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

[8slim]

This is what I love about Fred the most.

For sure, and two days into a Rich-less show and he seems to be leaning into that hard. It just requires a co-host who can roll with it. Personally, I love Ryan and think he could handle it superbly. But he's clearly deferring to Wallach in this new alignment.

Wallach is terrible at it. Clumsily stepping on Fred constantly. It's astounding that after all these years on the show he doesn't have the feel about when to lay back and when to jump in. Even Rich fumbled with that occasionally because it's really difficult to pull off.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

For sure, and two days into a Rich-less show and he seems to be leaning into that hard. It just requires a co-host who can roll with it. Personally, I love Ryan and think he could handle it superbly. But he's clearly deferring to Wallach in this new alignment.

Wallach is terrible at it. Clumsily stepping on Fred constantly. It's astounding that after all these years on the show he doesn't have the feel about when to lay back and when to jump in. Even Rich fumbled with that occasionally because it's really difficult to pull off.

Hardy, Keefe and Arcand could all keep up with him and may be even better than Rich. Rich for the last few years laughed at his own jokes more than Jimmy Fallon and one of the issues yesterday Fred talked about was he'd just dig into arguments and basically put his fingers over his ears for segments at a time and make the same point over and over and over, just doubling and tripling down on stupid takes.

I love what Rich brought to the show, but a fresh voice may be a good thing. Hardy may drive Fred into the ground because Hardy's even more sarcastic than Fred and probably quicker on replies as well. There would absolutely be days were Hardy drives Fred into the ground.

 

[Andy Merchant]

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).

Fred took some subtle digs at Rich again today too. I wish he'd drop it and move on. He may get a taste of his own medicine if Rich feels the need to respond and get his side of the story out there.

 

[Granite Sox]

... one of the issues yesterday Fred talked about was he'd [Rich] just dig into arguments and basically put his fingers over his ears for segments at a time and make the same point over and over and over, just doubling and tripling down on stupid takes.

I agree that Rich did this on occasion, but Fred does this 2-3X more frequently. On that show, Fred was the king of returning to the hot take well.

 

[sezwho]

I agree that Rich did this on occasion, but Fred does this 2-3X more frequently. On that show, Fred was the king of returning to the hot take well.

Yeah, holy smokes that struck me as pot calling kettle black.

Its essentially impossible for me to separate on air personalities from whatever happens off mike, so who knows I guess.

The victors write the history books.

 

[Milktoast]

I can't believe Fred admitted on air to taking testosterone injections. That stuff will make you horny as a toad. Ribbit ribbit

 

[YuppieScum]

J Stew gives a heartfelt sendoff to Rich in his most recent wrestling pod. Rich made the connections when they had guests in that helped him follow that passion professionally it sounds like.

 

[Trapaholic]

Anytime there was a "sportz debate" on toucher and rich, it always seemed like Fred was more well versed because he is and has been a sports fan for a long time. Rich was not so much a sports guy but still had a decent understanding of the local teams. Fred obviously carried these conversations and Rich could not keep up.

It would be good for the show if they got someone who could go back and forth with Fred on the true sports discussions. Wallach simply does not have that club in his bag, so to speak.

 

[Rusty13]

Hardy may drive Fred into the ground because Hardy's even more sarcastic than Fred and probably quicker on replies as well. There would absolutely be days were Hardy drives Fred into the ground.

This actually sounds like great radio to me! I love the prospect of someone matching sarcastic wit and angst with Fred.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

This actually sounds like great radio to me! I love the prospect of someone matching sarcastic wit and angst with Fred.

I can't wait if it happens. Fred's Dead may not have the same theme after Fred got divorced and got sober, but Hardy can be ruthless which is awesome.

On the Keefe front, I love the #Dork Podcast when they're not talking Marvel, which I never got into. But if you want someone who can talk about pop culture, shows and all that, Keefe is a perfect fit.

Arcand is the outlier here. He was very good on T&R when he was filling in, but I'm not sure he's got the ability to deal with Fred without getting run over. I love Arcand, but if Keefe goes to T&R, I'd hope Arcand gets the evening slot if he wants it. The evening slot sucks on both stations due to other programming but he may want a chance to get his own show.

No Jim or Joe Murray, No Kirk.

 

[Hal Waffid]

Hi I'm a lurker and a Cs and Bs fan. This show got me through a lot of very very boring jobs where the internet was blocked. I could load it on my phone and I followed it closely and I basically loved it with all my heart, even as it got darker and weirder. This article is how I choose to remember it:

Revolution Radio

I know that back then and I think even more in other interviews with trade magazines Rich would say frequently how everyone on the show was genuinely friends and that's why everything was working so well, so at least at one point Rich was under the impression they were close friends (unless I'm misremembering what I read).

I'm trying to figure out when exactly things started to get so bad that Fred would end up claiming that he never really knew Rich. I know there was some tension around the time Fred volunteered Wallach to play clarinet at a BC game or something. Fred also got Adolfo so worked up that Adolfo wanted to fight him and eventually left the show. I think something similar happened on-air with Brrd a few years later about not waking Fred up when Fred was frequently missing the show opens.

Whenever it was, things were definitely done by the time Rich took everyone from the show to Guy Fieri's and to a Bruins game and didn't mention anything to Fred about it, which is amazingly passive-aggressive.

It's really kind of amazing they kept it together for almost 4 years after that.

I think it would be awesome if Rich hooked up with other Rich on EEI in the afternoons doing the same kind of thing T&R did and going against F&M. I know F&M get good ratings now but maybe there are people who want to listen to something entertaining and not antagonistic or insulting.

Fred and Hardy would also be really good in the morning. For people who like seeing Fred get wound up it might be even better because unlike Rich Hardy is not afraid of confrontation. I believe it's only a matter of time until Fred would lose his crap because Hardy dares question his golf game or something.

 

[Andy Merchant]

I vividly remember how choked up Fred got on-air when Mary's leukemia diagnosis went public. He certainly didn't seem like someone who didn't know Rich very well.

 

[Quiddity]

All this drama reminds me of the Opie and Anthony breakup (which may be fitting as didn't Toucher and Rich take their timeslot on BCN once it returned to doing local morning shows?). Lots of drama behind the scenes for years then things end pretty abruptly. In their case after Anthony was fired it became quite apparent than Opie wasn't that good without him and I think he was out of a job within 1 - 2 years. I could see the same with Fred

 

[HereComesthePizza]

Hi I'm a lurker and a Cs and Bs fan. This show got me through a lot of very very boring jobs where the internet was blocked. I could load it on my phone and I followed it closely and I basically loved it with all my heart, even as it got darker and weirder. This article is how I choose to remember it:

Revolution Radio

I know that back then and I think even more in other interviews with trade magazines Rich would say frequently how everyone on the show was genuinely friends and that's why everything was working so well, so at least at one point Rich was under the impression they were close friends (unless I'm misremembering what I read).

I'm trying to figure out when exactly things started to get so bad that Fred would end up claiming that he never really knew Rich. I know there was some tension around the time Fred volunteered Wallach to play clarinet at a BC game or something. Fred also got Adolfo so worked up that Adolfo wanted to fight him and eventually left the show. I think something similar happened on-air with Brrd a few years later about not waking Fred up when Fred was frequently missing the show opens.

Whenever it was, things were definitely done by the time Rich took everyone from the show to Guy Fieri's and to a Bruins game and didn't mention anything to Fred about it, which is amazingly passive-aggressive.

It's really kind of amazing they kept it together for almost 4 years after that.

I think it would be awesome if Rich hooked up with other Rich on EEI in the afternoons doing the same kind of thing T&R did and going against F&M. I know F&M get good ratings now but maybe there are people who want to listen to something entertaining and not antagonistic or insulting.

Fred and Hardy would also be really good in the morning. For people who like seeing Fred get wound up it might be even better because unlike Rich Hardy is not afraid of confrontation. I believe it's only a matter of time until Fred would lose his crap because Hardy dares question his golf game or something.

On X, Adolfo said he hasn’t spoken to Rich in 6 years but he still keeps in touch with Fred. He didn’t elaborate much beyond that.

https://x.com/AdolfoGonzalez/status/1723091690695602501?s=20

I hope they can find more guests to come in studio. Wonder what it would take to get Gorman to come in for a full hour?

 

[double4life]

Hi I'm a lurker and a Cs and Bs fan. This show got me through a lot of very very boring jobs where the internet was blocked. I could load it on my phone and I followed it closely and I basically loved it with all my heart, even as it got darker and weirder. This article is how I choose to remember it:

Revolution Radio

I know that back then and I think even more in other interviews with trade magazines Rich would say frequently how everyone on the show was genuinely friends and that's why everything was working so well, so at least at one point Rich was under the impression they were close friends (unless I'm misremembering what I read).

I'm trying to figure out when exactly things started to get so bad that Fred would end up claiming that he never really knew Rich. I know there was some tension around the time Fred volunteered Wallach to play clarinet at a BC game or something. Fred also got Adolfo so worked up that Adolfo wanted to fight him and eventually left the show. I think something similar happened on-air with Brrd a few years later about not waking Fred up when Fred was frequently missing the show opens.

Whenever it was, things were definitely done by the time Rich took everyone from the show to Guy Fieri's and to a Bruins game and didn't mention anything to Fred about it, which is amazingly passive-aggressive.

It's really kind of amazing they kept it together for almost 4 years after that.

I think it would be awesome if Rich hooked up with other Rich on EEI in the afternoons doing the same kind of thing T&R did and going against F&M. I know F&M get good ratings now but maybe there are people who want to listen to something entertaining and not antagonistic or insulting.

Fred and Hardy would also be really good in the morning. For people who like seeing Fred get wound up it might be even better because unlike Rich Hardy is not afraid of confrontation. I believe it's only a matter of time until Fred would lose his crap because Hardy dares question his golf game or something.

This post was the best I’ve read on here. Fully have my support man.

 

[sezwho]

Hi I'm a lurker and a Cs and Bs fan. This show got me through a lot of very very boring jobs where the internet was blocked. I could load it on my phone and I followed it closely and I basically loved it with all my heart, even as it got darker and weirder. This article is how I choose to remember it:

Revolution Radio

I know that back then and I think even more in other interviews with trade magazines Rich would say frequently how everyone on the show was genuinely friends and that's why everything was working so well, so at least at one point Rich was under the impression they were close friends (unless I'm misremembering what I read).

I'm trying to figure out when exactly things started to get so bad that Fred would end up claiming that he never really knew Rich. I know there was some tension around the time Fred volunteered Wallach to play clarinet at a BC game or something. Fred also got Adolfo so worked up that Adolfo wanted to fight him and eventually left the show. I think something similar happened on-air with Brrd a few years later about not waking Fred up when Fred was frequently missing the show opens.

Whenever it was, things were definitely done by the time Rich took everyone from the show to Guy Fieri's and to a Bruins game and didn't mention anything to Fred about it, which is amazingly passive-aggressive.

It's really kind of amazing they kept it together for almost 4 years after that.

I think it would be awesome if Rich hooked up with other Rich on EEI in the afternoons doing the same kind of thing T&R did and going against F&M. I know F&M get good ratings now but maybe there are people who want to listen to something entertaining and not antagonistic or insulting.

Fred and Hardy would also be really good in the morning. For people who like seeing Fred get wound up it might be even better because unlike Rich Hardy is not afraid of confrontation. I believe it's only a matter of time until Fred would lose his crap because Hardy dares question his golf game or something.

Agree this is very well stated.

Also think Hardy is the one most capable of properly yanking Fred’s chain, assuming he would tolerate it. Someone has to have the chops to produce bits though, as it completes the picture for a morning drive ‘sports talk’ show that often doesn’t talk sports.

 

[dirtynine]

It’s not just going toe-to-toe with Fred (which is definitely part of the gig). Rich was also the straight man, and the provider of optimism / exuberance/ silliness / absurdity / irrepressibility - all things Fred requires to exist so he can play off them. There needs to be some buoyancy to equalize with his cynicism - something he can play around with or tear down. Hopefully they find that or a new chemistry that makes it work - otherwise I fear the overall vibe won’t be very fun.

 

[The Napkin]

we're really going to miss Brookline 911....

Brookline Town Meeting members late Tuesday voted for a re-zoning plan so sweeping that several called it a “generational change,” opening up the town’s commercial districts to significantly more apartment and condo construction near its public transit stops.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/15/metro/brookline-overwhelmingly-accepts-plan-rezone-its-major-commercial-corridor-allow-multifamily-housing/

 

[sezwho]

we're really going to miss Brookline 911....

Brookline Town Meeting members late Tuesday voted for a re-zoning plan so sweeping that several called it a “generational change,” opening up the town’s commercial districts to significantly more apartment and condo construction near its public transit stops.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/15/metro/brookline-overwhelmingly-accepts-plan-rezone-its-major-commercial-corridor-allow-multifamily-housing/

The horror…the horror.

Edit- that was meant for the poor suffering residents of Brookline as well as we listeners that lost a 5 star comic opportunity.

 

[Haunted]

All this drama reminds me of the Opie and Anthony breakup (which may be fitting as didn't Toucher and Rich take their timeslot on BCN once it returned to doing local morning shows?). Lots of drama behind the scenes for years then things end pretty abruptly. In their case after Anthony was fired it became quite apparent than Opie wasn't that good without him and I think he was out of a job within 1 - 2 years. I could see the same with Fred

I had the same thought, in that two guys who work so well together just... can't really stand each other when the mics are off. Also, Opie was fired for some super obvious company violations that even his cohosts Jim and Sam said they thought he was trying to get fired.



I do hope Rich goes away from sports. He said himself he was sick about the move to sports when BCN dissolved. Maybe he'd be happier doing non-sports stuff? The guy is brilliant at radio. He'll find a home.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

As this thread nears it's logical conclusion, I have to say that while I'm disappointed, the show seemed to be running out of steam for the last year and I've found myself listening less and less because it was the same shit over and over.

I can see why Beasley kept Fred, forget about the background drama that none of us will ever fully know, but the show was always better when Fred was a part of it, when Fred was out or off for an extended period of time Rich just wasn't able to carry the show for more than a few days before it became... tell us about a time when you pooped your pants, lines open at 617....

And I say that as a HUGE Rich fan and with the realization of all he brought to the show and how he was able to play off Fred. I truly hope he joins a show and team that I find entertaining or becomes the next Matty in the Morning as Fred joked about.

I think Fred is a bit shellshocked, especially last Friday when he realized the show was done done and playing into his narcissism for the sake of the show trying to keep things afloat. I hope they find an answer soon though because it's going to get old quick if it's just Fred riffing. I like Wallach but he's painful in the second chair and acts like he's above the 3rd chair folks. Hopefully they choose someone like Hardy that can handle Fred and won't just roll over for him just thankful that they got the job.

 

[Hal Waffid]

Thanks double4life and sezwho, I really appreciate the kind words!

I vividly remember how choked up Fred got on-air when Mary's leukemia diagnosis went public. He certainly didn't seem like someone who didn't know Rich very well.

I know, man. That was intense. If you've seen a guy go through that kind of hell, you know that guy whether you think you do or not.

My best guess on what Fred means by "I never knew him" is this: at some point Rich just decided on his own that he didn't really like Fred, and I think this happened a long time before the pandemic. Instead of calling Fred and telling him "Fred, I am no longer your friend." which is not something anyone I know would have the stomach for, Rich sort of just ghosted out of his life. I imagine there were times Fred reached out for support or just some garden-variety QT and Rich was just like "nah man you do you".

I'm thinking that one day it becomes really clear to Fred that he and Rich have nothing resembling friendship, but for many reasons Fred doesn't remember exactly when or how things transitioned and doesn't remember with any clarity how close they used to be since at this point it was really a long time ago, and wonders if they were ever really friends in the first place. My guess it was probably the day after that Bruins get-together 4 years ago.

That's my fan-fic version of how things went.

It's also totally plausible to me that Rich can be a super weird guy at times and regular folks don't know what to make of him when he's not "on". Like he would have to have an insane level of concentration to dream something up at the level of detail that he does and then go wrestle with the DAWs until they spit out the exact thing. I can imagine him getting into "computer mode" in situations that really don't call for it and putting people off. It's similar to how the younger successful lawyers I've been around in social situations can get into litigator mode in normal conversations and I'm just like "god I can't talk to you anymore".

On X, Adolfo said he hasn’t spoken to Rich in 6 years but he still keeps in touch with Fred. He didn’t elaborate much beyond that.

https://x.com/AdolfoGonzalez/status/1723091690695602501?s=20

That is disappointing. Rich was effectively that guy's adoptive father for 10 years.

 

[Andy Merchant]

Yeah, that Adolfo tweet is a bummer. Not talking to Rich in years after reaching out a few times is hard to believe considering how close it seemed like they were. Maybe Rich is just an extreme introvert and struggles to keep in touch with people. Unfortunately, I've been known to do that myself.

 

[Trapaholic]

I think we have all had a few friends in our life like Fred - a damn good hang out, frustrating at times with his attitude, and maybe a blow up here and there. Never a dull moment and funny as hell.

 

[NDame616]

I always thought it was odd how T&R didn't appear to be friendly off air. You hear all the other shows on TSH talk about being friendly off air. Maybe not hang out together, but a ton you hear Beetle say "OH MY GOD I TEXTED YOU THAT TIK TOK THAT I SAW AND I KNEW YOU'D LOVE IT" to Hardy/Zo and Mazz saying "Mike as soon as I saw that I sent you an email because I knew you'd find it funny" etc. Never heard that on T&R

 

[Hal Waffid]

As this thread nears it's logical conclusion, I have to say that while I'm disappointed, the show seemed to be running out of steam for the last year and I've found myself listening less and less because it was the same shit over and over.

I can see why Beasley kept Fred, forget about the background drama that none of us will ever fully know, but the show was always better when Fred was a part of it, when Fred was out or off for an extended period of time Rich just wasn't able to carry the show for more than a few days before it became... tell us about a time when you pooped your pants, lines open at 617....

And I say that as a HUGE Rich fan and with the realization of all he brought to the show and how he was able to play off Fred. I truly hope he joins a show and team that I find entertaining or becomes the next Matty in the Morning as Fred joked about.

I think Fred is a bit shellshocked, especially last Friday when he realized the show was done done and playing into his narcissism for the sake of the show trying to keep things afloat. I hope they find an answer soon though because it's going to get old quick if it's just Fred riffing. I like Wallach but he's painful in the second chair and acts like he's above the 3rd chair folks. Hopefully they choose someone like Hardy that can handle Fred and won't just roll over for him just thankful that they got the job.

Thanks so much for starting this thread and sticking around! It could be the official narrative history of the show at this point - Even Fred himself posted in it (accusing VamanosPests of being Nick Gemelli, of all things). If anyone here wants to know what Rich was really about for all these years you should read the first 40 or so pages of this thread and see all the "OMG Rich is a genius!" sprinkled throughout. Chad Finn could make a book out of it and hopefully give you and the SOSH admins a cut.

My post-mortem assessment is that the show really got its legs with "shazowie's" and probably hit its absolute peak for 98 mile 1. That was an event. It was still going strong when they were laser-focused on ruining D&C's lives and it was still good when they were feuding with Minihane. Speaking for myself, that time felt like "us", meaning goofy wiseguys who just want to have a good time, against "them", meaning mean spirited jerks who argue in bad faith and who are only happy when they're making other people unhappy.

I didn't want to admit this at the time, but I think things kind of started to slide around the time they finished off Minihane for good and didn't have a common "enemy" to unite against. Ending the show at the 10th anniversary or maybe a year or two after probably would have been the best way to avoid any hard feelings and go out on top creativity-wise or possibly find a job in a market or timeslot they prefer. The obvious counterpoint to this would be that my all time favorite bit of theirs was Brookline 911 and I think that came after the 10th anniversary. By the time it got to last year, to me it was more than just out of steam; there were times when I was actually in a worse mood after listening to the show (I routinely listened to all 4 hours).

Do you think Rich was asking them to choose between them and they chose Fred? If that were the case I would have picked Rich, because at the very least you know where he's going to be Monday morning.

You probably know better than I do, but I think Beasley stuck with Fred only because Fred was willing to sign. My opinion is that Rich probably made up his mind long before the negotiations started and he wasn't coming back at all if he could find work elsewhere, which I'm sure he already has and that's why things were going so smoothly for the past few months.

I agree with you and in my opinion Fred should definitely be shellshocked because I think he is too irresponsible to run a show that big on his own. He compared himself to Stern from time to time but Stern is the boss of a major media empire he built around his on-air skills. When he's on, Fred has comparable on-air skills but I don't think he can deal with business administration for like a single second.

Maybe your next thread can be "Fred Toucher has some work to do" because that's true in more ways than one.

Yeah, that Adolfo tweet is a bummer. Not talking to Rich in years after reaching out a few times is hard to believe considering how close it seemed like they were. Maybe Rich is just an extreme introvert and struggles to keep in touch with people. Unfortunately, I've been known to do that myself.

You know, let's start calling people we haven't talked to in awhile and see where that ends up. I sincerely hope there's not someone like Adolfo in my life wondering why I haven't called. Maybe Adolfo did something to piss Rich off and Rich ghosted him too.

Also...Chad Finn said Rich seems to have an issue with him so he's put out by Rich's weirdness too. If Rich wants to stay in the NE market I don't think he should be alienating the biggest name in the field of "reporting on you". That's self-sabotage and self-sabotage is Fred's job.

 

[getoffmylawn]

Is there a doctor in this thread that can advise Fred on how to reduce the swelling of his ego now that they fired Rich and kept him (AKA "the right guy")?

 

[HomeBrew1901]

This segment with Kendra is painful can’t believe I want more Dan Lifshatz

 

[hube]

She’s not good.

 

[shaggydog2000]

I always thought it was odd how T&R didn't appear to be friendly off air. You hear all the other shows on TSH talk about being friendly off air. Maybe not hang out together, but a ton you hear Beetle say "OH MY GOD I TEXTED YOU THAT TIK TOK THAT I SAW AND I KNEW YOU'D LOVE IT" to Hardy/Zo and Mazz saying "Mike as soon as I saw that I sent you an email because I knew you'd find it funny" etc. Never heard that on T&R

In the BCN days they talked about hanging out and drinking together on a pretty regular basis. It sounded like they were pretty good friends. But family stuff, serious cancer treatments, etc cuts down on that sort of free time. I don't know if they were never as close as it sounded, or if they drifted apart, but I don't think we have a real need to know all the inside dirt. It was fun while it lasted, which was a long time for a radio show.

 

[Patriot_Reign]

Someone has to have the chops to produce bits though

He isn't as prolific but Hardy has produced bits for B&Z and F&M for years.
His Halloween monster mashs are amazing.

 

[Rusty13]

He isn't as prolific but Hardy has produced bits for B&Z and F&M for years.
His Halloween monster mashs are amazing.

Just spit firing here. But my ideal fantasy booking scenario going forward:

-- Hardy becomes the permanent second chair
-- Move Wallach over to being the Flash guy for Zo & Bertrand.
-- Ryan Johnston becomes the permanent Flash guy for Toucher & Hardy.

Hardy seems like the ideal choice. He can produce his own bits and as many have alluded to: he seems like he could hang with Fred's wit and outbursts. Meanwhile, I've heard enough from RJ now that I feel like he flows better with Fred and brings a little something more to the table with his hockey and politics knowledge. He's younger. And Fred clearly likes him. Give Wallach a few more bucks to soften the "blow". He must be tired at this point in his career of getting up so early anyway, and the C's radio dream gig is gone. Pivoting to a permanent midday show seems more ideal. He also used to do the first hour of flashes with Zo & Bertrand, so there is some rapport there.

 

[getoffmylawn]

I'm curious what the last Rich-produced piece was on T&R. The last thing I can think of that was produced by someone was the List Time segment, but I think that was Lockhart.

What I'm trying to say is how much of Rich's production talent has he brought to the show in recent history? Maybe since his attitude soured on the show, he hasn't been doing any production. Thus he's been mentally "off" the show for much longer than the week he's been physically off. At that rate, have we really missed him as much as we think we will in the future?

 

[Patriot_Reign]

Just spit firing here. But my ideal fantasy booking scenario going forward:

-- Hardy becomes the permanent second chair
-- Move Wallach over to being the Flash guy for Zo & Bertrand.
-- Ryan Johnston becomes the permanent Flash guy for Toucher & Hardy.

Hardy seems like the ideal choice. He can produce his own bits and as many have alluded to: he seems like he could hang with Fred's wit and outbursts. Meanwhile, I've heard enough from RJ now that I feel like he flows better with Fred and brings a little something more to the table with his hockey and politics knowledge. He's younger. And Fred clearly likes him. Give Wallach a few more bucks to soften the "blow". He must be tired at this point in his career of getting up so early anyway, and the C's radio dream gig is gone. Pivoting to a permanent midday show seems more ideal. He also used to do the first hour of flashes with Zo & Bertrand, so there is some rapport there.

That would be the perfect lineup for the morning show but a huge loss for the midday.
The most equitable fix, imo is to move Hardy down to mornings and RJ replaces him. RJ is best suited to match Hardy's quick wit so it's almost a parallel move.

I don't hate on him, but if we're being honest Wallach is kind of an odd fit anywhere. He's fine reading off scores or the latest news during the sports flash ad breaks but as a contributing host he's pretty average.

 

[PhantomPooper]

I'm curious what the last Rich-produced piece was on T&R. The last thing I can think of that was produced by someone was the List Time segment, but I think that was Lockhart.

What I'm trying to say is how much of Rich's production talent has he brought to the show in recent history? Maybe since his attitude soured on the show, he hasn't been doing any production. Thus he's been mentally "off" the show for much longer than the week he's been physically off. At that rate, have we really missed him as much as we think we will in the future?

“That, detective, is the right question”

 

[Rusty13]

That would be the perfect lineup for the morning show but a huge loss for the midday.
The most equitable fix, imo is to move Hardy down to mornings and RJ replaces him. RJ is best suited to match Hardy's quick wit so it's almost a parallel move.

I don't hate on him, but if we're being honest Wallach is kind of an odd fit anywhere. He's fine reading off scores or the latest news during the sports flash ad breaks but as a contributing host he's pretty average.

Yeah, admittedly, this was “selfish” fantasy booking on my part, as I really don’t listen to anything else on TSH anymore but for T&R.

 

[4 6 3 DP]

I don't think the Wallach family would consider him average as a contributor. He's terrible. Can't finish a sentence around the guy without interruption.

His value is he shows up early and can read. Honestly an AI computerized reader would provide the same service at less cost.

 

[Sille Skrub]

Jim Murray passes on being Rich's replacement.

Thank goodness

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Jim Murray passes on being Rich's replacement.

Thank goodness

Can't imagine Murray wants to work those hours when he is already on afternoon drive.

 

[sezwho]

Can't imagine Murray wants to work those hours when he is already on afternoon drive.

The article seems to imply there was a fair bit more money in the new position. Perhaps you wouldn’t need to work both…or maybe you’re just saying why get up at four in the morning if you already have a job anyway?

 

[JCizzle]

Y'all are more charitable than me. I assumed it was like me putting out a release that I'm not interested in being the starting QB for the Pats. Please don't call, Bill, it's not money - I'm just happy where I'm at!

 

[gryoung]

Fred would have internet tough guy Murray in tears after a few sessions.

 

[kenneycb]

The old "take my hat out of the ring before they can even ask if I'm interested". College football coaches are great at this.

 

[Rusty13]

The segment today about the backlash against Charissa Thompson's statements was Fred at his best -- pushing back against the popular, safe hot takes that are out there on a given issue. And making Wallach and Roche scream and yell in awkward fashion while trying to defend their positions haha. Good stuff, regardless if you agree or disagree with him.

 

[Commander Shears]

The segment today about the backlash against Charissa Thompson's statements was Fred at his best -- pushing back against the popular, safe hot takes that are out there on a given issue. And making Wallach and Roche scream and yell in awkward fashion while trying to defend their positions haha. Good stuff, regardless if you agree or disagree with him.

That was good, but it was Fred at less than his best a few minutes later when Roache did a goofy sideline report of something Wallach did and Fred didn't even hear it because he was looking at Instagram on his phone.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

My favorite moment was when Fred got sick of Wallach interrupting and “jokingly” put him on notice that RJ may displace him on Freddy and the Automatics in January.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Fred discusses the Murray article.
View: https://youtu.be/Lj0OaMQEbbA

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I’d kill to have a job 6-10am. That’s my dream in life. There was a point I worked 7-3 (in Boston) and it was awesome. I would have done 6-2 if they let me.

That god Miserable Jim Murray isn’t going to be in it.

 

[Rusty13]

My favorite moment was when Fred got sick of Wallach interrupting and “jokingly” put him on notice that RJ may displace him on Freddy and the Automatics in January.

Woah. I missed this! (Hope it happens.)

 

[NDame616]

They're not actually thinking about Roche for the spot are they?