really that great then, man. So I don't know. I just. Look at it. All right, look at our industry. Danny G. And this is with all due respect to the Cousin Bruce's and Wolfman Jacks and Casey Kasem's of the world and all the old school legends, but when you really break down that guy Rick.

[Covino]

What's Rick?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Rick. Oh, Rick Dees. Oh, God, yeah, good one.

[Spot]

Yeah. Rick Chase in the Bay area in the 90s.

[Covino]

No Rick Dee.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But think about all those old time people in our industry. What did they do? They connected with their local audience because There was no YouTube, there was no social media, there was no cable TV. They were. The radio was a big deal. So all they had to be was like, hey, hey, it's your cousin Brucey. Here's the Beatles on 101.1.

[Covino]

Or have a cool like rhyme.

[Spot]

But I don't. I don't know if I'd agree with that. All the way, Rich. Because they had a lot of funny bits. They did a lot of crank calls.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Covino]

I mean, there's a song like.

[Spot]

There was still a lot of artistry involved in that style of radio back in the day.

[Covino]

Here's the thing. Here's what you didn't know because radio has everything and they had to splice.

[Spot]

Tape with razor blades.

[Covino]

You didn't really. I mean, I guess you could say you tuned in for them, but you tuned in for the music because you didn't really know a lot, a lot about the people. You're more intrigued on the mystery of who they were. You don't know anything about the people. You're Listening to. What do you know about Wolfman Jack other than he had a goatee and a cool.

[Spot]

You're right. You're right. They didn't have to be influencers, right?

[Covino]

So, I mean, I would say that would be the difference. Now, the people you listen to now you're probably listening to and know a little something about it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Because you connect with them.

[Covino]

Because you connect them. You know them, you see them on social media. You know their lives, right? Like. Like a Bobby Bones. I know what he's up to because I see him on social media all the time. Back then, you're like, I don't even know what the guy looks like. So there was some mystery building, the intrigue. It's just really tough to say, Rich, because, you know, things were just different. It's hard to compare. It really is.

[Spot]

There was a magic with Casey Kasem and some of the legendary DJs.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It was only magic, Danny G. And I'm not trying to be the guy that ruins the magic tricks on Instagram. They were following fun.

[Spot]

I feel like you're about to right now.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But it's like, all Casey Kasem did was say, that was number 20. He was number 19.

[Covino]

That's all he did. I'm sorry. He was also the voice of Shaggy.

[Spot]

He connected with millions of listeners because.

[A.J. Jacobs]

There were no other options. There were no other options.

[Covino]

He had a better countdown.

[Spot]

There were local options, and he was a national treasure.

[Covino]

Your request and dedication.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It's at 40 with Casey Kasem. That was Lionel Richie all night long. Now it's time for your long distance dedication. Jessica says, I miss my friend Bobby. Here's your request.

[Covino]

This is a hot take coming from the guy who hosts the Pop2K campaign. Seriously, the Rich takes high offense to the fact that he's not better than.

[Spot]

Casey Kasem, who also kisses the Casey Kasem countdown sign in the production studio every day.

[Covino]

He did it right there.

[A.J. Jacobs]

All I'm saying is that we evolve in everything. We evolve. Radio DJs evolved into talk show hosts, podcasters, more relatable, relevant stuff. We've seen Private Parts with Howard Stern when he had that big revelation. Like, oh, maybe if I'm just myself. We evolve. Sports evolves. All right? Take an industry totally away from sports or music or something like that. If you're a real estate agent, you don't think a real estate agent now with their mental capacities and the tools they know, could outsell any real estate agent from 25 years ago.

[Covino]

Hey, man, again, we're Comparing apples and oranges. Let me hear you say keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Keep your feet on the ground Keep reaching for the stars.

[Spot]

Rich, Tools. The tools are different. That doesn't necessarily make it better. Like a lot of radio stations, and I don't mean to open up the curtain here, but there's a lot of voice tracking that's gone on the past how many years. That's not bad in broadcasting. It's not better. It's just the technology made that happen.

[Covino]

Maybe it's just sports, Rich, because a lot of times you, you, you lose the magic along the way. You use the character. You, you lose what really built that industry. You lose the heart of it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I hate to break it to you, all the shows we watch growing up, we have so many fond memories and have great laughs, but they all stink.

[Covino]

Well, that's true.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Like, you think you could sit down and watch Growing Pains and be like, that was a great show. You think you could watch Balky. Don't be ridiculous. That was trash. You tell me some well written show on Netflix or Hulu isn't better writing than Too Close for Comfort? Give me a freaking break. I think it's Give me a break. Not a great show.

[Covino]

I think it's industry by industry. It's all going to be a little different. And when you're talking sports, a lot of it comes to sports evolving into an international game. Like we said, certain games and the conditioning of these players. Yeah, I agree. Giannis would dominate in a whole different level if he was playing some skinny ass dude from the 70s who worked out with a bulwark.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Some white dude that dribbled in front of him.

[Covino]

Yeah, I agree with you. I agree.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, with that said, I don't care what you say. Dan Byers a better update guy than anyone from the past.

[Danny G]

Well, I don't know about that. You, you mentioned too close for comfort, and that's a little too close for comfort, Mr.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Rush.

[Danny G]

Tell you what, it did go up another level when Monroe came into the fold. That's for sure.

[A.J. Jacobs]

That is true.

[Danny G]

There's also Ted Knight, always wearing the college sweatshirt. He would wear a different college sweatshirt.

[Covino]

I got a trivia question for you. What was the name of his comic?

[Danny G]

Cosmic Cow.

[Covino]

There it is.

[Danny G]

I've watched an episode probably three weeks ago, ended up, I've gone to the house in San Francisco. A lot of people go to the full house, man.

[Covino]

I didn't know you were that into.

[Danny G]

The Jim J. Bullock loved Too Close for Comfort. Sorry, it's gray now. It's gray. I could show you pictures, but in the TV show it was red.

[Covino]

Wow. All right.

[Danny G]

Russell Wilson is wearing blue. Big blue. Of the New York Giants.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I expected get a starter and come in here and be ready to rock and roll every day to get a lead. I think this team's really looking for somebody to lead them in every way in terms of the process, you know, in the off season, during the season, our habits and our thought process and how we create, you know, a great winning culture and how do we continue to establish that and, and to really build on things that we do well and the things that we continue to need to do.

[Danny G]

And expects to be the starter now. J.J. mcCarthy expects to be the starter in Minnesota. That's the message from his gm Quezy Adolpha Mensah, who confirmed today that the team did talk with Aaron Ro and wouldn't rule out the possibility of Rogers maybe joining the team later on this off season if he remains a free agent. But Dofamensa said Today, as for McCarthy, quote, that's the outcome we want and that's the outcome we're headed towards. End quote.

[A.J. Jacobs]

On November 5, 2018 at 6:33am, a red Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned and a dead out in Sleep Hole Valley. The driver's seat door was open. No traces of footsteps leaving the vehicle. No belongings were found, except for a cassette tape lodged in the player. On that tape were 10 vile.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Spot]

Grotesque. Oh, my God.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Oh, my God.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Horrific stories that to this day have been kept restricted from the public until now. You feeling this too? A horror anthology podcast.

[Spot]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

Are your ears bored?

[Spot]

Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say G?

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today. Okay.

[Spot]

I'm Diosa.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio.

[Spot]

A radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Rich Davis]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a mini series, totally nostalgic, a four part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s. It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV Tres. You could turn on the TV, you see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen. All the girlies doing their things. All of the beauty reflected right Back at us, it was everything.

[Spot]

Tune in to locatora radio season 10.

[Rich Davis]

Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.

[Covino]

I wore nine NHL sweaters and I.

[Spot]

Have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have plenty to say. And not just about hockey.

[Rich Davis]

Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate and JSB is the name of the podcast and it's gonna be, well, it's gonna be quite the ride. We're officially linemates, Nate. We're the Energy Line.

[Spot]

We'll have plenty of folks join us.

[Covino]

Current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers, and wait till you.

[Spot]

See some of the connections that Julie has.

[Covino]

She has quite the Rolodex.

[Rich Davis]

Okay. We'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do. Provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Covino]

I'm vibing Julie. I'm ready to roll.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Mel Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time ladies European Tour winner, and Kyra K. Dixon, NBC Sports reporter and host.

[Spot]

You forgot to say warm and Miss.

[Rich Davis]

America, by the way.

[Spot]

And we've got a new podcast, Quiet.

[Rich Davis]

Please with Mel and Kira. We are bringing you spicy takes on sports and pop culture, some golf haps and interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower or just people we like. Plus tales from the road and everything in between.

[Spot]

By the way, golf isn't just for.

[Rich Davis]

The dads, Brads and chads. Yeah, it's actually life's cheat code. And we're not going to be quiet about it on or off the course. We're bringing on some of our friends like Michelle Wie, Heather McMahon, Amanda Baliotis.

[Spot]

So if you want to keep up.

[Rich Davis]

With us, and here is yap, tune into our new podcast, listen to Quiet Please with Mel and Kira, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts presented by Capital One. Founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's chief product officer. If you're just as curious as I am about the way things are built, the insights behind what it takes to create a world renown product, then tune into my podcast, Building One. There's so much to learn, like how Patagonia innovates with its supply chain.

[Rich Davis]

We had to go out to farmers and convince them it was really damn hard.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or the way Adobe thinks about the first interaction somebody has with Photoshop.

[Covino]

I was always so fascinated by how.

[A.J. Jacobs]

People navigate and find their way. Ever wanted to know how Nike builds emotion into the Jordan brand? You have to be obsessed with the current state of the human condition. And it doesn't stop there. What about how glean reinvented knowledge? Search. With AI, you can learn about how a Michelin star chef is redesigning seeds for flavor and how Pixar is nurturing a creative culture, listen to Building One on the iHeartRadio app, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Covino]

LeBron causing some controversy again, saying that Giannis would have scored 250 points a game in the 70s. And you know, we're really basing that on physique, though, just on how dominant of a specimen he is. I mean, his game is also next level and he's a champion and all that, but we're really just looking at him thinking, well, he would dominate these dudes. LeBron himself is a more dominant looking figure than Michael Jordan. And Michael Jordan would school LeBron, in my opinion.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I disagree.

[Covino]

But anyway, really, as far as like.

[A.J. Jacobs]

A basketball game, but I don't think so.

[Covino]

I don't think he's more physically. We had never seen more physically intimidating.

[Spot]

I was going to say we had never seen a guy like LeBron that big and strong run downhill.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, imagine Karl Malone had LeBron's athleticism. That's the closest thing you could think of.

[Covino]

There's a lot of skinny dudes in the NBA. Not everyone was built like Karl Malone back in the day.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm just Saying the Jordan LeBron debate will be one you will never hear on the show. But. But what. What comes up though is that generational conversation. And LeBron when he was with McAfee said that a guy like Giannis, he said giannis would score 250 points a game now. And my thought was LeBron's right in that so many parts of our world, not just sports, anything you do for a living, we've evolved. People come up with better, more innovative Ideas to the point where it's really hard to compare generations, because I think the answer 99% of the time is it's being done better now.

[Covino]

Yeah, but again, the game's changed. Is Joe Rogan better than Howard Stern in his prime? The game is different.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No, that's. That's a great example.

[Covino]

Are you a better countdown host than Casey Kasem?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Different.

[Covino]

Different.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I know. That's art, though. I thought about that after we were saying the Casey Kasem thing. That's art. So it's hard to criticize, but. No, I know. That's why I said I thought about it more. But any industry you could think of, there have been innovations. That's it. Let's say hi to Andre and Jackson. What's up, Andre? What's going on, guys? What's up, man?

[Covino]

Hey, I listened to to y'all talk about LeBron.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, LeBron is right, man.

[Covino]

He's absolutely right. It's like three guys that you can say that we've never seen before. Even though he a punk.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You got to throw in Kevin Durant.

[Covino]

We had never seen a guy 7 foot like Kevin Durant, but.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But he'll punk though, because he.

[Covino]

He never. He never really do nothing, so. But we haven't seen a guy like him.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He'll be young. I know. You know what it made me think?

[Covino]

That could score like kd.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Covino]

A guy that can unstoppable in any.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Era when he's in his own. No one's better at times. And Katie, you know what? It got me thinking of a meme that was like one of those fun social media debates. Could one like Seal 6 team take out the Roman Empire if it had today's weapons? You can't compare generations. It's fun to speculate, but I mean, the Roman Empire. If I said, camino, send in Seal Team 6.

[Covino]

How many a week do you think of the Roman Empire, by the way?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Know what I've been thinking about a lot lately? The pyramids. The pyramids?

[Covino]

Oh, yeah. I think about them at least once a day.

[A.J. Jacobs]

All that fake speculation of or is it real of what's underneath the pyramids? That's been on my mind and way more than I like to admit. Every day I'm thinking like, what. What is down there?

[Covino]

What was here so good? Roman Empire.

[A.J. Jacobs]

If I said, how many LeBron's do.

[Covino]

You think it would take to defeat.

[A.J. Jacobs]

The Roman Empire One time we had a great debate. Danny G. Let me give Danny G. Our favorite one to wrap it up. Maybe a Decade ago. Not Justin Bieber. Now, like teenage Bieber when he was like, baby, baby, like floppy headed teenage Bieber. How many do you think you could beat up at the same time? Kavino used to swear that he could be up like eight Biebers.

[Covino]

Oh, I said, eight Biebers is my limit.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I said, you can't beat up three.

[Covino]

You know, I could be up eight.

[A.J. Jacobs]

They could all tackle.

[Spot]

You'd be overwhelmed by Biebers.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Okay.

[Spot]

Just like the Seal Team 6 would be overwhelmed by Roman soldiers.

[Covino]

After a while, it's like the game Kung Fu. I would have just kicked them all in the face as they came at me.

[Spot]

If that bubblegum Bieber started singing very loudly, though, I'd turn and run the other direction.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Popeye versus Alibaba's 40 thieves.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He just goes, yeah.

[Covino]

Generational differences. Guys, your feedback at Covino and Rich. We're bringing the madness here. We hope you're enjoying your college basketball. It's baseball eve. There's a lot going on. Again, Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. To wrap up the previous conversation, LeBron talked a lot of smack. It was a Fun conversation on McAfee. Smack in the form of entertaining.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Do you feel bad for Winhurst?

[Covino]

That was the other story, too.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It's like, oh, he thought, he's probably pals with LeBron. And LeBron's like, oh, that chump essentially.

[Covino]

Felt a little mean. But, you know, that's his truth, I guess, whatever. The big story, too, was that he said giannis would score 250 points in the 70s. I think what we established in our conversation. Yeah, he's, he's, he's speaking the truth there because sports has evolved, competition has evolved, conditioning has evolved. But when we talk about the arts, it's very different. In fact, we've gone backwards in a lot of ways. As Danny G pointed out off the air, you know, musically, comedically, artistically, we just push out garbage movies other than Richard Pryor. You kidding me? The 80s crafting an act. Now we just fart out specials because they're under contract. You lost a lot of quality. Art's debatable. Everything else, not so much. Art is debatable art. Not necessarily because we fart out music, because it's so easily created in someone's basement when years prior there was artist development and years and years went into the craftsmanship and the development of that product. Art not in that conversation. The same way sports is. So we established that. Again, we're Cavino and Rich. We'll take your phone calls at 877-99-FOX. We still have midweek major to get to. Plus Jimmy Butler's awkward return and. And more.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, say hi to Gary in PA Gary. Hey Gary. It's Derek. But nice talking guy. Wait, what's your name?

[Covino]

All that build up just to get it wrong.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Derek.

[Covino]

Yeah, Derek.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know, it's fine. My name is Derek and I could sing high like this. Name the movie.

[Covino]

What's up?

[Spot]

No.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Is that a movie? Yeah, stepfather.

[Spot]

I don't think he's feeling it.

[Covino]

Yeah, he doesn't like you Rich.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He doesn't like your goofy.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

You called him Gary and you made a bad joke.

[Covino]

Yeah, keep going. Oh no, I'm not Gary.

[Spot]

I'm Derek.

[Covino]

But no.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yes.

[Covino]

I just wanted to.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Just to say you guys are absolutely hilarious. Thanks, Gary.

[Spot]

The only thing that I've been able to think about for a while is.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Just a bunch of Justin Bieber's rushing at me.

[Spot]

Yeah.

[A.J. Jacobs]

How many think he could beat up?

[Spot]

Not eight. Like I.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No, not eight.

[Spot]

I don't know, I'm kind of a lazy dude.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Maybe three. How's it three?

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

He's really in shape these days.

[Spot]

Yeah, but.

[A.J. Jacobs]

But we're talking floppy headed, you know, 2000s, baby.

[Spot]

But they got that pubescent strength.

[A.J. Jacobs]

They're stronger than you think.

[Covino]

Thanks again, Gary. Thanks.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Thanks Chuck. Thanks for calling Chuck.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I've heard of old guy strength. What's pubescent strength?

[Spot]

Just like teenage boys are much stronger than you think. They've got the muscle mass.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Spot]

They're coming into their own body.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Just stop, Sam.

[Spot]

Going to middle schools and fighting kids.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

They're coming into their life.

[Spot]

Coming of age.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Stop it. Let's go to Edogg on Long Island. E Dog, what's up man?

[Spot]

E Dog says he has two rams stories that have nothing to do with what we're talking about.

[Covino]

Don't say so does Rich. So don't worry about it.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

So did Gary.

[Spot]

Edog said to pick one of the stories.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It's choose our own adventure with E Dawg.

[Covino]

Sweet.

[A.J. Jacobs]

What do you got, E Dawg?

[Spot]

Okay.

[Covino]

One day I rented a hotel room. I threw pebbles in the corner, put.

[Spot]

Her on a tank top and drank Corona extra.

[Covino]

And I thought I was at the beach. Okay, that's cool. I like that story visualization. Okay, and another one. Another story is this.

[Spot]

I was in.

[Covino]

Here's another one.

[Spot]

I was at a hospital for my drinking.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Spot]

And I was in a home leave to my grandparents.

[Covino]

When I was there I went out.

[Spot]

To a club and I met this girl, and I told her I was.

[Covino]

In the hospital working. I'll be back in two weeks. So I came back in two weeks. And you know what movie we saw? What?

[Spot]

Liar Liar.

[Covino]

But that doesn't compare to Joe Pesci on My Cousin Vinny. The best movie that there ever was.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Thank you, dog. Interesting guy. Hell, yeah.

[Covino]

I really wanted to see how that story panned out.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Something about Joe Pesci.

[Covino]

What happened?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Did he just watch the movie with a girl?

[Spot]

Liar.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Lie. He watched Liar, Liar.

[Spot]

With our very own Justin Cooper from the network.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

But not as good as my cousin Vivian. I kind of agree.

[Covino]

I kind of like that guy. Because it's like doing a show at Rich Davis.

[Spot]

They're both from Long Island.

[Covino]

They're both from Long island. And they just start talking about random things out of nowhere.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Like manicotti.

[Covino]

Yeah, exactly.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You think that was good? I got one more thought before we get into midweek, Major. And I know we're going to talk some Jimmy Butler.

[Covino]

Go ahead.

[A.J. Jacobs]

So last night, after my daughter's softball game, after our big win, I coached the hell out of that game. I dragged the field, put on the sprinklers and do all the stuff that parents do. Now I just have to ask. Am I out of my mind to think that when we were kids. Not that it's a big deal, but when we were kids, I feel like no one did that to the fields.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Like, do you listen to YMCA while.

[Covino]

You did a crappy Little League program? My parents did that. But you're in Little League all the way.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Your parents.

[Covino]

Yeah, my mom would work the snack stands.

[A.J. Jacobs]

That's what parents.

[Covino]

Dads would rake the fields.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Do you do the Macarena?

[Spot]

Oh, you do it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I know. I'm saying you. I grew up where the fields are. Sort of what the field was. And that's why you got bad hops and it wasn't really manicured.

[Covino]

Well, sounds like you had a crappy Little League.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Maybe I did, man. I'm sure not everyone had your great Little League field.

[Covino]

I mean, that's what.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I imagine. Your Little League had a short fence, too, with all the home runs you hit.

[Covino]

The dads raked the field. That's how it was. But you have. You're not any more special of a dad. Are you here to tell us that Little League coaches have evolved too?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, actually, the way they teach kids. Yes. In a overabundant way.

[Covino]

Where my dad was raking the field in the 80s, where I have girls.

[A.J. Jacobs]

On my team that are seven and they have Private softball, pitching lessons. That's wild.

[Danny G]

I would think nowadays you would have competitions for dads competing on whose field would look better because of lawns. I'm totally into redoing part of my lawn right now. And I think that there are a lot of people like me that you. If. If you gave a couple of dads saying you've got diamond two or you've got Steve Covino Memorial field to take care of, like, they would want some.

[Covino]

Kentucky bluegrass on that.

[Danny G]

Yeah, they would want to make it like the best diamond compared to everybody else.

[Spot]

Don dropped a Thatcher reference the other day.

[Danny G]

The Thatcher?

[Spot]

Yeah. I had to look up what Thatcher was because. And I'm a guy who's done a lot of landscaping.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I enjoy that stuff too. And I'll name drop the guy that runs my son's ponyball league. Jeff Supon, former major league baseball pitcher, played for almost 20 years. Soup is so adamant about making sure.

[Spot]

Wait, you call him Soup?

[A.J. Jacobs]

That's. Everyone calls him Soup. You know, my dude, my best friend.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

I call him Soup. Get with it.

[A.J. Jacobs]

So, Soup, make sure these fields, these fields are so manicured. They're like major league baseball stadiums. Like the grass where you almost like, wait, is that real grass or turf? Because it's that it's like so short, like perfectly manicured. I must have just played on the crappiest fields on Long island where there were rocks on the infield. They would do the remnants of the foul line every game. I get the little thing, you know, you're making the line, the straight line. Like, to me, I just feel like kids now have way nicer facilities.

[Danny G]

I think that. And I may have mentioned this on the show, but as a right handed hitter, the first time you stepped in a batter's box that was level with home plate was new because it was always had the dip because everybody was a righty. So you're like 3, 4 inches below home plate. Plate. When you actually went to a real.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Diamond and you were even with home.

[Danny G]

Plate, it freaked the crap out of.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know who doesn't Let me eat.

[Covino]

The hole in the battery.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You know who doesn't let that divot happen? Soup.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

You know, full soup.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Soup, good old. Do you call Soup du jour my pal Soup?

[Covino]

Rich dropping names. So again, that's Rich Davis, the coach. We're Cavino and Rich Cavino and Coach Rich. And we'll take your random stories in your phone calls. But we got to talk about Jimmy Butler back in Miami. It was one of those anticlimactic. You could Say awkward. Awkward moments. It was an awkward return.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Well, what was his quote? Danny G. Something like, yo, I was.

[Spot]

Yeah, that. The video tribute was nice, but he didn't really feel a lot of emotions.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I guess it's.

[Spot]

He didn't feel a lot on the court either. He only scored 11 points. He was 5 of 12.

[Covino]

What was more of an awkward return? Jimmy Butler or. When I returned those curtains to Bed, Bath and Beyond after I had him for, like, three years, I kept the bag. I was like, hey, man, these things, they just don't work right.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Awkward return. There are some stores that are like, we'll take it back whenever. Yeah.

[Covino]

So awkward returns. They showed the video. They showed the montage. He showed no reaction. It was sort of an awkward moment.

[Spot]

The crowd in the arena looked kind of confused. They didn't know how to clap or boo.

[Covino]

He said it was nice, but he had no emotions behind it. He didn't want to deal with Pat Riley. It was an awkward return, man.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Can I tell you that crowd reaction is almost the worst reaction, because what do they say in relationships? What's the worst thing? Apathy. Right. Like, you may hate an ex girlfriend or still be in love with her. Indifference in apathy is the worst because that means, like, I just don't even care. Like, like, you almost wanted the fans to be like, thanks for all the years, Jimmy Butler. You know, happy face, coffee, we miss you, bro. Or boo, you left us. Yeah, get there. The fact that there was that sense of like, that's, like, that's the emotion. You don't want Covino.

[Covino]

No.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Out of a relationship, a job or anything.

[Covino]

Again, he spoke on his return and the tribute to him. The video was nice, and again, they were just doing the right thing, but there wasn't a lot of emotions. Here's the clip.

[Spot]

Like I always say, I got a lot of love for the city, for.

[Covino]

The fan base here. Video was nice.

[Spot]

I. I won't say that there's a lot of emotions, though. I mean, it takes me back to some.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Some good times whenever I was wearing a Miami Heat jersey.

[Spot]

I'm very appreciative of those times. To help me become the player that I am in this league, the individual that I am in this league, the teammate, the leader, all of those things.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I don't think I could be who.

[Spot]

I am today without my opportunity here.

[Covino]

I had an awkward return. You know, Rich and I built our talk show at Sirius xm, right? That's where we started as a talk show. I remember when I first started Dating my girlfriend. We went back to New York City, and I was like, yeah, you know what? That's where I work, and we still work there. But I hadn't worked in that facility anymore. And I wanted to go into this building, this real nice building we worked at, like a big shot. And I got there and they wouldn't let me in because my ID didn't work anymore. And I'm trying to show her just how cool the facility is. And the security got involved, and then they're calling upstairs to see if I even work there anymore. And I'm like, I do work there. And then you go back and like, none of the people you used to work with are even there anymore. It's how a lot of people felt after Covid. You didn't even know where anyone worked anymore or where they were.

[Spot]

Steve, I found exclusive audio of you that day.

[Covino]

I don't even really work here. Yeah, it was so embarrassing because it was like, do I even work here? I felt like such a slob. They wouldn't even let me in the building.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Didn't your girlfriend say, are you lying?

[Spot]

Yeah, it's like the video of Jamal Adams getting locked up out of the jets facility, Remember?

[Covino]

Oh, so weird.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Let me tell you, when it comes to awkward returns, I guess you could consider reunions returns, right? Like when people get together, haven't been together in a while. I had my 20 year high school reunion recently and recently, 20 years ago. How dare you? When I recently had my 20 year reunion, all the Guidos that I grew up with on Long island, all the guys you could picture, like, oh, hey, Tony and Anthony and, you know, Gino. So all the Italian Guidos I grew up with.

[Covino]

What about Carmine?

[A.J. Jacobs]

I did go to school with a Carmine.

[Covino]

Of course you did.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Of course, why not? So all those guys, you know what.

[Covino]

The most Italian name is though, for real? Proven fact. Vito.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I went to high school. I'm not even joking. I'll give him a shout out. We got a veto here. I went. I went to school.

[Covino]

It is.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm not even bsing you. I went to school on Long island, graduated class with a guy named Vito Viti.

[Covino]

I mean, we work with a guy Vito here. He does great work. But it's one of the most Italian names you could have, according to, I.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Think Giovanni, according to TikTok.

[Covino]

What about Giuseppe? Oh, that's a. That's pretty Italian, but it's like real, like, it's like real Italian. It is like Italian American, like Vito Mozzarella.

[A.J. Jacobs]

So Giuseppe, we Go to my high school reunion and all the guido tough guys that thought they were hot s. And like, the nerdy, like, good kids, we're all getting along. Like, everyone's like, hey, it's 20 years later. It's nice to see you. It was like the most, like, beautiful mesh of hey.

[Covino]

Meaning all differences were aside. You're grown ups now and you all come from the same place.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Your 20 year reunion a couple years ago, for me, not long ago.

[Covino]

But you're, as my mom says, it must be like a Mexican expression because it sounds weird. She's like, we all come from the same hole.

[A.J. Jacobs]

What?

[Covino]

Meaning, like, you're no better than anybody else. You're all from the same place, so you realize that when you're older. I know.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Face looks confused.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Like, I don't think that's the. I think you messed up. The phrase sounds bad.

[Spot]

Welcome to the same hole.

[Covino]

Yeah, well, anyway, meaning time has passed. You're all from the same high school. You all grew up together.

[Spot]

I was C section there.

[Covino]

There was. There was, you know, a different sense of who was cool and who wasn't back then, but that no longer exists.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Oh, yeah.

[Covino]

And so. So time is a great equalizer, bro.

[A.J. Jacobs]

All the burnouts, all the guidos, all the nerds, all the drama kids, everyone was getting along. Would the word be swimmingly?

[Covino]

Sure, if you're Michael Phelps.

[A.J. Jacobs]

It was a beautiful night. And then comes in one of like, I guess you would say, like the real nerdy kids that may have got bullied a little bit back in the day. He comes in and one of the guidos is like, hey, John. Oh. And he pulls this. Yeah, you're gonna be nice to me now.

[Covino]

You think I forgot when you threw.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Me in a locker and, yo, this dude made the whole room feel like, what is going on?

[Covino]

He didn't roll with it. Maybe resentment, never let it go.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Awkward returns.

[Covino]

Awkward returns. Jimmy Butler had one.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Maybe it was too soon, right? Maybe it's the. The. The paint hasn't dried yet. The. The. The ink hasn't dried. Like, this is months ago. I think when a player comes back like a year or so later, maybe there's a little more of a. Oh, hey, we missed him.

[Spot]

Also, the fans, the reason they were kind of, you know, standing on their. Sitting on their. Their hands was the Heat have been struggling since he has moved to Golden State. And the warriors, except for yesterday's game. And Steph Curry is out hurt right now, but the warriors have been thriving ever since Butler got there.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, it's Almost like your ex moved on and she's really happy.

[Rich Davis]

Are your ears bored?

[Spot]

Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say que?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today. Okay.

[Spot]

I'm Diosa.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio.

[Spot]

A radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Rich Davis]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries, totally nostalgic, a four part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s. It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Tres.

[Rich Davis]

You could turn on the TV, you see Talia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen. All the girlies doing their thing things, all of the beauty reflected right back at us. It was everything.

[Spot]

Tune in to locatora radio season 10.

[Rich Davis]

Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League. And I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the ultimate, always quotable, Nate Thompson.

[Covino]

I wore nine NHL sweaters and I.

[Spot]

Have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have.

[Covino]

Plenty to say, and not just about hockey.

[Rich Davis]

Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate. And JSB is the name of the podcast and it's gonna be, well, it's gonna be quite the ride. We're officially linemates, Nate. We're the Energy Line.

[Spot]

We'll have plenty of folks join us.

[Covino]

Current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers, and wait till you.

[A.J. Jacobs]

See some of the connections that Julie has.

[Covino]

She has quite the Rolodex.

[Rich Davis]

Okay. We'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do, provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Covino]

I'm vibing, Julie. I'm ready to roll.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[A.J. Jacobs]

On November 5, 2018 at 6:33am, a red Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned in a ditch out in Sleep Hole Valley. The driver's seat door was open. No traces of footsteps leaving the vehicle. No belongings were found, except for a cassette tape lodged in the place. There on that tape were 10. Vile. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Spot]

Grotesque.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Oh my God.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Oh my God.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Horrific stories that to this day have been kept restricted. You feeling this too? A horror anthology podcast.

[Spot]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

Hey, this is Mel Reed, LPGA Tour winner and six time Ladies European Tour winner and Kyra K. Dixon, NBC sports reporter and host. You forgot to say warmer.

[Spot]

Miss America, by the way. And we've got a new podcast, Quiet.

[Rich Davis]

Please with Mel and Kira. We are bringing you spicy takes on sports, sports and pop culture. Some golf haps and interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower.

[Spot]

Or just people we like.

[Rich Davis]

Plus tales from the road and everything in between.

[Spot]

By the way, golf isn't just for.

[Rich Davis]

The dads, brads and chads. Yeah, it's actually life's cheat code. And we're not going to be quiet about it on or off the course. We're bringing on some of our friends like Michelle, we, Heather McMahon, Amanda Baliotis.

[Spot]

So if you want to keep up with us.

[Rich Davis]

And here is app, tune into our new podcast, Listen to Quiet Please with Mel and Kira, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's chief product officer. If you're just as curious as I am about the way things are built, the insights behind what it takes to create a world renowned product, then tune in to my podcast, Building One. There's so much to learn, like how Patagonia innovates with its supply chain.

[Rich Davis]

We had to go out to farmers and convince them it was really damn hard.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or the way Adobe thinks about the first interaction somebody has with Photoshop.

[Covino]

I was always so fascinated by how.

[A.J. Jacobs]

People navigate and find their way. Ever wanted to know how Nike builds emotion into the Jordan brand? You have to be obsessed with the current state of the human condition. And it doesn't stop there. What about how glean reinvented knowledge? Search with AI you can learn about how a Michelin star chef is redesigning seeds for flavor and how Pixar is nurturing a creative culture. Listen to building one on the iHeartRadio app, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts midweek. Major.

[Covino]

Let's go.

[Spot]

Covino and Rich gets you over the middle of the week with Midweek Major.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Ooh, I love that.

[Spot]

We throw sports and pop culture headlines.

[Covino]

And topics at the fellas.

[A.J. Jacobs]

And it's like the kids say, that's so mid week.

[Spot]

Definitely major CNR scoring midweek. Major. I gotta go fast. We give Spotty eight full minutes.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Bother anymore.

[Spot]

And before we hand things over to the number one and only host of this segment, we like to roll the two big red love dice in the main studio.

[Covino]

Yeah, let's see.

[Spot]

What'd you get, Covino?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Eleven.

[Spot]

All right. And now is it even worth rolling? This is to see who gets first take.

[Covino]

It's called a rich roll.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No, I got a one on the first dice. I'm not even. Not even rolling the other one. Nice job, Astley.

[Spot]

All right, Covino gets to go first. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the most famous person besides Judy Bloom from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Spotty boy. Guys, sorry.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Let's jump right in since you gave me no time. Kendrick Lavoir's halftime show, as we know, has been one of the most watched shows in history with a whopping 133.5 million people viewing. But of course, not without some criticism. Criticism and complaints from viewers. Official tally is in on FCC complaints totaling 100, 125 complaints. A lot of the complaints had to do with the usage of the red, white and blue representation of the flag. Some crotch grabbing gestures. At least 10 complaints had to do with him using the platform to go after Drake, claiming it was a personal vendetta. Some had to do with Serena Williams dancing as a gang affiliation. In comparison, just so you know, Rihanna's show last year had just over 100 complaints while driving JLo and Shakira had over 1300 complaints. So not that crazy midweek or major.

[Covino]

I think it's a mid story when you factor in 133.5 million tuned in most ever. And you only got 125 complaints.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Is that like.

[Covino]

Yeah, I mean, when you factor in that many more people were watching. Plus people in today's culture just love to complain anyway. Have you been on social media? A bunch of Darrens and Karen's just complaining all the time.

[A.J. Jacobs]

My thought was how many of them do you think are actually named Karen? Coincidentally, you think one of the 125 is a Karen.

[Covino]

I'm actually surprised it's not more.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, I'm with you. I think it's a mid story. People will complain about anything. And what really can you complain about? And who cares? Just think that's how many people those people are definitely Can I talk to the manager on a regular?

[Covino]

Yeah, they all have that Johnny Resnick, Karen haircut.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

It's funny. All right. LeBron finally addressing his viral confrontation with ESPN host Stephen A. Smith. While appearing on the Pat McAfee show earlier today, he spoke about the incident, saying it's not necessarily about Stephen A. Criticizing, which is his job, but when he makes it personal. He said, when you take it and make it personal, it's my job to not only protect my household, but the players specifically referenced Smith criticizing Bronny. And when he saw on the court, he was saying, stop talking stuff about my son. That's my son. That's my son. Leave him out of it. He even made like, a Taylor Swift joke, said he's on a Taylor Swift tour right now talking about this incident, speaking about Stephen A. So midweek or major?

[Covino]

Major, because it was a big national story. We all saw how it played out on the court, and it's Fun to see LeBron's side of things, but you know what he did? He gave Stephen A exact. Exactly. Why do you want it? Again, more things to talk about. The fact that LeBron James is talking about Stephen A. Again on a public platform on a big show like that just. Just feeds into what Stephen A. Is all about. He loves that.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I think it's major because it's the biggest. One of the biggest sports personalities and one of the biggest sports media members. And again, Stephen A. Loves it. And LeBron pointed that out, saying that he could picture Stephen A. Eating ice cream in his tighty. Whitey's getting all excited about this. Because you know what? You're right. I love when LeBron's like, he made it seem like I didn't want to address this. Like, come on. Of course you. You were itching to address it.

[Covino]

So, I mean, I do agree with the point, though, that you shouldn't make it personal, but LeBron makes it hard not to when he involves and fit his family into the game. Right. I mean, it's a very unique situation because you are talking basketball, but you're also talking about his son.

[Spot]

All right.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

WNBA star Nafisa Collier isn't thrilled about the upcoming WNBA season coverage and is setting her sights on none other than Caitlin Clark and the Indiana fever. So the TV schedule for the 2025 season. 2025 season has been revealed, and the Fever are said to have 41 of their 44 games being televised or streaming in comparison to the last. Last season champion, the New York Liberty, who only have 32 of their games. Being televised nationally. Colliers on the Links who lost to the the Liberty last season. Just questioning why this spotlight is isn't being shown on other WNBA stars. Of course she fully acknowledges how Clark has attention. She drew attention to the WNBA but said there are stars all over the league and if you want to watch good basketball, you have to feature the other team. Teams not trying to take away from the Fever but lift up the other teams midweek or major.

[Covino]

It's a major story because people are going to talk about it. Anything Caitlin Clark related is major. But guess what? You know who's not major? Collier, unfortunately, the Liberty. Even though they won the Lynx, no one cares about that as much as they care about Caitlin Clark. That's the bottom line. She is the reason that anybody cares right now.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Now I rather watch a YouTube video of someone making sausage links than watch the Minnesota links.

[Covino]

I mean, I think that's pretty fair, right? If, if Caitlin Clark is getting 41 of 44 games aired and the Liberty who won are getting 32. Still a decent amount of games. I mean I'm actually surprised they're getting 32 games.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yo, take it easy ladies. Because I remember when like Angel Reese was like maybe we should strike. If they strike, you're never going to see the NBA WNBA again.

[Covino]

Relax.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Like I agree with him. That's the one thing Antonio Brown said that wasn't crazy. Listen, 32 games televised, that's big.

[Covino]

I would say that's, that's a, that's an improvement.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Caitlin Clark's a star. We'll see what the ratings show. I bet you, I bet you you can find sausage link videos that have more views.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Honestly, you probably could. Let's see, the 2024 World Series champion Dodgers have officially accepted their invite to the White House and will officially take place on April 7th when they're in D.C. to play the Nationals. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it's certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House respects the position of the president, says it's the highest in the country, certainly in the world, so they're looking forward to it. No official word on who from the team will be intended in attendance, but the Roberts did get some criticism back in 2019 when he said he would definitely turn down the chance to go to a Trump White House if they won that season. They did win in 2020 when Biden was in office. So they went to visit but he is switching his his stance and they are going April 7th and the OSU Buckeyes also accepted their invitation. They'll be there on April 14th.

[Covino]

I think that's major. Whatever your political stance is, that's, that's your business and you have your right to that. I think to turn down the honor of going to the White House is foolish, and I don't think that's fair for the other players that looked at that as an honor if they wanted to go. So I'm glad they're going and they're, they're being honored in the way they deserve to be. On.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Agreed. I, I think it's, I think it's great. I don't. Major.

[Covino]

I think you put your differences aside for an honor. No doubt.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I always tell you guys that the, we've interviewed so many celebrities, musicians. We've never interviewed a president sitting or, you know, had served in the office.

[Covino]

I bumped into Jimmy Carter once.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I would love you sure it was Jimmy Carter.

[Covino]

Yeah, man. I was, I turned around the corner, I bumped into Jimmy Carter.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You ain't never met Jimmy Carter. Clinton, Obama.

[Covino]

I did bump into Jimmy Carter, Bush, Trump.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I would, I would love to just have the opportunity to meet anyone.

[Covino]

Oh, I thought you were someone else.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Would you like a peanut?

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Sorry he punched you in the face.

[Spot]

By the way, what kind of set this ablaze on the Internet was the fact about the, the Jackie Robinson website drama? Yeah, it was an AI thing and that's what makes this story a little, it blew up a little bit yesterday because of that.

[Covino]

Did you say an AI thing?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah. Then it wasn't Jackie Robinson taken out by an AI program. And then they put it back in.

[Covino]

Oh, oh, oh, oh. Okay, gotcha. Well, I'm glad they're putting their differences aside to receive their accolades. They had a hell of a season. Regardless of your political stance. I think that's great.

[A.J. Jacobs]

All right, let's go to DB for an update. Dan Byer. What's up, buddy?

[Danny G]

Guys, Russell Wilson has signed that one year deal with the New York Giants, speaking with reporters today via a zoom call.

[A.J. Jacobs]

This might be my 14th year to be able to lead an amazing group.

[Spot]

Of men that really have big hopes.

[A.J. Jacobs]

And goals and dreams and desires. And we all share the same goal. And so I think that's the best part about it is I get be around a lot of, you know, extremely, extremely talented guys.

[Danny G]

Wilson also says he expects to be the starter for the Giants in week one.

[Covino]

Hey, DB I hate to inter interrupt your updates, but in the other clip you played, he uses the term rock and enroll again. I want to rock and roll something like your dad would say.

[Danny G]

Danny Zuko.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah, it's like rocking and rolling, isn't it? What every old white dad says when he closes out the building a restaurant. Let's rock and roll. I'll give our buddy Jim credit. Our buddy Jim, who lives in Charlotte said if you guys had to right now, bet your savings. Like if I went into your bank account and took all $4. If I went into your bank account and took your millions and billions, your house, whatever you have and you had to wager it today, here's the bet. Dodgers or the field to win the World Series. Dodgers or you get all other 31 teams. I'm sorry, baseball. 29 teams, you go. Do you go 29 teams or do you go Dodgers? You have to bet your full savings today to win the World Series.

[Covino]

Based on right now. I would have to bet. I'm going the field.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Field.

[Covino]

Yeah. You know why? Because it's just not easy to do. I believe the Dodgers could do it. Obviously they're stacked, but it's so not easy to do. It hasn't been done in how long.

[A.J. Jacobs]

A five or seven game series could get tricky and weird and wonky.

[Covino]

When's the last repeat? The Yankees, right?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Last repeat was a while ago. Yeah, it's been a minute.

[Covino]

Because it's not easy.

[Spot]

Yeah, I'm a Dodgers homer.

[Covino]

So. So, yeah.

[Spot]

Not really fair to get an answer from me. I will say this though. The Dodgers pitching situation has me feeling like they can repeat.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I think if stack I did it this way.

[Covino]

There have been team, but again, yeah, one team or 29.

[A.J. Jacobs]

There have been stacked teams that couldn't do it. Like I remember the A's when we were kids, the Bash Brothers. I remember there was, you know, there were Texas Ranger teams that lost back to back. They were. The Royals had two years in a row they lost and then they won. It's hard to win. We saw that with the Chiefs. Hard to three peat, hard to repeat in baseball. But if there were any team to do it, this Dodgers team seems so stacked and so ready. But if you had a bet your life savings. Dodgers or as they say, the field. The rest of the. The rest of Major League Baseball.

[Covino]

It's crazy that it feels like a risk to take the field. That's how good the Dodgers are.

[A.J. Jacobs]

That's the whole point. Hypothetical.

[Covino]

I'm going with the field on this. That's just, you know, my take on it. And a quick reminder, yesterday was T Mobile Tuesday. If you have T Mobile, you get the MLB for free. The app for free. So better believe I did that yesterday.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Aren't you the greatest guy? Yeah.

[Covino]

Just a reminder, if you have AT&T.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Or Verizon, you don't get that, but you just get better coverage. Your phone works.

[Covino]

Exactly. Sam, that's a great hypothetical. Ask your friends. What would you do?

[A.J. Jacobs]

I was Sam, your thought.

[Covino]

Most people don't have a savings.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Do you have a thought, like, if I said, sam, put it all on the line, better coverage.

[Spot]

I agree with that.

[A.J. Jacobs]

What do you think?

[Spot]

I have T mobile. And sadly, I would say I would take the field as well. I just think. Yeah.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Isaac Lo and cry. I know you're just chiming in now. There he is, taking over for Dan by. He's like, I'm not on the clock yet. Jerk. Isaac, would you choose the Dodgers or the field? Essentially, if you had to bet everything, Isaac Lo and Cron owns the Dodgers and if not, they will buy the field.

[Covino]

Good answer. That good, though. That's what's crazy about it. And that's what makes the season even more interesting.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Imagine the Dodgers have a weakness mid season and they actually get someone at the trade deadline. Like, forget that.

[Covino]

Barf. Yeah, I know. Barf. Barf, barf, Barfy barf. And that's why I'm so excited to watch. So enjoy your baseball Eve and we'll be talking about it tomorrow.

[A.J. Jacobs]

No, nothing like opening day. We'll see you then. And of course, the Sweet 16 continues. Until then, have a great Wednesday night. Arriva dare she, baby.

[Covino]

See you in the promised land. Goodbye. Have a great night. Later, baseball.

[Rich Davis]

This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glaser podcast. Have you guys seen this new commercial from Stand up to All Hate Hate? It's basically Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady going back and forth with reasons that they hate each other. But then when you really listen to them, the reasons for the hate are just so stupid. I don't know. This. This commercial really got me. It's a strong reminder that hate in our country continues to be out of control. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Call it out.

[Rich Davis]

Your voice is a powerful tool in this fight. You can learn more by following tsupwith Dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Dressing.

[Brendan Patrick Hughes]

Oh, French dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Covino]

That's good.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm A.J. jacobs, and my current obsession is puzzles. And that has given birth to my podcast, the Puzzler. Something about Mary Poppins?

[Rich Davis]

Exactly.

[Danny G]

This is fun.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You can get your daily puzzle nuggets delivered straight to your ears. Listen to the Puzzler every day on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Spot]

My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell bent effort to sabotage a war.

[Rich Davis]

J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees.

[Spot]

Listen to Divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

Are your ears bored?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Spot]

Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say gay? Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today. Okay.

[Spot]

Now that's what I call a podcast. I'm Viosa.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio.

[Spot]

A radio finance, which is just a.

[Rich Davis]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Reality TV and social media have love all wrong. So what really makes relationships last? On this episode of Dope Labs, poet and relationship expert Young Pueblo breaks down the psychology of love and provides eye opening insights and advice we all need.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You should not be postponing your happiness. Your greatest happiness is not necessarily going to like come from a relationship. Your partner should add to your happiness, but your happiness is really coming from within you.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to Dope labs on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.