'Car Talk' Co-Host Tom Magliozzi Dies At 77

[Hissyspit]

Source: NPR

'Car Talk' Co-Host Tom Magliozzi Dies At 77

November 03, 2014 2:31 PM ET
SCOTT NEUMAN

Tom Magliozzi, one half of the wisecracking Car Talk duo known as "Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers," has died after complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was 77.

Car Talk Executive Producer Doug Berman sent this note Monday:

"I have the sad duty to report today that Tom Magliozzi, one of the hosts of Car Talk, passed away this morning due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/03/360340663/car-talk-co-host-tom-magliozzi-dies-at-77

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. I'm sorry.

That was a fun show. Both of them always making tacky jokes and laughing.

Requiescat in Pace, Tom

[uhnope]

32. RIP, now NPR can stop playing the reruns

I can't believe they play reruns of this show years after it stopped

[csziggy]

40. Reruns can go on forever!

My Mom used to love watching Lawrence Welk every week on her local public TV station. Last fall I mentioned that Welk had been dead for years. Mom was shocked and wanted to know why the shows were still running. I told they were reruns and had been for decades. When I looked it up and found that they last regular show was filmed in 1982 Mom got really upset - she felt ripped off that she'd been watching the same shows for thirty years! The she got really mad when she found out Welk had died in 1992 so even the specials were over twenty years old.

I wish I had done it sooner - now when we visit she no longer insists on watching Lawrence Welk even though the same station is still running the same shows. Mom's sense of betrayal has turned her against Welk. And we don't have to suffer through those horrid shows ever again!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

49. But, L. W. was cutting edge music!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

129. What? A "modern spiritual?"

Can't be true. I watched this, and ... this really happened?

ETA: It most certainly did: Tarkio (album)

[ToxMarz]

71. I guess they can

Never listened to NPR much, but started listening to podcasts when I switched to a smartphone. Listen to their podcast every week. I had no idea they were reruns!

[Skidmore]

46. It is good they let him leave on his own tetms and

with dignity.

[titaniumsalute]

60. Bug off...

I enjoy the shows. Who cares of they are re-runs. Ever hear of the Game Show Channel or TV Land?

[uhnope]

73. Ever heard of public radio and the multitude of progressive programs

that could air instead of replays of a show about cars? The live show was one thing, but to play replays years later so that boomers can chuckle? Car Talk replayed for years is a clear symptom of the weakening of the American mind and the dying of public radio

[former9thward]

78. People don't want to listen to politics all day.

They play the reruns because people like it.

[mentalsolstice]

80. Uhm, not years of reruns, they ended in Oct. 2012.

Probably ended because of his diagnosis. And if you're familiar at all with NPR, weekends are dedicated to non-political shows like Garrison Keillor, and Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me. All are good fun when stuck in a car for a long ride.

Lighten up, Francis!

[MH1]

92. Shows like Car Talk broaden the appeal of public radio

and attract new listeners who then might listen to other shows.

And besides, the shows are still funny.

So, lighten the f*** up, Francis.

[Retrograde]

100. It had the opposite effect on me

I know I'm in the minority, but I could not stand Car Talk (or Wait, Wait for that matter). The hosts may have been knowledgeable, but just not to my tastes.

[uhnope]

107. same here. and it was like one long ad cheering for Big Oil, car culture, and pollution

albeit indirectly

[Coventina]

120. Oh please, you clearly weren't listening. Click and Clack were always cheering for cleaner cars,

more efficient and safer cars, driver safety, and even LGBT rights.

Quit criticizing what you know nothing about.

[drynberg]

113. I agree, listening to click and clack just became part of my Saturday routine that I loved.

[NJCher]

98. logic and analysis

Ever heard of public radio and the multitude of progressive programs that could air instead of replays of a show about cars?

What's more progressive than logic?

As part of my teaching repertoire, I sometimes have my students listen to Frick 'n Frack to see how they solve problems. It's pretty easy to analyze because of the way they ask questions.

You'd be surprised at how many young male English students I reached with technique.



Cher

[titaniumsalute]

99. I really feel sorry for people like you

Stuck up and arrogant all at the same time. The show wasn't about cars...it was about humor. The crutch was cars. Apparently you've never listened to the show. Most of it was schtick, puns, riddles, jokes, etc. Of course that is all beneath you. The only clear symptom here is douchebaggery by a DUer.

[uhnope]

101. I listened, with an airsickness bag in hand

[titaniumsalute]

111. Well continue to hurl...just heard NPR will continue the re-runs...

[Throd]

102. Wow dude, way to be an '85 Tercel with bad plug wires.

[ms liberty]

112. good one! n/t

[RobinA]

118. !!!!!

[MH1]

141. :)

(and, consider the username. Just sayin'.)

[Odin2005]

144. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[OrwellwasRight]

115. First of all, I'm a Gen-Xer, not a boomer, and I LOVE Car Talk.

It is not a show about cars, anyway. It is a show about relationships with cars as a premise. And it's laugh out loud, laugh your ass off hilarious. Tom and Ray reference engineering, physics, literature, as well as car and relationship advice. Even smart, progressive, politically savvy people need a few hours a week to laugh.

Car Talk has been on the air since the 1980s and has consistently been one of NPR's most popular shows, garnering tons of donations by itself. NPR might not even be NPR without Car Talk.

The fact that you can say the show was a "symptom of the weakening of the American mind and the dying of public radio" only shows your ignorance.

[RobinA]

117. My Father

was born in 1933 and loves Car Talk reruns. He also keeps up by listening to other NPR shows. It's not a zero sum game. There are plenty of outlets for current stuff, much of which is taken up by lowest common denominator trash. A few hours of Car Talk a week is not responsible for the horrib;e state of knowledge that pervades the land.

[ozone_man]

135. You don't strike me as a progressive exactly.

And NPR has lost a lot of its progressiveness once they accepted corporate funding. But Car Talk speaks to their roots, when they were a great radio station. They (Clik and Clak) were progressives. It's one of the few things worth rerunning, and I've heard only a fraction of them anyway. The puzzles are great! Nice to listen to when on the road, or a lazy Saturday morning at home.

I think there are plenty of people who, when asked, will say that that show is the main reason they listen to NPR. I'm sure they do their polling.

[zentrum]

86. Agree absolutely! n/t

[zentrum]

87. Poor Ray.

They were a brilliant team. Hope the reruns run into the next century.

[Rebl]

88. Agreed!

It's only one hour a week. If you listen you might actually learn a thing or two. It wasn't just a comedy routine.

[barbtries]

104. i hope they keep playing them for ages

love the show and rarely get to hear it.

[MynameisBlarney]

126. Because they're no only hilarious, but very informative.

I love that show.

[red dog 1]

133. Car talk producer Doug Berman said that the re-runs will continue

and what the hell is wrong with re-runs?

[uhnope]

139. It's like living in the past

I simply can't believe that anyone wants to play reruns of a show on public radio that has stopped two years ago...I wouldn't want to hear that, even of shows I liked. It's such a lazy-minded, weak-minded thing. Like living in the past. It's like people who have given up on the world, on new things happening

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. That's too bad. I always enjoyed that show.

Didn't know he had Alzheimers.

[deurbano]

3. I didn't know that, either. Very sad.

[gvstn]

10. They retired the show in October 2012.

I think I heard one of the last broadcasts and didn't notice anything unusual in their banter.

I had no idea the guys were that old.

RIP Tom.

[MH1]

94. Ray is 12 years younger.

In one of the obits I saw today, Ray wisecracked that maybe Tom wasn't lying when he said he couldn't remember the previous week's puzzler!

[Odin2005]

145. When I read that Tom had Alzheimers I had the same thought about the puzzler!

[Chakab]

4. I used to listen to that show during long car rides with my dad when I was a kid.

Great memories.

RIP

[shenmue]

5. Oh, man!

I thought that show was really funny.

Rest in peace.

[elleng]

6. :-(

"After getting out of college, Tom went to work as an engineer.

One day, he was on his way to work when he had a near-fatal accident with a tractor-trailer. He pulled off the road and decided to do something different with his life.

"'I quit my job,' he [told graduates at a commencement speech at his] alma mater in 1999. 'I became a bum. I spent two years sitting in Harvard Square drinking coffee. I invented the concept of the do-it-yourself auto repair shop, and I met my lovely wife.'"

Doug Berman ended his message, "Please note that the Magliozzi family is asking that in lieu of flowers, friends and listeners make a donation to either the Alzheimer's Association or their favorite public radio stations in Tom's memory. It's just one more gift to us from a guy who gave so much to our network and its listeners over the decades."

[Richard D]

7. I loved that show . . .

. . . which if weird cause I am not all that into cars. I loved the humor though, and the quick wit. A sad day.

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Sad sad.

He brought so much light into our world; he will be missed!

[uppityperson]

9. Aw, RIP Tom. You helped me a couple of times, for instance my headlight kept burning out

and it was due to water being driven into that one type when driving. A small hole drilled at the bottom let out all the water and saved me much time and aggravation.

[longship]

11. Oh dear! RIP Click Tappet.

(Or is it Clack?)

[Hissyspit]

15. Dewey, Cheatem and Howe have taken the day off in memorium.

[elias49]

18. Haha! Good one.

I always got a kick out of their sign-off...

[Brother Buzz]

45. I got a kick out of the real sign

It was totally the highlight of my visit to Harvard Square decades ago. I glanced up and started chuckling.

[Odin2005]

146. Go Tekashawa could not be reached for comment.

[Hissyspit]

12. Anyone remember that the George Wendt Show was based on 'Car Talk?'

1995

[Triana]

13. Oh that just SUCKS. I really love these guys. One of my favorite programs.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends and other listeners who appreciated this program.

[SheilaT]

14. So sorry to hear this. I love that show.

I knew that Ray is my age, and Tom a decade older. Around the time they announced they were ending the show, I looked up photos of them on the internets. Tom looked not well at all. I hope his passing was easy.

[TexasProgresive]

16. Tom and Ray gave us many happy miles.

Did anyone ever catch their animated show?

[MissDeeds]

17. Just heard this on NPR

So sad. I love "Click and Clack" although I don't give a flip about cars or car repair. It was their wonderful banter and joy in the smallest, simplest thing that kept me riveted. Alzheimer's Disease is a wretched, hideous disease, robbing otherwise healthy people of their lives. Prayers and healing thoughts to the family.

RIP, Tom. You will be missed.

[Gothmog]

19. I am very sorry to hear this

May he rest in peace

[Orrex]

20. Oh damn.

This really makes me sad. Best wishes to his friends and family.

[groundloop]

21. Yet another sad reminder that nothing lasts forever..... RIP Tom

I loved their show, used to listen to it while I was tinkering in my garage. They never failed to inspire me. I was saddened when the show ended, I'd heard that one of them was in poor health but didn't know any more than that.

[alfredo]

83. I loved when they were stumped, they'd ask for the color of the car.

[FourScore]

22. Sad. My heart goes out to his brother and the rest of his family and loved ones.

They were very entertaining.

[redwitch]

23. I loved their infectious laughter.

The brothers Magliozzi truly enjoyed themselves and gave a lot of enjoyment too. RIP Tom.

[KinMd]

24. I stll dl the podcast every week...

makes me so sad.

"Unencumbered by the thought process"

[dhill926]

74. Always loved that line…

And of course, thought it a perfect descriptor of republicans…

[Feral Child]

25. Sad K&R n/t

[Peacetrain]

26. So sad... Love Car Talk..they replay it here every weekend

RIP Tom..

[uhnope]

33. I hope they stop the replays

[roguevalley]

55. I hope they continue. That was their art and their art is forever.

[titaniumsalute]

61. Um change the damned channel

If you don't like it. Obviously millions still do (as that is still their ratings cume.) As do I. Grow a life.

[mentalsolstice]

81. Killjoy! Nt

[uncle ray]

95. tell it to your local NPR station

they always ask for your favorite shows when you pledge money.

[3catwoman3]

27. Sad news, indeed.

My husband and I were longtime faithful listeners. I know next to nothing about cars, but it didn't matter. Their humor, their wonderfully huge and sophisticated vocabularies, and the hysterical list of all their "staff members" at the end of the show (Pikov Andropov is my favorite) made it a delight from start to finish. Our local NPR station still airs re-runs.

I also loved Ray's pronunciation of "Taw-mee."

Thanks, Tommy for years of laughs.

[Odin2005]

147. I loved "Go Tekashawa"

[geardaddy]

28. RIP

[Throd]

29. Huge fan of the hosts and the show. Sad day for gearheads everywhere.

[BlueStreak]

30. Those guys are/were brilliant. Such a cruel disease.

[Xyzse]

31. Oh no... :(

That really sucks...
If Garrison Keillor goes, I would be inconsolable.

[Skink]

34. BOHHGUS

Dope Slap

[turbo_satan]

35. R.I.P., Tom

I have no basis for this other than pure intuition: he seemed like a really great guy. It's so sad to think that his wonderful mind and wit were ravaged by this terrible disease. Have a safe journey, Tom.

[NRaleighLiberal]

36. .

[maindawg]

37. thats too young

I hope they keep playing the show forever. I learned that when your wife wants you to do housework, do it half assed and she wont want you to do house work anymore. It worked.

[Hulk]

38. Great man, fabulous show.

He'll be sorely missed, but he brought YEARS of sunshine into peoples' lives with his wit and charm. I wish his family my deepest condolences. I would be proud to leave such a legacy as this man did.

[Leith]

39. Very Sad

They were great to listen to because of their wit and they cared about their listeners. I loved the parts when they revisited people they gave advice to: sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

It was a stroke of genius to include them in the movie Cars as Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze.

Don't drive like my brother.

[OrwellwasRight]

116. Or my sister!

RIP, Tom Magliozzi.

[ReRe]

41. Thanks for the news, Hissyspit

Will share the news with my family. We have all listened to that show for so long and got such a kick out of it. Especially their little quiz question. Condolences to the family! Did anyone hear the episode when they had their Mom on with them (around Mother's Day?) They got their sense of humor from her! It was such a great show. Seems like I even remember a show on PBS about them. Again, RIP Tom.

[Jackpine Radical]

42. I think I'll make a donation in his name

to the Picabu ICU.

Or maybe the Save the Skeet Foundation.

[sybylla]

123. Perfect, Jackpine! nt

[Jackpine Radical]

124. Hi Sybylla--How things looking over in that neck of the woods?

I've never seen my polling place be any busier that it is this morning. They're really very efficient, too. Despite the mob, we got through the line in a couple of minutes.

[sybylla]

131. Things in my neck of the woods are shite

At least since recall and redistricting. Very hard to get the Dems here to get out and work neighborhoods.

My only hope is that the ads have reached deep into the county and motivated voters. I will be going to my polls at 4pm, so we'll see what turnout looks like then. Though low turnout here probably bodes as well as high turnout in your barrens.

[secondvariety]

43. Sad day.

One of the best shows on radio. Both brothers were MIT grads.

[Ikonoklast]

44. "Fix It Again, Tony!"

Thanks for many a year of entertainment, Tom. You will be missed by a devoted listener.

And remember, don't drive like my brother!

[alfredo]

84. I remember them saying that the Yugo was the only car with a trailer hitch on the front.

[Blue Owl]

47. Talk radio at its finest

Thank you Tom for all the laughs and for teaching us how to love car repairs!

[GeorgeGist]

48. RIP dear man.

[bvf]

50. RIP, Tom.

Still catch Car Talk reruns whenever I can. Hilarious show.

One of my favorite pieces involved a note from a listener who wrote to say that if you take apart and reassemble a VW carburetor enough times, eventually you'll have two of them. Never heard Click and Clack crack up harder.

Peace, Tom.

[jimlup]

51. Heard this on NPR driving home from work today

Man I guess I didn't even realize the shows were not live each week. Jeez these guys are almost like family.

[GoCubsGo]

52. Good bye, Tom.

[adirondacker]

53. Bummer. That is fast for someone with Alzheimers. RIP Tom.

[locks]

54. We owe Tom, his brother and NPR so much

for the joy and good information they brought to so many of us every Saturday morning. He was sharp and funny and gracious to all the callers until the last show before it was ended. We need more people on TV and radio like the Car Guys to lighten our days.

[lordsummerisle]

56. RIP

I squandered many perfectly good hours listening to them...

[chelsea0011]

57. Funniest damn show evah.

[Android3.14]

58. So sad.

I was unaware Tom had Alzheimer's. It makes for tough choices.

[KinMd]

59. "Our Fair City"

[Brainstormy]

62. never cared about the content

but always thought the show was funny and the "Tappet" brothers seemed like really nice guys.

[littlewolf]

63. always found it funny .. RIP ... so sorry to hear this. nt

[Eleanors38]

64. Oh, no. He must have fought hard, it didn't manifest

itself much on the show. As a mechanic, I found the show not only entertaining, but challenging as well.

The Power Glide is in D, now.

[a kennedy]

65. They me just laugh out loud.....they both just loved people

If I was feeling sad or depresses or just down for whatever reason.....I'd have them on on a Saturday, and within 10 minutes I'd be laughing and completely forget what was making me sad or depressed or angry. They just had a gift that made you feel better by just the sound of their voices. Still listen to them....really enjoy them, and feel terrible Tom has moved on....... RIP and know you made a ton of days better for me by just being there EVERY Saturday.

[BlueJazz]

66. They both have a wonderful sense of humor. I'll miss Tom.

[Coventina]

67. Condolences to Ray & the rest of the Magliozzi family.

Very sad day for us, but I hope he's having a good laugh in the great Beyond....

[FailureToCommunicate]

68. Boston has lost another TOM this week. So sad. Mayor Tom Menino and now Tom

Magliozzi.

Their wonderful radio show always brings laugh out loud good times (yes even the recent re-runs) to so many fans.

The world is a little less bright and a little less funny today

RIP to both Toms.

[Tom Ripley]

69. RIP. I love that show, but hate car culture.

[Tom Ripley]

70. while the loathsome Kai Ryssdal lives on.

Life is just so damn unfair.

[choie]

72. I know he's persona non grata, but

I thought this was one of Anthony Weiner's funnier moments on the floor of the congress regarding the possible defunding of NPR:

[IcyPeas]

75. RIP - you couldn't help but laugh with them.

[missingthebigdog]

76. So sad. I loved listening to him.

[Botany]

77. Oh Tommy, I am a hurting puppy right now. Sat. mornings w/Tom & Ray and a cup of coffee .....

..... and life was good.

Long May You Run Tommy

[packman]

79. Aw, hell

didn't need that news today. Sad day, gave us a lot of laughs. Loved that wheel they spun when they didn't know the answer and it always seemed to land on, "Change the filters" or such.

[mentalsolstice]

82. I hated breaking the news to my husband!

We were both fans. Many times Click and Clack made a boring trip down the interstate fun and entertaining. Peace to Tom and Ray and their family!

[2naSalit]

85. They were funny, smart-alecky and gave some good advice occasionally

The brothers were also musicians and apparently played well enough to be in this picture:



I always enjoyed their show, even the re-runs. Apparently Ray says that he's agreed to have the reuns continue in Tom's honor.

I started missing them the day they announced their retirement. I'd heard that Tom wasn't up to doing the broadcasts at that point.

[red dog 1]

134. The music that was played on Car Talk was them...Thanks for the photo!

The guy playing guitar on the far left looks a lot like Tommy Smothers...could that be him?

[2naSalit]

136. It is...

the Magliozzi and Smothers brothers together.

Actually, I thought the lead in music was David Grisman, but...

I'll have to look that up.

[red dog 1]

142. You're right!

It's a song called "Dawggy Mountain Breakdown", written & performed by David Grisman

I knew that both Tom & Ray were musicians; and i guess I just assumed that the music was their band.

I also didn't know that Dick Smothers played a musical instrument.
(I've never seen 4 musicians on a stage with 2 of them playing stand-up bass before)

[mrsadm]

89. Oh, I am so sorry to hear this!

He gave us all so much laughter and happiness!.......

[sendero]

90. I always loved ...

.... Car Talk and the Magliozzis. It's sad that Tom is gone.

[Recursion]

91. Great broadcaster. RIP

His voice was part of my Saturdays for a long, long time...

[Ohio Joe]

93. RIP

[RoccoR5955]

96. RIP Tom

I am sure that you are making folks giggle wherever you are now.

[niyad]

97. requiescat in pace, tom. even though I know very little about the workings of the auto,

I used to enjoy listening to their program. they made things understandable for everyone. I knew the program had ended, did not know of his diagnosis.

wishing peace and comfort for all his loved ones and friends.

[Ron Obvious]

103. Oh no!

I'm really sad to hear this. I know nothing about cars and care even less, but no matter how low I felt at the beginning of the show, I always felt better at the end.

I remember when they had their mother on the show. She had the exact same laugh as Tom did. Really cracked me up.

RIP Tom, and don't drive like your brother...

[Iwillnevergiveup]

105. I have a theory

about people who don't like animals, especially dogs and cats: there's something wrong with them.

Same goes for the Tappett Brothers. So wonderfully warm and funny, and obviously enjoyed being in each other's company. A sad, sad day for their family and friends and untold numbers of devoted fans.

[Warpy]

106. I knew Tom's input had been dropping off

I had no idea it was early Alzheimer's.

I hope his passing was gentle and without fear. He will be missed.

[Gloria]

108. I had no idea he was ill!

The show only went into reruns for the last couple of years, right? That was sure fast??

[Ilsa]

109. I always enjoyed how much they loved working with each other.

Their laughter was infectious. And they had a weird thing about callers named Diane, didn't they?

Condolences to their family and millions of listeners.

[loudsue]

110. What a terrible loss. I know his brother, Ray, must have felt like a fish out of water

after Tom got alzheimer's. Condolences to the entire family, and all of Tom's fan's. I always loved their show, and their relationship to one another.

[OrwellwasRight]

114. Terribly sad news

I've been enjoying Car Talk for almost 25 years. Find Tom and Ray absolutely hilarious. Tom's laughter was so infectious. There won't be another like him.

[irisblue]

119. which one of their sons was the porkchop kid?

they used to describe him as the pork chop boy (paraphrased) the story was they had to tie a porkchop around his neck to get the dog to play with him. When I worked 12 hour shifts, I loved their time kill central webpage and the boss key. RIP Tom.

[Tracer]

121. What a shame.

I used to listen to that show in my car on Saturday mornings while doing errands. So funny.

They also ran the Good News Garage in Cambridge (still do, I think). I took a basic car repair course there, many, many years ago -- and still smile when I remember how the instructor told me that I had gapped my plugs the best of anyone!

[Sunlei]

122. Will miss him! I hope car talk comes back with a new host and keeps reruns.

Alzheimer's Disease sucks! We could have a cure by now if we spent the election billions on real needs of the people.

[mountain grammy]

125. Rest in peace, Tom. I will surely miss you

and hope "Car Talk" reruns run forever. My memory has gotten so bad, I can never remember the answers to the weekly puzzler, so every one of them is new to me.

[Boom Sound 416]

127. RIP

Such a wonderful talent

[diabeticman]

128. Oh, my wife is heartbroken. She absolutely loves to listen to the shows.

[Jester Messiah]

130. The world is a tiny bit less jolly now. :( [nt]

[red dog 1]

132. On today's "Fresh Air"..Terry Gross played a 2001 interview with Tommy (and Ray)

Last edited Tue Nov 4, 2014, 07:46 PM - Edit history (1)

She also talked with Car Talk producer Doug Berman, who told some interesting stories.

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/04/361408028/-we-have-learned-absolutely-nothing-tom-magliozzi-on-decades-of-car-talk/

[Liberal_in_LA]

137. I had no idea, until yesterday, that the shows I hear on Saturday are reruns!

[mikemcl350]

138. bumpersticker idea

Bumper sticker idea:

Don't Die Like My Brother - Support Alzheimer's Research

[OrwellwasRight]

148. +1

[Odin2005]

140. I grew up listening to Car Talk every Saturday morning.

RIP, Tom. And don't drive like your brother!

[amandabeech]

143. It was a wonderful show.

Both Click and Clack were sharp as nails, had wonderful senses of humor and were never, ever mean.

May there be a better place for guys like Tom Magliozzi.