In defense of the Tournament: Loyal listener voices his support – Toucher & Hardy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Rhea Seehorn attends the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
This article was submitted by a loyal Toucher & Hardy listener voicing his support for the tournament revolving around Rob “Hardy” Poole.
Written for Rob “Hardy Poole”; credited to Nick Gemelli
Authenticity is the essence of the game.
This contest is a celebration of women- not typical objectification.
The bracket spurs a complex debate on what a real man of integrity considers attractive- and quite frankly- is a refreshing departure from the pathetic sport’s jock macho-man ribald discussions. This fun exercise and discussion have nothing to do with a one-minute stand. Any scrutinizing would make it plain that this is not a base ‘if my wife died, I would immediately seek out Andie MacDowell for a trist’. It is not about viewing women as sexual objects.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 20: Kathryn Feeney attends Season 1 Premiere Of Netflix’s ” Mr. Iglesias” at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
There are ones in movies who take their glasses off and Wowzah! No-one realized THEY were the hot ones the whole time!
Gals who can hang with the guys and eat normal food in front of them, who are witty, and smart and vulnerable and kind are always much more interesting than a bimbo giggling at you and feigning interest and flipping their hair. A Vixen who’s every look and movement is contrived to trick you into desiring her, only to be a dramatic insecure poop-show when you do, are not the ones who get my engines revving.
The “I’m good enough, and I’m attractive as I am” movement is showing promise.
Normal real ladies are awesome! They deserve to be in a bracket of their own. These womanly gems are worthy of a high brow discussion clarifying that attraction is a complex series of features. It can’t be pushed into a cookie cutter box.
I, for one, think it is high time a male role model of sensibility, charm, and sportsy old-timey wit (myself), shine a light on the beauty of women of authenticity and integrity.
The End….
The best friend, the Jessie’s girl, the friend of the “hottie” is ultimately who you should want to have relations with. In a lot of ways this exercise is one of romantic intimacy versus superficially using photoshopped images of women for male pleasure.
Toucher & Hardy: 2024 MARCH PLAINNESS - Who made the tournament?
During this morning’s Toucher & Hardy, Fred revealed the contenders in the highly anticipated tournament, March Plainness! Who will Hardy choose?
In the world of sports talk radio, unexpected debates can lead to epic events. This was exemplified when a straightforward question regarding preferences in women ignited Toucher & Hardy’s “March Plainness” tournament, captivating the attention of listeners.
It all began with a casual inquiry posed to Rob “Hardy” Poole during the highly popular, totally original Email segment. A listener asked Hardy to choose between two actresses from the popular TV show “Modern Family”: Sofia Vergara, known for her role as Gloria, and Julie Bowen, who portrays Claire Dunphy. To the surprise of his co-host Fred Toucher, Hardy opted for Julie Bowen over Sofia Vergara, noting a specific clip that’s ingrained in Hardy’s mind.
WATCH HERE:
This seemingly innocuous choice set off a chain reaction. Listeners flooded the show with emails and phone calls, expressing their opinions and suggesting other contenders who fit Hardy’s preferences. Fred took on the challenge of organizing a tournament to determine the ultimate winner in Hardy’s wheelhouse.
And so, “March Plainness” was born. Toucher carefully curated a list of 16 women who aligned with Hardy’s tastes, creating a bracket-style competition akin to the NCAA tournament in March. The matchups were designed to pit fan favorites and Hollywood stars against each other, sparking debates and discussions among listeners.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming tournament on the highly-rated Toucher & Hardy’s radio program, fans are eagerly anticipating each round, ready to cast their votes and share their predictions. The excitement is expected to reach new heights as the field narrows, with potential for unexpected upsets and thrilling showdowns that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
The culmination of intense deliberation and competition will ultimately reveal the winner of the tournament. But you may be asking, “Who made the cut? Who’s in this highly anticipated tournament?” Well, you’re in luck! Below are the women who made the tournament, along with their seeding.
You can also fill out your bracket and predict who will Hardy ultimately choose! Scroll to the bottom.
MARCH PLAINNESS CONTENDERS:
Nick Gemelli, the wizard behind the scenes at Toucher & Hardy and a maestro on 985thesportshub.com, kicked off his radio escapade back in 2007 as an intern for Toucher & Rich on WBCN. After navigating through WFNX and the Boston Phoenix, he made a triumphant return to the show in 2016. Hailing from Marshfield but currently holding it down in Tewksbury, Nick’s radio journey is as dynamic as his Twitter feed. Nick writes about what happens on the Toucher & Hardy Show and Boston area lifestyle content.