Toucher and Hardy: The new 98.5 morning show

[8slim]

I agree. Wallach is a great fit for the show, he has his place and it's better that he's there. Replacing him with a AI Bot isn't going to help anything.

I don't dislike Wallach as much as some folks, but I'm not sure I'd say he's as good a fit as he once was. Reason being that they don't do any Wallach bits anymore. When I started listening to T&R 10-ish years ago, they had the big Wallach head, the bird stuff, him playing the clarinet, Shazowie, Walldick, etc. I can't remember the last time they did a Wallach bit, I think it's been years.

If he's just the update guy and occasional interloper to conversations he's not really bringing much to the show.

 

[HarvardSqr]

If he's just the update guy and occasional interloper to conversations he's not really bringing much to the show.

I don't disagree that he's not as important to the show now. Whereas, when Rich was there, even 5 or more years ago, during sports topics the show basically sounded like Fred having a discussion with Wallach, and Fred doing the majority of the talking. Hardy is talking more now than when he joined the show, but he still doesn't seem to talk as much as I was expecting, when it comes to a lot of topics. If the third chair is eliminated from the show, is Hardy going to talk a lot more? I think Hardy has the most correct sports opinions on the show, but he's very concise with them.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Fred’s obsession with SNL is odd. It’s like every 3 months we get 20 min on SNL. A full analysis of previous casts, he states every time about how they need more cast members now because of race, gender etc. and there’s too many people.

I’ve never met anyone in my life that thinks of SNL at all outside of memorable skits.

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Wallach is sitting in the Meterparel role - supposedly he's more the "sports guy" while the hosts are the entertainment, but they aren't smart enough about any of the teams they talk about to upstage the lead guys. It's always frustrating to me to listen to Wallach talk about the teams he is supposedly paid as a full time employee to know and cover and know way less about them than I do, but the model has never been to employ someone who actually knows these teams inside and out and can supply useful information to a listener. They are just there for comic relief and shtick.

My suspicion is that what I want to listen to (actual intelligent analysis) is not commercially supportable and best saved for podcasts, and the Wallach's of the world will exist comfortably on major radio.

 

[dirtynine]

Fred’s obsession with SNL is odd. It’s like every 3 months we get 20 min on SNL. A full analysis of previous casts, he states every time about how they need more cast members now because of race, gender etc. and there’s too many people.

I’ve never met anyone in my life that thinks of SNL at all outside of memorable skits.

I haven’t heard this segment, but I am subscribed to at least two SNL podcasts at the moment. I probably think about it more than necessary too. To be fair, with the debut of the 50th season and the election sure to drive viewership it’s definitely in the spotlight right now.

 

[HarvardSqr]

Yeah, and also the movie "Saturday Night" that's coming out in theaters next week about the premiere of the show in 1975. I've seen multiple articles in the past few days about that, the new season, and why SNL isn't as good anymore.

I think Fred may listen to Dana Carvey and David Spade's podcast as well, as I think he's specifically referred to Spade's opinion about there being so many cast members now that nobody has enough work to get comfortable or become popular. Dana Carvey has mentioned that it took him like four seasons to get comfortable on SNL, and he was the most featured cast member of his era.

Also, as I remember, when Rich was on the show he was always interested in having discussions about SNL, which partly explains why T&R/T&H has gone over best casts, etc. multiple times.

 

[Rusty13]

I might have to turn into 6 am to hear Fred gloat about the summer ratings. I have a feeling he is going to be VERY chipper tomorrow!

 

[NorthShoreBeefin]

I might have to turn into 6 am to hear Fred gloat about the summer ratings. I have a feeling he is going to be VERY chipper tomorrow!

Have they been posted anywhere?

 

[HarvardSqr]

 

[NorthShoreBeefin]

1.8?! Rich might be gone by the end of the year!

 

[NDame616]

So I'd always have assumed Wallachs job was safe but I think Hardy REALLY doesn't like him.

I think Fred does a lot of "friendlyish" ball busting with Wallach, as he's done for decades, but I get actually annoyance/irritation from Hardy with Wallach.

SHUT UP WALLACH LET ME FINISH
YOU GOING TO LET ME SPEAK NOW? THANKS

Etc

 

[Recovering Adjunct Prof]

Well, they don't have to do bits you see, because he looks like a bird! A BIRD! Sqawk squawk!

Every time someone mentions Wallach, hey, a bird! Did you abandon your religion? BIRD!