Art Bell

[b_dubb]

Yeah, my office is alot like Les Nessman's.  He was an early inspiration.

Imagining Emma Peel in a leisure suit

*** shivers ***

[Pam J]

Well it's hard to argue with Zombies, but short of that the handwriting is on the wall. Don't get me wrong I loved and still love radio to death but if you can lie in bed and listen to me or anybody else with your smart phone or tablet from here to Australia it's almost over.

Art

That's so funny.  I didn't post something I was about to post the other day for one reason or another about how perfect listening to you in bed is!  I have been listening to so many others now over the last decade while I'm doing all sorts of things, but never in bed.  I did take your podcasts with me always when traveling, but waited to listen in bed.

[area51drone]

Agree, it is already starting, as the numbers shrink the smaller markets will go first, simply not worth the power bill. Even the large 50K stations. One big indicator is stock prices of the big guys, dropping like a rock.

Art

Good riddance!   90% of what is on radio is garbage anyway.   Even news shows have become so transparent as people are able to figure out that the hosts know nothing about what they're talking about most of the time... they're just filling in dead air with their glossed over knowledge.   

I predict 10 years from now people will just listen to whatever *they* want to with their mobile internet connection, rather than whatever a few companies who control most of the channels on your dial think you should listen to.   I already do that, and once the technology  becomes seamless for the average user, net radio like the DMRN will become the mainstream.

To the majority of us here on bellgab, Art, you were our golden age of radio.

[Morgus]

Ah!  That is just precious!!!

Here is another video of a smart cat playing the shellgame I found today: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRtK4_OgIE

[HorrorReporter]

Missing one day of BELLGAB's ART BELL forum is like missing the week of class before final exams.. I learned lots from the past 3 pages.
Art is cussing like us and yet ahead of the game on the industry, knowing what Matt Drudge knew about journalism in 1999.. Art knows that radio is dying, the new form is here to take over. It will take one big player to kill it, Art is the slayer if this works out.

And we also know that LISA now has a screen name ..
The Lyon has roared. It's march.

[Pam J]

You know it's absolutely the same with cable.  When I bought a smart tv and ROKU I didn't see the need to keep it.  Not only have I not missed it for a second! but I am watching ONLY the things I want to watch.  It rocks and I highly recommend it! 

[Pam J]

Missing one day of BELLGAB's ART BELL forum is like missing the week of class before final exams.. I learned lots from the past 3 pages.
Art is cussing like us and yet ahead of the game on the industry, knowing what Matt Drudge knew about journalism in 1999.. Art knows that radio is dying, the new form is here to take over. It will take one big player to kill it, Art is the slayer if this works out.

And we also know that LISA now has a screen name ..
The Lyon has roared. It's march.

Yup.  Wish I never asked Art that question because it brought out the range of vulgar scum to lunatics!

[ItsOver]

From smoke signals, to telegraph, to radio, to internet, technology marches on.  All just means to an end, the transmission of information.  I'm just very glad we'll soon be listening to Art once again, by whatever means.

[Pam J]

Here is another video of a smart cat playing the shellgame I found today: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRtK4_OgIE

I don't have words for that Morgan!  You are awesome 🌹

[Pam J]

From smoke signals, to telegraph, to radio, to internet, technology marches on.  All just means to an end, the transmission of information.  I'm just very glad we'll soon be listening to Art once again, by whatever means.

And without any wires!! 😝

[Pam J]

Totally hypothetical question Art, right? lol

What if and I'm just saying for whatever reason, less a health issue though and more like you changed your mind, you decided not to come back... what do you think this thread might look like say within an hour of that hypothetical announcement?

[Pam J]

I'm just going to take a stab and say hypothetical mass suicide.. filmed, and sent in posts by the dying.

[jerry]

You know it's absolutely the same with cable.  When I bought a smart tv and ROKU I didn't see the need to keep it.  Not only have I not missed it for a second! but I am watching ONLY the things I want to watch.  It rocks and I highly recommend it!

I haven't watch ANY TV in almost 4 years.  Don't even own a TV any more.  I get my high speed net from the cable company... that's it  (well they more or less gave me phone too, so my fax machine is attached to the cable phone line).

[NowhereInTime]

It is not mostly Dave, you nailed it, Lisa and Tommy. Lisa is really a smart cookie and has propped up Dave for good reason, her job. Dave as I have said, is what he is. If you can't get good you have to go with what you got.

Art

Quit picking on Dave, Fat Tommy, and Lisa Lyin' !!

Dave Noorie gotta eat!

(I apologize but I really couldn't help myself.)

[Pam J]

I haven't watch ANY TV in almost 4 years.  Don't even own a TV any more.  I get my high speed net from the cable company... that's it  (well they more or less gave me phone too, so my fax machine is attached to the cable phone line).

I don't think I could do that.  I'm addicted to certain things, like Project Runway.

[NowhereInTime]

 

Imagining Emma Peel in a leisure suit

*** shivers ***

[jerry]

I don't thinkbo could do that.  I'm addicted to certain things, like Project Runway.

It was really easy here.  In the 90s I only watched the weather channel (I worked for the power company in the trouble call dept., so weather was a huge concern for us, and it was a lifelong interest of mine).  The last 10 years I had TV I only watched the History Channel and H2.  When they stopped being about history, I quit watching them too.

The last shows I watched on TV while they were current, were Magnum PI and Star Trek the Next Gen.  I did watch X-files reruns in the early 2000's.  I haven't been much of a TV person in over 25 yrs.

It was when I realized the kids no longer watched cable either, that I cancelled it.  They were watching what they wanted with Netflix.

[coaster]

I haven't watch ANY TV in almost 4 years.  Don't even own a TV any more. 

You're not missing anything. Television is garbage.

[PING]

Why's Rush even so popular? The guy is just a raving lunatic, or worse - a propagandist for whoever pays him.
PS. I don't listen to his show, I only know the guy from some clips on youtube.

Longtime lurker, second time poster. I'll take my answer off the air.

I've been a longtime listener to Rush. I spent a lot of time in the car in the 90's & 2000's. There weren't the hundreds of options to listen to then. I didn't always agree with him but found him entertaining to listen to, especially in his early years. It beat the same 10 songs in a row on every generic music station.

My $0.02 on why Rush (a lot of this applies to Art as well) was so popular.

1. He's said he has always had a love for radio from the time he was a small child. He's doing "his passion" and he really loves what he's doing. There's an intangible feeling watching/listening to someone do something that is their love.

2. He's an entertainer that, whether they take every word as gospel or think he's the Antichrist, people tune in to hear what he's going to say. They'll love him or hate him, but they tune in. For you WWE fans, he's the John Cena of radio.

3. As an entertainer, he found a niche doing the political talk. He has a real fascination/interest in politics and radio. (Art does the paranormal & radio)

4. In the beginning there wasn't anyone else doing the format he was doing. He was unique. (Hello Art) Lots of imitators, but a lot of them sound like they're reading off a sheet pretending to be something they're not.

5. He sounds like he is having fun, and not just because he is getting a truckload of cash. Not naming names, but you can tell when there are talk hosts that are bored & just phoning it in, reading 3X5 cards, watching the clock until they get off the air & get their check & some pizza rolls.

Bottom line: the reason Rush is so popular is, first & foremost, he's entertaining, has talent and is doing what he loves. Also applies in spades to Art.

Love the site

PING

Why PING? This video explains it: http://www.news9.com/story/19105268/okc-dollar-general-manager-beats-serial-burglar-with-baseball-bat

[Lt.Uhura]

I find this discussion re the future of terrestrial radio fascinating, and I think it would make a great topic for discussion on Art's new show.  I'm a lifelong radiophile and have also been involved with small community radio (FM) in a rural area of the U.S. where many people still have dial-up, while others, due to either financial or geographical limitations, still have no Internet access at home. 

While the unbridled greed of big corporate radio and their overpaid "talent" have ravaged small independent stations and ultimately destroyed commercial radio as we knew it--the medium of terrestrial radio isn't going away anytime soon.  In many parts of the world, it remains an important source of vital information.  In fact, the exodus of these greedbags from the industry could be the best thing to ever happen to terrestrial radio, returning control and access of information back to the people and communities from whom it was taken.

Most posters here seem to have easy access to the Worldwide Web, however at least two-thirds of the world still has no Internet access. Plugged-in first world urbanites like us are still the minority.  There are ambitious efforts to ultimately connect us all, like this one:

http://www.wired.com/2014/06/google-balloons-year-later/


Meanwhile, radio is invaluable following disasters:

http://www.irinnews.org/report/99132/life-saving-radio-begins-broadcasting-in-typhoon-hit-tacloban#.VQTAQ0ZHanN

...And gives hope to those trapped in oppressive regimes:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-21829815

http://www.nknews.org/2014/07/defection-starts-with-reform-radio/

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/03/12/BBC-plans-North-Korea-broadcasting-service/9771426174754/

[Pam J]

Other addictions:

-Horror Movies
-Project All Stars
-The unbelievably awesome - Hannible - starting months late this year as they filmed in France and it messed up the normal date.  I don't have words for the gorgeous Gillian Anderson.. she's more beautiful than ever.  I'm in LOVE with Mads Mikkelson (Hannible)!  Hugh Dancy, who's married to Claire Danes is fabulous; they're all fabulous in their rolls!  And Laurence Fishburne is amazing!!!  This series really was able to replace my heartbreak over the end of Dexter.  Which was SOOOO heartbreaking, yet not close to my art abell heartbreak!
And  W h a t   A n   E n d i n g!
They must do a movie from that point!
Speaking of Caire - Homeland!!
-Ray Donovan!!!  I adore this show!!!

That's the top of the list anyway 👍

[jerry]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

[Pam J]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Is that a good hmmmmmmmmmmm or a bad hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? lol

[Juan]

I had a conversation with a couple of members of the Mays family years ago.  Their only expressed goal for Cheap Channel was for it to become the largest owner of radio stations in the world. There was no consideration of what they would do with them - no concern about quality.

[Pam J]

Is that a good hmmmmmmmmmmm or a bad hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? lol

Are you thinking about watching tv!??  I can't be responsible for Art cussing AND your relapse too!!!

[jerry]

Is that a good hmmmmmmmmmmm or a bad hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? lol

[Pam J]

I had a conversation with a couple of members of the Mays family years ago.  Their only expressed goal for Cheap Channel was for it to become the largest owner of radio stations in the world. There was no consideration of what they would do with them - no concern about quality.

Wow yeah, true.  But don't they have buku bucks to be in the too big to fail category when they fail?

[Pam J]

Off to dinner.. Have a chatty night.  Art, how's your fucking cats?

[Northern Nights]

Not only are smartphones and streaming the future of radio, but some day free wifi will be everywhere according to this: http://www.ibtimes.com/introducing-outernet-free-worldwide-wi-fi-access-beamed-space-1556016

In theory it means internet access without needing an expensive cell carrier data plan, seems to me the carriers are milking people for all their worth now as they see the writing on the wall.

[zeebo]

...To the majority of us here on bellgab, Art, you were our golden age of radio.

Well said - it's true for me.  Still, I hope that now that the landscape has changed, Art can leverage the positives, e.g. more control over his show and more freedom to produce the deeper kinds of topics/conversations only possible in a long-form, independent format.