Car Talk's Doug Berman: Click And Clack 'Changed The Way People See Public Radio'

In a posting to listeners on their website Friday, Click and Clack announced that they will stop recording new episodes of their beloved public radio show, "Car Talk" this fall, after 35 years on air.

They've been on NPR for 25 years, and they started at our mother ship station WBUR.

During that time they became NPR's most popular program, and they became authorities on everything from failed carburetors to troubled marriages.

It's time to "stop and smell the cappuccino," Tom and Ray Magliozzi wrote of the decision.

TOM: The good news is that, despite our general incompetence, we actually remembered to hit the “record” button every week for the last 25 years. So we have more than 1,200 programs we’re going to dig into starting this fall, and the series will continue.

RAY: Every week, starting in October, NPR will broadcast a newly assembled Car Talk show, selected from the best material in our archives.

TOM: Sorry, detractors, we’re still going to be on the air!

Doug Berman, executive producer of "Car Talk," told Here & Now's Robin Young that not only do Tom and Ray bring a lot of fun and laughter wherever they show up, but they've also altered public radio.

"I'm not really sad because they've actually changed the way people see public radio," he said. "Twenty-five years ago it was quite a serious little operation, but until they came on it wasn't accessible and warm and fun and I think they've changed the impression of public radio and I'm grateful for that."

On Friday, Twitter came alive with bereft fans:

The brothers say they will continue to contribute to their web site regularly, writing their weekly "Dear Tom and Ray" column.

RAY: In the meantime, thank you for giving us far more of your time than we ever deserved. We love you. And know that starting this fall, for the first time, we’ll be able to sit at home, laughing at Car Talk along with you guys on Saturday mornings.