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

Bleedred

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 21, 2001
9,930
Boston, MA
Every time I hear Gorman on T&R, I'm mystified that he doesn't have a wide national profile. He's a superb play-by-play guy, a wonderful, engaging raconteur, and a bright and engaging person.
That Cosell story was really cool. For those that didn't listen, Gorman was working on some podunk radio station in Providence trying to get his career started. He approached the station manager about wanting to do a sports talk show. The manager said no way, it wouldn't work. After some persistence, the guy agreed to let Mike do it on 2 conditions: (i) he had to promote the show himself; and (ii) he got Howard Cosell as his first guest. Gorman agreed, and called down to CBS sports in New York and asked to speak with Cosell. They put Gorman through on the first call and Cosell picks up the phone. Gorman explained who he was, the conditions of starting a sports talk show, and would Cosell agree to come on the air with him:

Cosell: When?
Gorman: Next Sunday
Cosell: That's mother's day
Gorman: (pause, awkward silence) right
Cosell: How long
Gorman: 30 Minutes
Cosell: 20 minutes
Gorman: OK
Cosell: Take this number

Cosell gave him his mother's number, and had Gorman call him at his mother's house that next Sunday during mother's day. Cosell gave him the 30 minutes and then, at the end of the interview, told Gorman to take another phone number of an up and coming broadcaster that Gorman should speak to next week. It was Brent Musberger's number, and Gorman had him on the show the following week and Gorman's career was off and running.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,236
I didn't want to get out of my car but had to get into work. His chemistry with T&R is amazing. Looking forward to hearing the rest when the podcast comes up.
The most shocking thing for me was Mike and Fred have never actually met in person. Between weekly calls to the show and them texting like friends, I figured they actually knew each other. They seemed to flow really well off each other for someone he's never met before.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,404
I wish they could find a way to hire Mike Gorman in Wallach's chair. He is incredible and gets along great with both Fred and Rich and seems to love it. What a great guy
He gets his haircut at the Burlington mall. Stake out "the Art of Shaving" and tell him to make the move to morning radio. He'll love it.
 

Rusty13

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 3, 2007
5,340
Fred appears to be all in today on insinuating that Judge Berman is a Pats fan boy, reading from some silly article from the Cornell newspaper and at least citing CHB's pile of feces piece today. It was kind of disappointing that neither Rich nor Wallach ever really called him out on it.
 
Last edited:

allstonite

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 27, 2010
2,471
Fred appears to be all in today on insinuating that Judge Berman is a Pats fan boy, reading from some silly article from the Cornell newspaper and at least citing CHB's pile of feces piece today. It was kind of disappointing that neither Rich nor Wallach never really called him out on it.
I hated when it was in the news every day. Fred would always insist they wouldn't be discussing it, which would be fine with me, but still get his semi-informed shots at Brady before moving on. Either debate or don't bring it up at all
 

PC Drunken Friar

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 12, 2003
14,528
South Boston
Listening this morning, I think Fred might be drunk...or at least still feeling the effects of drinking yesterday. He was all over the place, interrupting everyone and being even more cynical than usual, but in a weird, joyful almost type of way. Did not make for great radio.
 

double4life

New Member
Sep 13, 2015
60
Nothing was more annoying than hearing Wallach suck up to him like Robin Quivers does to Stern. Anyone ever noticed how much Fred says, "So there you go," when he finishes a point? It's also annoying.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
SoSH Member
Dec 19, 2009
9,386
Any chance Fred didn't want to be on TV and that's why he's being so dreary? Or was he just girding for disappointment as a Lions fan w/r/t the draft and coming off as sullen and moody? Or did one of his ideas get shot down by management and now he's all butthurt about it? Anyone have any clue why he's turned into a slovenly (by comparison) Charles Grodin-esque curmudgeon?
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,236
he actually addressed this during the 7am hour today saying along the lines of he doesn't check texts or tweets from 6am-7am since it takes him awhile to wake up. He's grumpy 6-7 but after that he's good. It seems a lot of the comments are during the 6-7am hour, so it makes sense.

He's definitely been way more not fun lately and more of a Scrooge. I'm not sure what the deal is. Their original bits are way down (Armpits all the time, which i actually like most of the time) and their enjoyment seems to not be there lately. What was the last original thing they did?
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
SoSH Member
Dec 19, 2009
9,386
I think when they did that tournament thing and the one they wanted to win ("Sweet Caroline") got knocked out so early that they couldn't salvage it, which I know was a huge letdown for them.
 

jimv

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 5, 2011
1,118
he actually addressed this during the 7am hour today saying along the lines of he doesn't check texts or tweets from 6am-7am since it takes him awhile to wake up. He's grumpy 6-7 but after that he's good. It seems a lot of the comments are during the 6-7am hour, so it makes sense.

He's definitely been way more not fun lately and more of a Scrooge. I'm not sure what the deal is. Their original bits are way down (Armpits all the time, which i actually like most of the time) and their enjoyment seems to not be there lately. What was the last original thing they did?
Tough time to do a sports talk show - Bruins and Celtics seasons are finished, NFL draft has passed. Four hours per day of "Fire the Manager!" and, possibly, Deflategate. And their show avoids politics and the election which has been huge story.
 

hube

New Member
Apr 4, 2010
224
Hasn't he outright said that Deflategate sucked the fun out of the job, at least while it was at its most intense?
 

Sparky Lyle

Ask me about my nightstick
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2002
3,515
Boston, Massachusetts
Tough time to do a sports talk show - Bruins and Celtics seasons are finished, NFL draft has passed. Four hours per day of "Fire the Manager!" and, possibly, Deflategate. And their show avoids politics and the election which has been huge story.
You're listening to the wrong show then. You want to listen to Denis & Callahan. The talk politics. A lot. They're very sharp over there.
 

jimv

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 5, 2011
1,118
You're listening to the wrong show then. You want to listen to Denis & Callahan. The talk politics. A lot. They're very sharp over there.
To clarify, I'm not interested in political talk so I won't be listening to D&C. I'm pointing out that its a difficult time for local sports talk shows to fill 4 hours per day without bringing in outside topics. Even harder for T&R since they avoid political conversations
 

double4life

New Member
Sep 13, 2015
60
Awesome radio this morning with the fans of the show along with Rich and Wallach calling Fred out on his negativity. Fred had no choice but to confront it head on. Of course he denied it in the beginning but later embraced it. He used the term "poptimism" to explain why he's a non-conformist.
 

NickEsasky

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 24, 2001
9,173
Awesome radio this morning with the fans of the show along with Rich and Wallach calling Fred out on his negativity. Fred had no choice but to confront it head on. Of course he denied it in the beginning but later embraced it. He used the term "poptimism" to explain why he's a non-conformist.
I am glad folks called him out on it because he's been awful radio lately. The man literally hates everything. He has to be above it all at all times. It's definitely getting old to listen to day after day. And this is coming from a huge T&R fanboy since their 'BCN days.
 

Rusty13

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 3, 2007
5,340
Awesome radio this morning with the fans of the show along with Rich and Wallach calling Fred out on his negativity. Fred had no choice but to confront it head on. Of course he denied it in the beginning but later embraced it. He used the term "poptimism" to explain why he's a non-conformist.
Did he? I listened to him right before the 8:00 a.m. break, and he was still in denial and trying to deflect by saying Rich "likes the Doors" etc.
 

JCizzle

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 11, 2006
20,495
I think his point was that the topics brought up today were worthy of his hate...and he was right.
 

NickEsasky

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 24, 2001
9,173
I think his point was that the topics brought up today were worthy of his hate...and he was right.
That's fine but today is not an outlier. He's like this all the time now. The most credit he will give anything these days is "it's alright."
 

allstonite

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 27, 2010
2,471
That's fine but today is not an outlier. He's like this all the time now. The most credit he will give anything these days is "it's alright."
This is it. It's annoying to hate absolutely everything. He'll also put down people who do happen to enjoy some of these things not worthy of his time. How many times has he used the "If you like x you should have to turn in your driver's license" line lately? The rants every now and then against deadheads or something are funny when he keeps them light but when it's every day about pretty much anything someone might find joy in, it gets old very quickly.
 

allstonite

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 27, 2010
2,471
Ha I did have a period there in college but I mostly agree with Rich. If you don't pay attention to Morrison the music is alright but Fred wouldn't even let him have that
 

drtooth

2:30
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 23, 2004
11,305
Someone's Molars
The classic part was when the program manager chimed in by texting that Fred hates Headlines and program formats after he ran 10 minutes over the 8:00 break.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 12, 2015
1,885
Quincy
I used to listen to them religiously back when they were on in the afternoon. I'm just getting back into listening to them again. Good to hear that they still do an entertaining show but Crash is sorely missed!
 

Rusty13

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 3, 2007
5,340
The Simmons interview was solid. Sounds like he will become a semi-regular.

On the flip side, the segment discussing Blake Lively's controversial instagram with Adolfo struggling to articulate a reason why it was offensive for 5 excruciating minutes was God Awful radio.
 

JohnnyTheBone

Member
SoSH Member
May 28, 2007
36,275
Nobody Cares
On the flip side, the segment discussing Blake Lively's controversial instagram with Adolfo struggling to articulate a reason why it was offensive for 5 excruciating minutes was God Awful radio.
I gathered that it was her privilege showing, or something.
 
Last edited:

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,236
Adolfo should never be allowed on mic in studio. he's OK if doing recaps etc. but that was brutal.

I haven't laughed as hard in awhile as when they played the Ben Affleck audio from the Armageddon DVD though.
 

double4life

New Member
Sep 13, 2015
60
I didn't chuckle once during the 8 o'clock segment. Those were the worst Trump and Sanders impersonators I've ever heard. And to hear Fred and Wallach losing their shit over them was nauseating.
 

allstonite

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 27, 2010
2,471
I didn't chuckle once during the 8 o'clock segment. Those were the worst Trump and Sanders impersonators I've ever heard. And to hear Fred and Wallach losing their shit over them was nauseating.
I thought it was alright but pretty much exactly what I thought it would be. Not nearly as good as Fred hyped it up to be. The Megyn Kelly jokes from Trump were hilarious though.

At the end of the show they said there was a huge announcement coming Monday. The biggest since they announced they were switching to sports and even bigger than when they announced they'd be on TV. I thought they might be leaving but then Fred said something like "they're going to fire us on air" and I don't think he'd be joking like that if they were actually leaving. Anyone have any idea what it could be? Replacing Wallach? (Please?)
 

Rusty13

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 3, 2007
5,340
I know their 10 year anniversary is coming up. I wonder if it's something to do with that. Although they were doing a bunch of "Wallach" segments today. Hmmm.....
 
Last edited:

John Marzano Olympic Hero

has fancy plans, and pants to match
Dope
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2001
24,510
A tweet went out either last week or earlier this week asking bands if they would like to play at their tenth anniversary. I would assume the announcement would be that.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 12, 2015
1,885
Quincy
Eddie wanted far more Money *hack joke but the chance was there and I took it!* than they had to pay. Kinda strange that the company is going cheap for an anniversary gig for their biggest show. Especially one who's been with them for so long and has had such consistent ratings. Maybe the announcement is they're taking it as a sign of disrespect and are walking? *No I don't really think it's likely, just spitballing here.* Thought their bit about what lousy irrelevant bands charge was interesting though
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,236
Grande going national or MMA full time, Wallach takes Celtics gig, Keefe replaces Walllach. That's my only guess unless it's something like they are moving time slots which I can't see
 

Marbleheader

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2004
11,726
I would hate all three of those things happening. I'm fine with Wallach leaving, but Keefe has an awful voice and is horribly unfunny. Grande would be a big loss and Wallach is a significant downgrade.
 

Riconway3155

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
774
Ma
Was just going to post this too. He also said no one outside of the 7ish people who are on the show have any idea. He has been retweeting guesses like the Wallach thing and being syndicated, so I would guess those aren't happening. Very curious though.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,236
I'm sure they're not going to Sirius after he was bashing them for being useless and only people with free trials on new cars listen to it.

I don't believe Crash is coming back.

I don't believe the show would work nationally without major content changes Which would sink them regionally.

So my guess is it's now T&R&M with Kirk.

Edit.