Web Exclusive, April 2008

Winner of PBS Contest to Name the PBS cartoon version of NPR’s Car Talk.

Geoffrey P. Groff of Lancaster has listened to National Public Radio’s Car Talk for 15 years, but he never dreamed he would be responsible for naming PBS’s cartoon version of the program. PBS recently held a national contest inviting the public to submit their ideas for names for the new TV program, holding out what the hosts of the radio program, Tom and Ray Magliozzi, have called “the misleading promise of everlasting fame.” Groff’s wife encouraged him to enter his idea in the naming contest, and it was selected out of 6,000 submissions, ranging from Transmission Impossible to Click-and-Clack-sterpiece Theater. And, Groff will go down in PBS history in a modest way after all, when he becomes a cartoon figure in the first episode of the series.

How did you come up with the name Click and Clack’s As the Wrench Turns?

[Chuckles.] It just sort of came to me as a sudden inspiration. Sometimes their show can sound a little bit like a soap opera with their callers. I sort of made a take from it with a soap opera title As the Wrench Turns. Mechanics refer to their job as ‘turning the wrench.’ I put the two together.

What went through your mind when you won the contest?

I had actually forgotten about even entering. I sent the entry in and thought they had lots of entries, better ones than mine. When I got the e-mail saying I had won the contest, I was in a state of shock for a while. It was a pleasant surprise.

You recently returned from New York, where you prepared for your cameo appearance. How did that go?

It did not take me long to record my lines, because I am familiar with the content of the show. I have been [listening to] Car Talk for many years. PBS is going to draw a cartoon for my cameo appearance and use my voice. When I was at the studio, I saw a clip of one of the episodes, and it looks like it is going to be funny. I think people should watch it.

When did you first become interested in cars?

I guess I’ve been interested in cars since I was 16 and started driving. That is 40 years ago or more. That’s a long time.

You worked as an assistant manager at a Buick dealership and as a police detective. What are you doing now?

I retired from the police force and did some other things including working for the dealership. I presently work for Hempfield School District as their security officer. I sort of got back into law enforcement.

What do you do in your spare time when you are not coming up with names for programs or fixing cars?

Other than listening to Car Talk, I enjoy playing golf, reading and watching public television.

How’s your car running?

Fine. We have two Saturns, and they have been reliable and easy to take care of. We like them.

Click and Clack’s As the Wrench Turns is tentatively scheduled to air Wednesday nights at 8 starting in July (date and time subject to change). Watch Central PA magazine and www.witf.org for further information.

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