Posted on 05/04/2005 5:34:05 AM PDT by MississippiMasterpiece
The guys who host "Car Talk" on National Public Radio -- brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi -- were in Washington yesterday to visit with some of the powerful government officials whose support for public radio is so vital. They also sat for a rare interview.
"George Bush is a [unprintable vulgarity]," Tom Magliozzi says, about three minutes into the interview.
Rule Number One: When you're trying to ensure government funding, it's best not to refer to the head of said government as an unprintable vulgarity.
Maybe this is why the "Car Talk" guys rarely give interviews.
"Yeah, you probably shouldn't say that," says Doug Berman, executive producer of public radio's most popular weekend show, who is sitting across the breakfast table at Cafe Luna on P Street. NPR spokeswoman Jenny Lawhorn agrees. As do Ray and Tom, aka "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers" at least until Tom essentially repeats himself, twice.
This is the part of the story where NPR officials make it clear that the views of the show's personalities do not reflect those of its management.
"I'd like to point out that 'Car Talk' is editorially independent," Lawhorn says.
"Their jokes and jabs," she further states in a follow-up e-mail, "aren't in any way the official views of NPR and its member stations."
This is an important distinction, since local public radio stations rely partly on the largess of Congress, some of whose members are Republicans. These stations, in turn, pay fees to NPR for programming. So NPR executives are understandably sensitive to what they call their "perception problem" -- that NPR is often considered a bastion of liberal sensibilities that are winning little love from Washington these days, or, for that matter, funding.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"Yeah, you probably shouldn't say that," says Doug Berman, executive producer...
What? say it again? It had already been said. How about - "Those comments are inappropriate in this forum."
Instead he just let those comments hang in the air and added some weak disclaimer.
I've enjoyed the topics on their show, but the personalities always grated on me, so now with this, it will be hard to listen without my mind wandering into politics.
Give me a good redneck mechanic anyday.
Click and Clack? Weren't they part of the Dixie Chicks?
I've got my rules!
"Arrrrrgh.... Will the Republicans ever find the balls to cut the funding for NPR?"
The Pubs first have to explore their groin and then they might realize they have balls.....
Let's call them!
I really like Car Talk. The brothers are very funny and clever. Maybe they are better talk show hosts than mechanics....
We can't get so stuffy that we can't enjoy the talents of people of difference politics, or religion, for that matter.
Even if NPR is one big liberal circle jerk...
Send them an email at Cartalk.com
Two words: Dixie Chicks
...Birdland
I long ago tired of these two losers' show.
Seemed to me that the typical call went as follows:
Car Guys: "Hi, caller -- what're you driving?"
Caller: "I drive a [insert car name here]."
Car Guys: "UGH! That car SUCKS! HA! HA! HA!"
Another pair of liberal meatheads I won't ever be listening to again.
To me, it does.
I vote with my actions.
You just donated to the DNC....
Ugh..!!
Maybe we discuss whether or not they're worth listening to AFTER they stop stealing our tax money.
I agree on that!
My son and I like the show, but you're right about the "editing" of car types -- I wonder if it's the call screener or simply the kind of listeners they have. I have NEVER heard anyone call up and ask about a Cadillac.
They were entertaining.....
If memory serves me....they both have advanced degree's. I'd guess that was where they were infected with the socialistmarxistliberaldemo virus.
Idiots..!!
Ha Ha. I listen to them on Sunday afternoon. It works better than anesthesia. Before they take their first caller, I am out and don't wake up until they are doing their credits. I highly recommend them for a Sunday afternoon nap!
Probably Ithaca, N.Y.
Yeah, they went to MIT in engineering or something like that. They are not dummies. Just liberals.
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