Gender Equality (and the Lack of It) On Car Talk
Gentlemen:
I have been a fan of your show for years and rarely miss it when
it comes on every Saturday morning. One thing that I noticed
when I started listening, that has continued to the present day,
is how you two address a caller when he or she first calls in.
When the caller is a female, your ears tend to perk up and the
flirtation device in your loins goes into high gear. And God
forbid that the female caller be a young chick in college or
recently graduated. Y'all try to find out exactly where she is
from, where she lives, family background, etc. I not only feel
embarrassed for you, but also feel kind of nauseated as well.
Now if the poor sap that calls in is a male, boy do the
pleasantries go a LOT quicker. Let me give you an example:
MALE:
Click & Clack: Hello, you're on Car Talk.
Male caller: Hello, this is Joe Shmoe from Podunk, Kentucky.
C&C: Yeah, yeah, Joe, whadda ya want?
FEMALE:
Click & Clack: Hello, you're on Car Talk.
Female (in sexy voice): Hey, this is Jane Crane from Des Plaines.
C&C: Well, hi there. Is that Jane with a J?
FC: Well, yes it is.
C&C: HAH! I knew that! All Janes west of the Mississippi spell
Jane with a J! So, Jane are you a student?
FC: No, but I graduated last year.
C&C: Any boyfriends in the picture? blah, blah, blah
And so it goes. Frankly guys, I have seen your picture on the
Web site, and I see why y'all are on the radio. I say these
things only to help you. I don't want you to be under any illusions
that you might have a chance with some of these callers
of the female persuasion. Just face it—you're old,
gray, and don't stand a chance. Keep up the good work, but snap
out of that dream, fellas!
Dane Hawk
Wetumpka, AL