Art Bell Still The Best
I first heard Coast To Coast AM (C2C) on October 9th, 1992 as I was on a road trip with Excluded Middle Co-Editor Robert Larson. We were scanning the dial and came upon an interview with UFO researcher Bill Hamilton. We were thrilled that this sort of programming was actually on a mainstream AM station. We became instant fans and listened to the show religiously for many years. I didn’t even think that I would ever be a guest on the show, but it was a dream I kept in the back of my mind until it happened on February 27th of 2005, in connection of the release of my book Project Beta. The producer called 2 days before the show and asked if I could make it on Sunday with Art Bell as host. I was excited, because I had lamented the fact that Bell had first quit, and then taken a back seat to newer hosts. Perhaps it’s just sentimentality.
Other hosts in various broadcast and internet interview shows tend to tone down their questioning style to fit a wider audience. I’m sure this is due at least in part to pressure from the producers of the program to make the subject matter more accessible to the most listeners. Bell doesn’t seem to do this. Within a few minutes of my appearance on the show, I realized that he had not fully read Project Beta (understandable considering his schedule) but this did not deter him from running an interesting program that held the audience. Seasoned researchers and listeners seem to forgive Bell’s occasional coverage of well-known material in order to keep the audience well-backgrounded. He also isn’t afraid to challenge interviewees on certain points, albeit in a way that leaves them an “out” should they become overwhelmed. Whatever you think of Bell’s opinions or his guests, the man is a seasoned radio professional who seems to get the best out of his subjects.
Those who appear on C2C with something to peddle (books, videos, website, etc.) usually experience a meteroric rise in attention that continues for days and sometimes weeks after their interview. For those trying to make even a small income on their efforts, this is a blessing. Unfortunately, this group also includes some who are in it mainly for the money and/or fleeting fame. I won’t point fingers because I don’t want flame wars over things that aren’t very important.
These comments of course reflect a personal preference, and the fact that Coast To Coast continues to be one of the most popular programs in the country is a testament to the dedication of the producers and hosts to provide a forum for the sort of subjects we like to hear about. Stamp collectors, video gamers, and mystery novel fans should be so lucky. You damn kids have it so easy these days.
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Mar 12 2007 
March 12th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
In the late 80’s there was a late-night talk show host out of Colorado named, iirc, Rick Roberts, who did a paranormal themed show once a month. It was extremely popular, and his listeners were practically begging him do it more often. He absolutely refused, insisting that he’d lose listeners if he did that kind of show all the time.
Not long after that C2C went nation wide, and Art Bell went on to fame and fortune. I always wondered if Roberts kicked himself for missing his chance to make it big.
March 12th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
I’ve never heard of this guy. Too bad. There was also a show from Alaska of all places called “The Billy Goodman Show,” that broke the Area 51 story in the early 1990s.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Nothing beats Radio Misterioso!
March 13th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I’m not surprised you never heard him, Greg. I’m sure the signal doesn’t go west of the rockies. And I was totally wrong about his name. It’s Rick Barber, and he’s still got his show on KOA in Denver. (Note to self: Google first, post second.)
March 13th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
It was a very strange coincidence that I was hauling my ‘58 Airstream in slow steady rainstorm towards my current residence near Austin,TX. that very night you’d appeared on C2C. As a shift worker in and out of the military, Art Bell and the C2C hosts have been a treasure to the 40 million or so folks who work the graveyard shift. It was an interesting show with your surprise guest,Richard Doty. You sounded quite annoyed with him(Doty). Back in the early ’70’s, WFAA AM in Dallas had the Ed Bush Talk Show which had many paranormal and parapolitical guests on it. That’s where I heard the first connection between UFO and Bigfoot sightings. I believe the guest was John Leer. Ed Bush even hosted an infamous televised debate between Madeline Marie O’Hare and Rev. John Criswell at the height of Ms. O’Hare fame. Back then I don’t think the American public was ready for Art Bell. They could barely handle him in the ’90’s. Now in 2007, he’s more popular than Larry King ever was. His appearance on the TV show, Millenium was testament to his influence on popular culture. I find it some how fitting that I can be primed by Radio Mysterioso and then catch Art Bell on Sunday nights.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Greg,
Billy Goodman did his show out of Las Vegas when I listened to him back in the day, as they say, during the late 1980’s. When did he do a show from Alaska?
March 17th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Greg
By the way what ever happened to that story Art Bell had on that fellow that had his dog killed by an alien. Those were some of the best photo’s I’ve seen. It’s funny how fuzzy pics get more press and clear ones disappear. There was some very intresting data from this guy’s experiance that ring more true then false. He (Art Bell)actually down played it by labelling it, “The frozen burretto Alien”. Maybe that was why Art Bell was alien for a while?
March 18th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Dave,
Wasn’t that the one promoted by Jaime Maussan? The story was the “Dr.” Jonathan Reed case, right? Check UFOwatchdog.com for more on this. The pictures on that one were not fuzzy, but the video quality was poor, and the witnesses/ participants scattered when their backgrounds didn’t hold up to scrutiny.
March 19th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Greg
That’s the one all right. Didn’t realize it caused the production of a whole web site. Puts a whole new light on that alien episode. I just wonder if the producers of ufowatchdog have ever been scrutinized like those they profit from, ego wise. With all the clear pics, they use the crappy ones to prove this story to be fake. I am led to believe by their mirror mockery that this group is in line for a promotion to the men in red, oh sorry black. Yet, what do I know all I’ve seen is a sasquatch, few triangle ufos, and fake humans who believe in sending their children to murder for a family of Bush’s. The so called fake Dr.mayya played a hoax even on Mr.Bell; but, it’s no wonder people are scared to talk about or send pics out. With the rath of the experts that are to busy disbelieving to realize that there are many liers out there, them included. The so called fake autopsy and the so called creator of it, still hasn’t been able to produce its twin; yet. Experts have always been good at discrediting the masses. Believe it or not.
March 20th, 2007 at 12:55 am
dave,
I’m not quite sure what you’re saying here, but I don’t think that Royce Meyers (ufowatchdog proprietor) is in for his ego, except to prove that there is a lot of junk in the UFO field mucking up a lot of decent research. Labeling people one doesn’t agree with as MIB or agents or what have you is something I try to avoid.
Granted, there are most likely powerful people out there who are trying to lead us away from a better understanding of the UFO phenomenon, but there is so much info available to the public that they probably don’t have much influence.
March 20th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Adam,
Maybe he was rebroadcast from there. For some reason, I remember it this way. You’re probably right.
March 20th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Greg
My intention was to state that people cry for clearness for proof; yet, Mr. Meyer used unclear (pics) examples and most of his proof was based on Reeds bad character. Royce may be right regarding Reeds fake past; but, his exfriends words are taken as all the proof he needs to prove the photos etc are fake. Remember the alien autopsy, it was stated right from the get go to be fake. All these sights stating it to be fake and never showed the part when the eye coverings(full eye sun glasses?)were removed, that the eyes moved, from a muscle spasim caused by the light; eventhough, it was dead. Common belief now is it was fake. With the rash of these groups of fake alien and ufo hunters I would under duress may change my belief just to get them out of my head too. Those Reed pics in my opinion were the best because of the eye and clarity. At one point I showed copies of them to a fellow that right off the bat stated they were fake because it didn’t have green blood. So I stay my belief whether they are real or not; but, clarity will not help those that are born not to believe, and to think that man is the only reality in the universe. Maybe those with this great ability to know who and what is fake should get a job in politics to clean up the white house and our government house in Canada. By the way it appears the MIB are not needed as there is now, The Alien Busters on the web for who ever does not believe. No disrespect intended to you Greg or this mighty fine site. Dave