Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "The Best Of Covino & Rich" (April 23, 2025)
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers a thought-provoking and opinionated exploration of the day's top sports stories. In the episode titled "The Best Of Covino & Rich," hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into a variety of engaging topics, blending sports analysis with cultural commentary.
1. The Golden Bachelor: Mel Owens
Timestamp: [01:26 – 09:28]
Overview:
The episode kicks off with a discussion about the newly announced Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens. Owens is a former University of Michigan football star who transitioned to the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980s before retiring due to an injury and subsequently becoming a lawyer. His latest venture into reality TV has sparked conversations about the portrayal of older men in dating shows.
Key Points:
- Appeal and Criticism: The hosts debate whether older men like Mel Owens should participate in reality TV dating shows, considering potential criticism and public perception.
- Alternative Avenues: Covino suggests that Mel could explore older dating apps instead of television to find companionship without the accompanying scrutiny.
- Cultural Impact: The hosts reflect on the broader implications of reality TV on personal relationships and societal expectations.
Notable Quotes:
- Rich Davis: "If you’re Mel Owens, he’s gonna be just going on all these cool dates and making out with old hotties." [02:21]
- Steve Covino: "It’s an accepted thing, which is crazy, right? You’re getting to date 25 different women." [05:30]
- Rich Davis: "Imagine going to the bar, and every girl at the bar is like, please dance with me. Please buy me a drink." [05:29]
2. Early Season Baseball Prophets: Player Performances
Timestamp: [10:17 – 23:48]
Overview:
Shifting gears to baseball, Covino and Davis analyze early-season performances, highlighting standout players and debating the significance of early stats in predicting season-long success.
Key Points:
- Aaron Judge's Dominance: With a batting average of .415, Judge is praised not just for his power but consistency.
- Paul Goldschmidt's Surge: Goldschmidt's impressive .383 batting average is lauded, positioning him just behind Judge in early season performance metrics.
- Other Notables: Players like Wilmer Flores, Tyler Soderstrom, Tommy Edmond, and Shohei Yamamoto are discussed for their significant contributions and upward trajectories.
- Debate on Early Stats: The hosts debate whether early-season performances should be given substantial merit or if they're too nascent to judge a player's potential.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Covino: "Judge is batting .415, so he's not just a slugger." [05:10]
- Rich Davis: "Paul Goldschmidt, who you probably look past because his name's kind of corny." [13:09]
- Steve Covino: "Early season props... is better than sucking." [23:08]
- Rich Davis: "If you're saying it's too early to tell if someone sucks, I think it's also too early to tell if someone’s great." [19:04]
3. Advice Ignored: The Shannon Sharpe Allegation
Timestamp: [24:00 – 44:50]
Overview:
A significant portion of the episode delves into the allegations against former NFL player Shannon Sharpe. The hosts discuss the importance of heeding good advice, especially for individuals in positions of power and fame.
Key Points:
- Allegations Overview: While details are not fully disclosed, the conversation centers around Sharpe's alleged misconduct and the fallout from his decisions.
- Importance of Advice: Covino and Davis emphasize the necessity of following sound advice to avoid personal and professional pitfalls, drawing parallels to other public figures like Elliot Spitzer and Anthony Weiner.
- Personal Responsibility: The hosts advocate for self-control and making informed decisions, particularly when one has much to lose in the public eye.
- Impact on Reputation: The discussion highlights how personal decisions can significantly affect one's reputation and career, especially when under public scrutiny.
Notable Quotes:
- Rich Davis: "But what I think he’s guilty of is unfortunately not following Monique’s advice." [25:25]
- Steve Covino: "You have to learn from other people's mistakes." [26:18]
- Rich Davis: "If you unleash those kinks with someone you love and trust... you gotta really use your head, not the one in your pantalones." [26:27]
- Steve Covino: "Remember this... your saliva." [This might be a miscue in the transcript, but context suggests emphasis on learning from mistakes.]
4. Mike’s Words of Wisdom Trivia
Timestamp: [35:08 – 52:34]
Overview:
In a lighthearted interlude, the hosts introduce a trivia segment based on "Mike’s Words of Wisdom," where callers attempt to repeat a specific phrase exactly as spoken to win a prize.
Key Points:
- Objective: Callers must accurately recite the phrase: "You really only need two tools in life. WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but it should. WD40. If it does move, but shouldn't. Duct tape."
- Challenges: Multiple callers attempt but fail to repeat the phrase word-for-word, adding humor and showcasing the segment's difficulty.
- Reward: Successful replication of the phrase awards the caller a prize, enhancing listener engagement.
Notable Quotes:
- Spot: "You really only need two tools in life. WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but it should. WD40. If it does move, but shouldn't. Duct tape." [35:24]
- Rich Davis: "If you could repeat that, you're gonna win a Swiggy right now." [37:19]
5. Midweek or Major: Sports and Pop Culture Highlights
Timestamp: [54:19 – 64:50]
Overview:
The "Midweek or Major" segment provides a roundup of current sports and pop culture news, offering commentary and humor on recent events.
Key Points:
- Shaquille O'Neal’s Endorsements: Discussion on Shaq’s humorous bathroom emergency during a show, leading to diaper company endorsements.
- Patrick Mahomes’ New Haircut: Analysis of the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s decision to change his signature hairstyle and its influence on trends.
- Anonymous NBA Player Poll: Insights from the Athletic's player poll revealing opinions on overrated and underrated players, as well as organizational assessments.
- NFL Draft Preview: Brief mention of upcoming NFL Draft discussions, focusing on tweet-worthy topics like number retirements and player prospects.
Notable Quotes:
- Danny G: "Shaq’s great at taking the joke." [56:02]
- Steve Covino: "It’s the baseball renaissance of 2025." [23:48], tying back to earlier discussions.
- Steve Covino: "Aaron Judge reminds me of Herman Munster in pinstripes." [21:40]
- Danny G: "Shaq's doing bathroom emergencies, adult diapers are involved." [55:16]
6. Closing Remarks and Promotions
Timestamp: [50:16 – End]
Overview:
The episode concludes with promotional segments for upcoming shows and features, including live streaming options and future guest appearances.
Key Points:
- Upcoming Shows: Announcement of next day’s bonus show featuring Kevin Clancy from Barstool.
- Streaming Information: Encouragement for listeners to stream live via the iHeartRadio app and preset Fox Sports Radio for easy access.
- Engagement Opportunities: Call to action for listeners to participate in future trivia segments and share reviews for potential rewards.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Covino: "Remember, Cavino and Rich on the podcast." [52:49]
- Rich Davis: "We’re here in LA. I’ve been here, what, 15 plus years now?" [38:05]
- Steve Covino: "Tomorrow over promised, we welcome Kevin Clancy, KFC." [53:31]
Conclusion
In "The Best Of Covino & Rich," Steve Covino and Rich Davis deliver a dynamic blend of sports analysis, cultural commentary, and interactive segments. From dissecting the implications of older men in reality TV to celebrating standout baseball performances and humorously navigating trivia games, the hosts maintain an engaging and informative dialogue. Additionally, their discussions on personal responsibility and heeding advice provide depth beyond the typical sports talk, making the episode a comprehensive listen for fans seeking both entertainment and insight.
Notable Overall Quotes:
- Steve Covino: "WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move, but it should. WD40. If it does move, but shouldn’t. Duct tape." [Repeated multiple times]
- Rich Davis: "You can't say, well, it's early." [19:28]
For those interested in a comprehensive understanding of the day's sports and cultural happenings, this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers valuable perspectives and engaging discussions.