Sports Hub’s Toucher Taking Time Out
• We are sending positive thoughts to Fred Toucher, half of the popular Toucher & Rich morning show with Rich Shertenlieb and John Wallach on Beasley Sports-Talk WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub)/Boston, who is taking some time off the air to deal with several pressing personal issues.
After arriving late on Tuesday morning for what The Boston Globe‘s Chad Finn described as “an unsettling show,” Toucher (left) revealed that he’s going through a divorce. During the 7am hour he sounded so agitated that Shertenlieb (right) suggested he take some time off, going as far as to offer to go off the air with him.
Toucher was M.I.A. from Wednesday’s broadcast. Coming out of the first break Wednesday, Shertenlieb said, “Listen, with everything that’s going on, Fred’s going to take a couple of days off. And we love the guy, can’t wait until he gets back… But if you heard any of the show yesterday, we know that this is something that he’s going to just take a few days and step back, and we’re glad. And once again, we wish him the best and he’ll be back soon.” Co-host Jon Wallach added, “We’re here for you, bud. We’re here for you and we miss you.”
Around noon on Wednesday Toucher checked in on Instagram, saying he was seeking help. “First of all thank you to the listeners that have my back,” he wrote. “For some reason I want you guys to know I have never been drunk on the air [management has never accused me of such]. I am going to a mental institution next week. I am sometimes too forthcoming on the air. I’m used to just being honest about my life but when you are a f–k-up that isn’t such a good idea.”
Beasley Media Group later issued a statement that read, “As a responsible company committed to the Boston Community, we take this matter very seriously. Fred will be off the air while we continue to review the situation.”
