Posted on 01/12/2005 9:24:16 AM PST by raccoonradio
Now in its 18th year of syndication, "Car Talk," the weekly National Public Radio show starring Cambridge homeboys Tom and Ray Magliozzi, a.k.a. Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers, has never been more popular -- or better positioned to win new fans, with an animated TV show in the works and more merchandise for sale than you can shake a stick shift at. What makes "Car Talk" run? Let's peer under the hood of a show that deftly cross-wires auto tips with improv comedy:
Contrary to what many listeners assume, the show is not broadcast live. It's taped at WBUR studios in Boston 10 days in advance. However, the calls are live -- sort of. Callers who have left funny or interesting messages during the previous week's show get a return phone call from a "Car Talk" producer. About a dozen callers are invited to phone in the following Wednesday while Ray and Tom are in the studio. The hosts do not rehearse their responses, however, and have only a vague notion of what topics they'll be asked to address. Calls are screened for topicality and variety so that, for instance, the hosts do not field four questions in a row about brake linings.
"What gets listeners most upset is wondering if the guys get the answers in advance," says "Car Talk" executive producer Doug Berman during a recent Tuesday morning production meeting. "And what the guys say to that is, 'If we did, would we be as wrong as often as we are?' "
Point taken.
From the control room, via computer and headset, Berman regularly feeds Tom and Ray information about car makes, models, safety records, and other useful stuff that may not be at the hosts' fingertips while they chat with callers or rag on each other.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
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In all honesty, you might be better off letting these guys tinker under your hood instead:
What's even funnier is that it is guys like this who keep sending Ted "The Swimmer" Kennedy and John L. Kerry back to the Senate (and put Michael Dukakis in charge of the state).
Cars ARE weapons:
Bail cut in case involving Rep. [Katherine] Harris
Seltzer, a Democrat, is accused of swerving his Cadillac at Harris, a Republican from Longboat Key, and her supporters as they waved to passing motorists Oct. 26 at the corner of Fruitville Road and North Washington Boulevard.Seltzer told police he tried to intimidate Harris and her supporters, an arrest report said. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a charge that usually carries a bail of about $20,000.
Perhaps "motor voter registration" should be added to the driver's test and considered a background check for dangerous drivers. If you select "Democrat" as party you get your voter card but your driver's license is automatically rejected as a threat to humanity.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun bump!
They are in lust at least with Saabs, it is not a show if they don't praise a Saab.
Even a stopped clock is right twice per day. I had a '70 99 while they couldn't make an informed opinion due to their blindness.
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