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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

End Of The Road For 'Car Talk' Brings WVXU Changes

WVXU-FM
Ray and Tom Magliozzi started "Car Talk" on NPR in 1987.

It's the end of the road for NPR's beloved "Car Talk" after 30 years, which will bring changes to WVXU-FM's weekend and weekday lineups in October.

The final repeats of "Car Talk," hosted by brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi, air 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.

The show has been in reruns since the brothers retired in 2012. Tom died in 2014 at age 77 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease; Ray turned 68 in March.

Credit WVXU-FM
Sam Sanders

Affectionately known as "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers," they started as a local Boston show in 1977, and joined NPR in 1987. Their radio show won a prestigious Peabody Award in 1992.

"There will never be another show quite like 'Car Talk.' Click and Clack opened up public radio to a variety of formats that exist for fun and entertainment," according to Chris Phelps, Cincinnati Public Radio vice president for content.

When "Car Talk" ends, so will the weeknight "Q" show on WVXU-FM (91.7) and WMUB-FM (88.5). The stations also will move "Travel with Rick Steves" and drop "Fresh Air Weekend."

Here's the info from my colleagues at WVXU-FM:

10 A.M. SATURDAY: "It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders." An hour of conversations with journalists, actors, musicians and listeners to gain a greater understanding of current events and pop culture, hosted by one of the original co-hosts of the NPR Politics Podcast. (Replacing the Saturday broadcast of "Car Talk" on Oct. 7.)

Credit WVXU-FM
Shankar Vedantam

2 P.M. SATURDAY: "Hidden Brain." NPR reporter and host of the popular Hidden Brain podcast, Shankar Vedantam, now brings a weekly hour of science and storytelling to help curious people understand the world, current events and themselves. ("Travel with Rick Steves" moves to Sundays at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8.)

10 A.M. SUNDAY: "The New Yorker Radio Hour." Perfect for Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee, "The New Yorker Radio Hour" is hosted by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling and humor shaped by its writers, editors and artists. (Replacing "Fresh Air Weekend" on Sunday, Oct. 8.)

2 P.M. SUNDAY: "Travel with Rick Steves." A weekend staple on 91.7, the travel guru's hour of tips and interviews will travel to Sunday afternoons. (Replacing the Sunday broadcast of "Car Talk" on Oct. 8)

Credit WVXU-FM
Tom Ashbrook

9 P.M. WEEKNIGHTS: "On Point." Host Tom Ashbrook brings listeners the day's newsmakers, cultural icons, and thought leaders in a fast-paced hour of conversation. (Replacing "Q" on Monday, Oct. 2.)

"We are excited about these additions to our line-up and think our listeners will enjoy the new perspectives, approaches, and hosts. While we'll miss 'Car Talk,' we think voices like Shankar, Sam, David and Tom will inform, entertain and enrich our listeners and our community," Phelps said.

All the programs also can be heard online at wvxu.org and on our free mobile app.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.