Art Bell

[PB the Deplorable]

... He doesn't want to do the show any more. That's pretty plain.

Fair enough. I wish he'd be up front about it, that's all.

Ding!

[Jamal Abanane]

I just read Keith's comments from two pages ago. From a business perspective, Art really fucked everyone hardcore. This is embarrassing. Leaving affiliates, sponsors and especially Keith high and dry while setting everyone who believed in him and helped him on collision course into the side of a mountain is pretty fucked.

I immediately thought of this (Onan, MV, Eddie & Bdubb - youz will appreciate this...lol)


http://youtu.be/P7lGGhHZSZs

Goodnight Sweet Prince

[PB the Deplorable]

... When it comes to talk radio, the most interesting moments are rarely from guests but from callers.  Guests are not the audience.  Callers are.  Only they truly represent the hearts and minds of those who make talk radio possible.  And when it comes to questions for guests, there isn't a radio host alive who has nearly as much creativity as the collective creativity of callers.

Other than the podcasts related to this website, a caller worth listening to is rare on any radio show.  Most calls are excruciating to listen to.  When a show is at the point when it's time to take some calls, it's basically over.  There have been some very rare exceptions of course.

[A. Lee In]

Other than the podcasts related to this website, a caller worth listening to is rare on any radio show.  Most calls are excruciating to listen to.  When a show is at the point when it's time to take some calls, it's basically over.  There have been some very rare exceptions of course.

some of my favs were ... "Is this me?" or "Can you hear me?"

[Robert]

Thanks for your work & summation of what's gone on.  However, there's one thing I'm curious about:

I have made reports to Nye County Deputies myself, and have photos of Art's injuries from when he dove to the ground when he heard the shot on Dec 9th.

The photos could've been selfies sent to you, but how did you come to be reporting to the police, considering your geographic remoteness?  Did it happen that Art was able to reach you faster or easier than the police at some point, so you could relay the info?

Or are you indeed nearby, as suggested by the post someone made here about having shown you the studio, the chair, etc.?

[zeebo]

Art said 'perhaps' he'd come back if they found the shooter. What does that tell you? That sounds like a soft 'no' to me, and he'd  find some other reason to stay away...

"I am sorry to have to announce this but I will not be on Tonight or any other night, yes I am going to
hang it up. ... it has been my joy, short as it has been to have cracked that Mic open for a last time."

I'm considering this as a 'hard no' actually.  Sad as it is for me to say it .. time to move on. 

[Robert]

I wish you the best! I'm not spinning any conspiracy theories here but it's just that with all these incidents and gunshots the police haven't found one clue or lead in the case...not even a bullet casing? You see why some find it odd, right?

I don't find it odd.  In that space, bullet casings would be hard to find.  They're not going to stay warm for long to show up on infrared.  A metal detector might help.  However, even if a casing were found, how could you tell it wasn't fired a long time previously?  Is there some way to distinguish post-discharge aging of brass from pre-discharge aging?

What other clues could one find for incidents taking place outdoors?  Cut marks on the cable, to compare to...?  Footprints to compare to...?  Voice recordings to...?

The police are usually interested (if at all) in practical details leading to possible resolution of a case.  When anybody could come by & do such things, I just don't see any physical evidence as leading to a solution.  You'd be more likely to try to narrow things down by figuring out who could've add access to the Bells' unlisted phone number.  Even then, the phoned threats could've been from a FOAF who's unaware or only dimly aware of the other incidents, was playing a practical joke, and found out too late how seriously it was taken, and now is afraid to claim "credit".

Art did say either that he or the sheriff had an idea of who was responsible for the shots in Oct., so obviously there's more known than is known publicly.  It would've been more satisfying to have a negotiated end to this if the party responsible wanted Art off the program for some narrow reason.  But if he wanted him off generally, possibly for some crazy reason like the one that got Dan Rather beat up, then no such negotiation would've been possible.  Still, it is telling that the Bells consider Art's staying out of his studio and ham shack to be effective to end the threat, meaning they believe it was genuinely about that rather than some vendetta.  I certainly believe so.  I can't completely dismiss the possibility that a commercial competitor is responsible, because occasionally one does learn that ostensibly legitimate businesspersons were/are gangsters; however, that hypothesis is only slightly more attractive than to believe that Art hired someone to run around in his vicinity & shoot.

[Robert]

Redacted, I think the shock is wearing off, and we are all reaching the stage of grieving that involves anger.  I will still listen to you, and call in if the show still allows that.  We are still a big family, united by our passion for Art.  And though Art may not be at the helm; it's still his ship, and I'm in it for the WHOLE ride.

Love ya, Redacted. Seriously consider keeping your anonymity with your hosting.

Consider: She's a fan who has been, if not Art's understudy, at least immersed in the production.  How could MITD with her on mic not be better than C2C with George Noory on mic?  As lousy as Noory became over the years (he didn't seem that bad right off the bat) I continued to tune in to C2C; so why wouldn't I stick with MITD?  Because of the self-selection process that's occurred, even the phoners-in to MITD are more interesting than those to C2C.

On WFMU I've frequently heard personalities come off the bench to have very interesting shows.  Why couldn't the same happen with paid people in a for-profit operation like MITD and/or DMDN?  Sometimes at WFMU I've even been familiar with the bench-sitters from comments on the comment stream, quite analogously to [Redacted] here.

Come to think of it, it did happen at least once on C2C already.  If I had to choose between the Bells' threatener's giving up & Ian Punnet's getting rid of his tinnitus, I'd pick the latter.  (The Bells apparently will be safe as long as Art stays off the air, while Rev. Punnet's tinnitus affects other things in his life too, so it's not just my selfish desire.)  I liked Ian Punnet that much & would take him back in preference to Art.  Maybe in the long run Punnet wouldn't've been as interesting 5 nights a week, but I'd've liked to have found out.  Chances are very slim of [Redacted]'s being as good as Punnet, but I can't rule it out on the basis of what I've heard so far, even though I know C2C wasn't Ian's 1st job on-mic.  Who chose Ian?  Art did.  Who chose [Redacted]?  Art did.  My understanding from reading here is that Noory's anointment by Bell was pro forma, not his actual pick.

[norland2424]

We should all consider that the shooter may have been also using a 22lr revolver, as that would leave no brass on the ground.

[aldousburbank]

Hey, at least (Redacted) is posting again.

Art's off the air... Ok. I dunno, I have real life and death issues at home to contend with so as sad as it is, it is not the biggest bug up my butt.

I will enjoy hearing Heather broadcast for as many nights as she may. She's an interesting and well spoken person. I don't expect her to be Art. Relax everyone. Get laid. Have some fun.

[DanTSX]

We should all consider that the shooter may have been also using a 22lr revolver, as that would leave no brass on the ground.

He could be using any revolver.  Art's ability to detect caliber, let alone firearm type from inside is dubious at best. 

It is also conceivable the police simply missed any ejected brass casings.    It may be easy to find them in the middle of a polo field, but not quite as easy in the Pahrump landscape.

[TigerLily]

"I am sorry to have to announce this but I will not be on Tonight or any other night, yes I am going to
hang it up. ... it has been my joy, short as it has been to have cracked that Mic open for a last time."

I'm considering this as a 'hard no' actually.  Sad as it is for me to say it .. time to move on.

"Acceptance" I think that's that's the last stage of letting go.  As for me,not there yet. Have a ways to go. Good for you, my philosophical squirrel. And always avec panache

[DanTSX]

Hey, at least (Redacted) is posting again.

Art's off the air... Ok. I dunno, I have real life and death issues at home to contend with so as sad as it is, it is not the biggest bug up my butt.

I will enjoy hearing Heather broadcast for as many nights as she may. She's an interesting and well spoken person. I don't expect her to be Art. Relax everyone. Get laid. Have some fun.

Wishing the best Aldous, go take care of life.

[TigerLily]

Hey, at least (Redacted) is posting again.

Art's off the air... Ok. I dunno, I have real life and death issues at home to contend with so as sad as it is, it is not the biggest bug up my butt.

I will enjoy hearing Heather broadcast for as many nights as she may. She's an interesting and well spoken person. I don't expect her to be Art. Relax everyone. Get laid. Have some fun.

But after that, I always turned on Art 

[NXOEED]

I write to you with a heavy heart tonight.  It has been a pleasure and a great honor to work with Art Bell.  I have been with him every step of the way through each incident:  his studio internet being tampered with on Sept 23rd, shots fired at his studio on Oct 21st while he was on the air, the threatening phone call he received at his private home number on Nov 18th, the intruder on his property on Nov 23rd, and this last incident of a shot being fired at him when he was on his way to his studio on Dec 9th.

The incidents are becoming more brazen, and more often.  I'd give anything to know who it is.  Anything.  I want this person/ persons caught and stopped.  However, wishing it does not make it so.  The proper Police reports have been made, Art's security increased, yet it continued.

For anyone who thinks this is a stunt or an excuse to quit, I have made reports to Nye County Deputies myself, and have photos of Art's injuries from when he dove to the ground when he heard the shot on Dec 9th.  Unfortunately, it is all too real.  I am as angry, and as sad as all of you that Art has been pushed off the air, but the right thing to do is to put his family first.  That he was bullied off the air like this makes me so mad I could chew up nails and spit out carpet tacks.

I will be hosting Midnight In The Desert starting on Monday night.  It pains me a great deal to have my dream handed to me like this; Art should be the one on that mic.  It is his rightful place.  Anytime he wants to return, the seat is his.  For now, I will keep that fire lit for him.

I'll be listening.

[onan]

I immediately thought of this (Onan, MV, Eddie & Bdubb - youz will appreciate this...lol)


http://youtu.be/P7lGGhHZSZs

Goodnight Sweet Prince

This will not stand, man.

[transistorundermypillow]

I will enjoy hearing Heather broadcast for as many nights as she may. She's an interesting and well spoken person. I don't expect her to be Art. Relax everyone. Get laid. Have some fun.

Yes, this.

Art, Enjoy your retirement and spending more time with your family. You don't owe anyone proof of the incidents. Stay safe. Get your life back to what makes you and your family happy.

Heather,
I just listened to the first hour of Friday's show and I don't know how you held it together but despite having little time to prepare for this you were professional, well spoken, and seemed to be a natural for this career.  There's a lot of undeserved negativity being thrown your way. Try your best to ignore it. It's a reaction to the sudden change but you knew that.

The future?:
If Keith says that the DMRN can't survive without Art, where does this leave MITD? As a podcast? Transmitted to the radio stations that decide to keep it? Played on Tune In?  I'm confused as to what will happen in 30 days if DMRN truly folds as Keith said it would. I will continue to subscribe until its officially over but it seems like there would be a plan in place for Heather to continue the show if DMRN is no more.

[Robert]

No PD in their right mind will run a show with an unknown when Art Bell replays are on the table.

That'd work to my advantage in the Eastern time zone, being able to stream MITD w Heather 9 to midnight...

Keith is going to bail once the obligations are fulfilled and no one can blame him.

...but that'd spoil my fun.

[b_dubb]

I cancelled my subscription when Keith issued his message detailing how to unsubscribe. I will be subscribing again today to support (redacted) and crew.

Roswells Team Art Bell

[Robert]

I know you're doing your best to Juggle all these variables and obligations Keith, but I was just thinking that Heather or anyone at a 6-9pm Pacific slot is more of a stretch than most of us had envisioned, and also effectively takes much of the wind and prestige, out of her Debut, her Maiden Voyages. i.e. like the ceiling, headroom, soaring room, has just been lowered significantly. Just thinking about giving the girl a fair and full shot.

But think about Eastern time!  9 to midnight is the prestigious time slot of brainy shows like John Bachelor (although WABC used to run Bachelor's & Alexander's Conspiracy Radio in the weekend post-midnight slot that they later cleared for Art Bell) and professors David Brudnoy & Milton Rosenberg, rather than that of insomniacs, long haul truckers, & night watchmen.

[albrecht]

I'd like to see rotating hosts. Let Heather do a night or two a week and bring on guest hosts for the other nights. Take this opportunity to showcase DMDN's hosts, Steve Warner, Bryan Alvarez, Bill Birnes, ect., and maybe even invite George Knapp and Ian Punnet.

Yep, I've been thinking that since Art's decision. A rotating schedule of hosts would not only bring different perspectives/subjects to the show but also keep it lively. I think it is hard to do a daily show and not get into a rut. It would also also the hosts to keep their own shows (and plug them a few times,) day jobs, etc. I would include Howard Hughs, LMH, Streiber into the mix in addition to the folks above.

[Robert]

Art called in after the extended break once Heather floundered when the guest's cell dropped out, as anyone would, and offered to take calls with listeners for some length of time. During that moment, TIMEHICK called back and (redacted) instead opted to go with the phony time traveler interview instead of sensing what the audience wanted to hear. I'm not trying to take shots at Heather, considering what a bad position she was put in from the outset, but it was bad radio and an even worse interview.

Have you ever heard a beloved m.c. hand a show off on the air to a permanent successor?  It's not a common phenomenon, but when it's done, that's always the tone it's done in.  The outgoer is all about the newcomer.  Psychologically that's best in the long run, even if in the short run people want to talk about the one who's going out.

[onan]

A rotating schedule sounds like a fair approach. I am somewhat leery of egos and schedules, especially if the talent is new. Someone suggested George Knapp, I doubt he would change his schedule. But hell, I dunno.

[slippingaway]

I just read Keith's comments from two pages ago. From a business perspective, Art really fucked everyone hardcore. This is embarrassing. Leaving affiliates, sponsors and especially Keith high and dry while setting everyone who believed in him and helped him on collision course into the side of a mountain is pretty fucked.

I really do feel for Keith in all of this. Update his bandwidth, buy thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of streaming equipment when all he was before was a simple webmaster.  The time, and energy, and sleepless nights just to see this **poof** once again.

I'm glad to hear Art pass the torch. Face facts: the guy is 70 and I'd rather hear him give it up volentarily than to have Heather or Keith come on announcing he's dead from a heart attack.

I was hoping that Art was going to go strong for a least a year or two. This latest development is saddening.

Redacted, just heed Art's advice: make the show your own and be yourself. That's the Redacted I've come to love and respect.

[marialindell]

Best of luck Heather!  I hope it all works out.  You sounded great Friday night!  Thanks for the decision to keep the keep going. 

[marialindell]

MEGA ROSWELLS!

[PaulAtreides]

Hookup with Edna Pringle? 

No, it would be a three way with Edna and her sister Lucy while JC watched.

[DanTSX]

No, it would be a three way with Edna and her sister Lucy while JC watched.

Boiling pits of sewage!

[K_Dubb]

Ok I resubscribed to Hoagie -- though he's still an ass -- just cuz I want Keith's network to stay up.  The alternative is too horrible to contemplate.

Assuming Heather's 30 days aren't just to fulfill some contracts' requirements and keep the lawsuits at bay, at this point I'd love to see her crank out some businesslike, quality shows with Art hovering in the background.  Nothing will silence the critics and ease the disappointment but that will do wonders.

Here's some unsolicited, and possibly unwelcome - sheesh - , advice:

Making the show about the veracity of a guest's claims is pointless and self-defeating cuz most of 'em are making it up.  They're tale-spinners; just draw it out of them, make them go dancing out on that limb.

Relax and have fun.  This is mindless entertainment for most of us, and if you're having fun we probably are, too.

Be strong and confident but keep the posturing for the mirror at home.  You can't afford to alienate anyone actually engaged with the show.  Putting out a quality product is the only rejoinder you need.

Good luck, I hope for all of us this is a star-is-born moment.

I think this the "bargaining" stage of grief.

[Chronaut]

I will be hosting Midnight In The Desert starting on Monday night.  It pains me a great deal to have my dream handed to me like this; Art should be the one on that mic.  It is his rightful place.  Anytime he wants to return, the seat is his.  For now, I will keep that fire lit for him.

This is great news; thank you Heather.  And Keith is on board to see if we can get through this crisis too; wonderful - this is exactly what I was hoping to find when I signed on today.  Well, I was also hoping to hear that the smoldering remains of the cowardly stalker were found after he  peed on an electrical fence, but there's time.

A lot of people keep complaining that Art has quit something like five times, but nobody's mentioned that he's also cracked open the mic five time times.  The man loves broadcasting.  I trust that one day he'll be back, if only as a guest host from time to time, once he and his family are safe and secure again.

When Art left Coast to Coast AM, we got saddled with that feckless corporate puppet Noory.  This time we've got one of our own at the helm, and Keith working his mojo behind the scenes.  That's a HUGE improvement.   I'm all in.

Give 'em hell, Heather.  Not only do I think that your genuine and long-standing interest in the show's topics and your classy intelligence offer great hope for an intriguing program, but keeping the show alive is a direct blow against the cowardly creeps behind these despicable acts of terrorism.

All in all, it's a damn good fight, and we're lucky to have both you and Keith standing up for what's right.