Art Bell Quits Dark Matter

[zeebo]

does anyone REALLY think that he will come back?

I wouldn't if I were him.  I mean all the hate and venom spewed over this thread is just too much.  These are supposed to be his fans?  I mean it's ok to pissed off, I can get that - I'm extremely disappointed myself.  But to say the ugly profane horrible things that have been said here, I just feel so embarrased that Art had to read any of that.

You know, I think some so-called fans here, they're like the homeless guy on the street, who are all smiles when they think they might get a few bucks off you, but as soon as you politely decline they rant and scream "Fuck you!". 

I hope Art comes back in some way.  I really do.  I think even though this didn't work out he really wanted to do it for the right reasons, and that's good enough for me.  (Yes I'm still sad about it, but I don't hate the guy for it.)

[BillW50]

Art,
I've spent a lot of time reading these boards but this is my first post.  To say the least, I was heartbroken when I read that Dark Matter was ending so abruptly.  I had hoped that the show would be on the air for years.  I started listening to you on Coast to Coast over ten years ago and had hoped for a long time that you would come back.  There is truly no other host like you.  Your shows provide so much entertainment to us all.  I keep hoping I'll come on here or your website and see that you and Sirius have come to an agreement.  I'm not angry over this and I am trying to be understanding of your side of the situation. 
I'm sure there is a lot that we don't know about that happened behind the scenes.  I just wish you would give it a little more time.  It's only been six weeks! The thought that you wouldn't be on the air for another two years (due to the non-compete) is just awful.
So come on back, Art! Give it some more time. I'll gladly keep my SiriusXM subscription. 

I think everybody feels the same way. Except the one who could change it all. Their name is Art if you didn't know.

[jblank]

I guess I missed that.

link?

[alleyrulez]

as I said, if Art patches things up with Sirius and wants to come back, I will listen.

I am one weak sonofabitch.

[HumanBeing]

One thing I have been thinking about... his wife must be pretty peeved at him.

Interesting point.

[alleyrulez]

88 fucking pages, you think I have time to read all of that shit?

really, I do, but that isn't what this is about, man!

[tprainbow]

You know....the replay thats scheduled for tonight still isn't specifically listed.....just tossing a coin in the pissing well.

[McPhallus]

as I said, if Art patches things up with Sirius and wants to come back, I will listen.

I am one weak sonofabitch.

Most of us probably would.  The ones who have truly given up probably aren't even posting on this forum or reading it - they've already moved on.

[SaucyRossy]

Art I understand the quality and standards you want with your show and product.
However, those things would continue to grow with the show. I also understand you were doing this for us and for the love it. So I and many others respectfully ask you to come to a compromise (60-90 free trials is fair) and keep the show going.

Emotions are running high, I'm sure reading all this ridiculous stuff doesn't help. My suggestion, blast some music and clear your mind, it will make it easier to work things out.

[jblank]

88 fucking pages, you think I have time to read all of that shit?

really, I do, but that isn't what this is about, man!

It's just within the last couple of pages. Look for posts by some person named "Art Bell".

[BillW50]

You know, I think some so-called fans here, they're like the homeless guy on the street, who are all smiles when they think they might get a few bucks off you, but as soon as you politely decline they rant and scream "Fuck you!". 

Oh? So you met Art huh? Yeah Art says that a lot when the cry baby doesn't get everything he wants (just listen to the first Dark Matter show to be sure). He has been that way since he was just a child. I am so sorry that you had to hear this.

[Coz]

It's just within the last couple of pages. Look for posts by some person named "Art Bell".

Art Bell?

What's his relevance?

[morphiaflow]

Christ in a handbag, people. Could you be human for a moment and try to see his side and STOP cutting him up? He is not an Immortal All Knowing All Powerful Being. He is a real person, with real feelings and he IS trying his BEST and he DOES care, for fucksake! Just because you are a "fan" doesn't give you license to destroy somebody like this. Who *raised* some of you people?!?! My God.

Amen.

[McPhallus]

Art Bell?

What's his relevance?

I heard he quit Dark Matter.

[grano salis]

Art, what in your opinion, would have warranted anger? People invested time, money, and emotional energy into your return. This was after what, over a month of teasing? The teasing lasted longer than the show did. I'll refrain from making any crude jokes about that.

To say that you didn't give this enough of a chance is the understatement of the century. But here's what really doesn't make sense to me: you said yourself you were willing to give Sirius a YEAR to get the technical problems sorted out. But you gave us 6 weeks.

Agree 100%.  Well said.

[HumanBeing]

Eat a dick sandwich Art 

[malachi.martini]

[Étouffée]

Art, last night I wrote that if you didn't give your listeners a coherent explanation and an apology, then I would be "all out".

I do thank you for what you posted today, so I will stay and "ante up".  I have not cancelled S/XM yet.

I don't know if you've noticed the number of posts from "young people" who say they grew up listening to you with their dad, or grandpa.  Others just heard about you--they weren't even born when you were in the heyday--and sought you out and were thrilled.  Yes, with you, the old dude in the desert.  There is so much room for growth...in the night.  

You just don't realize what a wonderful audience you have, and could have, George Bailey.  I mean Art Bell.

Remember, the opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy.

[HumanBeing]

hahaha that one got me in stitches haha 

[BillW50]

Oh come on! So Spooky Matter Sucked! There is always next year! If it makes Art feel any better, Snoory show sucked even more!

[HumanBeing]

Everyone's avatar should be changed to this for the next 48 hours.

[SaucyRossy]

I thought spooky matter was fantastic.

Does that change your mind Art.

[999]

Oh? So you met Art huh? Yeah Art says that a lot when the cry baby doesn't get everything he wants (just listen to the first Dark Matter show to be sure). He has been that way since he was just a child. I am so sorry that you had to hear this.

Are you his 1st wife?

[Miranda]

Is there no one in his life, either personal or professional, who is willing or able to talk some sense into him? I understand he's frustrated with the glitches and seems disappointed that perhaps the show hasn't taken off like he had hoped for, but his actions are very premature and over the top. Maybe he thought he was going to pick up where he left off with Coast to Coast, I don't know, but ten years is a long time and it takes time to rebuild. The show is good and got off to a solid start, and if he was willing to put in the time necessary, I think he really could have made Dark Matter into what he wanted it to be. It's such a shame and he's seemingly throwing it all away. I just don't understand why it has to be all or nothing.

[jazmunda]

I thought spooky matter was fantastic.

Does that change your mind Art.

I'm feeling a little despondent today. Not because Art is gone but because I contributed to an apparent crap fest.

FWIW I thought Spooky Matter was great too.

[saab93driver]

Thinking about this for a while it kind of came to me.  Let Art wait XM out or the other way around.  In the meantime get a guest host for the show, like the old days.  Hand over the microphone to someone who wants it.  Honestly, I miss Radio Train wreck, that show was very entertaining AND without a lot of callers anyway.  XM is a free enough format so there wouldn't be a bleeping words out problem.   It might be far from realistic, I don't know, but I say this in all seriousness, MV, maybe this is your big opportunity to actually get paid to do something like this.  You'd have the support of most of this board I'd bet.   

[moosie]

.........snip.....
As I mentioned in my emails Yesterday the net effect was that my base was gone, those of you who listened to the show must
have noticed, I sure did, so I asked Sirius for a Year of free streaming or until they could fix the problem, they did offer a second
free 30 day trial but what point is there in that if people would have the same experience?
........snip......

Art,
If you had accepted the second free month offer, than announced it to your audience you would have made it public that Sirius' infrastructure was problematic and that you were working in our best interest. Right now the only evidence we have is your word. But a second free month is a public admittance by Sirius of their technological short comings.

At the end of that month you could have asked Sirius for another month if the drop was still occurring. Does it matter if we get 12 months free? or a free year? As long as you could demonstrate a drop and they were willing to give extra free months what does it matter? If they come in a block of 12 or 1 at a time

Next you say you could offer streaming from your site and assume you will do better. I agree you could eventually but not immediately and it will take time to ramp up the technology to do so. Worse it's fairly expensive. So instead of fighting with Sirius please I beg you accept the extra 30 days free on our behalf and look seriously into streaming yourself. 

I'm happy to go that way with you. I just want to HEAR YOU! I can't take anymore of Snorey.

[Asadora]

"Fans regard Bell as a master showman, noting that he calls his show "absolute entertainment" and expressly says he does not necessarily accept every guest or caller's claims but only offers a forum where they will not be openly ridiculed. His calm attitude, patient questions, and ability to tease substance from nebulous statements of callers and guests gave his show a relaxed yet serious atmosphere." [source wikipedia]

Such a great shame that it seems that his loudest 'fans' could not offer the same to Mr. Bell. 
When a fanbase turns into a lynchmob over an incident to where the full facts are still unknown, it reveals more of the true character of those who claim to be what they are not and in this case, certainly not devoted fans.

Are lynchmobs like these being born from sports team fanbases? The fans of sports spend -way- more money in going to the games, buying the gear, buying season tickets, paying for TV outlets where their teams games are only televised, yet do we see the same vicious attacks, threats and regret when their team loses?
No. These sports fans continue to buy the tickets, go to the games, watch the games on tv and pay over the odds at the stadiums for  concession foodstuffs and parking.

I find it quite a folly to hear people criticize Mr. Bell over his actions and to claim his reasons were due to money and in turn it is the fanbase that is using the same 'excuse' to inspire their angry vengeance towards Mr. Bell.  Mr. Bell did not force anyone to subscribe to Sirrus or buy the equipment. People made their own choice in this. Everyone took a gamble.
There is no amount of money that could even come close to justifying the negative treatment that Mr. Bell has received from this forum. I am not referring to the loyal fans or the quiet listeners by the aforementioned statement, so I'm not painting everyone on this forum with the same brush.

Mr. Bell is a human being. He has a right to be treated like one, just like everyone has the same right.
Do not blame Mr. Bell for doing what -he- thought was best, based on his own principles of which I admire him greatly. A person can't blame another of which they put on a pedestal.
Was more time needed for things to progress naturally, perhaps, but in this case it would seem that it was the fanbase that should have given Mr. Bell more time in letting the man explain himself without forcing him to do it to a bunch of raving people who acted wrathfully instead of compassionately.

I'm not directly placing blame on anyone or anything, just that there have been a set number of things happening at once which was in no one's direct control. It's called Life. We enjoy what we have whilst we have it and recongise that when we don't have it anymore we'll miss it, but we are better off for having it at least for a glimmering moment, moments that can be cherished for the rest of our lives. Don't accept only the good of a person, one must also accept the faults for that equals true devotion and admiration of which I think that many fail to realise.

Kind Regards,
(the quiet listeners)

[BillW50]

I thought spooky matter was fantastic.

Does that change your mind Art.

I have three spooky ghost stories that happened to me but I didn't bother to tell Art about them. Two reasons mainly, one that I thought mine was nothing compared to the zillions who would tell Art about theirs. And two, I was sleeping during the show and I would catch it a few hours after live. Yet none of them was as good as one of mine. I was so disappointed.

[jmolleru]

Well, never posted here, but need to say THANKS ART for many many years of great show.

I personally never had any trouble with the streaming, so sorry it has come down to this as a reason why you have chosen to leave the show.

Also, thank you for coming on here and at least attempting to explain your side a little more thoroughly, something that in the past fans have never really gotten.  I believe you are sincere in your apology and feel that you believe you are doing the right thing even though many disagree, including me.

Anyway, hope that something can be resolved and that fans like myself will be able to hear you again in the NEAR future.