Toucher and Hardy: The new 98.5 morning show

[NortheasternPJ]

Just as it's normal to speculate he's a douche for having a private number (??) and having a meltdown simply because he's not posting on social media?

I really don't think it does the show any good to keep bringing him up, but whatever.

Inspired by this thread but there's apparently an option on an iPhone to "Show My Caller ID" and you can turn it off. I have no idea why any normal human being would, but I think this is what Fred was alluding to. Unless you are a telemarketer or cold call salesperson why you'd turn it on. I've had iPhone for about 16 years and never knew it was there. It's actually kind of odd someone would turn that on unless they were paranoid or calling someone they didn't want to know their number.

I'm speculating here, but I'm assuming Fred knows Rich's phone number but Rich chooses to block it for everyone. I turned it off and called my work phone # and it went straight to a block recording since it was probably a spam call. Turned it back on and went right to my desk phone.

This isn't 1994 with a "private number" it's Rich being paranoid and turning on a setting no one even knows exists on iPhone.

 

[JCizzle]

Inspired by this thread but there's apparently an option on an iPhone to "Show My Caller ID" and you can turn it off. I have no idea why any normal human being would, but I think this is what Fred was alluding to. Unless you are a telemarketer or cold call salesperson why you'd turn it on. I've had iPhone for about 16 years and never knew it was there. It's actually kind of odd someone would turn that on unless they were paranoid or calling someone they didn't want to know their number.

I'm speculating here, but I'm assuming Fred knows Rich's phone number but Rich chooses to block it for everyone. I turned it off and called my work phone # and it went straight to a block recording since it was probably a spam call. Turned it back on and went right to my desk phone.

This isn't 1994 with a "private number" it's Rich being paranoid and turning on a setting no one even knows exists on iPhone.

I mean, he's a sports radio host. They're all weird as shit. Fred is just openly weird as shit.

 

[NDame616]

I don't know how many of you have Alexa, but...

"Alexa play 985 The Sports Hub"
"hi this is Rich from Toucher and Rich, thanks for listening to Alexa!"

You'd think they'd have addressed this by now. Weird listening to Rich's voice.....

 

[Myt1]

the fact rich has a private number is so douche rich right on brand. Funny that Fred said if rich was listening to not reach out to him because he weirds him out.

No one on the show has heard from or about rich in 3 months. Rich’s instagram says currently in hiding. Seems like he’s having a Fred like meltdown just not as public. Dude just straight up quit his job and didn’t tell anyone he wasn’t coming back. Posted a couple things on social media then just disappeared. Sounds exactly like someone in rehab….

This is so odd, that it basically screams. You’re either an incredibly weird dude, or you’re playing a part (badly), or both.

 

[8slim]

This is so odd, that it basically screams. You’re either an incredibly weird dude, or you’re playing a part (badly), or both.

He’s gonna kill Rich and wear his skin as a coat.

 

[double4life]

This is so odd, that it basically screams. You’re either an incredibly weird dude, or you’re playing a part (badly), or both.

From afar, it's an unusual, hyper-focused hate for someone he has never met. No one knows what Rich is doing or going through yet you would think Rich is a pedo from the vitriol coming from this person.

 

[Myt1]

He’s gonna kill Rich and wear his skin as a coat.

It’s unseasonably warm, so you could get by with a light jacket.

 

[NickEsasky]

See my vest see my vest....

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Fred doing Bill Cosby doing Cold Cuts McCartney is fantastic.

 

[BS_SoxFan]

I would listen to Fred and Hardy break down every single minute of the David Lee Roth radio show. What a disaster.

 

[8slim]

Fred doing Bill Cosby doing Cold Cuts McCartney is fantastic.

Agreed. I tuned in for 20 minutes today during that segment and it was the most I’ve laughed at the new show since it began.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Bird really is a dumb individual.

 

[Trapaholic]

Hardy brought up a good point. As dumb as Bird is, Nick has a hard time saying a full sentence without mumbling or trailing off. I don't think it is nerves. He isn't interviewing the head of the UN or some dignitary, its a dullard from Everett. These 2 really are a great duo. It is hard to believe that Bird held down a job at a large radio station for any amount of time.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

It was said upthread a bit but I think the show has really hit its stride. It’s much better than the last 3 years of T&R in my opinion.

 

[8slim]

It was said upthread a bit but I think the show has really hit its stride. It’s much better than the last 3 years of T&R in my opinion.

In fairness, how often were T and R actually on the air together during the last 3 years of the show? 50%? Less?

 

[NortheasternPJ]

In fairness, how often were T and R actually on the air together during the last 3 years of the show? 50%? Less?

I think it’s way more than that. I’d put it north of 80% if I had a guess. He missed a couple months in rehab, a month or so due to the throat. That’s 3 months of the last 18 months.

Year, I don’t remember any long periods of him being off before that but Fred’s vacation and PTO aren’t memorized.

 

[8slim]

I think it’s way more than that. I’d put it north of 80% if I had a guess. He missed a couple months in rehab, a month or so due to the throat. That’s 3 months of the last 18 months.

Year, I don’t remember any long periods of him being off before that but Fred’s vacation and PTO aren’t memorized.

I don’t have a count either, but I think if we go back through this thread it was more than just 3/18 months.

Fred had a ton of random days out, whether it was in the run up to rehab, or the long stretch where his throat was f-ed before he was told to shut it down.

Plus Rich had time away as well with vacations, COVID stuff and the like.

Felt like to me that Rich was paired with Ryan Johnston for one stretch that was as long as Fred’s currently been with Hardy. But maybe my mind is exaggerating that.

 

[Murby]

Oh my. Fred getting agitated at Nick for what he deemed to be an outsized reaction was amusing. Fred’s whole schtick (to me) revolves around having outsized reactions to pretty innocuous stimuli.

That was something. I’m liking Hardy more as he pushes back on Fred. Good for Hardy.

 

[NDame616]

I thought it was hysterical. Give me an annoyed Fred spending an entire segment complaining about Nick shrugging his shoulders anytime.

I agree re: Hardy. He forced Fred to (kind of) apologize, which bodes well for the direction of the show, especially as the show moves forward.

(Also in the 6AM hour Hardy mentioned how they have a show meeting before the show and it seemed like Hardy needled Fred to attend it today.)

 

[Granite Sox]

Hardy is earning his money today, that's for sure.

Breer's re-schedule has thrown them off course, resulting in spontaneous Fred Unleashed™ (this is not a good thing). The irony is completely lost on Fred.

 

[Helmet Head]

Every time Wallach talks a rage builds up inside of me . He doesn’t say anything particularly wrong . He is just annoying and his condescending tone just sets me off.

Today for example. They had Forsberg on during the 8 o’clock hour. They were discussing Tatum possibly being the face of the league moving forward. Wallach comes on. “do you really think Tatum can be the face of the league? I just don’t see it”. I have no problem with this comment on its face, but the way he said with a tone that you are a big dummy if you believe he can be.

less Wallach please

 

[NewInTown]

It's pretty wild how unprofessional the Bert Breer situation was this morning. The guy has a segment which an advertiser pays real money to sponsor and he's such a wreck because he got wasted the night before that he can't show up to it.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I don’t get how people don’t love Hardy especially after today. He’s the perfect fit as he’s not afraid of Fred, he’s willing to give Fred shit and doesn’t back down. He seems like a generally good guy but he’s not going to be Fred’s bitch. It doesn’t seem like Fred is offended by it, they’re very similar.

 

[RedOctober3829]

It was said upthread a bit but I think the show has really hit its stride. It’s much better than the last 3 years of T&R in my opinion.

Give me Brookline 911 again and I'd agree with you.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Give me Brookline 911 again and I'd agree with you.

100% agree. That segment was some of their best work but Fred or whomever won’t do it for some reason(like Fart Court) It was really Rich’s thing so I am guessing that’s why? It’s weird Fred says they only did it maybe 6-7 times. I haven’t gone back but I’d double it if I guessed

 

[hube]

B911 is pretty work intensive outside of the regular show (including whatever pre/post show stuff they all do) if I remember right. I miss it but I get it.

I also got the sense Fred hated Fart Court, especially since they were doing it three times a week toward the end. I don’t miss that at all.

 

[MaybeNickGemelli]

Fart Court was funny when it wasn’t done every other day. It just became something to fill an empty segment. Im glad it’s gone. Good riddance.

We definitely did Brookline 911 more than 7-8 times. Before COVID, I use to go through the police logs on wicked local, request the audio, wait two weeks until they were ready. When Rich insisted he’d request the recordings, that’s when B911 became less frequent.

 

[dirtynine]

There was always something endearing about Rich sourcing something he thought would be comedy red meat for Fred, producing it perfectly, and debuting it with fanfare. He’d be almost giddy. Hardy seems nice and all but it still seems like fill-in chemistry to me. I’ll pop in every so often to see if that’s changing. To be fair, they need time to get to that spot.

 

[Hal Waffid]

Fart Court was funny when it wasn’t done every other day. It just became something to fill an empty segment. Im glad it’s gone. Good riddance.

We definitely did Brookline 911 more than 7-8 times. Before COVID, I use to go through the police logs on wicked local, request the audio, wait two weeks until they were ready. When Rich insisted he’d request the recordings, that’s when B911 became less frequent.

I think Fred explained it as that they made a requestor go to the police station to collect the audio and they stopped just sending it over and that made everything enough of a hassle not to do as many. I never really liked Fart Court except for the poker one they did toward the end.

Most of the reason I stopped listening to the show is because I just got to where I can't stand Fred. One of the main reasons why is how he treated (and apparently still treats) you. I just listened to the segment referenced above. Your behavior doesn't need correcting. It's totally reasonable to get exasperated if someone asks you to plan something and you do it then on a whim he immediately asks you to make a different plan. The more babylike behavior is asking for something and then throwing a tantrum when you get the thing you asked for because you changed your mind between the asking and the receiving.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

I think they will surprise a lot of people and make a run at the WC spot. If they do make a playoff spot I don’t see that going anywhere because the rotation is just so weak. I’m hoping Gioliti bounces back and gives us 15 wins.

Do you think the Celtics will win the title this year?

 

[sezwho]

Give me Brookline 911 again and I'd agree with you.

It was sure magic, but for me the Paul calls from deep in Mapdot, AL were the pinnacle.

 

[MaybeNickGemelli]

Most of the reason I stopped listening to the show is because I just got to where I can't stand Fred. One of the main reasons why is how he treated (and apparently still treats) you. I just listened to the segment referenced above. Your behavior doesn't need correcting. It's totally reasonable to get exasperated if someone asks you to plan something and you do it then on a whim he immediately asks you to make a different plan. The more babylike behavior is asking for something and then throwing a tantrum when you get the thing you asked for because you changed your mind between the asking and the receiving.

Honestly, I wasn’t phased by Fred reacting that way. It’s nothing new to me. I was more focused on coming up with a solution for the Breer situation. If I had a problem with Fred and his outburst, I wouldn’t be working on the show. Bottom line, he’s good to me and the other guys on the show.

 

[double4life]

Honestly, I wasn’t phased by Fred reacting that way. It’s nothing new to me. I was more focused on coming up with a solution for the Breer situation. If I had a problem with Fred and his outburst, I wouldn’t be working on the show. Bottom line, he’s good to me and the other guys on the show.

That sounded less convincing than a hostage at gunpoint. I’m gathering you’re downplaying Fred’s abuse because you perceive him as a threat to your job security should you be looked at as anything but loyal.

 

[MaybeNickGemelli]

That sounded less convincing than a hostage at gunpoint. I’m gathering you’re downplaying Fred’s abuse because you perceive him as a threat to your job security should you be looked at as anything but loyal.

Okay.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

That sounded less convincing than a hostage at gunpoint. I’m gathering you’re downplaying Fred’s abuse because you perceive him as a threat to your job security should you be looked at as anything but loyal.

This is why we get a bad rep. Nick was coming here to clear some things up and post his opinion in the show, which we appreciate.

We know Fred reads this as well and you are now just being an ass to Nick, even if it is true he’s not going to come on here and rip on Fred, which is what you are either implying or goading him into doing.

You’re basically doing the “when did you stop beating your wife” fallacy and putting Nick in a no win situation.

Nick, stick around and ignore this shit.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I haven't listened to the show in years - although I was a fan from WAAF through a few years ago. I started working from home, so theres no commute where I would normally tune in. No idea who Nick is.

That said - like @Chad Finn - he's put himself out here and provided some inside views with little to gain from that transparency. Maybe instead of being obnoxious or trying to read between any perceived lines, people stop being entitled and just enjoy the ability to openly communicate with media personalities you like to listen to.

Nick, you probably stink on the radio. Posting on SoSH is most likely the pinnacle of your career. Thanks for posting!

 

[PedroKsBambino]

delete

 

[bsqd]

That sounded less convincing than a hostage at gunpoint. I’m gathering you’re downplaying Fred’s abuse because you perceive him as a threat to your job security should you be looked at as anything but loyal.

All people do is speculate and ramble on here. That’s what the place is for. The guy is nice enough to come on to try to share some information that tons of people are asking about, including sharing some of his opinions and this is your response? I’m not asking you to kiss Nick’s ass or anything, but just a little bit of respect because he’s going out of his way to respond to listener’s questions about the show. Even if anything that you said was a bit true, how the hell would you expect the guy to respond to that? I know it’s the Internet but I still don’t understand sometimes how some people have to be assholes all the time even behind usernames and burners.

 

[Andy Merchant]

Agreed, welcome Nick and thanks for posting here. I certainly appreciate your contribution to the show and it's good to hear that things are going well with the new lineup.

 

[NewInTown]

Hardy has crushed it this week, with every guest he's had a game, a produced jingle where he's the one singing (one of his strong suits), and really just had full command of the show, he's so good in the morning. Even when they bring up a random pop culture topic, everything just feels so natural, he's a real pro, and super laid back

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

I don’t love Joe Koy but Hardy’s interview made him interesting.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Hardy has crushed it this week, with every guest he's had a game, a produced jingle where he's the one singing (one of his strong suits), and really just had full command of the show, he's so good in the morning. Even when they bring up a random pop culture topic, everything just feels so natural, he's a real pro, and super laid back

Agreed. The drop of from Fred -> Hardy is not nearly as big of a drop of Fred -> Rich with Fred out. Rich would spend most of the show going off the rails, couldn't really talk sports and laughing at his own jokes.

Rich needed Fred to keep him within the guardrails, Hardy does not need that.

 

[j-man]

The plants in my room would make a great replacement for Jim Murray.

facts dude is too winey i loves the 90's too but he likes to be pissed just to be pissed

 

[j-man]

and i miss fred i saw like 2 shows on nbc boston kinda of look like my uncle from texas ex not skinny nbc boston needs to bring it back because they allready have the other 2 shows

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I really don't think I've ever heard a father refer to his teenage daughter's underwear as panties before. Never mind, referring to them that way about 5 times in 1 conversation. Seems very strange.

 

[Dim13]

I enjoyed the show-on-show crime, however brief it was, this morning. T&H calling out the afternoon show for being disingenuous with their Patriots free agency takes was well warranted. Felger and Mazz have been more insufferable than usual, ripping pretty much every signing and non-signing.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I enjoyed the show-on-show crime, however brief it was, this morning. T&H calling out the afternoon show for being disingenuous with their Patriots free agency takes was well warranted. Felger and Mazz have been more insufferable than usual, ripping pretty much every signing and non-signing.

I caught the first 15 min of F&M yesterday and it was ridiculous. Fred’s right.

 

[dirtynine]

I gave the new show a bit of an extended listen this week as NFL free agency ramped up. I’ll give it this - it’s less programmed, a little more relaxed, something I didn’t realize it probably needed. There was some type A repressed energy with Rich there that has more or less been released. I enjoyed the crew busting on the Patriots podcast, that was good stuff.

So, they can do sports talk better than before. (One day Fred will get tired of saying he didn’t like the Pats’ free agent spending in 2021, and it will improve drastically.)

They can do prepared comedy decently, even if (to me) it’s not at the level it used to be at.

Where I’m struggling is the riffing / tweener segments. Those were always dependable, and I’m not there yet with this crew. Honestly, Hardy seems like an awesome guy and a good sports presence. But I find his personality, if not boring, just a bit bland. That might work better if they had a gregarious whack job in the third chair like Crash bringing weird energy. Instead it’s kind of like having a second, less cynical Fred, joshing with Wallach. I think Fred realizes this and really leans into awkward / gross comedy to try to fill that need. Not my favorite.

I’m not here to bury the show, and I’ll continue to give it a shot. It’s still a long way back to P1 for me though.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I gave the new show a bit of an extended listen this week as NFL free agency ramped up. I’ll give it this - it’s less programmed, a little more relaxed, something I didn’t realize it probably needed. There was some type A repressed energy with Rich there that has more or less been released. I enjoyed the crew busting on the Patriots podcast, that was good stuff.

So, they can do sports talk better than before. (One day Fred will get tired of saying he didn’t like the Pats’ free agent spending in 2021, and it will improve drastically.)

They can do prepared comedy decently, even if (to me) it’s not at the level it used to be at.

Where I’m struggling is the riffing / tweener segments. Those were always dependable, and I’m not there yet with this crew. Honestly, Hardy seems like an awesome guy and a good sports presence. But I find his personality, if not boring, just a bit bland. That might work better if they had a gregarious whack job in the third chair like Crash bringing weird energy. Instead it’s kind of like having a second, less cynical Fred, joshing with Wallach. I think Fred realizes this and really leans into awkward / gross comedy to try to fill that need. Not my favorite.

I’m not here to bury the show, and I’ll continue to give it a shot. It’s still a long way back to P1 for me though.

I think the show is much better than T&R as I’ve stated above. I hate the show opening with Fred doing the DA voice about human feces and I keep hoping they get rid of It because the Fred DA voice he overplayed (it’s the Seinfeld belly button Hellllooooo voice at this point)

I’m on Team Hardy 100% in choice of women and I know it rubs some people the wrong way and they don’t like the discussion. #juliebowen

 

[Hal Waffid]

What's Hardy's choice of women? Julie Bowen over Sofia V? I'm equally fine with either.