Art Bell

[The General]

Art did not base his self-esteem on what others thought and the idea that he would whine about someone pretending to be him and ask his fans to help him get rid of them?  No.  Somebody pretending to be him?  In my opinion, Art would say, "My fans can tell the difference.  People been trying to imitate me for years.  Sometimes even I get it wrong...heh heh."

Anagrammy

The difference now is that Art has no real forum to discredit anyone pretending to be him.  He doesn't have the forum of 500 radio stations to tell a problem causer to kiss his ass-ring.    Previously, we could have just listened to C2C and he would have cleared everything up.  A simple "That's not me on Facebook" would have done it.  Now, all he can do is post to Fantastic Forum and join Facebook to squelch the frauds.  And that won't convince everybody. 

[anagrammy]

"The Quickening" by Art Bell (2-1/2 stars out of 5)

http://www.amazon.com/Quickening-Todays-Trends-Tomorrows-World/dp/1879706709

1999. "It seems that in this book Art Bell has attempted to create a New Age version of Christian end-times teachings promulgated by sensationalists such as Hal Lindsey.  He attempts to describe how various aspects of the world are changing in new and radical ways, and how the rate of change is  accelerating, with the result being some kind of apocalyptic critical mass  occurring in the near future.   The chapters of this book discuss the  various facets of this accelerating change in the most elementary and  shallow terms.  Bell seems to have written this book the same way one would  have a fireside chat and casually toss around ideas and current events, and  the result is writing that is painful to read. This is the kind of book  one can pick up, skim through, and get the main idea while simultaneously  watching a football game.  If you are really interested in what Art Bell is  saying in this book, then save your money, check it out from your local  library like I did, and spend about one hour on it.  That is about all the  time it is worth. "

"Childish drivel of doom...."

I am giving you this so you can see the preponderance of negative reviews and the gist of the book, for those curious about what "quickening" means and too lazy to google it...

IMHO, anyone can predict "an earthquake" or "floods" and just wait.  Somewhere, sometime it will happen.  So I don't call that a prediction.  Give me a date, a place, or a time and I'll pay attention, otherwise you are the same as Ed Dames or the guy who tells you where to run for your life out of the USA and I care that's why I'm warning you, and for only $29.95, go to my website to find out which countries are the best.  Feel the love!

Ana

[anagrammy]

The difference now is that Art has no real forum to discredit anyone pretending to be him.  He doesn't have the forum of 500 radio stations to tell a problem causer to kiss his ass-ring.    Previously, we could have just listened to C2C and he would have cleared everything up.  A simple "That's not me on Facebook" would have done it.  Now, all he can do is post to Fantastic Forum and join Facebook to squelch the frauds.  And that won't convince everybody.

Since he is fully authenticated on Fantastic Forum, why wouldn't that convince everyone?  It would me.  No one questioned his cryptic "can't hold onto my baby forever" message on FF.  Even though it is going through a transition now, it will emerge and, as I understand it, will reopen for new registrations.

Anagrammy

[The General]

Since he is fully authenticated on Fantastic Forum, why wouldn't that convince everyone?  It would me.  No one questioned his cryptic "can't hold onto my baby forever" message on FF.  Even though it is going through a transition now, it will emerge and, as I understand it, will reopen for new registrations.

Anagrammy

Then why do you doubt that it's really Art on facebook when he confirmed it on Fantastic Forum?

[anagrammy]

Then why do you doubt that it's really Art on facebook when he confirmed it on Fantastic Forum?

Maybe I missed or forgot that -- can you give me the quote?  I'm not a member although some insiders are setting me up with the new owner...lol.  The other convincing piece of evidence is the use of the formerly full Mindspring account.  It would have to be a hacker to break into that and I don't know that people with that expertise would be interested in maintaining a faux weather-chatting, friend small-talk Art Bell page.... por que?

Ana

[JustOneFix]

Ana-

Did you see my response about the 1998 Art Bell threat?

(really trying for page 88)

[anagrammy]

Ana-

Did you see my response about the 1998 Art Bell threat?

(really trying for page 88)

I'll help you out here, Just One-- I did see that.  It was hour #1 of the Dr. Jonathan Reed 1998 interview show and it is truly a classic.  Printed words cannot embody the contempt and scorn dripping off the words as Art shared his reaction to Curtis Leland's fax "I AM COMING TO NEW YORK"   Also, the timing. Art had the Jack Benny timing perfected.  And I'm talking about the pregnant pause.

I have to chuckle, I'm laughing right now, thinking of how different my reaction to the long pause is.  Back then, I would lean forward and maybe turn up the volume to hear Art's final words... When George Noory pauses for a long time, my head snaps up and I check my internet lights, then wonder if the guest asked Noory something about a previous question or comment--something that is a cardinal no-no and they all have stopped doing it, you notice.  It was a common way for a guest to get back into a topic they wanted to expound further on, but the duh reaction they got from Noory left most of them flummoxed, so they never tried it again.

In complete contrast, Art used to say, "Going back to what you were saying about the global risk factors, doesn't that contradict your opening statement where you said....."

Anagrammy

(Wanting Art Bell wallpaper from the famous Marc Knight boxes design......)  On to page 88!

[HorrorReporter]

Interesting

[Fly By Night]

I love Art, but at this point at page 80 something I say who the hell cares anymore?

[ourobouros2k2]

Only thing keeping my hope alive are his random ambiguous references to the future (who knows when an era ends, future remains open, etc..). One can always hope.

[jazmunda]

What does "I simply retired and wish to remain as professional now as then" infer?

I do like the "the future always remains open". It gives me hope.

[DoYouThinkItWasAngels]

What does "I simply retired and wish to remain as professional now as then" infer?

That he doesn't want to dish the dirt.

[BobGrau]

I'm wondering how people would feel about Art coming on as guest?

I mean, preferably with Knapp obviously, but even if it was noory wouldn't you just love to hear Art politely but firmly wipe the floor with him?

just a thought...

[Agent : Orange]

I'm wondering how people would feel about Art coming on as guest?

Death before dishonor

[JustOneFix]

I'm wondering how people would feel about Art coming on as guest?

I mean, preferably with Knapp obviously, but even if it was noory wouldn't you just love to hear Art politely but firmly wipe the floor with him?

just a thought...

That would be damn interesting!

Noron: I take a wide variety of herbs & spices, including tumeric.

Bell: And why are we supposed to care?

Noron: I was putting gas in my car the other day and this homeless person walked up to me. I gave him $5

Bell: Do you tell these irrelevant stories on every show?

Noron: Yes.

Bell: You have a long way to go before you have a clue as to what you're doing. And quit using my old bumper music you poser.

[DoYouThinkItWasAngels]

I think it would be rather uncomfortable for all involved, including me!

[Eddie Coyle]

These guys came back after 37 years away!

  See ya in 2047 Art!

[anagrammy]

I love Art, but at this point at page 80 something I say who the hell cares anymore?

Surprising to hear you say that, Fly By Night, but I'm happy to put it into words. This forum and this thread has been helpful in more ways than just providing information regarding the future of Art Bell in radio:

Having support from a group of fellow Art fans while we processing the dawning realization that the host we loved cannot be replaced by a pseudopod.

Replacing anger with humor and sarcasm as we share quotes and laugh/facepalm over gaffes, oversights, blunders, mispronunciations and untimely insertions of irrelevant personal information.

Making new online friends who understand why we might find it important to have the third hour of the Fr. Malachai Martin interview in 1990 in our collection.  Or why we have an Art Bell collection in the first place.

The injokes and shared jargon create community for isolated people.  The posters here are smart and sassy with obvious photoshopping talents and oddball humor.  It's a diverse group with stoners, new agers, left and right political wings, old hippies, naturelovers, urbanites, truckdrivers, homies, southern belles, grandmothers, rockers, astrophysicists, copes, housewives, every race, every gender preference, a true cross-section of humanity, all having the one vibrating string of common interest in the unusual presented by a host with the talent, education and experience required to plumb the depths of a crazy story and leave the listener with no unanswered questions.

There's a shared search.  We're among others seeking a replacement for a show that gave you confidence  that if there is a tip of an alien spaceship appearing in the corner of a Mars rover photo, or a wart on the butt of a pig in Arkansas that looks like Henry Kissinger, Art would find it and post a photo on his website.  No need to scour the internet. Art was a world bot with a deep skeptical laugh coupled with an open mind.  Admittedly a very hard act to follow and we troll the airwaves seeking same and reporting back.

Art did change and become less objective after Super Storm because I suspect Whitley Streiber influenced him to change his mission.  He became more of a warner and less of an explorer.  Warners always feel the weight of responsibility--get ready, get ready, get ready...store food...batteries... which we all know gets boring.  How many times did YOU see 2012?  Yeah, once for the special effects and btw, I am ready.

Art offered to take us for a ride.  He did and it's hard for some of us to find our land legs.  But we will and we are, in different ways which are compatible with our diverse personalities.  Even though we all agree that Art is not coming back from retirement, there is a slight possibility of future projects and that will be fun to see coming.       

Anagrammy

[DoYouThinkItWasAngels]

Anagrammy, as usual, not only spot on but very well put!

[guildnavigator]

i actually feel like GN should continue to use the AB era bumpers, it may be advisable that he be forced to use them exclusively, because when all of the sudden I have to hear Ross Mitchell talking over Matchbox 20 or some other lame shit that GN picks, it makes me want to vomit and cry at the same time.

[Scully]

The injokes and shared jargon create community for isolated people.  The posters here are smart and sassy with obvious photoshopping talents and oddball humor.  It's a diverse group with stoners, new agers, left and right political wings, old hippies, naturelovers, urbanites, truckdrivers, homies, southern belles, grandmothers, rockers, astrophysicists, copes, housewives, every race, every gender preference, a true cross-section of humanity, all having the one vibrating string of common interest in the unusual presented by a host with the talent, education and experience required to plumb the depths of a crazy story and leave the listener with no unanswered questions.

Ana, your entire post is on target, but the above paragraph is my favorite.

I don't know one single person in my "real world" environment who has a clue as to why I share a common interest with other Coastgab posters. My closest relative, my son, laughed and said to me re the time I spend here, "They're your cult, Mom."

As someone who majored in sociology, I am always fascinated by what draws people together in spite of major diversities of interests and circumstances. And drawn together we truly are.     

[anagrammy]

Haha, Scully, my children say the same thing.  The other day one sat down to use my laptop and said, "MOM!  Hey guys, take a look, Mom's got a cute old guy for her wallpaper and I don't even know who he is!"

I said, "That's Art Bell--a friend of mine on CoastGab made this desktop."

Response, "He's smoking and looks like a badass.  Did you meet him online?  Are you dating?"

I answered all their questions and the fact that I was on a "weird people" forum was equally shocking.  One of them said, "Lordie, my friends' mothers use the computer for only email and here mother is on Facebook and now she's on a bloody forum.  Next thing you know she'll have a blog!"

Hmmmm.

Anagrammy

[Fly By Night]

Surprising to hear you say that, Fly By Night, but I'm happy to put it into words

I loved Art's broadcasts . I put into the written word many moons ago in this thread what Art meant to me and others that I know. This thread has brought me great enjoyment. Eccentrics like Fort Rock kept a glimmer of hope alive for Art's return. We all knew he was full of it, but like a child who is starting to figure out that Santa and the Easter Bunny are fake, we held onto the magic as long as we could. Well, at this point Art has make it clear that he is loooong gone. Santa is longer a viable person to believe in. Personally, I think Art's new wife has his ear, and his new child definitely has his heart. After living most of his life for himself, I think he now wants to get this one right and dedicate the rest of his time on Earth to his current family. Short of greys landing during half time at the Super Bowl, I think we have heard the last of Mr. Bell on maintream air. My hope now turns to Knapp deciding to pursue more airtime, and Snoorey deciding to retire.

[anagrammy]

I loved Art's broadcasts . I put into the written word many moons ago in this thread what Art meant to me and others that I know. This thread has brought me great enjoyment. Eccentrics like Fort Rock kept a glimmer of hope alive for Art's return. We all knew he was full of it, but like a child who is starting to figure out that Santa and the Easter Bunny are fake, we held onto the magic as long as we could. Well, at this point Art has make it clear that he is loooong gone. Santa is longer a viable person to believe in. Personally, I think Art's new wife has his ear, and his new child definitely has his heart. After living most of his life for himself, I think he now wants to get this one right and dedicate the rest of his time on Earth to his current family. Short of greys landing during half time at the Super Bowl, I think we have heard the last of Mr. Bell on maintream air. My hope now turns to Knapp deciding to pursue more airtime, and Snoorey deciding to retire.

Word.

[Treading Water]

Spot On Scully and Ana!  My children have even started suggesting that I "look into" senior housing soon.  They think I need "companionship" so I don't waste so much time on my computer. 

I must admit, though, that my son was supremely impressed with Mr. Knight's delightful photoshop gallery of FR.  And I heard him on the phone with his sister one day saying, "She's laughing hysterically.  Must be on her forum now."

TW

[Agent : Orange]

I answered all their questions and the fact that I was on a "weird people" forum was equally shocking.  One of them said, "Lordie, my friends' mothers use the computer for only email and here mother is on Facebook and now she's on a bloody forum.  Next thing you know she'll have a blog!"

lol awesome!!

I'd also like to say I am first in line to being subscriber #1 once the blog gets started

[anagrammy]

lol awesome!!

I'd also like to say I am first in line to being subscriber #1 once the blog gets started

Thanks, AO.  I dunno-- I find it hard to believe anybody would be interested in what I have to say.  Maybe I've been hanging out with my children too much. . . They don't "get" me..."Hey guess what, Mom might be moving to Chupacabra--she's emailing somebody..."  Sigh.  Thank God for the internet or I would never have found my peeps.

Word,

Anagrammy

[anagrammy]

i actually feel like GN should continue to use the AB era bumpers, it may be advisable that he be forced to use them exclusively, because when all of the sudden I have to hear Ross Mitchell talking over Matchbox 20 or some other lame shit that GN picks, it makes me want to vomit and cry at the same time.

When you hear the old AB shows, the bumper music is thrilling.  It is carefully selected by Art or Ramona for relevance with the topic and is iconic--always.  The bumper music on Noory's show is selected by searching some 20 year old radio intern searching a database for keywords.  One particularly disturbing example was some nursery rhyme type ditty they played that had one word in it that related to what the guest was talking about.

The other day when I heard The Highway, it just made me miss Art more because it was the association.  Kind of like finding a CD in your collection that belonged to someone you once loved who moved on. 

On the other hand, I just love the bumper music Michael set up for us and play it all the time when doing housework.  I guess I just don't want it linked with George's show.

Anagrammy

[Scully]

Thanks, AO.  I dunno-- I find it hard to believe anybody would be interested in what I have to say.  Maybe I've been hanging out with my children too much. . . They don't "get" me..."Hey guess what, Mom might be moving to Chupacabra--she's emailing somebody..."  Sigh.  Thank God for the internet or I would never have found my peeps.

Word,

Anagrammy

A prophet is not a prophet in his own land, Ana.  You have to go out and find your own brand of weirdos to blog for. People who've never seen you on a really bad day ... in your wornout p.j.s ... with a bad cold ... having a senior moment. People who see you as a real person ... not "just" a mom.  hehehe ... 

[DoYouThinkItWasAngels]

I am happy to report that at least for now the fake Art Bell sites are gone, I was finally able to get FB to call me after my report. My thanks to any of you who helped!