Fans of the popular NPR show “Car Talk” are burning up the social media-sphere today with the announcement by Tom and Ray Magliozzi that they are retiring this fall. But don't fret: they still have a place here on WNIJ, according to Program Director Bill Drake.
The pair known as “Click and Clack, The Tappet Brothers” said in a release on their website it was “time to get even lazier.” This fall, “Car Talk” observes the 25th anniversary of its first show on NPR: before that, America’s favorite mechanics dished out the bad car advice for a decade as a local show on WBUR in Boston. And with older brother Tom turning 75 this year…
My brother has always been 'work-averse,' " says Ray, 63. "Now, apparently, even the one hour a week is killing him!" "It's brutal!" adds Tom, 74.
On the bright side, the show WILL go on! Tom, Ray, and thousands of callers have created a nearly-endless supply of great radio over the years. "Esteemed Producer" Doug Berman will continue to work his magic, as he detailed in a message to NPR stations:
These will not be “throw on a tape” reruns. These will be programs that are produced as if they were new programs, but sourced, carefully and methodically, from the top tier of some 12,500 logged and rated calls in our archives. In our opinion, the entertainment value of these new archive shows is actually higher than that of a current Car Talk show. 25 years in, we’re actually going back and editing the series, to make it better, stronger, and funnier.
WNIJ Program Director Bill Drake says “Car Talk” is an anchor of WNIJ’s weekend lineup, and he doesn’t expect that to change:
Tom and Ray have entertained WNIJ listeners for years, and I’m confident Doug Berman and his team will continue to produce a show which will remain an essential part of our listeners’ lives. Personally, I’m looking forward to re-experiencing some of the older bits and having another chance to hear great radio I missed the first time around. All of us here at WNIJ thank Tom and Ray for sharing their humor with us, and we wish them well in the next phase of their lives.
There has been a tremendous outpouring from “Car Talk” listeners, most of whom are managing to deal with the retirement news with a good sense of humor. KQED has highlighted some of the most interesting listener comments from a number of sources.
