TVSquad

Though not the most obvious of translations, PBS has nevertheless transformed NPR's hit radio series Car Talk into an animated series. The show, dubbed Click and Clack's As The Wrench Turns, premieres July 9th at 8 p.m. ET and is set to run in two-episode blocks for five weeks thereafter. Click and Clack, the on-air alter egos of Tom and Ray Tappet, are as self-deprecating off-air about the series as they are on air. "I hope that people look at it mercifully," said Ray, "It's lame enough that people will laugh at some of the lame stuff."

The brothers are the heart and soul of the radio show, which has become a huge hit for NPR, but the TV show is looking to spotlight a more expanded roster of characters. And while the two will be playing animated versions of themselves, and those versions will also host an auto talk show, the similarities really end there. You really have a more family-oriented animated show the creators say is more akin to Family Guy or The Simpsons than the radio show.

So while it looks to be a different monster from its source material, that formula's certainly worked to great success already for the likes of Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld), Roseanne Barr (Roseanne) and Tim Allen (Home Improvement), though those were comedians bringing their schtick to life. If they'd gone for a more true translation we'd just have what we did when Howard Stern and Don Imus broadcast their shows. Or another Free Radio, if they go for a more comedic approach.