Rob “Hardy” Poole from Toucher & Hardy takes a look back at all the classy women who didn’t make the Final Four.
Hello… Hardy again!
In my recent article, I dove into the buzz surrounding the brackets revealed last week during the Toucher & Hardy radio program. This unnamed tournament was introduced by Fred with a specific purpose: while the name we used on air at the time added a fun touch with alliteration, it didn’t capture the depth of our discussions when put into writing.
To recap, Fred’s idea was to select 16 women he believes would catch my interest. It started on Monday, promising a series of matchups until we find the perfect match. However, it’s important to note that this goes way beyond just having a physical attraction; qualities like intelligence, character, and achievements are all in the mix. Essentially, I’m looking at the whole package, not just appearances.
The lineup of 16 contestants was carefully chosen by Fred, drawing from his understanding of my tastes and input from Dan, Mike, Nick, and our listeners. Notably, some key players were left out intentionally as they didn’t fit the criteria.
Now that we’re almost towards the end, I look back at the individuals who’ve been knocked out and think, “this was really tough!’ because some could’ve gone either way.
With that in mind, I’ve undertaken the very difficult task of saying goodbye to these very classy women.
19. DONNA REED
Actress Donna Reed admiring the beard of actor Christopher Lee (right) as Leo Genn looks on, at a cocktail party for their film ‘Beyond Mombasa’ at the Savoy Hotel, London, January 5th 1956. (Photo by Reg Burkett/Keystone/Getty Images)
18. NANCY KERRIGAN
12 FEB 1994: U.S ICE SKATER NANCY KERRIGAN GIVES A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE OLYMPIC PRESS CENTRE IN LILLEHAMMER, NORWAY. Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole/ALLSPORT
17. JOYCE DEWITT
Promotional portrait of American actor Joyce DeWitt for the television show, ‘Three’s Company’, 1978. (Photo by ABC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images)
16. SALLY FIELD
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Sally Field of ‘Dispatches from Elsewhere’ speaks onstage during the AMC Networks portion of the Winter 2020 TCA Press Tour on January 16, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
14. PEGGY FLEMMING
American figure skater Peggy Fleming performs a routine at the Olympics in Grenoble, France, February 11, 1968. She won the gold medal. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
13. WENDY'S GIRL
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)
12. FLO'S FRIEND
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 08: Voice actor Natalie Palamides speaks during the Cartoon Network: ‘The Powerpuff Girls” panel at New York Comic Con on October 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Turner)
11. DEBRA WINGER (SNUB)
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Jury member Debra Winger walks the Closing Ceremony Red Carpet during 6th International Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on November 4, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images for Lancia)
9. AMY ADAMS (SNUB)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Actor Amy Adams attends the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
8. RHEA SEEHORN
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)
7. MAGGIE GYLLENHALL
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Maggie Gyllenhaal walks the red carpet for the 24th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on October 28, 2021 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD)
6. LAUREL COPPOCK
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Bobby Mort and Laurel Coppock attend the AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres “Loudermilk” And “Hit The Road” on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for AT&T AUDIENCE Network)
5. JULIA LOUIS DREYFUS (SNUB)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, winner of Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Best Comedy Series for “Veep”, poses in the press room during the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
4.) ANDIE MACDOWELL (FINAL FOUR)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 02: Andie MacDowell attends L’Oreal Paris’ Ninth Annual Women Of Worth Celebration at The Pierre Hotel on December 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
3.) DYLAN DREYER (FINAL FOUR)
STATELINE, NV – JULY 10: News Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer walks on the 14th putting green during the Final Round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 10, 2022 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
2.) MARY LOUISE PARKER (FINAL FOUR)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Actress Mary-Louise Parker attends Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation dinner at the Bon Appetit Supper Club and Cafe on September 26, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bon Appetit)
1.) MARY LOU RETTON (WINNER)
