98.5’s Fred Toucher responds to Hardy morning show speculation; Paul Perillo gives insight into Taylor Swift at Patriots game

98.5 The Sports Hub’s Fred Toucher on Wednesday commented on the speculation that Rob “Hardy” Poole will be his co-host on “Toucher and Rich,” while a 98.5 guest gave some insight into whether Taylor Swift will be at the Patriots game this weekend.

Toucher during Wednesday’s show read the Herald’s story about Hardy filling in on the morning show earlier this week. Hardy, the third chair on the midday show “Zolak and Bertrand” who is key for show production, has been rumored as the replacement for Rich Shertenlieb on the morning show.

In the Herald’s report, midday host Scott Zolak poured some cold water on how the morning show went with Toucher and Hardy earlier this week. Zolak called Toucher and Hardy “very similar,” like “vinegar and vinegar” on a salad.

Toucher responded to Zolak’s comments, emphasizing that it would be a promotion for Hardy if he got the morning show position.

“Don’t you have to at least pretend to be happy for him? Like if he was to get the job?” Toucher said. “Like even if it annoys you that he was leaving the show, you would have to be happy for him because he would be making, you would figure, more money than he makes now.

“And now the guy’s got 75 jobs, you would figure that he would not have to do any of those jobs anymore,” Toucher added. “His lifestyle — even though he would have to get up in the morning — would improve greatly. You would have to at least pretend to be happy for the guy, even though it might annoy you, you would have to pretend.”

Kendra Middleton, who makes regular appearances on “Toucher and Rich” and has interviewed for the open position, was filling in on Wednesday.

“If I were Zolak, I’d be doing the same thing,” Middleton said. “Hardy is a great talent. He does so much for that show. The production he puts into it.

“I love listening to that show, so it would be a loss for them, for sure,” she added. “So if I were Zolak, I would be like no, I would call dibs.”

Middleton then asked Toucher who he wants as his co-host.

“Between you and Hardy,” Toucher responded to Middleton.

“Alright, well there you go. I can’t wait for the Boston Herald to write about this now,” Middleton said. “Fred Toucher says he wants one of two people. Article incoming.”

“You want the honest truth: I think that on this station, of the two people that could take the job and the people that I have known that are in the area or that are available, that you and Hardy have the biggest star potential,” Toucher said, adding. “I think that very soon, you are going to be a big deal doing something. That is the truth. But you have to take a job where you can be yourself, and they let you talk about things that are interesting and not just talk about sports.”

Beasley Media Group did not immediately respond to questions about how many applications have been received for the open role, and when they anticipate announcing the new co-host.

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Also on Wednesday on 98.5, Mike Felger during “Felger and Mazz” asked weekly guest Paul Perillo of Patriots.com whether Taylor Swift will be rooting on her boyfriend Travis Kelce at the Patriots versus Chiefs game in Foxboro on Sunday.

When the matchup was previously scheduled for a Monday night game, Swift had inquired about a suite at Gillette Stadium, Perillo said he was told.

“This person told me that they have not heard back from those representatives since the game was flexed to Sunday at 1,” he added. “But a different person told me today that their understanding is that she will be here on Sunday.”

Tony Massarotti said Swift should ring the lighthouse bell before the game, while Felger said that can’t happen.

“She’s a Chiefs fan,” Felger said. “You can’t left a Chiefs fan, a Chiefs representative ring your bell.”

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