RIP Toucher and Rich Show ... It was fun while it lasted

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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I appreciate Fred mentioning that Adam Jones is going to be co-hosting next week. Gives me the weekend to cue up 5 days worth of podcasts to listen to in the morning.
Yeah he's usually pretty good about giving the audience advanced warning when there's gonna be a fill-in, just surprised it isn't Joe Murray. Not that that'd be much better... definitely gonna be listening to something else next week
 

JCizzle

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DeBrusk's story this morning was pretty great about accidentally ordering UberEats to the wrong city. He's so chill for a professional athlete, I'm glad they've been able to bring him back for a couple of years now.
 

8slim

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Despite posting about it here, I tuned in today, forgetting Jones was on. First few minutes just now was Rich talking Bruins with a beat writer. Good stuff. Then Jones jumps in “But the division kinda stinks...”. Click, off. What a complete tool that guy is.
 

RedOctober3829

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Despite posting about it here, I tuned in today, forgetting Jones was on. First few minutes just now was Rich talking Bruins with a beat writer. Good stuff. Then Jones jumps in “But the division kinda stinks...”. Click, off. What a complete tool that guy is.
I heard that too and I couldn't believe he said that. Washington and Philly are top teams that have played well despite not having their #1 centers for most of the season. Pittsburgh is still really talented. The Islanders and Rangers are talented teams not playing great and Buffalo/NJ are the bottom feeders yet tough to play against. Jones' argument of Tampa, Toronto, and Montreal not being there so it stinks is way off-base. Montreal finished 5th, 4th, and 6th in the division the last 3 years. Swapping out Ottawa, Detroit, and Montreal for NY Rangers, NY Islanders, and NJ Devils at the bottom of the division makes this division much tougher than the Atlantic was last year. Swapping out Tampa, Toronto, and Florida at the top of the division with Washington, Philly, and Pittsburgh also makes the division tougher as well.
 

8slim

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I heard that too and I couldn't believe he said that. Washington and Philly are top teams that have played well despite not having their #1 centers for most of the season. Pittsburgh is still really talented. The Islanders and Rangers are talented teams not playing great and Buffalo/NJ are the bottom feeders yet tough to play against. Jones' argument of Tampa, Toronto, and Montreal not being there so it stinks is way off-base. Montreal finished 5th, 4th, and 6th in the division the last 3 years. Swapping out Ottawa, Detroit, and Montreal for NY Rangers, NY Islanders, and NJ Devils at the bottom of the division makes this division much tougher than the Atlantic was last year. Swapping out Tampa, Toronto, and Florida at the top of the division with Washington, Philly, and Pittsburgh also makes the division tougher as well.
I totally believe he said it, because Jones is a tool who has nothing to offer besides being the negative, hot takez guy. He's a predictable, exhausting bore. In this case, it took him 3 minutes to destroy what I was finding to be an interesting segment.

It's a shame that they keep using him as the T&R replacement host. He sucks so damn much.
 

JCizzle

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I totally believe he said it, because Jones is a tool who has nothing to offer besides being the negative, hot takez guy. He's a predictable, exhausting bore. In this case, it took him 3 minutes to destroy what I was finding to be an interesting segment.

It's a shame that they keep using him as the T&R replacement host. He sucks so damn much.
To your initial point though, I enjoy when they have Ty on to talk Bruins. He’s a good listen.
 

Rusty13

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If the Patriots are good or they somehow find their future QB, it will absolutely crust Freddy T and is ongoing Patriots narrative.
Yeah, he has went out of his way to absolute BURY the prospects of Jimmy G and Mac Jones to fill his Pats hate narrative.
 

double4life

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What's up with the beef Fred has for Sean Grande? Fred was defending Mike Gorman for when he was out this past weekend and Grande filled in. Fred was saying something to the effect that Grande was coming off like a shill to get noticed by NBCSports Boston so that he could be considered a replacement for Gorman. Wallach was REAL quiet while Rich also gave no Fs and chuckled away. Is there a back story I'm not hearing?
 

hube

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Not liking the drunken recaps is definitely a me problem, but beyond that - I REALLY didn't need to hear an entire segment of Bird this morning as part of one.
 
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shaggydog2000

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What's up with the beef Fred has for Sean Grande? Fred was defending Mike Gorman for when he was out this past weekend and Grande filled in. Fred was saying something to the effect that Grande was coming off like a shill to get noticed by NBCSports Boston so that he could be considered a replacement for Gorman. Wallach was REAL quiet while Rich also gave no Fs and chuckled away. Is there a back story I'm not hearing?
Possibly because that's the gig Wallach wants?
 

JCizzle

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What's up with the beef Fred has for Sean Grande? Fred was defending Mike Gorman for when he was out this past weekend and Grande filled in. Fred was saying something to the effect that Grande was coming off like a shill to get noticed by NBCSports Boston so that he could be considered a replacement for Gorman. Wallach was REAL quiet while Rich also gave no Fs and chuckled away. Is there a back story I'm not hearing?
Hmm I don't think there's any back story. Fred said as much. He's close with Gorman and perceived Grande as taking a veiled shot at Gorman. I checked the Twitter post that Fred was talking about and didn't see it the same way.

I do think it's funny that Fred openly shits on the radio gigs.
 

dirtynine

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I urge anyone who enjoys the bits on this show to listen to the drunken Bruins recap, top of hour 3 today. It evolves into beautiful absurdity, including “Goblin talk with Mike and the Mad Dog”. Fred’s Mike is pretty good.
 

Rusty13

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So apparently Fred hung up on Jeff Howe today about an argument over Mac Jones earlier today, and they are still talking about it??
 

Granite Sox

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I was listening. Fred was being a jerk (i.e. his normal maladjusted self) and trying to pretend he knows what he is talking about and insulted Howe and implied that Howe's reporting was untrue. Howe bowed up to defend himself and Fred hung up on him. Fred declaring that Howe, not he, was the A-hole and aggressively dying on that hill. I think(?) it's all performative, but Fred's personality disorder is clouding things a bit...
 

Rusty13

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I was listening. Fred was being a jerk (i.e. his normal maladjusted self) and trying to pretend he knows what he is talking about and insulted Howe and implied that Howe's reporting was untrue. Howe bowed up to defend himself and Fred hung up on him. Fred declaring that Howe, not he, was the A-hole and aggressively dying on that hill. I think(?) it's all performative, but Fred's personality disorder is clouding things a bit...
Got ya. I caught just a couple minutes of them replaying the tape, so wasn't sure what was going on. I hope they didn't tick off Howe too much and cooler heads prevail. (Or maybe it was just all Fred shtick or whatever like you said.) Howe has become my favorite Pats beat writer. His Athletic columns have become a must read, and I enjoy listening to him when I can on Mondays.
 

Andy Merchant

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Yeah, that was pretty uncompelling radio. While hanging up on Rick Pitino was outstanding, this quickly devolved into beating a dead horse.
 

8slim

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Yeah, that was pretty uncompelling radio. While hanging up on Rick Pitino was outstanding, this quickly devolved into beating a dead horse.
Yup, was dumb and boring. Then they went into what seemed to be the 143rd edition of Fart Court in the past month. Not the best morning for T&R.
 

dirtynine

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I was just recently thinking about how unique and cool T&R are - just last week they bounced between all 4 pro sports, music (ranging from hip hop to ska to hair metal), original comedy, pop culture and Boston-specific stuff. That’s hard to do.

And then they do crap like that and I wonder why. What’s the point? I don’t enjoy the cringe stuff at all.
 

NDame616

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I'm hoping a clear headed and sober Fred will listen to it and realize he came off like a turd and will apologize
 

JCizzle

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I haven’t listened to the segment, but I normally enjoy Fred’s take on football stuff. The interviews with Breer are enjoyable. I imagine Fred wanted to take a stab at the (vast) minority of people who think Mac will be Brady. That person isn’t Howe in my mind, so I’m not sure why he picked the fight with him. Howe did need the pushback when he wrote that Watson to the Pats article, but everyone needs clicks/ ratings so who cares
 

Granite Sox

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I'm hoping a clear headed and sober Fred will listen to it and realize he came off like a turd and will apologize
Not gonna happen. Felger has grabbed onto Fred's rant and is promoting the Big (Mac) Lie. "Fred's on it... if the Saints were so horny for Mac Jones... what's the difference between trading down from 14 to the Vikings at 23 vs. the Saints at 28 [to jump up and take Jones]. Doesn't seem right... the Saints didn't really want him."

smh
 

NortheasternPJ

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I heard it and F&M are actually going over it right now as I type this. It's all "reports" I dont know why Fred threw down the gauntlet on he's right and Howe doesn't know shit. He obviously didn't know that Howe reported that the Saints were going after Jones, which seemed like it caught him by surprise.

I'm not sure who's right, but I'm surprised Fred took such a hard line on this one with someone they really like. Seems like a stupid thing to bitch about and hang up on someone about. It's weird to call someone a defensive Patriots baby or whatever Fred called him and then yell at him at the end of the call and call him a prick and hang up.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Fred seems really annoyed with Rich as well lately. They’ve always had moments but seems more often now. Rich to be fair has been a bit annoying but the show is going great and seems to be in a good stride in terms of content and funny stuff but these little spats seem to keep coming up over stupid crap.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Not sure why, but I think Fred has been annoyed with Howe for a while and it just boiled over today.
Wasn’t there an issue with Howe during football season while Rich was out where Fred either hung up on him or Howe hung up on the show?

Either way, I’m not a Patriots fan so I really couldn’t care less but I really don’t get what Fred’s problem is. Regardless of whether Jones was their guy or not, who gives a damn? He was there, he was the best player available at the position they needed, why wouldn’t they take him?
 

The Napkin

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Yesterday was mother's day so not only couldn't Fred drink (assuming he's sober since rehab) it was a day that he likely had to spend with his wife and kids focused on someone else that he couldn't make about him. Is there any surprise he was miserable today?
 

dirtynine

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When he gets mad at Rich over “sports takes” I read it as him telling Rich to stay in his lane as the funny fart-bit (and Celtics) guy, and leave NFL analysis to the real pros. I don’t think he respects many people’s sports analysis to be honest, including most beat writers.
 

Granite Sox

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Even worse, he doubled down.

Fred went off for 15 minutes about how he was right and Howe is an insecure prick. Without a hint of irony. "I have nothing to aplogize for."

When you cite the support of your wife ("I played the interview back and she said Howe was a prick") and Felger as proof of your position, your self-awareness needs some work.
 

8slim

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Radio "feuds" are the worst. Just the worst. I hope they knock it the hell off soon, it's dumb and boring and terrible radio.

Howe is also one of the best Pats beat reporters out there, so if Fred burned a bridge with him I'll be pissed.
 

Rusty13

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Radio "feuds" are the worst. Just the worst. I hope they knock it the hell off soon, it's dumb and boring and terrible radio.

Howe is also one of the best Pats beat reporters out there, so if Fred burned a bridge with him I'll be pissed.
Agreed. I barely listen to any sports radio anymore, but Jeff Howe on Mondays has always been a must listen for me.
 

Phil Elliott

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Agreed. I barely listen to any sports radio anymore, but Jeff Howe on Mondays has always been a must listen for me.
That was my immediate thought: this wasn't Bedard or Volin or some other guy who leans toward occasional volatility or trolling. Howe is about as rational, honest and evenhanded as you can get.
 

8slim

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Fred can be frustrating at times, but then he busts out the Eddie-Money-dumping-a-transients-body joke this morning, and all is forgiven. Crying laughing.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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How do these guys not get that literally NOBODY wants to hear Bird?? I don’t care how little he’s on, he sucks and belongs nowhere near the public airwaves!
 

JCizzle

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How do these guys not get that literally NOBODY wants to hear Bird?? I don’t care how little he’s on, he sucks and belongs nowhere near the public airwaves!
You can tell that Fred absolutely agrees with you, he eviscerated Curry College during that segment lol.

Re: Bird - I generally agree, but I got a couple of laughs out of the segment since I haven't heard Bird in forever. He's shockingly dumb and in (very) limited doses it can be pretty funny in the right spots. Not being able to follow the plot of a Fast and Furious movie is incredible.
 

JCizzle

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More incredible than trying to count to 9, skipping 7 and thinking you skipped 4?
I died at that part. Even better that it was in response to a question asking him to name them in order of his favorite to least favorite.
 

hube

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There are a handful of recurring bits that only Rich likes, and since it’s his job, they get run out again and again. I’m open to admitting that maybe my sense of humor has changed a bit, but it feels like he’s been the weak link for a while now.
 

JCizzle

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There are a handful of recurring bits that only Rich likes, and since it’s his job, they get run out again and again. I’m open to admitting that maybe my sense of humor has changed a bit, but it feels like he’s been the weak link for a while now.
I disagree a bit. I find the show grows a bit stale when either guy is out for an extended period. Stuff that I think Rich produces, like Brookline 911, is a nice break from sports talk, which is Fred's strong suit. Conversely, Rich leans too heavily on "dial-in to discuss XYZ topic" when Fred isn't around to carry segments by himself with an anecdote that he (impressively) spins into a 15 minute rant. They really are a great pairing from a strength/weakness standpoint.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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There are a handful of recurring bits that only Rich likes, and since it’s his job, they get run out again and again. I’m open to admitting that maybe my sense of humor has changed a bit, but it feels like he’s been the weak link for a while now.
I only get to listen to the first 30 minutes or so. I am probably repeating myself here, but Rich's obsession with bad music (like fan made team anthems, and just horrible sounding music) is annoying. Every episode leads off with one of these "classics".
 

JCizzle

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At this point I feel more invested in Nick’s bachelor party than I did for my own. Fred crapping all over all the awful ideas that they come up with is great.
 

NortheasternPJ

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At this point I feel more invested in Nick’s bachelor party than I did for my own. Fred crapping all over all the awful ideas that they come up with is great.
Freds 100% right on this one. He’s got the blueprint down, but him being sober for this will be interesting. I bet he gets annoyed with them all hammered and leaves early.

The MMA interview was something else. So awkward and great.
 

hube

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Adam Jones in for T&R this week. Hard pass. Who is the audience for this, especially at 7:30 am?


In fairness, he was decent the one day I heard him in with Fred and Joe Murray last week, but the focus was not on sports or the perceived failures of Boston teams in 2021.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Yeah this is my week to catch up on some of my podcasts. One of Joe Murray or Adam Jones is a no-go for me, both of them on the same show is completely unlistenable