RIP Toucher and Rich Show ... It was fun while it lasted
- Thread starter HomeBrew1901
- Start date
I think it was hilarious that WEEI showed up at the Bruins DVD Premiere last night (which was put on by 98.5 and the Bruins) extra early and hung up WEEI banners all over the place, then was forced to take most of them down.
HA, they actually tried that??? Is there anywhere that I can read about this because that is freakin awesome.
Rich touched on it today. Basically said that the 98.5 team got there like 3 hours early and WEEI had already been there awhile with signs up, banners and a table inside basically trying to hijack the event.
The Ghetto Celeb bit today was great, Meriweather is all over the place, football, music, now acting. Can't wait for him to write a book. Maybe he should spend more time getting ready for the season and trying not to get cut.
The Ghetto Celeb bit today was great, Meriweather is all over the place, football, music, now acting. Can't wait for him to write a book. Maybe he should spend more time getting ready for the season and trying not to get cut.
Around 930 they started reading an article on Fangraphs (about the best deals in baseball comparing contracts and production here.) It wasn't anything incredible, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear them plugging fangraphs and delving more into numbers (Fred actually was talking about WAR.) Another step into the light.
Rich just posted the same thing on Facebook a few minutes ago. Sounds like EEI is starting to go poo poo in their panties. It'll be interesting to see what moves and contracts EEI has to swallow to make up for all the recent mistakes.
Brad Marchand singing 80's hits as "Rad" Marchand :rolling:
Edit: They just had him doing VIP on the Swole
Edit: They just had him doing VIP on the Swole
WOW. I have been in hysterics at my desk for ten minutes now listening to this. Having him do Brandon Meriweather's VIP on the SWOLEEEE was unreal. Again, Rich is a genius.
Edit: Is it bad that I think VIP on the Swole is a catchy somewhat decent song?
Edit: Is it bad that I think VIP on the Swole is a catchy somewhat decent song?
That was fucking awesome this morning. I was almost crying coming into work this morning.
They'll be up later today.
I can't get the chorus of VIP out of my head, its even worse I just hear the "SWOLLLLLE" with Rad singing it.
The questions from the survey were great "What do you like about T&R's immature sense of humor?" "Do you think D&C are past their prime?" "Would you like D&C to talk more about movies / pop culture"
Or my favorite "What would you think if one of these Boston sports personalities hosted a show? Tedi Bruschi, Dale Arnold, etc. etc."
I can't get the chorus of VIP out of my head, its even worse I just hear the "SWOLLLLLE" with Rad singing it.
The questions from the survey were great "What do you like about T&R's immature sense of humor?" "Do you think D&C are past their prime?" "Would you like D&C to talk more about movies / pop culture"
Or my favorite "What would you think if one of these Boston sports personalities hosted a show? Tedi Bruschi, Dale Arnold, etc. etc."
Anyone listening during the 8:00 hour was shown why this show is so great and works so well. Wallach was forced to wear Adolpho's disgustingly smelly NFL Lockout shirt based on a silly poll that they took on which member of the show they liked the most.
Originally the plan was to have the loser wear the shirt for the rest of the show, but because it was so gross they only made him wear it until 9. If they legitmately disliked Wallach they would have made him wear that shirt the rest of the show and now that they have toned him down, JW works with T&R.
I think one of the funnier things was listening to Rich lose it during the Dewar's commercial because John was rubbing up on him.
Originally the plan was to have the loser wear the shirt for the rest of the show, but because it was so gross they only made him wear it until 9. If they legitmately disliked Wallach they would have made him wear that shirt the rest of the show and now that they have toned him down, JW works with T&R.
I think one of the funnier things was listening to Rich lose it during the Dewar's commercial because John was rubbing up on him.
The segment was brilliant because it played on several levels. The "I-hate-Wallach" crowd got enjoyment out of it. The "Wallach fills his lane on the fast break" people got to hear some legitimately funny banter between all three in the lead up and aftermath and the real butt of the joke (as always) was Adolfo.
Wallach took a very long time to find his niche. T&R were used to Crash and they were justifiably annoyed in the beginning as Wallach did "big time" them on all things sports AND he talked too much. While they've kept the edge of that early poor chemistry they also figured out how to work together and make it entertaining. I'm of the opinion that T&R (especially Fred) doesn't like Wallach but works really hard to be a good teammate in spite of it. I think all of them have a great respect for what each brings to the show and the subtle tension helps provide the humor on slow days.
And the callers were right on with the poll - Rich/Dan are great producers and Adolfo brings the weird and Wallach the ballast but Fred is the straw that stirs that drink. And since he's a Jets/Cardinals/Pistons/Bruins (Red Wings?) fan, he's also the most reliable voice of non-homerism in the market.
Wallach took a very long time to find his niche. T&R were used to Crash and they were justifiably annoyed in the beginning as Wallach did "big time" them on all things sports AND he talked too much. While they've kept the edge of that early poor chemistry they also figured out how to work together and make it entertaining. I'm of the opinion that T&R (especially Fred) doesn't like Wallach but works really hard to be a good teammate in spite of it. I think all of them have a great respect for what each brings to the show and the subtle tension helps provide the humor on slow days.
And the callers were right on with the poll - Rich/Dan are great producers and Adolfo brings the weird and Wallach the ballast but Fred is the straw that stirs that drink. And since he's a Jets/Cardinals/Pistons/Bruins (Red Wings?) fan, he's also the most reliable voice of non-homerism in the market.
Rich is easily the most vital part of the show. While Fred and Wallach approach the show with a sort of 'sports mind', Rich is almost the opposite. Rich thinks music first, movies second, and sports somewhere further down the list. It's his perspective that gives the show its unique feel. Without Rich, the show would be much more similar to the stereotypical morning drive sports talk radio show.
That's not to discount Fred, because I think the show would suffer enormously without him as well. Just not to the extent that it would without Rich.
And Wallach still doesn't fit in. He talks for 15-20 seconds too long when desperately trying to offer his 'hot' sports takes. Oh, and he constantly talks over the music coming back from a break. Especially on Funk Fridays. Very annoying. Crash is greatly missed.
One more thing: I miss Warp Speed to the Weekend with Dungeon Master Jim. They should bring it back once a month or something.
That's not to discount Fred, because I think the show would suffer enormously without him as well. Just not to the extent that it would without Rich.
And Wallach still doesn't fit in. He talks for 15-20 seconds too long when desperately trying to offer his 'hot' sports takes. Oh, and he constantly talks over the music coming back from a break. Especially on Funk Fridays. Very annoying. Crash is greatly missed.
One more thing: I miss Warp Speed to the Weekend with Dungeon Master Jim. They should bring it back once a month or something.
Rich is also an outstanding producer. I'm not remotely involved in the industry so I can't quantify what he brings to the table on a technical level when it comes to producing bits, but I know it when I hear it and he's awesome.
Exactly.
While other shows produce bits and the like, it's never on Rich's level because of his perspective (and talent). I honestly think Rich could do without the sports talk entirely. But he's taken on the challenge head first and is really taking the sports talk genre down a different path. In this market, anyway.
I think from an on-air, personality perspective Fred is absolutely irreplaceable and the most valuable member of the show. I've listened to shows when Rich is out and it doesn't miss too much of a beat and is entertaining. Shows with Fred out (and Rich hosting) can be pretty tough at times and are much more choppy and awkward. Fred is great at running the board and keeping the show moving and that's an incredibly underrated talent that most listeners don't realize until someone inexperienced is trying it.
From an overall perspective though, it becomes much more even because Rich is so incredibly valuable with his production and off-air work. He's truly gifted there and the best bit producer I've ever heard. I do agree that his "non-sports" perspective is very valuable and gives the show a much different feel, but the majority of his worth is derived from his off-air work.
From an overall perspective though, it becomes much more even because Rich is so incredibly valuable with his production and off-air work. He's truly gifted there and the best bit producer I've ever heard. I do agree that his "non-sports" perspective is very valuable and gives the show a much different feel, but the majority of his worth is derived from his off-air work.
This is spot on.
Being a huge fan of Rich, I've recently been wondering how necessary Fred is to the show because he seems like a bigger and more miserable prick than Felger most of the time and given the choice between spending a few hours with Felger or Fred, I'd choose Felger in a heartbeat.
But I've underestimated how well he keeps the show going on a daily basis.
I also like how they have reigned in Wallach, who can be absolutely insufferable. Very few shows could make him part of the show and actually fit him in but it has been working much better than it was 6-9 months ago. There was a point, right after Crash left, that Wallach found a pair and thought he could start speaking up and that people wanted to hear him. He fucking sucked, but they have fixed that now and he is no where near as annoying as he was.
I think Wallach would be better if he actually acted like a straight up sports nerd and dropped more 'advanced' stats like WAR, OPS, UZR, etc. to provide a counter-point to Fred and Rich's gut reactions. However, I always get the impression that Fred actually knows more about stuff like that than even Wallach does and he's just forced to play dumb for the audience. It would be really easy for Wallach to slip into the sabermetrics sports nerd role since they've already built him up to be that, but he just doesn't act like it.
I also agree with your points about Fred carrying the actual show (not counting the produced bits), it's amazing how well he and Rich complement each others weaknesses.
I also agree with your points about Fred carrying the actual show (not counting the produced bits), it's amazing how well he and Rich complement each others weaknesses.
Then it's not really fair to compare them in any light then with the exception of personality. They both bring two completely different skill sets to the show and that's what makes it work. Wallach and Adolpho are basically just spare parts like Crash was.
Crash could be funny, but I don't think the show has suffered one bit since he has left, IMO it has actually gotten better.
Eh, Crash was replaceable in this format, yes, but he was awesome to listen to on the show. I still laugh at his Christmas song like 4 years ago.
He had tons more value-added than Wallach or Adolfo.
He had tons more value-added than Wallach or Adolfo.
Fred and Rich are 50/50 of importance. I don't think I'd listen nearly as much if either one was gone. They clearly enjoy working with each other, have a great flow to the show together and both bring completely different pieces to the table. Fred talking for 4 hours a day would get old, Rich balances him well. Rich's bits are the best I've ever heard on the radio from a production standpoint.
The most important thing is they are willing to try different stuff and laugh at themselves when it sucks. (What's Tappin'in for example)
My thing is I think Rich's best pieces are way more entertaining than Fred's, but Fred just carries the show. His paddleboard talk the last couple weeks has been awesome. "You're not in the paddleboard scene..." etc. are just funny, but Rich's bits are the ones I go back to the web site to listen to 3-4 times and send to people.
Wallach is 100% replaceable and he knows it. I think Adolpho brings more to the show in his little pieces. Granted he's a 300 year old child but he does bring some to the show. They could get by without him, but they'd miss some stuff.
The most important thing is they are willing to try different stuff and laugh at themselves when it sucks. (What's Tappin'in for example)
My thing is I think Rich's best pieces are way more entertaining than Fred's, but Fred just carries the show. His paddleboard talk the last couple weeks has been awesome. "You're not in the paddleboard scene..." etc. are just funny, but Rich's bits are the ones I go back to the web site to listen to 3-4 times and send to people.
Wallach is 100% replaceable and he knows it. I think Adolpho brings more to the show in his little pieces. Granted he's a 300 year old child but he does bring some to the show. They could get by without him, but they'd miss some stuff.
The thing for me is that I love Fred's sense of humor way more than Rich's. Rich loves awkward moments and being a little wacky and out of the box, which isn't really my style. Fred's super dry and sarcastic humor, as evidenced by taking the paddleboard thing super seriously, has me in stitches though. A lot of times it's random throwaway phrases that he says that have me absolutely dying.
I detest Wallach. Brings absolutely nothing to the show. Shouldn't open his mouth. He's absolutely Materparel - a guy who looks like he should be a sports nerd who actually doesn't know very much about the games.
They don't need to talk about WAR and FIP and the like - they need someone who can translate that stuff into English. Sure as hell isn't Wallach.
And not that it's appropriate for this thread but Andy Gresh yesterday said that Wandy Rodriguez wouldn't be worth acquiring because all he'd do is compete for Andrew Miller's spot. Frightening. (Not saying I'd pay the price, but he and Miller aren't in the same time zone).
I assume that Fred and Rich would love to absolutely rip on Wallach all day long but they can't because they'd look like the grade school bullies instead of everyman. It works with Adolfo because deep down you know they love the big bastard, but he's just a screwup. I don't think anyone thinks T+R genuinely like Wallach.
I buy that they like Felger and DA, even whilst ripping them at times, but Wallach I think they don't like.
I actually think it would be funny to have that mailbag robot do the sports flash and just send Wallach to the slue factory, but doubt I'd be so lucky. Its hard to think of a replacement...I mean, in my dreams it would be Tanguay, but I bet his pricetag is way too high.
I still think the crossovers with Tanguay were amongst the funniest crap I've ever heard on the radio. It's what got me to listen every day.
They don't need to talk about WAR and FIP and the like - they need someone who can translate that stuff into English. Sure as hell isn't Wallach.
And not that it's appropriate for this thread but Andy Gresh yesterday said that Wandy Rodriguez wouldn't be worth acquiring because all he'd do is compete for Andrew Miller's spot. Frightening. (Not saying I'd pay the price, but he and Miller aren't in the same time zone).
I assume that Fred and Rich would love to absolutely rip on Wallach all day long but they can't because they'd look like the grade school bullies instead of everyman. It works with Adolfo because deep down you know they love the big bastard, but he's just a screwup. I don't think anyone thinks T+R genuinely like Wallach.
I buy that they like Felger and DA, even whilst ripping them at times, but Wallach I think they don't like.
I actually think it would be funny to have that mailbag robot do the sports flash and just send Wallach to the slue factory, but doubt I'd be so lucky. Its hard to think of a replacement...I mean, in my dreams it would be Tanguay, but I bet his pricetag is way too high.
I still think the crossovers with Tanguay were amongst the funniest crap I've ever heard on the radio. It's what got me to listen every day.
I was wondering that myself. He was doing some twitter banter that he probably thought was brilliant, but didn't approach "Look at Ur 1040" quality.
Man Fred is being an awful douche again. This is like when he was arguing about the bars around the Garden not being affected by an NBA lockout. He won't listen to anything, won't make any argument in his favor and just says every point is stupid.
Not their finest morning. This should be a great show this morning and it's just not.
Not their finest morning. This should be a great show this morning and it's just not.
You could also say the same thing about Rich and Wallach, since their entire argument is the overused, annoying to deal with, and incredibly frustrating "In Bill We Trust" and aren't even taking the time to look at another angle. That makes Fred defensive and reactionary and loud and which is basically the same way all of these arguments go in BBtL as well.
For the first time I turned T&R off and listened to my Ipod because Fred was being such an ass. Horrible radio.
edit: It's a shame because I was really looking forward to listening to them after I heard about the signing last night.
Is it wrong that I was laughing so hard at the replay of Adolfo running the NFL conditioning test? :rolling:
"The Sports Hub" host rap battle begins tomorrow with Rich v. Wallach...
This whole bit could fail miserably or be outstanding. Either way, it's a testament to T&R that they're always willing to try new things and incorporate different segments into the show.
I can't be the only one hoping Felger absolutely tears GRESH apart.
This whole bit could fail miserably or be outstanding. Either way, it's a testament to T&R that they're always willing to try new things and incorporate different segments into the show.
I can't be the only one hoping Felger absolutely tears GRESH apart.
One of them (I think it was Rich) absolutely destroyed Dale Arnold yesterday. A caller or texter said that Arnold called them idiots or knuckleheads or something and all Rich kept saying was, "When I'm 50, I hope that I can work weekends." and just savagely ripping Arnold apart. Wallach was practically crying, he was laughing so hard and pretty much admitted that Arnold was a complete asshole to him when they both worked at EEI.
To be honest, that sort of surprised me. Arnold seems like a nice guy. Oh well.
To be honest, that sort of surprised me. Arnold seems like a nice guy. Oh well.
This has been mentioned before, but it's precisely T&R's willingness to constantly try new things, things that are risky without any guarantee of success (or in fact, on paper, look like they will fail) that makes them light years better than almost anything on in the morning other than Howard. Just one example: The "Geddy" Bruschi routine last year. On paper, it seems moronic, and in truth, on air, it was pretty dumb, but the way Fred treated it so seriously was hilarious. His constant insistence that it was funny and clever because Geddy and Teddy rhyme just stuck me as damn funny. Not everything works for them, but they seem to put an effort in almost all the time.
This is what killed D&C in my opinion. They simply stopped trying about 5 years ago because they had no competition. When T&R hit the scene and bitch-slapped them, they were not ready to pivot and try to compete because their motivation had been sapped from years of living high on the hog.
Reading your description I thought this was going to be the dumbest piece of shit that they have come up with. Hearing them this morning, it is probably going to be one of the best.
edit: Holy fuck, Rich ripping on Wallach is fucking amazing
I'm with Gambler. Wallach's had me concerned, but then Rich came on and demolished him. Rich's was hilarious, and tomorrow's Adolpho vs. Mazz should be train wreck funny.
What I didn't realize is how thin-skinned and whiny Rich can be. A couple of comments that Wallach's was more in the spirit of the game and that it wasn't fair that John had to go up against a produced bit and Rich got all pissy. That actually detracted a bit from how good I thought it was.
To be honest the more I think about it, this whole thing kind of reeks of a set up for Rich to win and be able to rip on the other hosts adn tell them what he really thinks but still be able to say "Ha ha, I was just joking. It was for the bit"
Well, it wasn't like Wallach's wasn't a produced bit either, it just wasn't produced as well as Rich's was for obvious reasons. That being said, Rich was pretty thin skinned about some of the criticisms about him not rapping, him running long, etc. The whole exercise might have been better if Rich produced for everyone, but I don't know if he has that kind of time.