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NPR’s ‘Car Talk’ answers automotive questions with a twist
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However, he was the only one to show up on the first day because the rest thought it was a Department of Consumer Affairs sting operation.
So, on the first show, Magliozzi answered calls from people with automotive problems and gave out many wrong answers, essentially, irritating some of the callers, but he did it in such a manner, that to his surprise, he was invited back the following week.
When he showed up the next week, the program director had been fired and the studio was empty. There was a letter stating: OYouOre on your own, have a good time, and try to watch your language.O
The following week, Magliozzi jokingly admits now, that he made the biggest mistake in OCar TalkO history by inviting his younger brother Ray to sit in on the show.
OCar TalkO became a popular radio fixture in the Boston area because of their on-air antics and self-effacing personalities. The show gained national attention reportedly when Robert Seigel, the host of National Public RadioOs OAll Things Considered,O was driving through Massachusetts and heard the show.
In 1987, Tom and Ray, affectionately known as Click and Clack, were asked by NPR to do a national show, and the rest is automotive history.
With the expertise of producer Doug Berman, the weekly call-in show is now aired on more than 300 NPR stations nationwide. An estimated 2 million listeners tune in to OCar TalkO each week.
Over the years, Click and Clack have tried to answer questions like, OIOm stuck with my left arm in the transmission, how do I get it out?O and OI lost a three-eighths hex wrench taking off the cylinder head, but I canOt bend down to pick it up because I have the timing chain in my right hand•could you send your brother over to help me?O
One time they told a caller that a metric-crescent wrench was needed to complete a job on their faulty alternator. The woman caller thanked them for the advice, hung up the phone and presumably went in search of this non-existent tool. And, of course, Click and Clack laughed uncontrollably.
Both Click and Clack have publicly aired their aversion for FiatOs, HyundaiOs and YugoOs. One time a listener called in and said, OI have a 1989 Hyundai Excel êO and Ray interrupted him mid-sentence, OYou drive a Hyundai, thatOs your problem!O
OCar TalkO is critically acclaimed as one of the funniest shows in NPR history and can be heard in the Treasure Valley on Boise StateOs KBSX 91.5 FM, also known as NPR News 91.
J. Patrick Kelly
