So... what do you think? Will As the Wrench Turns be the next Masterpiece Theater? Or will Tom and Ray's animated foray into television drag PBS down to levels of programming mediocrity experienced only by NPR, for one lousy hour each Saturday morning?
Share your thoughts right here. And brace yourself for debut, coming to a PBS station near you before you know it.
I think they should try to expand their franchise, but they should first perform a SWOT analysis (a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). This show demonstrates to me they are not aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If they are going to expand, they would be wise to build on their strengths, which I don't think they have done with this animated sitcom.
If you think Tom and Ray were actually good, you are entitled to your opinion. I thought Tom and Ray were in charge of the show, including the aspects that you say are weak. Where does the buck stop? Perhaps their leadership is the weakness. Perhaps there is some hero worship going on here?
That's not what I meant. I meant that whenever Tom and Ray were talking, the cartoon was good. And in point of fact, Tom and Ray had deliberately little involvement with this project. That had always been their desire for a TV show: to have as little involvement as possible, because they're busy guys.
I know what you meant. So they outsourced the management of their TV show. That comes as no surprise to me. Doing a competent job of hiring directors and producers (or a proxy to do it for you) requires leadership too. I know they are busy guys, but like I asked, where does the buck stop? Would you put your name on a TV show without taking responsibility for the quality of all its content? Even if I was too busy to manage it myself, I would find it difficult to avoid responsibility for my hiring decisions. Whether Tom and Ray are directly responsible or indirectly responsible, your refusal to acknowledge their responsibility for the show's overall quality is interesting.
A cartoon Sister Wendy! Ha ha, he, heee! The dog episode wasn't as good, but what the heck. Keep this up long enough, fellows, and you might wear down the critics. Not win them over, just wear them down.
Your laughter seems, somehow, forced. It rings hollow, and doesn't quite drown out the cries of the dead horse you're beating. And isn't the Sister Wendy reference REALLY dated? Or are there new shows I haven't seen?
In any event, you'll never win over the critics and they'll never convince you, because neither of you is "wrong." You simply have different tastes in entertainment.
What's really ironic is the story lines play off many bad (hi-larious) ideas on how to mess with a popular radio show. The last episode should be about producing a freakin' bad animated series for public television!
I took the trouble to register and sign in just to tell you that your TV show has defects, improper fuel combustion, and four flat tires. I tried to watch it twice. I even liked "Plan Nine From Outer Space." I can't watch it.
Your radio show is a gas however, and I listen regularly with zeal.
'Tom' and 'Ray' are personalities, not actors. The interaction of the radio show comes across as forced on the two episodes I saw 7/23/08. While the Al Gore visitation was delightful, the sequencing, animation and timing was lacking. (it sucked, but I was being kind.) Stick to the real(?) world, guys. Your images were made for radio.
Did I fall asleep or were there no cigars to be seen? PC, Brute?
Ha! I'm back. (Waah, that's borrowed from the dearly beloved radio show.)
I watched two more episodes of Wrench, and don't plan to watch any more. Boring. Not true to the actual characters. Not very funny. Boring. And did I mention, it's kinda boring.
I admit I do think the cartoon rendering of Tommy is cute and exactly how I imagine him. But, that's not enough to squander any more perfectly good hours on these shows. I'll stick to Car Talk from now on!!
I thought turning "Masterpiece Theatre" (now just "Masterpiece") into gauzy romance-novel junk and "Nova" (now "Nova Now") into computerized kids' fare was the worst PBS could do its long-time viewship... I was wrong...
Sorry guys I'm with the masses on this one - the show needs to go to the crusher. You could consider putting the show on Saturday mornings or the cartoon chanel for the kids. My 8 year old son tollerated it much better than me and it may be a way to hook the younger generation into listening to the radio show. I remain a loyal fan and applaud your zeal to tap new mediums for your talents. Keep trying.
I have been a Car Talk fan for over 15 years and eagerly awaited As the Wrench Turns. After 15 minutes into the first episode I couldn't watch any more. Such a trite story line. Shame on you for biting the hand that has fed you for all these years.
I've always loved your radio show, and now that I've seen As the Wrench Turns, I love the radio show even more. The tv show validates my opinion that an hour a week of Click and Clack is just perfect.
I love you guys; I love Car Talk. I don't love "As the Wench Turns," uh, Wrench. This is not a winner--dull and boring. I think a live action show with actors and a script and canned laughter, etc., would do better. Sorry boys.
The animated show is NOT you!
“A” for trying something new, now cut your losses and move on.
Try simulcasting your existing radio show on TV. (PBS, SPEED, ESPN or SYNICATION.)
Many GREAT radio successes have bombed with other ventures, Rush Limbaugh, Paul Harvey, etc.
07/23/2008 5:09:17 PM
