Topic: Steve Warner's Dark City

[Juan]

Johnny Gosch disappeared while delivering newspapers in Des Moines, Iowa back in 1982.  He was 12.  There's been a lot of speculation about what happened to him.  There's a Wikipedia page.

[cweb]

Enjoyed the second half of your show with Bill Birnes, Bateman! Will definitely have to check out Future Theater.

Keep up the good work. It seems like you're willing to try topics that are interesting rather than just totally paranormal. It's a great way to keep the show fresh.

[FallenSeraph]

Johnny Gosch show sounds great, but as all have said, a real can of worms... You might also consider talking to John W. DeCamp.

I just got DeCamp's book. Unsettling.

This is the first time I knew of this story. Ironically Yorkshire Television is no more as it was known. I've just watched this YT vid and I'm non the wiser; who is Johnny Gosch? I appreciate that if you're in the know, it's revisiting old ground, but for those of us who aren't familiar it would be a welcome addition.

What is the state of play now? Is it as the documentary left it? Un-broadcast and covered up? What an indictment of the notion of free speech eh?

Hey Yorkshire – a good summary of the Johnny Gosch case and a good watch is the MSNBC documentary "Missing Johnny," which originally aired, I think, in 12/12. I found it here:

https://archive.org/details/MissingJohnny_294

It got so much feedback that the filmmakers are now making a two-hour documentary for theater release, although who knows when that will be.

I could talk about this case for hours. That's how much it affected me as a kid and then stayed with me.

[TheMan WhoFell ToEarth]

Johnny Gosch has always been one of those cases I find unimaginably horrifying.  An experience like that is true hell.  I say go for it Steven, and don't hold back.  It is horrifying, the truth is horrifying, but it's worth being told.  Looking forward to seeing that happen.

Hoping I can finally get around to part two of the Bill Birnes interview tonight.

[gbneely]

Just caught up on all the Dark Weekend shows. All of them have been compelling and worth listening to... several times. Bateman, you definitely have the knack for this. By far the best paranormal/talk radio show out there right now.

[Pam J]

I do love the cliffhangers. 

Don't worry too much about head spinners, they can spin off to another show.  I love the suspension of disbelief which you created, ie., Betty.  There is always going to be more questions and they can't ALL be answered.  If you left that part of the conversation as a cliff hanger I am happily suspended from a cliff right now not worrying about some open ended statement but how I can't wait to listen again.

You are better than Art Bell and please don't  be modest and say, "oh no, I could never compare," or some stupid shit like that!  And might I add one more important fact, at the moment, there is no more Art Bell

Take the reigns!  Bring it home baby!

[RADEO]

Don't worry too much about head spinners, they can spin off to another show.  I love the suspension of disbelief which you created, ie., Betty.  There is always going to be more questions and they can't ALL be answered.  If you left that part of the conversation as a cliff hanger I am happily suspended from a cliff right now not worrying about some open ended statement but how I can't wait to listen again.

You are better than Art Bell and please don't  be modest and say, "oh no, I could never compare," or some stupid shit like that!  And might I add one more important fact, at the moment, there is no more Art Bell

Take the reigns!  Bring it home baby!

You FUCKING ROCK Bateman!  Where's your pic anywhere online, I have searched and can't find anything.

[ziznak]

I agree with the comparison to Neo actually.
and here's yer pic of bateman

[bateman]

Happy new year.

[ziznak]

he's a honky... knew it!

[HorrorRetro]

I just got DeCamp's book. Unsettling.

Hey Yorkshire – a good summary of the Johnny Gosch case and a good watch is the MSNBC documentary "Missing Johnny," which originally aired, I think, in 12/12. I found it here:

https://archive.org/details/MissingJohnny_294

Watching now.  It's astounding and infuriating that the police said they could not link the disappearances of the three paperboys.  That ridiculous.  I'm very skeptical about Paul B's claim that he was involved. When someone claims to have multiple personality disorder, I tend to discount their claims.  This is such a frustrating and horrific story. 

[bateman]

Watching now.  It's astounding and infuriating that the police said they could not link the disappearances of the three paperboys.  That ridiculous.  I'm very skeptical about Paul B's claim that he was involved. When someone claims to have multiple personality disorder, I tend to discount their claims.  This is such a frustrating and horrific story. 

His testimony was considered compelling enough for a court to award him $1m.

In the United States District Court
For the District of Nebraska

Paul A. Bonacci, Plaintiff          4:CV91-3037
vs
Lawrence E. King, Defendant     Memorandum of Decision
Filed February 22, 1999

On February 27, 1998, I found that default judgment should be
entered against the defendant Lawrence E. King in favor of the
plaintiff, Paul A. Bonacci. A trial on the issue of the damages due
the plaintiff by that defendant was had on February 5, 1999.

Two counts are alleged against the defendant: King in the
complaint. Count V alleges a conspiracy with public officers to
deprive the plaintiff of his civil rights, designed to continue to
subject the plaintiff to emotional abuse and to prevent him from
informing authorities of criminal conduct.  Count VIII charges
battery, false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress,
negligence and conspiracy to deprive the plaintiff of civil rights.
Between December 1980 and 1988, the complaint alleges, the
defendant King continually subjected the plaintiff to repeated
sexual assaults, false imprisonments, infliction of extreme
emotional distress, organized and directed satanic rituals, forced
the plaintiff to "scavenge" for children to be a part of the
defendant King's sexual abuse and pornography ring, forced the
plaintiff to engage in numerous masochistic orgies with other minor
children. The defendant King's default has made those allegations
true against him. The issue now is the relief to be granted
monetarily.

The now uncontradicted evidence is that the plaintiff has suffered
much. He has suffered burns, broken fingers, beating of the head
and face and other indignities by the wrongful actions of the
defendant King. In addition to the misery of going through the
experiences just related over a period of eight years, the
plaintiff has suffered the lingering results to the present time.
He is a victim of multiple personality disorder, involving as many
as fourteen distinct personalities aside from his primary
personality. He has given up a desired military career and received
threats on his life. He suffers from sleeplessness, has bad dreams,
has difficulty in holding a job, is fearful that others are
following him, fears getting killed, has depressing flashbacks, and
is verbally violent on occasion, all in connection with the
multiple personality disorder and caused by the wrongful activities
of the defendant King.

Almost certainly the defendant King has little remaining financial
resources, but a fair judgment to compensate the plaintiff is
necessary. For the sixteen years since the abuse of the plaintiff
began I conclude that a fair compensation for the damages he has
suffered is $800,000. A punitive damage award also is justified,
but the amount needs to be limited because of the small effect that
such a judgment would have on the defendant King, given his
financial condition and presence in prison. I deem the punitive
damage award of $200,000 to be adequate.  Dated February 19, 1999.
By the Court /s/Warren Urborn United States Senior District Judge
-----------------------------------------------------------------

[HorrorRetro]

His testimony was considered compelling enough for a court to award him $1m.

Interesting.  I now see the tie-in between this case and the Boys Town cases.  I'd still be really interested in any new information on this.  Thanks for the info! 

[bateman]

Interesting.  I now see the tie-in between this case and the Boys Town cases.  I'd still be really interested in any new information on this.  Thanks for the info! 

It gets wilder & wilder. Enter Jeff Gannon, 2005. Former White House correspondent who raised eyebrows lobbing softball questions at President Bush. The outlet he represented was called Talon News, which was nothing more than a front for GOPUSA. His credentials were nonexistent. Even his name "Jeff Gannon" was fictitious, which of course raises the question, HOW did he get a press pass..? He was also a former male escort. ... Who'd made several hundred visits to the White House. 39 of those visits were on days when no press briefings were scheduled. This was confirmed by Secret Service logs, which were obtained by members of Congress via FOIA.

http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/secret_service_gannon_424.htm

The speculation is that he is Johnny Gosch. There's so much more to it, but I have to run for a bit. Happy Googling. It's a deep rabbit hole.

[b_dubb]

Not sure I want to know about Johnny

[HorrorRetro]

It gets wilder & wilder. Enter Jeff Gannon, 2005. Former White House correspondent who raised eyebrows lobbing softball questions at President Bush. The outlet he represented was called Talon News, which was nothing more than a front for GOPUSA. His credentials were nonexistent. Even his name "Jeff Gannon" was fictitious, which of course raises the question, HOW did he get a press pass..? He was also a former male escort. ... Who'd made several hundred visits to the White House. 39 of those visits were on days when no press briefings were scheduled. This was confirmed by Secret Service logs, which were obtained by members of Congress via FOIA.

http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/secret_service_gannon_424.htm

The speculation is that he is Johnny Gosch. There's so much more to it, but I have to run for a bit. Happy Googling. It's a deep rabbit hole.

Thanks for the tip.  This is beyond strange.

[TheMan WhoFell ToEarth]

I find it a little hard to believe that Guckert is Gosch, but you know what they say about reality and fiction.  My guess is that Gosch is either long dead or wishes he was.

One thing I think would really improve the show (not that it needs much improving), is getting more of you in there.  Sometimes I feel like you don't get to say or do much in the interviews besides asking the odd question and thankfully challenging parts of what your guests say if need be.  Since the shows have been shorter so far, and you don't do a lot of news/updates at the start, and no audience interaction, we don't often get the same kind of personal editorial perspective from you that we would get from Art for instance.  I think a stronger host presence would do even more for an already great show.  Maybe consider with the longer shows, a news segment where you touch upon current rumblings of the weird and offbeat.  I'd love to hear you give little tidbits on the bizarre and possibly even updates on subjects and guests you've covered previously.  Really expand the show into something more than just the interviews.  My feeble cent and a half.
 
And swinging wildly to a different subject, regarding your post about "Queen of the Night" elsewhere, given any thought to covering anything relating to cults or secret societies?

[bateman]

I find it a little hard to believe that Guckert is Gosch, but you know what they say about reality and fiction.  My guess is that Gosch is either long dead or wishes he was.

"I'm convinced 99 percent that he is Johnny Gosch" says Ted Gunderson, a retired FBI agent who has been working on the Gosch case for more than a decade. "The only way I'd be 100 percent sure is if there was a DNA test or if he admitted it."

To date, Gannon has never taken a DNA test, even after saying he would multiple times. It's strange to say the least.

One thing I think would really improve the show (not that it needs much improving), is getting more of you in there.  Sometimes I feel like you don't get to say or do much in the interviews besides asking the odd question and thankfully challenging parts of what your guests say if need be.  Since the shows have been shorter so far, and you don't do a lot of news/updates at the start, and no audience interaction, we don't often get the same kind of personal editorial perspective from you that we would get from Art for instance.  I think a stronger host presence would do even more for an already great show.  Maybe consider with the longer shows, a news segment where you touch upon current rumblings of the weird and offbeat.  I'd love to hear you give little tidbits on the bizarre and possibly even updates on subjects and guests you've covered previously.  Really expand the show into something more than just the interviews.  My feeble cent and a half.
 
And swinging wildly to a different subject, regarding your post about "Queen of the Night" elsewhere, given any thought to covering anything relating to cults or secret societies?

I appreciate the feedback, and these are the things I'm figuring out as I go along. For many hosts it's a question of whether you want the show to be about you, or about the material. The best hosts in any medium are the ones who manage a deft balance between presenting the material in a compelling fashion & allowing the audience to see who they are. Great examples are Johnny Carson, Bob Grant, and of course, Art Bell.

The best of the 'me, me, me' hosts would probably be Stern, and the best of the 'presenters' I'd say is John Batchelor. It's a matter of style though, which, again, I'm still figuring out.

The reason I haven't presented the news is because I don't want to mimic the Coast format too much. I can do it if you guys want it, believe me, I come across plenty of stories every single day that would make great news items.

As far as callers, I gotta be honest, I'm one of those AB listeners who felt the open lines shows were unbearable. And during guest segments, a lot of the time the callers can grind the flow of the show to a screeching halt. I've been far more attracted to the Dreamland format.

[bateman]

And swinging wildly to a different subject, regarding your post about "Queen of the Night" elsewhere, given any thought to covering anything relating to cults or secret societies?

Oh, and yes, absolutely. I have pages of notebook paper filled with show ideas.

[TheMan WhoFell ToEarth]

To date, Gannon has never taken a DNA test, even after saying he would multiple times. It's strange to say the least.

I appreciate the feedback, and these are the things I'm figuring out as I go along. For many hosts it's a question of whether you want the show to be about you, or about the material. The best hosts in any medium are the ones who manage a deft balance between presenting the material in a compelling fashion & allowing the audience to see who they are. Great examples are Johnny Carson, Bob Grant, and of course, Art Bell.

The best of the 'me, me, me' hosts would probably be Stern, and the best of the 'presenters' I'd say is John Batchelor. It's a matter of style though, which, again, I'm still figuring out.

The reason I haven't presented the news is because I don't want to mimic the Coast format too much. I can do it if you guys want it, believe me, I come across plenty of stories every single day that would make great news items.

As far as callers, I gotta be honest, I'm one of those AB listeners who felt the open lines shows were unbearable. And during guest segments, a lot of the time the callers can grind the flow of the show to a screeching halt. I've been far more attracted to the Dreamland format.

Yeah I'm familiar with the Gosch stuff, really strange and interesting for sure.   I'll have to keep refreshing on the James Guckert story, that seems like a pretty confident assertion.  Trying to watch this Missing Johnny doc and it just does not want to work for me.

As for the show, I can dig all that, that's pretty much what I mean, not focusing the show on you but taking advantage of your skills as a host to present more content.  Just some suggestions, I agree it shouldn't ape Coast or DM and I'm definitely not saying you should take callers, I've never been big on that either.  I think a certain kind of news would be perfect for the show, offbeat stuff more off the radar, "dark" things.  I think focusing on a darker side of reality in general rather than just doing paranormal is a huge strength, and there is a lot of content out there that plays to that perfectly.  I'm very excited to see this show expand, and to see what you come up with to make it even more unique.

[area51drone]

I know what I'm watching tonight.. this whole Johnny Gosch story sounds fasinating

[area51drone]

Jesus.. as a parent this shit makes your heart sink.  I wanted to puke when I first saw the picture of the boys bound and gagged.   I hope the video was right that those three kids weren't harmed.   

Another horrific story about abused (and murdered) children that you might want to delve into is the West Memphis Three.   

[Yorkshire pud]

I appreciate the feedback, and these are the things I'm figuring out as I go along. For many hosts it's a question of whether you want the show to be about you, or about the material. The best hosts in any medium are the ones who manage a deft balance between presenting the material in a compelling fashion & allowing the audience to see who they are. Great examples are Johnny Carson, Bob Grant, and of course, Art Bell.

The best chat show/ radio hosts know they have two ears and one mouth, and use them in that proportion. If you'd like to listen to someone who is highly respected when it comes to interviewing in the UK, it's Simon Mayo. He's on the BBC and his radio shows can be found online via the BBC website. Past master is Micheal Parkinson, and there are dozens of his TV chat shows on YT, the ones with Mohammad Ali, Billy Connely, and an especially poignant one with Bob Monkhouse are legendary. His best were before the era when the PR machine simply had people interviewed to plug books, films, and themselves..Where it was a chat.

I think Steve you have a very engaging approach. You pull them (guests) back on a point if it's too flippant and appears silly and that's a skill to do without appearing as if you're saying "Wooow just a minute dickhead, you can't expect me to believe that shit". Conversely you let the story flow, you let the guest follow their thread without interruption, again a skill without letting them ramble. Bill Birnes is of course a highly skilled and experienced presenter so he's in his element talking about what he knows. He is also very interesting to listen to, amn however many times he's said it before, he always seem to be telling things for the first time.

As for you Steve; I don't think you need to change much at all. You're clear, concise, keep a tight ship and also make it up beat. Please no phone ins.. I agree, they'll kill it and you'll get too many incoherent fools who ramble on without actually saying anything. As you go along you'll hit a comfort zone where you'll be putting on your favourite slippers, but that's up to you when you reach that mark. The best presenters all say they're speaking to one person who is listening (even if the audience is 5 million!), radio is so personal, and long may it live. They also say they never take anything for granted, and always try to keep it fresh, because if the presenter seems bored, the audience will soon follow. In short, yours is a show worth listening to Steve. Keep at it mate.

[area51drone]

The speculation is that he is Johnny Gosch. There's so much more to it, but I have to run for a bit. Happy Googling. It's a deep rabbit hole.

To anyone who has already done the googling...  Links would be great

[tmock00]

Living about two hours or so from Des Moines at the time, I remember the disappearance of Johnny Gosch quite well.  It scared my mother so much that she made my brother quit his paper route.

I've been following the case off and on ever since. 

If I remember correctly, didn't his mother say that years later Gosch showed up at her house incognito for some reason? 

The case is both horrifying and fascinating; so many theories.

[Treading Water]

The best chat show/ radio hosts know they have two ears and one mouth, and use them in that proportion. If you'd like to listen to someone who is highly respected when it comes to interviewing in the UK, it's Simon Mayo. He's on the BBC and his radio shows can be found online via the BBC website. Past master is Micheal Parkinson, and there are dozens of his TV chat shows on YT, the ones with Mohammad Ali, Billy Connely, and an especially poignant one with Bob Monkhouse are legendary. His best were before the era when the PR machine simply had people interviewed to plug books, films, and themselves..Where it was a chat.

I think Steve you have a very engaging approach. You pull them (guests) back on a point if it's too flippant and appears silly and that's a skill to do without appearing as if you're saying "Wooow just a minute dickhead, you can't expect me to believe that shit". Conversely you let the story flow, you let the guest follow their thread without interruption, again a skill without letting them ramble. Bill Birnes is of course a highly skilled and experienced presenter so he's in his element talking about what he knows. He is also very interesting to listen to, amn however many times he's said it before, he always seem to be telling things for the first time.

As for you Steve; I don't think you need to change much at all. You're clear, concise, keep a tight ship and also make it up beat. Please no phone ins.. I agree, they'll kill it and you'll get too many incoherent fools who ramble on without actually saying anything. As you go along you'll hit a comfort zone where you'll be putting on your favourite slippers, but that's up to you when you reach that mark. The best presenters all say they're speaking to one person who is listening (even if the audience is 5 million!), radio is so personal, and long may it live. They also say they never take anything for granted, and always try to keep it fresh, because if the presenter seems bored, the audience will soon follow. In short, yours is a show worth listening to Steve. Keep at it mate.

That's about perfect, pud.  I agree.  Steve, you're such a natural.  You sound like you've been doing this for decades.  I really like the sense of comfort you have.   

I've tried to think of a criticism, but can't come up with one!     (yet...)

[RADEO]

I agree with the comparison to Neo actually.
and here's yer pic of bateman

>Ziznak. HAH!  Not Bateman.  KR kissed my hand when I met him at a Dog Star show.

Thx for the pic handsome.  I love having a face as a radio listener.  I can now be even more engrossed!  Any links for other pics please post them kind sir ;x                                   

♡ 🎶♪♫♬♭And a VERY Happy New Year to you!🎶♪♫♬♭ ♡                                             

[FallenSeraph]

Living about two hours or so from Des Moines at the time, I remember the disappearance of Johnny Gosch quite well.  It scared my mother so much that she made my brother quit his paper route.

I've been following the case off and on ever since. 

If I remember correctly, didn't his mother say that years later Gosch showed up at her house incognito for some reason? 

The case is both horrifying and fascinating; so many theories.

Yeah, this is from his mother Noreen's website, http://www.johnnygosch.com/history.htm:

"In February 1999, in Federal Court testimony in Omaha Nebraska, Noreen Gosch testified that Johnny Gosch came to see her in 1997 [he would have been 27 at the time], providing information about his experience, asking for his mother's help and pleading for her to not reveal his visit. [Then he vanished into the night, never to be seen or heard from again.] Johnny is now 36 years old [at the time the site was made - he'd be 44 now]. After years of suffering tremendous torture and pain at the hands of his captors, being used and abused, he and several others escaped. They have been living in hiding under new identities... they fear for their lives. People ask ... why is it necessary for someone to hide and live this way..... It is simple, Johnny can identify many of the people involved and would be a threat to the very people who took him. He is known as the 'chameleon.' Why? Because he can so completely change his appearance. He would like to be a part of his family once again but it isn't safe."

This is the part where some of us get skeptical. He's 44 now. His case is well-known. After the fiasco during the Bonacci trial, key witnesses dying mysterious deaths before they testified, etc., he'd be put under high security and possibly even witness protection if he came forward. To just show up and say hi and bye and leave his mother in anguish is just sort of strange.

Many people believe Bonacci was making up the connection to Gosch to add more relevancy to his case. Gosch was 12, going through puberty and tall for his age when he was kidnapped. He didn't exactly fit the pedophile-victim profile. Many people think Noreen went off the rails with the whole connection to the Franklin cover-up thing, especially when she started accusing her husband of being part of it.

And that's not him in the photos of the kids who are bound and gagged. That doesn't even look like him. A sheriff's deputy in Tampa came forward and said those belonged to a case he was on in the '70s. AP covered it, I believe.

I don't know what to think.

Here's another pretty interesting thing on YouTube about it. Hell, you could search for Johnny or Noreen Gosch there and spend hours down the rabbit hole over there, if you ever feel so inclined. I did one day and wanted to pour bleach in my brain when I finally emerged from the YouTube coma:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXiKIlh3dqg

[albrecht]

Great work on the Dark Weekend show. Great and interesting interview. Nice to have decent radio to listen to again!

I think a Johnny Gosch show would be excellent. It is too bad Ted Gunderson, RIP, is not around to comment. An expanded show into the Franklin Scandal would be interesting. Another creepy and scary thing that would make a good show is "The Finders" who apparently were involved with child abuse ring and had some government connections and then a strange commune in rural Virginia.

[albrecht]

Besides the Gosch, Franklin Scandal, Finders, and the Whitehouse call-boy deal does anyone recall also rumors that Hunter Thompson found, or even filmed, child abuse snuff films for rich political people? I recall hearing some bizarre rumors to that effect and also, maybe, that this knowledge and some stuff he found out about the war was the reason for his "suicide"? This could be related to the claims of that drug that needs to be taken from alive people's pineal gland (ideally from tortured children) that, supposedly, super rich people are addicted to (and featured in his book F&L). In final weirdness apparently his sperm was frozen and his widow might try to have another son.