I agree. Fred and Rich are great together. I love Hardy but I wonder if he’s too sarcastic and similar to Fred for years on end.I completely agree that Fred is better equipped to lead the show but I think unless They find Someone to compliment Fred, like perhaps Hardy, it won’t hold a candle to the current show
Ugh. Fred talking about Music, SNL etc is the the worst. His pop culture is great but it needs to be limited. Fred in sports radio not taking it seriously is the best. It’s a perfect fit for him.I could see Rich walking away. I think he has a very clear internal compass about stuff like that. Fred without Rich (regardless of partner) is not somebody I’d listen to on sports radio. I’d probably subscribe to a hypothetical Fred Toucher music / pop culture podcast though.
Agree. Fred is much more the "on air" talent but Rich is unquestionably the one behind the scenes working like crazy to assemble bits, etc. Fred is the just show up and let it flow guy.Maybe it’s just me but it feels like Rich did an outsized amount the legwork to make the show work. He really seemed to have a passion and enthusiasm for it, coming in early and working long hours. Fred is going to need some help if Rich is out.
I generally agree but what was the last actual production Rich has done? They have almost zero produced bits. He does fart gathering, armpits etc but there’s nothing there outside of Fred running what Rich was sent on twitter.I find this very interesting. Can't imagine Fred taking a pay cut given how much he complains about his situation but it seems foolish that the station would sign him at his current rate and let Rich go. I can't imagine a new iteration of the show without Rich could get ratings to justify paying that kind of money.
I know a lot of people love Fred, but he's really worn on me over the years and I don't think I would continue to listen if Rich departs, especially if that could mean Wallach gets more airtime.
In my opinion, there’s no right horse. They need each other.I may be in the minority, but I think Beasley is betting on the wrong horse.
I'll buy that. Fred can't carry it alone without somebody doing all the hustle and grunt work behind the scenes that Rich does.In my opinion, there’s no right horse. They need each other.
That’s a good call. I really, really hope Rich signs an extension too. I just don’t think it’s going to happen.The only one I could see filling in the Rich seat long term with Fred is Hardy. He’s filled in before and has good chemistry with Fred, has a dry sense of humor, can produce bits and also brings knowledge of other things to table like knowledge of music — which Fred seems to love to talk about from time to time.
Otherwise, I just don’t see the show working long term if they decide to move Wallach in that chair or stick in some other generic talent. Just my two cents. Hope Rich still signs an extension.
Swear to god I was just thinking oh how miserable Keefe is right now. I wanted him to be third chair for such a long time.Fred, Keefe and RJ.
He’s also a bit more knowledgeable about sports writ large. But is he willing to be engaged and lead Celtics/Pats interviews without going crazy off course when he gets bored? That’s fine in current doses, but would get old if that’s all it is.I think Fred is the better on air talent and would be fine with Hardy or Keefe or someone else who has a decent sense of humor and isn’t stuck up
agreed. After leaving the Beatles, Paul had to resort to slicing deli meat.Neither is as good solo as they are together.
Yep. It’s truly going to bum me out if this is it for the duo. I can’t say that for many other media.Neither is as good solo as they are together.
I’m right there with you. Though I think it’s more likely that Rich isn’t comfortable with current offers or has just decided to walk away for reasons others have mentioned.I may be in the minority, but I think Beasley is betting on the wrong horse.
What’s the plan? Does Rich on his own really get enough from a podcast to make up the Beasley offer? Move to EEI?I’m right there with you. Though I think it’s more likely that Rich isn’t comfortable with current offers or has just decided to walk away for reasons others have mentioned.
Fred is the least reliable host on the station. For all of his creative gifts, he 100% needs the right show structure around him to be successful. I think Beasley is playing with fire here. Rich did the lion’s share of the work on the show and served everything up to Fred on a silver platter. No way Fred can competently lead a show without a lot of support. And I doubt Beasley will hire a like-for-like replacement for Rich.
I’m unabashedly #TeamRich but also recognize he won’t be the same without Fred. I do wish nothing but the best for Rich moving forward if T&R is over.
Hardy is the busiest person in radio. He does the mid day show in TSH, then does a show on 92.9 and then does multiple (?) shows on Sirius/XM. If he joined Fred, that would be a long ass day*.The only one I could see filling in the Rich seat long term with Fred is Hardy. He’s filled in before and has good chemistry with Fred, has a dry sense of humor, can produce bits and also brings knowledge of other things to table like knowledge of music — which Fred seems to love to talk about from time to time.
Otherwise, I just don’t see the show working long term if they decide to move Wallach in that chair or stick in some other generic talent. Just my two cents. Hope Rich still signs an extension.
Hardy often does twitter based interactions on his SXM shows. He posts a question and reads responses over the course of his shift, which I take to mean he's live or at least recording same day. I'm usually in the car if I hear his show so I don't ever look at his twitter to know if he's reading responses in real time. He well could be pre-recording his breaks, which might amount to less than an hour of work for a 4-5 hour shift.Hardy is the busiest person in radio. He does the mid day show in TSH, then does a show on 92.9 and then does multiple (?) shows on Sirius/XM. If he joined Fred, that would be a long ass day*.
* I have no idea how and when the Sirius/XM shows are recorded. He could do a week’s worth of chatter in one day AFAIK.
I hope that they give Fred a temporary secretary to help keep the show on track during the transition.agreed. After leaving the Beatles, Paul had to resort to slicing deli meat.
I forgot about that. I’m usually in my car too so I have no idea whether the tweets are live or if he dropped them earlier in the day.Hardy often does twitter based interactions on his SXM shows. He posts a question and reads responses over the course of his shift, which I take to mean he's live or at least recording same day. I'm usually in the car if I hear his show so I don't ever look at his twitter to know if he's reading responses in real time. He well could be pre-recording his breaks, which might amount to less than an hour of work for a 4-5 hour shift.
He appears on Kirk's show once a week - other than that, he's just doing the Mutstack!Man, the radio business sucks. Is Mut still grinding?