RIP Toucher and Rich Show ... It was fun while it lasted
- Thread starter HomeBrew1901
- Start date
It must have been Fred's apology for lying about the lack of outreach with his throat stuff.
That was such a thoroughly bizarre situation. It's still mind blowing to me that a 48-year-old adult would lie about his longtime co-worker, and presumably his friend, like that. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if that was the moment Rich decided enough was enough. And the way Fred spoke about it this morning, sounds like he still doesn't feel like what he did was a big deal.
Looks like he may be available….if he can find “philosophical” alignment
https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2023/10/10/pete-sheppard-departs-espn-southwest-florida/amp/
https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2023/10/10/pete-sheppard-departs-espn-southwest-florida/amp/
The primary thing Fred said that set off my bullshit meter was the comment he made about the energized atmosphere today, not just with him but with ALL the guys. Really? All the guys that he’s been bullying, berating, and insulting for years now? Sure.
Good luck with the rotating wing men while Fred stumps for his new crush Kendra M.
That being said, I hope both Fred and Rich find success in the future. The market may never see a show like it on radio again.
It always seemed like Rich was the one who hung out with the other guys from the show. And Fred never did. But who knows.
Maybe not, according to Chad Finn's Glob piece:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/10/sports/legacy-toucher-rich-should-be-many-years-laughs-not-recent-drama/
Yeah, I report only what I know. It's entirely possible that he was there -- Mike Thomas loves him, and if he wants vengeance, that's where to try to get it -- but two people I talked to who in the building Friday morning told me they didn't think he had been in. Rich didn't respond when I asked him via email.
I actually listened to the clip of the Mutt/Minihane podcast where Minihane claimed Rich visited EEI and he also spitballed that Rich was probably making in the neighborhood of $700k/year. That seemed awfully high considering Fred talks like he walks around wearing a barrel with leather straps for clothing. 
It’s likely Fred’s paying out a lot in child support and alimony. It also wouldn’t surprise me if (like a lot of people) he sucks at managing his finances.Fred talks like he walks around wearing a barrel with leather straps for clothing.
So now we’re speculating about Fred’s money management based on a hunch? He frequently vacations at his parents, doesn’t have a vacation home in Nantucket, sent his kids to public school (at least while he was married), and doesn’t seem to take luxurious trips across the country/world. Based on what we do know, it seems like he’s frugal given his income. He even joked about Tanguay suggesting he borrow against his 401K for home renovations.
The constant potshots thrown at Fred in this thread and the near sanctification of Rich never ceases to amaze me. I’m grateful for both and hope the show can continue to entertain me during my commute and at work.
He’s got two properties in Newton and his wife didn’t work for years from what he said after he had kids. I’m sure Fred’s ok. This thread is absurd at times.
My comment about Fred was tongue in cheek, I think his portrayal of his financial situation is part of his schtick. I was surprised at the $700k number though considering how much the radio industry seems to be falling apart. A lot has changed since Glenn Ordway took a $500k haircut courtesy of Felger kicking his ass in the ratings.
There's definitely some truth to this. Occasionally listen to his podcast and can remember a couple years ago him talking about how Rich was despised within the building and that Trenni stopped doing appearances because he was a creeper. And Kirk's thrown that kind of shade at other people as well.
And as another aside, per Chad's article talking about how Beasley saying they valued and would be retaining the remaining T&R team including Mike Lockhart blows my f'ing mind. YOUR EMPLOYEE WAS PAYING FOR MIKE'S SALARY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET PLUS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE YET NOW YOU'RE COMMITTED TO RETAINING HIM. Holy shit I can't blame Rich an ounce for leaving such an asshole company.
I’m glad that you’re here to stick up for the guy who got kicked off a flight due to bad behavior and lied about his co-host not contacting him when he was out with a serious health issue.
Never heard that, I thought Trenni moved on because she got a part-time paying gig at EEI.
The vibe just feels so odd between today and Friday's show. Fred opened this morning name dropping all the people who reached out to him over the weekend, including Jim Norton and Christian Arcand. He also took a shot at Rich and compared him to Rain Man prior to that.
Its day 1 of the rest of the show, lets hope they find a gear. Losing the 'big ideas' guy means a lot of just riffing.
Yeah, I'd give them some time.
If I was betting it's Fred, Hardy, Wallgame - Mornings and Beetle, Zo & RJ - MIddays but that's just idle speculation.
I didn't like that Fred wanted Wallach to pick between Mommy and Daddy on the air. I know he's just trying to make Wallach uncomfortable, but that was unnecessary. Was happy that RJ spoke up to defend Rich on this specific angle. Agree that it will take time for water to seek its new level.
wait wait wait. you're saying the narcissist addict gaslit other people and made everything about himself while making things awkward for those around him? I never would have guessed that would happen.
I don't know (or even really care) about the behind the scenes stuff, but does anyone else feel that Fred has been a lot worse on the air the last couple of years? He used to do all sorts of spontaneous and creative characters/voices while riffing. Now he does the 'yes yes' DA voice and.... uh, that's it. He stutters and stammers to express basic thoughts and constantly stops a conversation and says "hold on, for those of you who don't know what we're talking about..." and then explains a thing that literally everyone saw. Please explain that Jones threw an interception Fred, we're so confused. I've liked the show for a long time but he's just nowhere near as good as he used to be.
I wonder if we can separate from the behind the scenes. Divorce, addiction, terrible health scare, breakdown(ish), Beasley drama, Rich/Fred interpersonal drama, etc. Its hard not to think it took a toll, hopefully he can reinvent and Rich's departure not another crack in the foundation...he got sober and that's a damn good start.
Wallach sounded like a beaten man at the end of the show. Go listen to it right before the “I’m an Ass Man!” song comes on. Fred made Wallach acknowledge for the umpteenth time how “great” his monologue was on Friday about Rich. I don’t like the vibe of where things are going with this show. I hope they find a good replacement for the 2nd chair soon — but I feel like that won’t happen likely until then beginning of next year.
Last edited:
Fred's the one with the brand new contract and name on the show, not Rich. Fred is not going to be forced to take a new co-host and will make every candidate kiss his ass and grovel. In Fred's mind, he bent over backward for management just to calm Rich down and he's done playing nice. Not a recipe for success, imo.
I’m just finishing up Thursday’s show. I’d normally drop in on a few segments via the podcast but seeing as it was the final show I gave it a full listen. It’s so odd knowing the pair were doing their final segments together without really acknowledging it. Besides Rich’s “you have to keep quality people!” comments earlier in the show, the Jaffee segment in the final hour was very odd. Fred was just needling Billy for no real reason, which had the studio energy in a very strange place, and then Rich and Fred collaborated on what would be their final sophomoric reference (“Shattenkirk”) and Billy saying something to the effect of “thats the chemistry you two have after being together for years”.
I’m still good for Breer, Dave Richard, and maybe another hour a week here and there, but without the bits or the banter between T&R, probably 80% of what I’d want to listen to is gone. Maybe the Toucher and the New Edition will be worth tuning in to in the new year.
I’m still good for Breer, Dave Richard, and maybe another hour a week here and there, but without the bits or the banter between T&R, probably 80% of what I’d want to listen to is gone. Maybe the Toucher and the New Edition will be worth tuning in to in the new year.
My point was that the people in this thread that love to attack character only go after one guy. The show launched to popularity on BCN partly based on exploiting the situation of a homeless guy. Yet, I don’t see any questions about whether Rich is a hypocrite given his faith.
Personally, I think the show peaked years ago and both Fred/Rich have gotten worse. It was still better than the rest of sports radio and I’ll usually switch to podcasts or music after their show. The past two shows haven’t been good and hopefully they find someone who can bring out Fred’s strengths and contain his bad habits because it certainly isn’t Wallach.
“Bad with money” =/= “Bad person” in my mind. It’s possible, likely even likely, then I’m off base and he’s just the type that grouses is about money a lot. I’ve got friends like that. If I have any negative reaction when I hear them, it might be rolling my eyes, if that.
in other words, I wasn’t trying to impugn his character. I suggest you chill out a little.
Why are we even going down this route? Who cares if he's good with money or not?
He brought this up a couple times today about why people are basically making up shit they have no idea about for no reason, which is what is going on here.
People are sending him emails like this:
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cze3Q5NPTAx/
It's nuts to think we know these people as well as we do. As Fred said 50 times today he's an open book and I do believe it, he's a deeply flawed person and knows it and that's what makes him compelling.
One weird thing about the Rich-Lockhart situation is that it was portrayed that to save Lockhart's job, his money came directly out of Rich's piece of the pie. With Rich leaving, it seemed like Lockhart was not that shaken up about being away from Rich. Even if Rich was a dick to work for, if what he did for him was the case, you'd think he'd be a little more gracious
This whole thing sucks and it’s gonna be tough to listen until they get the new hosting situation settled and move on.
I tried today. Tuned in at 7:30 and Fred was in the middle of taking vague shots at Rich. Something about Fred being the calm one with management. And then he advised Rich to go take a job with a top 40 show and get out of sports. Fred was complimentary towards Rich, but also clearly trying to position him as the person to blame in this situation. It was a tough listen and really not enjoyable.
Fred’s whole “wasn’t I great on Friday” is totally schtick. But it doesn’t make for great radio.
I tried today. Tuned in at 7:30 and Fred was in the middle of taking vague shots at Rich. Something about Fred being the calm one with management. And then he advised Rich to go take a job with a top 40 show and get out of sports. Fred was complimentary towards Rich, but also clearly trying to position him as the person to blame in this situation. It was a tough listen and really not enjoyable.
Fred’s whole “wasn’t I great on Friday” is totally schtick. But it doesn’t make for great radio.
Probably a mix of circling the wagons and unifying around the show going forward and job security. Although I am surprised Lockhart didn't at least say something on Twitter/social media, giving thanks and kudos to Rich.
Yep. After two days I'm at the point that I don't really care about it anymore other than for the first time Rich addresses it - if he ever does. I'm way more bummed it came to an end more than who was right/wrong/whatever.
Man, I wish we were back in the days when this thread just alerted me to new episodes of Fart Court.
You would assume at least Lockhart might follow Rich to his new gig but for now just say what your captors tell you.
At 8am, they did a Stephen A Smith is Horny thing - but with a different Barry White song intro and no energy. It was kind of sad.
This is tough to listen to. Wallach, who I actually like, needs to be stuffed in the third chair with his mic turned off. RJ should be talking way more than Wallach.
I disagree, I thought it was fun, and most of those bits are just an excuse to use the production and Lockhart knocked it out of the park
I think those are possibly two sides of the same coin. *If* he spoke to him privately, it was because he couldn't do so publicly without risking his own job.
Did anyone catch the other shots that Fred took at Rich yesterday? It was something along the lines of you'd be surprised at people's real personalities on the show, not everyone is who you think they are (I'm paraphrasing). And then a short time later he said a line about how he really is a good person and it isn't always the people who feel the need to talk about how they give to charity (clearly talking about Rich) or do a kind act and then hold it over your head (Rich paying Lockheart).
We are likely going to have to deal with this for the next 2-3 months until they find a permanent 2nd chair. Fred is loving this though, and you can tell. He’s reinvigorated and now gets to fully steamroll over every topic and pound his chest in with his sports takes. He was in all his glory today making Wallach acknowledge repeatedly again how BB screwed up the free agency spree from a few years ago.
I think Fred is right when he said Rich should get out of sports talk and have said as much.
To me the nightmare situation for Rich is some program director sees a free agent sports talk Boston morning drive host that led the ratings and brings him in not knowing what made the Toucher and Rich show special and what makes Rich special. Fast forward a few months later and he's stuck with a cohost that thinks sports need to be taken seriously and/or he's expected to "stick to sports".
Fred seamlessly drifts between sincerity, schtick and sarcasm -- frequently in the same segment. Rich was a good partner for him because he recognized those shifts and could play off each of them. No one else on the show is that adept -- certainly not Wallach.