It finally happened. After years of trading barbs across the airwaves and debating who has the better "radio family," Dan Patrick and Rich Eisen finally settled it under the bright lights of a Hollywood soundstage. If you’re a sports fan, this was basically our version of the Super Bowl, just with more awkward clapping and Steve Harvey staring in disbelief at sports media's finest.
The Dan Patrick Family Feud appearance wasn't just another celebrity cameo. It was a collision of two of the biggest shows in sports talk history.
Honestly, the buildup was almost better than the game itself. For weeks leading up to the May 2025 taping in Atlanta, the Dan Patrick Show was less about box scores and more about buzzer strategy. Dan and the Danettes—Pauly, Seton, Fritzy, and McLovin—treated it like they were preparing for Game 7. They were literally running mock drills on air.
The Showdown: Dan Patrick vs. Rich Eisen
The episode, which aired as the season premiere on July 10, 2025, pitted The Dan Patrick Show against The Rich Eisen Show.
On one side, you had Dan and his long-time producers (The Danettes). On the other, Rich Eisen brought his own crew, including Chris Brockman and T.J. Jefferson. The stakes? $25,000 for charity. Dan was playing for the Boys and Girls Club of Milford, a cause close to his heart.
Steve Harvey seemed genuinely amused—or perhaps deeply confused—by the group. You’ve got to remember, these guys spend three hours a day talking into microphones in a converted attic in Connecticut. Putting them in front of a live audience with a timer running is a recipe for chaos.
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Why the "Fast Money" Round Was Stressful
Dan and Todd "Fritzy" Fritz were the ones who stepped up for the final Fast Money round. If you know Fritzy, you know he’s the wild card. He’s the guy who does the "limericks" and the bad puns.
The pressure was visible.
The questions weren't even sports-related. That’s the trap of Celebrity Family Feud. You expect to be asked about the best left-handed pitchers, but instead, you’re asked to "Name something you do in the shower besides wash yourself."
Dan, being the seasoned pro, kept his cool. He hammered out the number one answers with the same precision he uses to interview Hall of Famers. But Fritzy? Watching Fritzy try to match Dan’s answers while the clock ticked down was peak television. It was high-stakes, sweaty-palmed entertainment.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Win
There’s been some chatter online about whether the questions were "tossed" or if the game was rigged for the sports guys.
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Total nonsense.
Rich Eisen’s team was actually leading at various points. They are just as sharp as Dan’s crew. But the Dan Patrick Family Feud victory came down to the wire. They needed a specific number of points on the very last answer of the main game to even get to Fast Money.
They got it by the skin of their teeth.
- The Winners: The Dan Patrick Show
- The Prize: $25,000
- The Charity: Boys and Girls Club of Milford
- The MVP: Arguably Dan, but Fritzy’s nervous energy stole the show.
The Fritzy Factor: Comedy or Cringe?
Let’s talk about Todd Fritz for a second. During the flight to Atlanta, the Danettes joked that Fritzy was practicing his "survey says" face in the bathroom mirror.
On the actual show, he didn't disappoint.
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Steve Harvey has a way of roasting contestants that can make a grown man wither. He spent a good three minutes just reacting to Fritzy's personality. At one point, Dan looked like a disappointed father, which is pretty much the dynamic of their radio show anyway. It translated perfectly to the game show format.
Actually, the chemistry of the Danettes is what made this episode rank so highly in the ratings. Most "celebrity" families are just actors who met on set three weeks ago. These guys have been in the trenches together for nearly two decades. They finish each other’s sentences—and apparently, they know each other’s thoughts on "things you find in a glove box."
The Legacy of the Episode
Why does this still matter months later? Because it validated the "DP Show" culture.
Sports fans love seeing their favorite personalities outside of the studio. Seeing Dan Patrick out-maneuver Rich Eisen in a non-sports environment was a point of pride for the DP Show "Backroom Boys."
It also raised a significant amount of money for Milford. Dan has always been vocal about supporting his local community, and winning $25,000 on national TV is a pretty efficient way to do it.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you missed the original airing, you aren't totally out of luck. Here is how you can catch up and what you should look for:
- Watch the Hulu Replay: The episode (Season 11, Episode 1) is currently streaming on Hulu. It’s worth it just for the banter between Dan and Rich during the face-offs.
- Check the "12:15 Club" Podcast: The producers did a deep-dive behind-the-scenes episode right after they returned from filming. They talk about what Steve Harvey is like when the cameras stop rolling (spoiler: he’s still hilarious).
- Look for the YouTube Clips: ABC’s official channel has the Fast Money round. Pay close attention to Dan’s face when Fritzy gives his second answer—it’s the look of a man who’s wondering if he’s going to lose $25k because of a bad pun.
The Dan Patrick Family Feud appearance proved that even "The Great Dan Patrick" can get rattled by a 20-second timer and a survey of 100 people. It was human, it was funny, and most importantly, the right team won.