Saturday mornings when I was growing up, 10am was a sacred time in our house. Every week, my dad turned the radio to our local public radio station. And on the hour, our home—or, if we were out and about, the Shempmobile (my dad’s peeling paint minivan)—was filled with the boisterous belly laughs of Click and Clack, the brothers behind the call-in show Car Talk.
I didn’t know anything about carburetors or timing belts or spark plugs (and, ah, still don’t). But the hosts’ mischievous sense of fun and the joy they so clearly found in the show was contagious. I found myself giggling along with Click and Clack as they helped (and poked fun at) the drivers trying to figure out what was wrong with their rides.
My favorite parts, of course, were when the brothers asked callers to mimic the noise their car was making. Their attempts to replicate the kathunk-crunch or wheeeeewheeeewheee or pathudpathud sound effects cracked me up every time.
Better yet was the way Click and Clack’s commentary made my dad laugh. An especially hilarious moment would leave him with tears streaming into his beard; once or twice a show, he’d end up in a coughing fit from laughing so hard.
Tom Magliozzi, the elder of the brothers, died on Monday. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but an interview I heard yesterday with Car Talk’s executive producer said that he still laughed at jokes, even near the end.
NPR has been rerunning old shows for a while now, and I imagine they’ll continue to do so despite Tom’s death. But this week, I’ll miss his unapologetic passion for cars and helping people. He and his brother, Ray, brightened my childhood.
In his honor, I’ll be making car sound effects as I vrroooom around town. Rest well, Tom.
I always loved Car Talk (although I could care less about cars) and was saddened to hear of his passing. RIP.
I think that was their biggest success: They drew in an audience that was much wider than car afficionados.
I loved getting to share your experiences of them!
My ex preferred talk radio to music in the car. I couldn’t stand talk radio … with the exception of Car Talk, which made me chuckle no matter how little I understood about cars. I even used their mechanic finding tool to ensure I found a good mechanic when I was rear ended a few years ago.
I haven’t listened for a while, but I’ll continue to smile at the memory of Car Talk for many, many years to come.
Me too. It’s always a treat if I find myself scanning the radio and happen across their show.
It’s wonderful to be reminded how they made so many people happy while helping them, and making people mimic the sounds is so classic (and not weird!) and totally logical to do in explaining thanks to them!
I am so sad to hear this. My experience was much like yours – I’m much more comfortable with carbonara than carburetors, and prefer music to talk in the car, but for some reason, I always enjoyed listening to Car Talk. And I suppose that I learned a thing or two from them over the years too. Thanks for remembering Tom.
Carbonara (or cabernet!) over carburetors for sure! Yet Click and Clack still made us laugh.
I am so sad. I loved Car Talk so much.
Me too. At least we have their voices (and their laughter!) recorded.
Such a wonderful tribute. RIP Tom.
What a great way you have honored him here! Prayers for his family during this time.
I have so many memories of cold nights in the garage with my dad listening to car talk 🙂
I had JUST started listening to Car Talk the week prior to Tommy’s death. Seriously bummed me out hearing about his passing.