Extremely entertaining walking car encyclopedias, brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi first started the Car Talk radio program on WBUR Boston 35 years ago and it's now been a cornerstone at NPR for the past 25 years.
Today, the duo 'Click' and 'Clack' said during their Friday show that it's time to "stop and smell the cappuccino," announcing that the final episode of Car Talk will air this fall.
Making the announcement in their usual comedic banter, the younger brother Ray Magliozzi, 63, said, "My brother has always been 'work-averse.' Now, apparently, even the one hour a week is killing him!"
Working the joke with perfect timing, Tom, 74, reacts, "It's brutal!"
Thanking the loyal fans and reflecting on the shows long run of more than 1,200 episodes, Ray wrote a letter of farewell now posted on the Car Talk website, "We've managed to avoid getting thrown off NPR for 25 years, given out tens of thousands of wrong answers, generated lawsuit threats from innumerable car companies, and had a hell of a lot of fun talking to you guys."
According to NPR vice president of programming Eric Nuzum, Car Talk attracts 3.3 million listeners every week at 660 stations. Nuzum said, "They're retiring at the top of their game. It's the most successful program on public radio."
Although new shows of Car Talk end in September, old ones recorded previously will continue to air. Also, NPR suggested that Ray and Tom won't drop their hammers retire their mics just yet, hinting at special guest appearances on future radio programs. What's more, the duo will continue to write their twice weekly column, "Dear Tom and Ray."
It's been an amazing run for the radio icon and we thank Click and Clack for their invaluable contribution to generations of car enthusiasts.
