Boston radio hosts John Dennis and Fred Toucher engage in epic Twitter war
For more than four years, the greater Boston area has been home to two major sports radio networks. The original, WEEI, has faced fierce competition from 98.5 The Sports Hub since it’s launch in 2009. Many of The Sports Hub’s shows — including the all-important morning 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. block with shock jocks Fred “Toucher” Toettcher and Rich Shertenlieb — have surpassed WEEI in ratings.
Toettcher and Shertenlieb have been very vocal on the air and through social media with letting their listeners know that they are beating WEEI’s “Dennis and Callahan Show” in ratings. On Saturday morning, WEEI’s John Dennis decided he had heard enough. He went after Toettcher on Twitter and even threatened him at one point.
Dennis started by going after John Wallach, who reads the sports headlines on “The Toucher and Rich Show.” Wallach’s Twitter handle is @KenGriffeyRules. A Twitter follower asked Dennis if he could bring Wallach along with him to an event that WEEI will be holding at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Dennis went off.
@jpriordan12 @FoxwoodsCT sure, if you want to hang w the single most talentless irritating broadcaster in Boston history. @KenGriffeyRules
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
. @jpriordan12 @FoxwoodsCT @KenGriffeyRules Wallach is a little testicle-less BITCH who is paid to laugh at UGLY Toucher's lame jokes.
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
. @GREYSTOKE99 our hookers will have WARMED hands. @KenGriffeyRules will get his ass kicked if he shows up in my face EVER.
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
Dennis’ followers then started asking him questions like, “Have you been drinking?” He said he was simply tired of listening to Toucher and Rich’s crap and then took aim at Toucher.
@sstevens2020 @greystoke99 @kengriffeyrules @toucherandrich @fredtoucher nope. DONE taking their idiotic shit. Quiet for 2 yrs. no more.
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
@smclaughlin9 @fredtoucher Toucher is a hideously ugly pussy w NO GUTS. SICKS listeners on me for 2 yrs. Come see me DOUCHE BAG.
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
@SteveSaleeba Sober as a judge, Steve. Not a drink since cruise. Spring water all day. Just no longer taking hideous @FredToucher shit.
— John Dennis (@JohnDennisWEEI) January 25, 2014
Dennis ended his rant by guaranteeing that his show on WEEI will pass Toucher and Rich’s show this year. Of course, Toucher did not sit quietly. He mostly focused on the fact that Dennis, who is 61 years old, was challenging people to a fight.
Look at the 60 year old grandpa making twitter threats. Pathetic has been Dino.
— Fred Toucher (@FredToucher) January 25, 2014
I've been challenged to a fight by a 60 year old has been Grandpa. Time to drop the mic. T+R nation wins again
— Fred Toucher (@FredToucher) January 25, 2014
This by no means is a request for T+R listeners to wind up a grandfather on twitter. That wouldn't be fun at all
— Fred Toucher (@FredToucher) January 25, 2014
@JohnDennisWEEI your "friends" have been talking to us about you for years. Just got a couple texts today. Be careful Grandpa
— Fred Toucher (@FredToucher) January 25, 2014
That was some Grade A WWE-type stuff right there. Dennis is probably going to get a slap on the wrist for threatening people with violence, but it’s worth it for the entertainment. As someone who has listened to both shows for years, I doubt Dennis and Callahan have a chance of surpassing Toucher and Rich in the ratings. Their following is just too strong, particularly among the 18-35 demographic.