Good radio shows feel familiar. They feel conversational and allow you to jump in at any point and quickly understand the gist of what’s going on. For twenty-five years, brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi, better known as Click & Clack, did just that as they dispensed car advice, dispensed life advice and had a few laughs with their more than three million weekly listeners every Saturday morning.
Earlier today, the guys announced they’re going to cease production of “Car Talk” at the end of September. Fans have flooded the Internet with sadness today, but if there’s one group who overshadows their disappointment, it seems to be the radio stations themselves. “Car Talk” has long been NPR’s most popular show, and radio stations across the country have asked if they can continue airing repeats. The short answer is yes. According to The New York Daily News, the show’s executive producer will go back through the tapes and repackage and reformat the old calls. He’s saved more than twelve thousand of them and meticulously rated their content by entertainment value, making the job at hand far easier than it would be otherwise.
The guys haven’t given a specific reason for their departure, but at seventy-four, Tom has been at the game a long time. His little brother has already publically and in good fun called him lazy for the decision, but after more than two decades, I’m sure Ray will welcome the break too.
Click & Clack were wonderful at their jobs, and their hearty accents and healthy guffaws will be missed.