Fred Toucher answers more questions about Rich's departure and offers advice to his former co-host

During this morning's show, a caller asked Fred questions regarding Rich's departure. Plus, he share some advice to his former co-host of 17 years.

[@dustinwheaton7956]

So depressing. I have been listening to T&R since wbcn, followed them to the sports hub. They lost Crash Clark, Adolfo Gonzalez, chilli guy and now Rich Shortenlieb. 😢😢😢😢 it’s so sad and feels like a bad dream. Hopefully the show survives this departures but it will be extremely hard to replace Rich 💔💔💔

[@DMDvideo10]

Personally I feel like it's the worst show on the docket... I'd rather listen to Joe Murray a million times over. Felger & Mazz, Zolak & Bertrand are better sports shows.

[@scottrobertson9788]

@@DMDvideo10 really?? I like the morning guys, and I can’t stand the sound of Mazz’s voice. I’m curious to see how it plays out without Rich, but I think Fred is the more crucial piece. I just thought it was super weird to hear him say he didn’t know anything about Rich, after working with him for such a long time.

[@dustinwheaton7956]

@@scottrobertson9788 I totally agree. I can’t stand Felger and Mazz. Felger is an egotistical Ass and Tony Mazzoroti’s voice gives me a migraine

[@dustinwheaton7956]

@@DMDvideo10 I listen to Toucher and Rich for the whole experience. Not just the sports. I enjoy all their skits and parodies. 98 mile, ask a pink hat, the stack, etc. The entertainment value of the T&R show is unmatched by any show on the docket. Everyone good 98.5 has ends up leaving like Damon Amendolara, Rich Keefe, Adam Jones and now Rich Shortenlieb in My personal opinion

[@DMDvideo10]

@@scottrobertson9788 I think they appeal to a younger generation of listeners. What they find funny to me is like a boys bathroom humor. To each his own man. If you liked them then it sucks they parted ways. During the morning I tune into Weei which isn't tha much better!

[@deckenneth]

Rich was the reason to listen. He also led the production bits, and his loss there is bigger than people think. Fred's curmudgeon act wears out in about two hour without Rich's energy and optimism to balance it. A real shame. And that drek over on EEI isn't an option, so no sports radio for me in the morning anymore. Soooooo sad.

[@straightab6]

Big whoop, Rich didn't share a lot about his personal life to his coworkers

[@scottrobertson9788]

For sure, not a big deal, if that’s how he preferred to keep things. It just seemed strange to me that Fred would say he didn’t know anything about him, after working with him for such a long time. I’ve always liked the show, partly because it seemed like, they were genuinely pretty good mates, gave me pause when Fred said that about him. I wonder if he considered having Rich in on a call so he could be part of that conversation. Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the show in the new year.

[@straightab6]

@scottrobertson9788 How much more does Fred need to know? Shit, I pretty much listen everyday and I feel like I know a lot about Rich(he lives downtown, his wife was sick, his parents& upbringing). And that's just picking up stuff from the show, I'm sure they've had conversations about stuff that never makes air. I feel like Fred is playing the angle up.

[@theroman886]

Fred playing the Opie card of how they werent close. Maaa'n

[@bucksatanII]

This ending is very Opie and Anthonyish.

[@misterjameshay]

Now I'm intrigued

[@amuroray88]

It's like reverse Opie and Anthony, where Ant got to keep his job and Opie got let go. Rich is gonna have a very hard time since he's not naturally that comedically talented. He's basically a producer who can talk on air. He's not funny spontaneously

[@grimeypipes2765]

You know what Rich was best at, as far as his on air contribution ( besides bit ideas and production ) letting Fred rant when Fred needed to rant, and feeding into Freds improv......if one had to go, i would rather Rich. Sad to see the show end but. Is what it is

[@amuroray88]

That's because Rich is basically Opie. A glorified producer

[@Eggy79]

@@amuroray88 What does that make Fred? An unglorified, even less talented Fred Imus?

[@celticboricua]

I miss Rich 😢

[@matthewjensen3200]

Unite the Detroit boys. Fred and the Hardbark

[@tidritblag9877]

The sad part is the show is best with both. Fred is probably more important to the day to day, but rich is so important to the bits and production and really have top level ideas.

[@keithclark1197]

Everyone needs to calm down. The show is going to evolve. It won't be the same. Don't look for a Rich replacement. It'll be a different show.

[@Shatamx]

Sounds like Rich tried to get Fred fired. Damn.

[@drummer78]

Sort of like Opie did with Anthony

[@karimglasgow5518]

Sounds like that's Fred's version.

[@0animegirl054]

Wallach, caw twice if you're in danger.

[@KhalDrogo76]

I've been listening to them since the BCN days and I've always felt that Fred was the real star out of the two if there was one. Rich on his own couldn't carry a show but Fred can. Just my opinion, Rich is funny but Fred is just more entertaining to me on the radio.

[@DV-id6di]

Talks shit when he exits ❤

[@mattmccarthy9067]

Not surprising. Kirk Minihane called this a long time ago. He's friends with Jim Murray, Zolak, and Fred so one of them definitely told him that it was only a matter of time until T&R ended.

[@drummer78]

There is a bit of an Opie & Anthony vibe in this breakup.

[@timothytolland925]

Got the SAME vibe only don't think either are gunna end up as desperate that Opie got

[@amuroray88]

They were on the same network and I believe T&R led in O&A. So it honestly makes sense

[@theroman886]

It's sad they didn't like each other like o and a

[@amuroray88]

@@timothytolland925 Rich might. I don't think he's as marketable as he thinks without Fred, who is the comedic talent

[@jayy88]

Rich was easily the best part Fred is to self absorbed

[@scottohara9001]

4 hours a day listening to Fred talk about polishing the dolphin sounds like fun 😂

[@timothytolland925]

How come every Boston radio duo with any personality ends this way

[@tomtalley2192]

If it was Fred that left, I would listen to the show again.

[@ealbertson318]

Yet you are here commenting on a clip from the show

[@BrazaBryan]

yet here you are

[@Kyle_Riel]

​@@BrazaBryan that doesn't mean anything. Watching this show implode is interesting. You don't need to be a fan of the show to watch a 10 minute KZbin video. Wtf are you talking about?

[@BrazaBryan]

@@Kyle_Riel calm your tits. he literally said "If it was Fred that left, I would listen to the show again." if he said an imploding show was interesting, that'd be different because I agree. wtf are you talking about?

[@zeked4200]

​@@Kyle_Riel OP said: If it was Fred that left, I would listen *again* So they were a fan of the show once, got sick of Fred and stopped listening...but they still comment on the shows clips on KZbin and would be a fan if Fred left. Seems like they're still pretty interested in the show... Also, nobody was talking to you about your feelings. What're you OPs mother? Thou dost not need to defend them honorable White Knight of KZbin. Thou can lettest them speakth for themselvesth.

[@woodsy5936]

Rich is a massive tool. Fred is a more authentic person. Rich is super fake and it was easy to gleen that just from listening. Could not imagine working with the guy. Good luck on the next chapter of the show, Fred. I'll continue to tune in.

[@scottrobertson9788]

You thought he came across as a massive tool?? That’s so surprising to me, I thought he seemed like sort of a basically regular dude. If anything, he seems to have to try extra hard to keep up with Fred sometimes, but I never really got the vibe that he would be tough to work with. I guess that’s why it struck me as strange how Fred describes their relationship and the fact that he didn’t have him call in or something to give his point of view. I’ll definitely still listen, interested to see who they bring on in the new year.

[@jesusjones9215]

I hope this is the beginning of Fred going full Howard Stern - just throws on a wig and is like "you know I invented sports radio!"

[@1Learn2Swim3]

Rich got tired of working with a drunk

[@W_Scanlon17]

Mc hockey hat, love to see it

[@tidritblag9877]

It’s Merrimack

[@W_Scanlon17]

@@tidritblag9877 ya, mc, Merrimack college lmaoo

[@tidritblag9877]

@@W_Scanlon17 MC is Malden Catholic. Moron. Shortened Merrimack college is just Merrimack.

[@BostonTom]

Don't know what happened but without Rich this show is dead to me. It was a perfect balance so without either one this show fails in my opinion

[@ApocalypseKurtz]

So the show is now Fred + his yes men. This will be unlistenable.

[@christopherburke8971]

Right? I love Fred but they all suck his dick. And he steps all over them. It’s especially cringey when the guests join in and try and shit on wallach or roche, so cringey

[@karimglasgow5518]

Anyone else remember how much shit they used to give Amy Lawrence, on a regular basis, for how much she for talked about her personal life on air? I remember a specific complaint from Fred about her taking up 5 mins of airtime to talk about walking her dog. Had to go into the office today, so on my commute I had the pleasure of listening to these dudes spend their first 15 minutes on the air talking about...wait for it....Fred's dog. Next 15 was about Wallach's first gig in North Dakota. No exaggeration, the show was 30 minutes in before anything sports-related came up. That's bothered me about that show for a long time - if it wasn't personal life stuff it was some obscure reference that only they and maybe a handful of listeners could appreciate, and them still cracking theirselves up over it well after it stopped being funny. Rich at least tried to analyze the actual games that were played the night before. I can only imagine the insufferable parts of this show getting worse with Fred being left to his own devices.

[@SPVLaboratories]

I used to have insomnia so I would drive to work at early hours just beacause. I’d turn on the radio and hear any Lawrence and laugh at how much they hated her 😂

[@Eggy79]

This show is going to divebomb so hard, it's not even funny. Pun intended.

[@matthewbertrand1635]

Rich by himself stinks. Fred by himself stinks on air. Together magic. Rich would find audio and let Fred spike it and then laugh and laugh and get his back! Fred would alpha dog Rich on b.s conversations, and Rich would have to deal with it.

[@philwarner1938]

Fred he probably couldn't stand you

[@philwarner1938]

Should be rich there not fred

[@Paul1958R]

WHY would anyone listen to this

[@scottrobertson9788]

Listen to the show? You don’t like it?

[@philwarner1938]

Hide behind your microphone