“I hate him.” Boston radio host celebrates cancellation of ex-partner’s show

Longtime Boston radio host Fred Thacher couldn’t restrain himself and criticized his old partner, Rich Shertenliebwhose new show was canceled this week.

Toucher, who currently co-hosts “Toucher & Hardy” on 98.5 The Sports Hub, took some time during Tuesday’s show address the elephant in the room. Shertenlieb’s new show on WZLX was canceled after five months, and Taucher seemed to have no sympathy for his former partner.

“I hate him,” Thacher said. “So I was happy yesterday when I heard about it. But I’m a little disappointed that he still doesn’t take any responsibility, doesn’t take any blame, and still just can’t be honest.”

Toucher and Shertenlieb co-hosted Toucher & Rich from 2009-2023, working together to create one of Boston’s most popular morning shows. However, the show ran into trouble in 2023. Thacher missed time due to personal and physical issues, including an extended stay at an alcohol detox center. In November, parent company Beasley Media said in a statement that Shertenlieb had refused to accept a new contract.

On Monday, Shertenlieb said he was “disappointed” his show was canceled after just five months. The radio host complained that management forced him to “remake the format” of the program by adding music.

However, Taucher noted Tuesday that Shertenlieb’s show was a ratings disaster.

“Not only did he not attract a new audience to this show, he alienated – based on the ratings – their entire existing audience,” Thacher said. “He had about a third of the ratings that they lost in the morning. … Yes. management may have been a little concerned.”

Thacher said critics can paint the picture of his reaction any way they want. But he noted that he and co-host John Wallach say they are not alone in celebrating the end of Shertenlieb’s show.

“There was a lot of laughter and fun,” Thacher said. “Everyone seemed very pleased with the news that the show was ending. …Whatever story you want to create, you can do it. But the people who used to work—I talked to three of them—used to work on the show—don’t work on the show anymore. Everyone was laughing and having a good time.”