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

Haunted

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It was in response to Kirk saying essentially hockey talk is a radio ratings killer and that's why they (K&C) don't do it. And partially in response to Dale saying there's two people in town who actually can talk hockey (himself and Felger) and everyone else fakes it.
Dale has forgotten the fact that the only place to hear any hockey talk at all while the Bruins were on their Cup runs in 2011 and 2013(?) was the other station?


Even Felger doesn’t do it though. They’re still too busy beating Patriots talk to death. Sure, he’ll do an obligatory minute or two here and there, but that’s about it.
And this is exactly why I've checked out almost completely.
 

Senator Donut

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Dale has forgotten the fact that the only place to hear any hockey talk at all while the Bruins were on their Cup runs in 2011 and 2013(?) was the other station?
I'm sure he does, because Arnold was demoted in early 2011 and didn't return to the air full time until 2014.
 

HomeBrew1901

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As much as I enjoy some of Fred's rants, his act is kind of wearing a little thin on me lately. This morning he was still ranting about the log ons while going after Arcand for watching the Puppet show at his desk. On one hand, I get it because I hate when people use my desk and fuck with my stuff... at the same time it rubbed me the wrong way witht he "Do I know you" schtick.
 

shaggydog2000

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As much as I enjoy some of Fred's rants, his act is kind of wearing a little thin on me lately. This morning he was still ranting about the log ons while going after Arcand for watching the Puppet show at his desk. On one hand, I get it because I hate when people use my desk and fuck with my stuff... at the same time it rubbed me the wrong way witht he "Do I know you" schtick.
Both Fred and Rich are much worse without the other. The balance with both of them can be great, but without someone to lighten up Fred's rants, and without someone to lend direction to Rich, they are not a good listen.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Both Fred and Rich are much worse without the other. The balance with both of them can be great, but without someone to lighten up Fred's rants, and without someone to lend direction to Rich, they are not a good listen.
I disagree and think Hardy can work with either. Rich on his own is really weak.
 

yep

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It was in response to Kirk saying essentially hockey talk is a radio ratings killer and that's why they (K&C) don't do it. And partially in response to Dale saying there's two people in town who actually can talk hockey (himself and Felger) and everyone else fakes it.
Hockey talk is definitely a ratings-killer when the people talking don't watch or care about hockey, and don't know anything about it.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Wow. This show is unlistenable when one of the guys isn't there!

Regardless of who's there, NO MORE ROCK N ROLL MIKE!! Oh my god the guy adds nothing to the show!
 

yep

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...Regardless of who's there, NO MORE ROCK N ROLL MIKE!! Oh my god the guy adds nothing to the show!
Yeah.

I've been thinking about something mentioned upthread. I think Adolfo's departure has had a significant impact on the "morning zoo" aspects of the show. As terrible as he might have been at his essential job duties, Adolfo was a first-rate magnet for weirdos. Like, his ability to get audio from the creepy guy in the fens lusting after John Dennis, or to really catch a live one for Ask a Pink Hat, Drunken Re-cap, What's in Your Stack, or even just his own family stuff and the weirdness of his daily routines... Adolfo was a big part of that thread that ran through Chili Guy and Faster Guy and the whole kind of tweaked, 1990's "underground Boston" vibe of the show.

Neither Intern Nick nor Bird bring anything like that. And Fred and Rich are both middle-aged family guys, as well as local semi-celebrities. They are not wandering around the city getting sucked into conversations with homeless people, building rapport with the after-hours crowd, or any of that kind of stuff. The "local color" aspects of the show have become townies and gimmicks, Everett bros and Rock N Roll Mike type stuff.

Adolfo stuff was hit or miss, but sometimes it was hilarious, and it brought some real personality to the show.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Yeah.

I've been thinking about something mentioned upthread. I think Adolfo's departure has had a significant impact on the "morning zoo" aspects of the show. As terrible as he might have been at his essential job duties, Adolfo was a first-rate magnet for weirdos. Like, his ability to get audio from the creepy guy in the fens lusting after John Dennis, or to really catch a live one for Ask a Pink Hat, Drunken Re-cap, What's in Your Stack, or even just his own family stuff and the weirdness of his daily routines... Adolfo was a big part of that thread that ran through Chili Guy and Faster Guy and the whole kind of tweaked, 1990's "underground Boston" vibe of the show.

Neither Intern Nick nor Bird bring anything like that. And Fred and Rich are both middle-aged family guys, as well as local semi-celebrities. They are not wandering around the city getting sucked into conversations with homeless people, building rapport with the after-hours crowd, or any of that kind of stuff. The "local color" aspects of the show have become townies and gimmicks, Everett bros and Rock N Roll Mike type stuff.

Adolfo stuff was hit or miss, but sometimes it was hilarious, and it brought some real personality to the show.
Adolfo was fantastic on getting street audio as you said. Nick & Bird can't do that. The problem with Adolfo wasn't him, it was they over exposed him and made him a bit too often and made him do things he couldn't do well. I think they've realized this with the new interns.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Adolfo was fantastic on getting street audio as you said. Nick & Bird can't do that. The problem with Adolfo wasn't him, it was they over exposed him and made him a bit too often and made him do things he couldn't do well. I think they've realized this with the new interns.
I'm not too sure about that, they seem to get Bird on at a nauseating pace. He is just ear poison! Probably my least favorite part of the show ever.
 

VamonosPests54

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I think there was a lot of behind the scene issues with Adolfo. Not sure what they are, but I remember a huge blow out on the air a few months before he left. Lots of run-ins with management too. I mean, did you hear Adolfo when he came back a few months ago? Brutal.

Bird is fine in very small doses. They use him too much. Nick has been good recording street audio and finding characters, but I think he's more of an actual behind the scenes Producer rather than a show "character". Also, Adolfo was full time and was able to go out and get audio on a regular basis. Nick and Bird are part time and both have jobs outside of T&R (Well, Nick has a job. Bird works security at Fenway Park). It should be a FT position - Work the show in the morning then record during the day/night.

Also, T&R beat the crap out of Rock & Roll Mike - Totally ruined him. Guy from Machine is great, especially when he was shitting on K&C's Producer (dog collar photo)
 

VamonosPests54

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That being said, You can't replace someone like Adolfo. The guys recognized that. Overall the show has improved in the past 4 months besides a few misses. T&R hit a huge wall early last year (around the initial Entercom/CBS Radio announcement in January/February) and the show was stuck in a slump for a while. The merger definitely affected them. It also could be this hyper sensitive PC culture we're living in. Regardless, it's gotten better.
 

JCizzle

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I think there was a lot of behind the scene issues with Adolfo. Not sure what they are, but I remember a huge blow out on the air a few months before he left. Lots of run-ins with management too. I mean, did you hear Adolfo when he came back a few months ago? Brutal.

Bird is fine in very small doses. They use him too much. Nick has been good recording street audio and finding characters, but I think he's more of an actual behind the scenes Producer rather than a show "character". Also, Adolfo was full time and was able to go out and get audio on a regular basis. Nick and Bird are part time and both have jobs outside of T&R (Well, Nick has a job. Bird works security at Fenway Park). It should be a FT position - Work the show in the morning then record during the day/night.

Also, T&R beat the crap out of Rock & Roll Mike - Totally ruined him. Guy from Machine is great, especially when he was shitting on K&C's Producer (dog collar photo)
I kinda like Bird in doses too. I don't mind the Everett stuff as much as some on here, but can admit they might go to that well too often. I also think it's hilarious when they point out how red he gets. To each their own with him though, i can certainly see the argument against. I get the impression Nick works hard overall and is trying to break through somehow - it's hard to knock a guy with some drive.

Good point about the position being part time. I have no idea how the industry works, but it seems kinda ridiculous they cant carry that position as FT, especially considering how popular the show is.
 

HomeBrew1901

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As much as I enjoy some of Fred's rants, his act is kind of wearing a little thin on me lately. This morning he was still ranting about the log ons while going after Arcand for watching the Puppet show at his desk. On one hand, I get it because I hate when people use my desk and fuck with my stuff... at the same time it rubbed me the wrong way witht he "Do I know you" schtick.
Hardy is fantastic on this show, the new bit "What's My Name Fred?" is awesome. I almost spit out my coffee when the background music started Do You Remember Me?

I love that they are poking fun at Fred and he's going along with it because it's an awesome bit

Edit: For anyone that missed it, they are playing sound clips from part timers on The Sports Hub from past and present to see if Fred could remember who their names.
 
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NortheasternPJ

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Hardy's great at producing bits. He's just as talented as Rich is. I know others here don't like him but I think he adds a ton to the show, as he does in middays.

I'm surprised he's not a full time host instead of 3rd chair.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Took a look at the downloadable version of the show before I left for work. Saw 2 Rock n roll Mike segments... declined to download. Christ, enough of this guy!
 

NortheasternPJ

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Hasn't Rock N' Roll Mike been on the show for about a total of 90 seconds in the last two weeks? He sang Hot Balls for 60 seconds, then another time he called up and they hung up on him immediately. I haven't listened to every minute, but he seems to be barely on.
 

VamonosPests54

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It's kind of sad that Wallach who is the 3rd chair isn't moved up to #2 host when Rich or Fred are gone.

Wallach has grown on me the last few years so he doesn't bother me but he brings nothing to the show.
Good point, but who would be in the 3rd chair? I wish Keefe was still at the Hub - He would be a no brainer. Letting him go to WEEI is one of, if not, the biggest mistake Hub has ever made.

I guess you could put in Marshall Hook or even Lockhart. No Sarge... for the love of god.
 

HomeBrew1901

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Good point, but who would be in the 3rd chair? I wish Keefe was still at the Hub - He would be a no brainer. Letting him go to WEEI is one of, if not, the biggest mistake Hub has ever made.

I guess you could put in Marshall Hook or even Lockhart. No Sarge... for the love of god.
I meant it's kind of pathetic that this many years in the business and he's not even good enough to be the back up co host so they need to bring in Jones, Roache, etc...

Dump him and bring in one of the newer or part time guys that could use a little more air time and ease them into the show.
 

hube

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Do they even have a good bench at this point?

Mike Flynn is fine if he's only talking about football, he's otherwise terrible. Marshall Hook is a hot-take dumpster fire. Jim Murray is the worst personality on TSH by a mile. Actually, that might be Sarge. Ryan Johnston is sleep-inducing no matter the subject. Lockhart is fine. Hardy is good-to-great depending on who he's with (he's been on with Rich before without Fred and it's been really entertaining radio).

I actually think Jones has been listenable on the morning show lately - not good, necessarily, but listenable. I can't stand him at night but he seems less prone to the Felger-lite takes with T or R and more easygoing.
 

Haunted

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I actually think Jones has been listenable on the morning show lately - not good, necessarily, but listenable. I can't stand him at night but he seems less prone to the Felger-lite takes with T or R and more easygoing.
Adam Jones is usually an instant-change for me, but hearing Rich make fun of him for being a vulture and just going all negative all the time has been kind of funny.
 

Rusty13

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Adam Jones is usually an instant-change for me, but hearing Rich make fun of him for being a vulture and just going all negative all the time has been kind of funny.
Jones has actually been more listenable and "likable" during his fill-ins on T&R over the past couple of weeks. That's probably, in part, due to him taking a back seat to the show's bits/format and topics, but he's adapted fairly well. Either way it's been a huge upgrade from the usual Johnston and Flynn fill-in, which is usually awful and boring radio.
 

NDame616

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Flynn is fine when it's football "guy talk" (beer, bitching about the wife etc). His problem is word vomit. He just spews out words (and usually a lot of them) without any train of thought. A year ago, the weekend after the Sale trade he started going on about how you don't know what Moncada will end up (well, duh) and in 30 seconds he was laying out every possible scenario that can happen to any prospect..."maybe he gets married and gets fat and happy and doesn't play anymore. Maybe he gets busted for drugs. Maybe he breaks his hand in a bar fight and is never the same..."

The thing I loathe about Jones is his "BE CONSISTANT!!! schtick. Like every scenerio in every sport HAS to be the same.
"Well if you don't want the Celtics to trade Tatum then you can't want the Sox to trade Groome. BE CONSISTENT THAT'S ALL I ASK!!!!:
"I mean you can't say that the Patriots ownership does a good job at staying successful and the Red Sox don't. BE CONSISTENT THAT'S IT!!!"
 

JCizzle

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Depressed Dick Flavin and Dominatrix Dan Roche were some of the best things I've heard in awhile
 

HomeBrew1901

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Holy shit, Yoda Ray Lewis and all that stuff with Odell Beckham had me crying I was laughing so hard in my car. That's the first time I've sat in my car in the parking lot waiting for anyone to finish a segment for at least 10 years.

When these guys are on they kill it.
 

NDame616

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Some buddies of mine were saying there was a big back and forth between Fred and Bird today? And it was brought up again and Rich said he didn't want to replay it (not sure if they did).

What happened?
 

Riconway3155

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Not sure, but I went to the podcast page earlier and it had today's hour one with something about Fred being mad at Bird, but when you clicked play nothing happened. I just refreshed the page and hour one is missing.

Edit: Well now on Fred's Instagram there is a picture of Bird hugging him with the caption "Best buddies", so I guess it has blown over.
 
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The Napkin

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I missed whatever happened but they kissed and made up at the end of the show, both got on mics and apologized and said no worries, etc.
 

BS_SoxFan

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It was pretty brutal and made Fred look like a huge diva. He has apparently been late a few times recently and caught some heat from management over it, so he makes whichever of Nick/Bird is working that day call him to make sure he is awake. I'm not sure if he was late today (I missed the beginning), or if he was just mad in principle, but Bird didn't call him and he yelled at him and Bird flipped out at him saying he's a grown man with a wife and family who should be able to wake himself up. Fred got unnecessarily personal with it and even essentially fired Bird at one point. Rich and Wallach seemed pretty uncomfortable with the whole thing and Fred looked like a real dick IMO.
 

The Napkin

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Holy crap, seriously? Good for Bird for sticking up for himself and calling him about it. That's ridiculous.
 

NortheasternPJ

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It was horrible radio, I turned it off. Fred wasn't being funny or whatever, he was just being an asshole. Bird's a moron but that was completely unnecessary. I thought Fred was going to fire Bird at any moment.
 

HomeBrew1901

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Holy crap, seriously? Good for Bird for sticking up for himself and calling him about it. That's ridiculous.
Not a fan of the Bird, but there is no reason a grown man should have to take shit from Fredle because he can't wake his ass up and get to work on time. It's not like they just started doing their show in the morning.
 

JCizzle

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Not a fan of the Bird, but there is no reason a grown man should have to take shit from Fredle because he can't wake his ass up and get to work on time. It's not like they just started doing their show in the morning.
I don't really get Fred's schtick with being a tough boss on air. As you pointed out, he used to do the same thing to Adolfo too. I'm sure most people have had a boss like that sometime in their lives and fucking hated them, it's not an endearing bit. I'd be shocked if he acted this way behind the scenes, he seems like a pretty chill dude. He normally has a good feel for what works and what doesn't, but he's wrong with this one.
 

HomeBrew1901

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I don't really get Fred's schtick with being a tough boss on air. As you pointed out, he used to do the same thing to Adolfo too. I'm sure most people have had a boss like that sometime in their lives and fucking hated them, it's not an endearing bit. I'd be shocked if he acted this way behind the scenes, he seems like a pretty chill dude. He normally has a good feel for what works and what doesn't, but he's wrong with this one.
I have no way of knowing this, but I get the sense that behind the scenes he's likely a miserable prick and an introvert with an inflated sense of ego.

I could be wrong, he could be an amazing guy that is not a morning person and snaps on occasion, but I don't hear about him being on NBC Sports or doing any other major gigs outside of the show like most of the talent on 98.5 and WEEI
 

NortheasternPJ

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I have no way of knowing this, but I get the sense that behind the scenes he's likely a miserable prick and an introvert with an inflated sense of ego.

I could be wrong, he could be an amazing guy that is not a morning person and snaps on occasion, but I don't hear about him being on NBC Sports or doing any other major gigs outside of the show like most of the talent on 98.5 and WEEI
He was doing NBC Sports (or CSN-NE at that time) and hated going to Burlington. I think he's just into going to work and getting out after show prep etc.

I think Fred was a giant prick today, but honestly if I worked with Bird anywhere I'd lose my shit too. He can't do even the basics of the job. Fred even said that they didn't find him, someone told them to hire him.

I won Pats tickets last year and he couldn't answer the phone, I had to literally tell him what to do after never winning anything before. He didn't even say hi when he answered the phone he just picked it up, after saying "Hello" he said "Hi" I asked if this was the Sports Hub, he was like "oh yeah, it is, hello". I had to then ask him if I won the tickets, which he then confirmed.

"Do you need my information" "oh yah good idea"

"When should I pick up the tickets?" "What do you mean?, oh tomorrow"

"What's the address?" "To where?" "To pick up the tickets"
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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I don't listen to T&R all that much any more because I don't have a commute, but the thing that I used to hate about morning shows is the "wacky all-star zoo crew" that permeates this medium. It started off with Stern and his Whack Pack and it seems that every morning show needs to have a bunch of barely literate, barely breathing set of mouth breathers to rag on.

They aren't funny. They aren't interesting. They bring zero to the table in terms of stories or entertainment. I don't know why every morning show needs a High Pitch Eric or a Bird or a Choo-Choo, the Herky Jerky Dancer.

Even for radio shows that are more original (like this one) there has to be some feeble moron that the host can scream at. Why? I just don't get it.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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I usually download the show when I get up for work but this morning there was only 3 parts. Seriously, why couldn't they post it? I mean I'm sure it's a shitty, uninteresting listen but it feels like they're trying not to put Freddy T in a worse light.

Bird really said that?? That's great man, good for him! It won't come as a surprise to anyone that I'm not a fan of Bird but good for him, not taking any of Fred's shit! That really is not his problem, if Fred can't get his grown ass out of bed on his own that's his own issue, not Bird's.
 

Granite Sox

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Not a fan of the Bird, but there is no reason a grown man should have to take shit from Fredle because he can't wake his ass up and get to work on time. It's not like they just started doing their show in the morning.
A handful of callers also told Fred he was being a complete asshole and he grew even more indignant, saying he had every right to expect Bird to call and wake him up and that it was not his own responsibility to wake himself up.

He said, in all seriousness, “I’M THE BOSS! I have every right to expect this!”

He got no support from anyone. NortheasternPJ is right; it was awful radio.
 

Sir Lancelotti

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I’ve run into Fred on at least 5 separate occasions out at random bars in Boston and he’s been a blast to have a few drinks with. Unpretentious and the best representation of his on air persona. Buying rounds and going on funny rants about old hardcore bands, random 80s baseball players, and the rest of the shtick in his wheelhouse.

But man I gotta agree that was a bad look for him this morning, the hardass boss and diva routine doesn’t suit him well. He’s still the driving force of the show and most indispensable member , but some of these rants are unlistenable radio. I feel like Rich could do a bit more to reign him in a bit as he seems to have a good sense of when Fred is on a roll and when he is being an unlistenable curmudgeon.
 

taoofoj

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I don't listen to T&R all that much any more because I don't have a commute, but the thing that I used to hate about morning shows is the "wacky all-star zoo crew" that permeates this medium. It started off with Stern and his Whack Pack and it seems that every morning show needs to have a bunch of barely literate, barely breathing set of mouth breathers to rag on.

They aren't funny. They aren't interesting. They bring zero to the table in terms of stories or entertainment. I don't know why every morning show needs a High Pitch Eric or a Bird or a Choo-Choo, the Herky Jerky Dancer.

Even for radio shows that are more original (like this one) there has to be some feeble moron that the host can scream at. Why? I just don't get it.
Exactly... whenever T&R (Fred) pulls this stuff it smacks of ripoff Stern. 'My crew is inept!! How hard is it to find good help these days!!' It's just not funny. Fred is talented enough to not have to resort to this kind of hack radio. That said, I will admit I enjoyed the Tucker Silva rant a few weeks back.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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They tell Fred to take a day off?
He was there from 6-6:15...but very surly. Said the Bruins were "fortunate" to win and got lucky. Rich called him out and he got all pissed off and said, "It's my opinion, what else are we going to talk about". Then screamed down Rich when he said Marchand gave the Leaf guy a kiss on the neck. Fred clained that was a clip from earlier in the year, Rich said no...Fred.."YES IT WAS!!!! THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST NIGHT, Jesus." Then Rich said that he has the clip of Marchand explaining why he did it and Fred blew it off with a "whatever" and went to commercial in a huff. He doesn't sound like he enjoys being there anymore.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Makes sense since they were talking about him being "Aggressively quiet" later in the show.

He is going to be shirtless from 7-8 on Monday now since he lost his bet to Wallach about Tatum.
 

NickEsasky

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I stopped listening to the show with any regularity because I am all in on podcasts now, but as someone who was always a huge fan of the show, it's sad to see how miserable Fred has become. When I do check in to listen or read stories here it just seems like he's just angry and unhappy all the time. He used to have a lot more of a balance with his moods.