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"Car Talk" Co-Host Tom Magliozzi Dies At Age 77

Posted by samzenpus on from the don't-drive-like-my-brother dept.

samzenpus writes "Many outlets are reporting the death of Tom Magliozzi, co-host of the long-running weekly National Public Radio show Car Talk. Tom and his brother Ray ran a repair shop in the '70s and in 1987 landed their radio gig. They were known as "Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers." The show stopped recording two years ago and is currently airing old episodes. Tom died of complications from Alzheimer's at age 77."

21 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. One of the most listened to Engineers by ohieaux · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Tom represented the cynicism, sarcasm and realism of many of my engineering brethren. RIP

    --
    Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.
    1. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ray: Don't die like my brothuh.
      Tom: ...

      ~fin~

    2. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Ray: Don't die like my brothuh.

      While some may find this distasteful, I have absolutely no doubt that Tom would find this joke hilarious.

      Rest in peace, Tom. Thanks for years of great radio!

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    3. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by nightcats · · Score: 5, Informative

      CT was one of the most creative and refreshingly natural shows in the history of broadcasting -- among radio, TV, Internet, whatever, combined. Tom, you have left an extraordinary legacy.

      --
      Development is programmable; Discovery is not programmable. (Fuller)
    4. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Ray: Don't die like my brothuh.

      While some may find this distasteful, I have absolutely no doubt that Tom would find this joke hilarious.

      Also, the family does indeed want to say "Don't die like Tommy":

      the Magliozzi family is asking that in lieu of flowers, friends and listeners make a donation to either the Alzheimer's Association ...

      (ref)

    5. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by hairyfeet · · Score: 5, Informative

      Hell I was never a "car guy" and had ZERO interest in cars yet whenever i would find their show on i just had to listen, because they were just so fun and had such a great back and forth you couldn't help but like 'em.

      To me that is what makes a great entertainer, when you can make even those that don't care about the subject listen in, RIP.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    6. Re:One of the most listened to Engineers by uvajed_ekil · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Hell I was never a "car guy" and had ZERO interest in cars yet whenever i would find their show on i just had to listen, because they were just so fun and had such a great back and forth you couldn't help but like 'em.

      To me that is what makes a great entertainer, when you can make even those that don't care about the subject listen in, RIP.

      Yes, Tom and Ray had such a large following not because they were car experts (which they were), but because they were incredibly entertaining. I am a little bit of a car guy, and trying to guess solutions before them was fun, as well as hearing their car tips, but it was really their humor and banter that made the show so good. It was a great run.

      --
      This is a hacked account, for which the owner can not be held responsible.
  2. Very sad by zazenation · · Score: 5, Interesting

    When I lived in Beantown, I used to take my care there on occasion. You couldn't know a more down to earth and practical individual. I will mourn his passing.

  3. Very sad by Pablopelos · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A sad day in the car talk garage no doubt. His laugh alone brought a smile to my face. At least he greatly enjoyed what he did and brought laughter to a lot of people. Our thoughts are with you Tom.

  4. Bummer. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    On the bright side, I guess he's now living out the third half of his life.

  5. I guess we know which brother not to drive like by fortfive · · Score: 4, Interesting

    R.I.P. I've been missing them both for two years now already.

  6. News for nerds? Yes, in fact, it is. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    My first thought was "is this really news for nerds?"

    Then I thought "hey, these guys were hackers, just in another domain."

    Tom, I hope you are having a blast in that great auto-graveyard in the sky.

    1. Re:News for nerds? Yes, in fact, it is. by ZombieBraintrust · · Score: 4, Informative

      The puzzlers were very nerdy as well.

    2. Re:News for nerds? Yes, in fact, it is. by Holi · · Score: 4, Informative

      They had a DIY garage called Hacker's Haven, along with the Good News Garage in Cambridge Ma.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  7. Re:Don't understand by ChipMonk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The onboard computer stopped working properly, causing systemic error conditions. The engine block ended up cracked, and the brake liners overheated and glazed. The windows wouuld only roll down. Replacing the compute module won't do any good in this case. It's time to total this one out and move on.

  8. Favorites from Click & Clack by pr0t0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    One of mine was when a kid called to ask how he can make washing his parents' cars easier. Tom joked and replied, mix sand and iron filings into the bucket with the wash water...they'll never ask you to wash their cars again.

    --
    I'm sorry, but your opinion seems to be wrong.
  9. They did the impossibe, they made cars interesting by cold+fjord · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Some people seem to be born as car buffs with keen interest into almost very obscure detail of automotive design, engineering, and lore. Me, I've never really found them interesting. What fascination for vehicles I natively had was directed towards other types of vehicles. In fact I found cars boring, until I listened to Car Talk. They brought the subject alive. The good natured banter, the subtle yet probing nature of their questions, the testing of their theories... it was fun, educational, and you got a sense of the deep well of knowledge those two had to draw from. (They were MIT grads, after all.) As a bonus they solved a huge mystery by revealing the source of a problem with I car I once had. (Really, who would think to look THERE for that problem?!?) I don't listen as much as I used to, but it's still fun. RIP Tom, and long life Ray.

    I'll try not to drive like your brother.

    --
    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  10. One of my favorites by willoughby · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tom & Ray were doing a bit on "Boston'isms"...

    Tom: "Okay, how 'bout this one... kahkis"

    Ray: "kahkis? You mean like pants?"

    Tom: "no.... like 'I need to go to the store but I can't find my kahkis' "

    --------- ... RIP Tom.. gonna miss ya fella..

  11. Re:Now can NPR fill the time slot... by hondo77 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Who gives a shit.

    You do since you bothered posting here.

    --
    I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
  12. Obituary by almeida · · Score: 4, Informative

    There is a nice and humorous obituary on their website.

  13. With thanks to... by bugs2squash · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...our funeral director; Diana Gotoheaven.

    --
    Nullius in verba