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Show Name: Max and the Schnauzer
Show Number: 200829
Original Air Date:2008-07-19

Average Wrench Rating:

Review this Show | Number of Ratings: 102

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Show Description
On this week's encore edition of Car Talk, we delve deep into the archives and present our all-time most requested call. It's the ultimate Shaggy Dog story--literally: an epic saga of Max the car dealer and his unfortunate encounter with a customer's pet pooch. And it's got a twist that'll leave you shaking your muzzle in disbelief. While we're telling stories, Ray's got a painfully funny tale involving an exercise bike and a greasy substance that he thought was Vaseline. Also, for those you wishing to hear some actual CAR talk, we meet the Chuck Yeager of CV joints, a Buick owner laments that his car drinks oil, "faster than he can drink beer", and is there any way a wife can keep her husband on the straight and narrow, or at least, off the median-- aside from screaming, that is? All this and much more, this week on Car Talk.

Show Rundown


Reviews:

The Slovak:
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leer: This is one of the funniest stories I have heard on your show. Please run it again sometime.
Favorite moment:Dead dog!!!!
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null:
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marshamellow: Your man with the Schnauzer story (I am guessing in Southern California) absolutely has kept me laughing all day! This man needs to do this kind of rich and visually engaging saga on a stage somewhere! The whole scenario is like nothing I could ever imagine! I need a copy! I want a copy.
Favorite moment:Every shift from one segment to the next!
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teacher2050: I was very disappointed that 15 minutes of air time was wasted on a joke so old it's toothless and bald. Keep your regular format, please.
Favorite moment:When Max stopped talking.
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argee:
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pommeverte: That was a good story at the end of the show, Max the Salt and Pepper Mini Schnauzer. Max the man is an excellent story teller. Who adopted Max? The call with the Cambia gal was spirited and fun to listen to. The petroleum jelly story...well, as I mature, I can relate to that mistake. But ouch! Thanks for the good show.
Favorite moment:I had two. The dog didn't die at the hands of the body shop and Cambia caller telling hosts to ask her her name.
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The Slovak:
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Christian Beckler: Max needs to be on stage. At first, I thought this was a "plant" or an actor that was going to be revealed later. I could sit and listen to him tell stories for hours.
Favorite moment:When he finds out it was costing him $75.00 a week to feed the dog.
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The Slovak: I first heard a "true" story about replacing a dead dog with a live one -- except the dog had been traveling in the hold of an airliner -- maybe years ago. I'm surprised you guys believed Max and gave it so much airtime!
Favorite moment:Knowing from almost the very beginning that the story was a fake.
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The Slovak: Being from San Diego, after hearing this story, I was ready to drive up and pick up this dog. Not only was this a funny story, but such a great story teller. It made my drive to Carlsbad a pure pleasure. Thank you. Jeannie
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ddb: I don't know where they found this guy Max, but he tells one heck of a story. It's so well told that my wife and I figured that he must have been reading a script. The timing, his accent, and the twist make this an unforgettable episode. I will always remember it!
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Shrewie: Both story and story teller were great. One of the best yarns I've ever heard. You really couldn't make it up!
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null:
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Dorito314:
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Loopy Loo: As a loyal listener, I was extremely disappointed that you let this obnoxious liar go on and on about how cleverly he deceived his customer. It was particularly egregious when he said, "Thanks God" the woman believed his lies. Yuck, yuck, yuck!! It was particularly disappointing that you two found his deceptions so funny and so worthy of air time. I am very disappointed.
Favorite moment:When I changed stations so I wouldn't have to listen to Max any longer.
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The Slovak: Max's story got better and better. I had to pull off the road because I couldn't drive and listen to it at the same time. Does he have any more tales to tell?
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The Slovak: I love Car Talk, but hated the Max story. Too much time wasted on this caller and his unbelievable tale.
Favorite moment:Petroleum jelly story was funny, as was the absent minded professor driving on the wrong side of the road.
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bindi: A only slightly car related tale of a car dealer going through great pains to do the right thing, while being punished every step of the way. Warning - do not try to tell this story! Max's accent is half the fun.
Favorite moment:Max finding the dead dog
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mlallbrandt: outstanding
Favorite moment:Das ist nicht mein hund!
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mrprintman: VERY VERY FUNNY, I'D SAY HYSTERICAL. IF I COULD SPELL IT. I'D BUY A CAR FROM MAX ANYTIME.
Favorite moment:MAX WAS THE BEST
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crispy: I was sure that the whole story was a set-up for the old "dead-dog" punchline. I went along with it enjoying the delivery as a joke until the very end when Max offered to put the dog up for adoption, and the guys offered to list it on their web site! The story was real! (Well at least the live schnauzer was real) I would have adopted that little fella myself if I had heard the story when it was told the first time, instead of as a repeat/ best-of summer fill-in.
Favorite moment:When I discovered that the dog really does exist.
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The Slovak: That guy was a great story-teller. Sign him up. Gwen
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Candy Cane: Fantastic story by Max -- personally, I like the name LUCKY!! :D And hey, maybe the good Lord MEANT for Max to have a dog.... Should he really be giving it away? And if he does, is he going to ask for $275?? Candy Cane
Favorite moment:Finding the dog, all for legs in the air... ha ha !!
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Candy Cane: If argee isn't "man/woman" enough to share fresh input in each and every review, he/she should be banned... Come on, argee, get with the program! Come to the party -- you might find yourself having some fun...
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Candy Cane: Actually, the real question here is, since Max has been "in the business" for 20 years, does he know anyone in California who deals the way he does? Where can I get a fabulous deal on a new car???
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pianoman: The story about the mistaken Vaseline puts me in mind of a problem I had once. When my oldest child was young I, late at night in the dark, once brushed my teeth with diaper ointment...two different times.
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redhead:
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thebigz: that was the funniest story I heard on cartalk
Favorite moment:Dead dog
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midnightrose: when this aired, i was able to hear the whole show, but i sat in the car til max was done. what a great story and telling of it even if it might not be true. hans might have been too much, but the rest was entertaining and worth the air time.
Favorite moment:at the end thinking wow that poor guy or thinking, what a way to get rid of a puppy. still good story telling.
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The Slovak: The Max & the Schnauzer segment was great. People who didn't give this 4 wrenches are mensches.
Favorite moment:See my review.
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grammamargo: I loved the whole call, especially Max describing his hapless salesman who was so hungry that he rode his bike into the new car.
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gwollen:
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Antique Auto: Master story teller with great punch line
Favorite moment:The mere fact that you let him tell the whole story
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shiba angel: Scripted or not, the funniest story I've ever heard on the radio.
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