Rich Shertenlieb Has Left 'Toucher and Rich,' Fred Toucher Announces

BOSTON, MA — Rich Shertenlieb of 'Toucher and Rich'—the long-running, humor-focused 98.5 The Sports Hub morning show considered to be one of the most successful radio programs in New England—has left the show, co-host Fred Toucher announced suddenly at the top of Friday's broadcast.

Though both hosts have previously discussed long-standing tension in their friendship and professional partnership, it was not disclosed on the program Thursday that it was Shertenlieb's last day.

During Friday's show, Toucher shared details of periods of estrangement for the pair in the months leading up to Shertenlieb's departure.

"Earlier this year, Rich said some stuff on and off the air about me I didn't like," Toucher said. "So I texted him some things that I had been holding on to from the course of our relationship that he did not like."

Toucher took a month-long leave of absence from the show in the spring due to a throat issue—later diagnosed as leukoplakia—that was caught by a listener who noticed his voice sounded rough. When Toucher returned in May, Shertenlieb was notably absent.

In a series of tweets in late April, Toucher accused Shertenlieb and other show staff of failing to support him during his absence but later issued a public apology to Shertenlieb.

"The truth is he did reach out during my medical leave a number of times and even went so far as to offer his connections at [the hospital]," Toucher wrote on X in early May.

While Toucher said Friday that he and Shertenlieb usually negotiated their contracts together, a news release from Beasley Media Group last month announced that Toucher had signed a multiyear contract to continue to serve at the helm of 98.5 The Sports Hub, with no mention of Shertenlieb.

According to Toucher, the group also offered to renew Shertenlieb's contract, but he did not accept.

After working together at 99x in Atlanta, Shertenlieb and Toucher joined forces to launch their own radio program on WBCN in Boston in 2006. The show moved to 98.5 The Sports Hub in 2009 once WBCN shuttered.

Tocuher said Friday that he hopes to have a new co-host by the beginning of the new year.

"Fred wishes Rich success in his future endeavors," the show announced in a post on its website Friday.