Genre | Sports talk (2009 – 2023) Comedy, Talk, Rock (2006 – 2009) |
---|---|
Running time | ~4 hours |
Country of origin | United States |
Home station | 98.5 WBZ-FM (August 13, 2009 – December 19, 2023) 104.1 WBCN (June 5, 2006 – August 12, 2009) |
Starring | Fred Toettcher Jon Wallach |
Original release | June 5, 2006 – December 19, 2023 |
Opening theme | "Honey Bucket" by Melvins |
Website | http://www.985thesportshub.com |
Toucher and Rich was a radio show hosted by Fred Toettcher, airing from 6 to 10 AM on WBZ-FM, in Boston, Massachusetts. [1] Toettcher, along with co-host Rich Shertenlieb, debuted on alternative rock station WBCN on June 5, 2006. Beginning August 13, 2009, the show transitioned to sports talk station WBZ-FM.
From August 17, 2015, until July 13, 2018, the show was simulcast on NBC Sports Boston. The show is now streamed live on Twitch.
On September 24, 2016, Toucher & Rich received the Marconi Award, the highest award in radio for Major Market Personality of the Year.
From June 5, 2006, until mid-2007 the show's opening theme was "Fuck All Y'all" by Saliva. Since 2007, the opening theme is "Honey Bucket" by Melvins.
Toucher and Rich entered regional syndication on October 25, 2021. [2] The program's inaugural affiliates consisted of four Townsquare Media stations: the trimulcast of WCYY in Portland, Maine, WPKQ in North Conway, New Hampshire, and WJZN in Augusta, Maine; and WEZQ in Bangor, Maine. [3] Their syndication deal expired in October 2023, with the show reverting to broadcasting exclusively on WBZ-FM and Twitch. [4]
On December 19, 2023, Beasley Broadcast Group announced that Rob "Hardy" Poole will join Toettcher for the new "Toucher & Hardy" morning show, debuting January 4, 2024. [5] Poole is best known as the third mic on the midday show on The Sports Hub, having previously worked at WBCN as the production director and afternoon/evening host.
On October 25, 2023, Beasley Broadcast Group announced that Toettcher signed a new contract "to continue to serve at the helm of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston’s Award-winning morning show for years to come." [6] On November 10, Shertenlieb's departure from the show was announced after he refused to sign a multi-year contract extension "on terms better than his existing contract." [7]
Toettcher discussed Shertenlieb's departure during the opening segment of the November 10 broadcast. Toettcher said that he learned of the change from the station's management while he was driving home after the previous day's show. He also discussed problems that had developed between him Shertenlieb. Toettcher then described a prolonged period of estrangement between the two. He also said that Shertenlieb didn't tell him of his planned departure, which came as a surprise. [8]
Despite this, Toettcher revealed that he and Shertenlieb had since exchanged pleasant, parting text messages. Out of respect for Shertenlieb, Toettcher announced that the show would retire his production elements and segments, such as "What Happened Last Night" and "Fart Court." While he also stated the name of the show would remain until January 2024, there has since been no direct reference to "The Toucher and Rich Show" by on-air hosts or in production pieces, only referring to it as "the morning show."
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