In those dim days of history when television was just starting out many of the series were taken from popular radio shows. Stars like Jack Benny and Carl Reiner had long and successful careers in radio and made the switch to television effortlessly. That, of course, was over half century ago and since then there is been little to no migration from radio to the visual format of TV. Since radio has been largely replaced as the main means of home entertainment this was only to be expected. One type of programming has not only persisted with radio but has grown; National Public Radio. Many people may think that this is just the soft spoken hippie type shows that would be of little interest to the general public. Some of this may be do to the hilarious skits about NPR done on Saturday Night Live but the truth is NPR still has some of the most interesting radio programming around. One of their longest lasting and most popular shows is ‘Car Talk’. It features two sometimes dim witted brothers. Clack and Click Tappet, who provide advice on automotive maintenance and repair. The voices and much of the humor comes from real life brothers Tom (Click) and Ray (Clack) Magliozzi. The radio show was such a hit that NPR decided to take it to television as an animated series. The result was the sit-com ‘Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns’. Most of the action centers around the brothers as they go through their lives in their repair shop, Car Talk Plaza. The series is funny and will appeal to more than just the automotive inclined. This is the first time NPR has come up with a television series that is targeted to the whole family instead of the more typical pre-school set. This is also their first prime time animated series. It is an experiment of sorts for them and while not perfect it does succeed as solid entertainment. In case NPR or the other public broadcasting stations are not among the favorites on your cable box now there is a chance to get all ten episodes. PBS through their distributor Paramount has released the series to DVD. This is one to get and enjoy with the family.

While Click and Clack are often borderline morons who happen upon some good advice every so often their real life counterparts couldn’t be different. Both the brothers were born and raised in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. He graduated from the technological Holy Grail of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958 and went on to work as an engineer for Sylvania’s semi conductor division. Older brother Ray taught in Vermont and also graduated from MIT and then went on to open a do it yourself auto repair shop. There he was often asked for helpful advice. This is not your usual grease monkeys. They are bright and witty and this comes across in their unique style of humor. I have to admit that I have never heard their radio show so I managed to get a hold of a bunch of episodes to listen to before taking on the animated series. I felt that this would be the best way since most of the fans most likely followed the same route. The radio show was witty; combining humor with real advice. The translation to television was a little bit of a let down. This is not to say that the show is not without its charm or appeal. Just don’t expect the same Click and Clack you are used to listening to. In the TV series they come off as con men that are always taking advantage of their customers and then ducking their inevitable complaints. They are basically lazy and much of their problems are a result of them looking for short cuts. On the other hand they animated duo are not stupid when it comes to some of the advice they provide. Here they do stay close to the radio show and the advice given is frequently on the money. They also push a very important topic that can potentially save lives. Like their real life counterparts Click and Clack are rallied against the dangers of distracted driving. They warn the audience about the dangers of trying to multitask while driving. Many people talk on their cell phones or apply makeup while navigating the roads. Statistics have proven that this behavior is responsible for a large number of accidents and many states have passed laws to help prevent this.

Many of the stories in the episodes are just a bit too fantastic to believe but are entirely fun to watch. For example in the opening episode brothers are involved with the local PBS station for their annual pledge drive. The brothers not only miss their goal they are the first ones in history to get a negative amount. This is due in large part to their radio show being one of the least popular around unlike the real situation. They decide that the only way to come up with that kind of quick cash is politics. So, they run for President of the United States with a plan to use the campaign contributions to pay off the station. They also have the usual team of oddball helpers at the garage. The best one is their receptionist Beth Toenbag (Kelli O'Hara). Of course this is a pun on the usual contribution gift for all PBS stations, the tote bag. She is feed up with the brothers at most times but hey, a job is a job. Also trying their best to avoid and honest day of work is Castro (Juan Hernandez), the smooth womanizer and the required group ‘know it all’, Crusty (Cornell Womack), a former Harvard professor. There is also an Eastern European Stash, who struggles with English. The quirky bunch trip from one bad situation to the next in typical sit-com fashion; the results are always funny to watch.

The animation is much like the style that was popular in the seventies. The backgrounds are static with the characters moving fairly well and smoothly. There is nothing controversial here and absolutely no adult content for parents to be concerned about. It is just a fun time and that is something with animation today. To many prime time animated series try to push the limits of good taste. While there is a place for such programming but PBS has realized that there is something to be said for a good old fashion cartoon. This is a return to such fair; a gentle comedy that is family friendly. PBS has been releasing some of their best programs through Paramount for awhile now. Thankfully they thought to include this in their roster of discs.

Posted 09/19/08