George Knapp

[Morgus]

That was a good open lines. Knapp gave everyone a chance to say something. Most of the calls were in the general area of the topic.

It was very refreshing to have open lines on Friday without one of Noory's stupid hotlines like "scary story line" etc.
In contrast, Art Bell had intelligent special lines like for time travelers and Area 51 whistleblowers...

[UnscreenedCaller]

Good, solid show with Knapp at the helm. For once, I listened from start to finish rather than bailing out early over. I liked the way he reined Bassett in whenever Bassett went off on one of his interminable rants, plus he was patient, but not credulous, with the crazees who got through the screener. What always strikes me with one of Knapp's shows is the intelligence, curiosity and professionalism that comes through during his interviews. He's always prepared, he does his homework and, above all, he's not a credulous idiot or a blowhard trying to stir the political pot.

[VtaGeezer]

I appreciated GK challenging Bassett to identify anything new and exciting in his staged disclosure "hearings" in DC; there isn't.  He also made the point that some of the serious UFO researchers were dismayed at Bassett for trooping out the UFO cranks and whack jobs as well as the well-credentialed, giving the media an easy target.  A UFO conspiracy leaner might think Bassett's an efficient disinformation merchant.

[popple]

It's pretty funny how callers seem relieved to tell Knappy that they loved art and that they don't really like Jorch    Tommy must get steamed when he hears this.

[michio]

A caller during open lines last night told the screener his name was 'Charles' but later let it slip he was Suliman.
He like some other callers noted Knapp was most like Art Bell (conveniently not mentioning Noory)...
Knapp wisely moved on quickly noting that Suliman was a frequent caller before.

Wasn't it Ian who banned Sulubum (whatever it is) from C2C for all eternity? My how time flies.

[Mind Flayer Monk]

Does the media have to pay to attend Bassett's event? Its possible the media could be a primary revenue stream.

[Scully]

... Knapp has just made a firm statement saying he is past the stage of engaging in political bickering over every thing that happens.  He says some of us are conservative, some are liberal and most of us are some of both.  He's fed up with those who stand to profit from all of us being at each others' throats and who are keeping the pots stirred. ...

He may just be very disappointed with the scandals and not want to talk about them

I don't think so, Paper*Boy.  The open lines part of the show was quite remarkable, and Knapp was admirably keeping his cool until he finally had to get a grip on some of the craziness that was coming up.

The most memorable caller (to me) was one who wanted to talk about how Oklahoma, a red state, has been visited by the wrath of God in the form of a tornado because they, the red state people, have blamed other tragedies on the sins of the recipients, and now they're getting theirs.

I think that's the kind of mud-slinging (among some other crazy stuff) that brought him to make the statement I referred to. I realize that what I've specifically mentioned here seems to be more religion than politics, but these two inflammable topics seem to have become hopelessly intertwined.

[PB the Deplorable]

I don't think so, Paper*Boy.  The open lines part of the show was quite remarkable, and Knapp was admirably keeping his cool until he finally had to get a grip on some of the craziness that was coming up.

The most memorable caller (to me) was one who wanted to talk about how Oklahoma, a red state, has been visited by the wrath of God in the form of a tornado because they, the red state people, have blamed other tragedies on the sins of the recipients, and now they're getting theirs.

I think that's the kind of mud-slinging (among some other crazy stuff) that brought him to make the statement I referred to. I realize that what I've specifically mentioned here seems to be more religion than politics, but these two inflammable topics seem to have become hopelessly intertwined.

Makes sense.  That stuff is just so tiresome, sooner or later any host but GN is going to get fed up. 

They really need some decent call screeners.

[Juan]

They really need some decent call screeners.

Maybe what we hear is the best they get.

[RedMichael]

Makes sense.  That stuff is just so tiresome, sooner or later any host but GN is going to get fed up. 

They really need some decent call screeners.

Agreed. The show is reaping what it sows too.

[WOTR]

Another good night.  Just made it through the ex-mayor and moving on from here.  I liked the mayor and the fact that he did not hedge and mince words.  He is plain spoken and takes a stance on most things.  He manages to tell us that as a politician he could not vote for policies (legalized prostitution etc) but that on a personal level he believes in them.  What a change to have an elected official realize that he is there to represent the electorate and can hold views contrary to what he has to vote for.


With Ian leaving I am afraid that we are down to one night a week of intelligent interviews (with the odd exception Knapp hosts as a fill in...)  Coast is officially on life support...

[Sleepwalker]

If Premiere had any sense at all, they would make George Knapp an offer he can't refuse. Offer him C2C five nights a week at a salary that is attractive enough to make him want to accept it.  Give him total control of the show.  No guests appear without his approval.  Then try to get someone like Dan Aykroyd to host the weekend shows. Aykroyd truly believes in UFOs.  His TV and movie career is more than ample proof he knows how to entertain an audience.

[Juan]

With Knapp talking about his age and that affecting his ability to stay in the newsroom, I wonder if this might not be possible.  As they say in the news business, there's no gray hair in the newsroom, and Knapp has some.

[VtaGeezer]

If Premiere had any sense at all, they would make George Knapp an offer he can't refuse. Offer him C2C five nights a week at a salary that is attractive enough to make him want to accept it.  Give him total control of the show.  No guests appear without his approval.  Then try to get someone like Dan Aykroyd to host the weekend shows. Aykroyd truly believes in UFOs.  His TV and movie career is more than ample proof he knows how to entertain an audience.

Premiere has only revenue sense.  There's A LOT more money in political paranoia than in Bigfoot and Skywalker Ranch.  C2C under Bell filled a big hole in late night AM programming revenue after Larry King went to CNN, but times have changed and politics have lurched way over into the ditch on the right. The old C2C audience that Bell built was boomers who are sliding into Social Security and just don't stay up so late, and the their kids have little interest in the topics but are the bulk of the post-9/11 rightwing explosion. PR has no interest in continuing the original C2C format.  Limbaugh, Beck, et all have shown that the audience for resentment and paranoia talk is boundless.  I doubt that Knapp at 61 is either interested in being, or wanted by PR mgmt as a full time host.  But he's savvy enough to keep his shows interesting (though one night/wk is far easier than seven) and may well succeed in maintaining the Sunday show as trad C2C while the weeknight show goes to the political dogs.


As for Aykroyd, his name and UFO interest inflate his seeming interest in C2C; archives show just three appearances on C2C since '06.

[Sleepwalker]

As for Aykroyd, his name and UFO interest inflate his seeming interest in C2C; archives show just three appearances on C2C since '06.

Maybe they're too busy with the crackpot guests to invite him?  Or maybe he's as disgusted with C2C as most of us are?

Your analysis is probably correct.  I'm sure the bean counters at Premiere know what they're doing.  Probably conspiracy/anti-government/survivalist radio is where the money's at.  It's a shame.  AM radio is turning into an anti-science, anti-government, conspiracy freak show.

[ziznak]

Premiere has only revenue sense.  There's A LOT more money in political paranoia than in Bigfoot and Skywalker Ranch.  C2C under Bell filled a big hole in late night AM programming revenue after Larry King went to CNN, but times have changed and politics have lurched way over into the ditch on the right. The old C2C audience that Bell built was boomers who are sliding into Social Security and just don't stay up so late, and the their kids have little interest in the topics but are the bulk of the post-9/11 rightwing explosion. PR has no interest in continuing the original C2C format.  Limbaugh, Beck, et all have shown that the audience for resentment and paranoia talk is boundless.  I doubt that Knapp at 61 is either interested in being, or wanted by PR mgmt as a full time host.  But he's savvy enough to keep his shows interesting (though one night/wk is far easier than seven) and may well succeed in maintaining the Sunday show as trad C2C while the weeknight show goes to the political dogs.

amazing insight there man... makes a lot of sense

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

If Premiere had any sense at all, they would make George Knapp an offer he can't refuse. Offer him C2C five nights a week at a salary that is attractive enough to make him want to accept it.  Give him total control of the show.  No guests appear without his approval.  Then try to get someone like Dan Aykroyd to host the weekend shows. Aykroyd truly believes in UFOs.  His TV and movie career is more than ample proof he knows how to entertain an audience.

That's a great idea.  He also had a radio show as Elwood Blues.

[VtaGeezer]

AM radio is turning into an anti-science, anti-government, conspiracy freak show.

Oh, you mean like the US Congress?

[Sleepwalker]

Oh, you mean like the US Congress?

Now that you mention it, yes.

[ItsOver]

If Premiere had any sense at all, they would make George Knapp an offer he can't refuse. Offer him C2C five nights a week at a salary that is attractive enough to make him want to accept it.  Give him total control of the show.  No guests appear without his approval.  Then try to get someone like Dan Aykroyd to host the weekend shows. Aykroyd truly believes in UFOs.  His TV and movie career is more than ample proof he knows how to entertain an audience.

It would be so nice to have a C2C host who does not suck.  Knapp has got to have a price but PremRat is no doubt more than happy to keep clueless George at his cheaper wage.  The organ grinders at PremRat can keep their dancing monkeys of Noory and Wells happy with some pizza rolls and other refuse.

[RedMichael]

I always wonder if we are in the minority. As scary as it sounds. I believe that most put on C2C because there isn't any suitable replacement but I would be shocked if a large portion didn't notice the decline in quality and shift to political/doom and gloom. Im not talking the fun, planets are going to collide, aliens, etc doom and gloom either.

[Eddie Coyle]

 
             The apparently automated on holidays WRKO in Boston forgot to give us Knapp last night. What aired in his spot? Radio Roy Masters and his "Finding God through Physics" disaster...which makes Wells sound like Richard Dawkins by comparison.

         At the top of every hour, I kept tuning in to see if WRKO had corrected the error and put Knapp on...but they never did. Masters until 5am. Ugh.

[ItsOver]

It was very refreshing to have open lines on Friday without one of Noory's stupid hotlines like "scary story line" etc.
In contrast, Art Bell had intelligent special lines like for time travelers and Area 51 whistleblowers...

Let me take a wild guess.     Knapp didn't skip out early and torture everybody with UFO Phil, either.

[Nebraska888]

Let me take a wild guess.     Knapp didn't skip out early and torture everybody with UFO Phil, either.

Ha!  Correct!   I LOVED Friday and Sunday night.  Knapp IS THE MAN!

[ItsOver]

Now we must pay with Noory all week.      I may tune in for LMH.  Maybe she'll get some jabs in at Jorch. 

[Morgus]

Now we must pay with Noory all week.      I may tune in for LMH.  Maybe she'll get some jabs in at Jorch.

or at least LMH with her extended taped interviews stops Noory from talking most of the night...

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

Now we must pay with Noory all week.      I may tune in for LMH.  Maybe she'll get some jabs in at Jorch.

LMH may seem a little crusty, but she's good at getting specific and digging into subjects without asking leading questions or polluting her interviews with her own biases.  I appreciate that a lot more than I used to.  I also like that she doesn't blame HAARP for everything even though it's Coast Trendy.

[BobGrau]

LMH may seem a little crusty, but she's good at getting specific and digging into subjects without asking leading questions or polluting her interviews with her own biases.  I appreciate that a lot more than I used to.  I also like that she doesn't blame HAARP for everything even though it's Coast Trendy.

Agreed. When you think about it, LMH is much more 'old school' Coast than even Knapp.

[Morgus]

When you think about it, LMH is much more 'old school' Coast than even Knapp.

yep, LMH was one of Art Bell's earliest regular guests and she was always on for the first hour every weekend starting in the early 90's on his Sunday night Dreamland show.

[ItsOver]

Agreed. When you think about it, LMH is much more 'old school' Coast than even Knapp.

Yes, that is true.  One of the reasons I don't mind to listening to her is she reminds of "the good times with Art" in a good way, as opposed to say, Hoagland or Dames.  And, as Morgus pointed out, less of Noory talking is always a good thing.  She reminds me of a school teacher conducting class, with Noory as the class dunce.  It's great when he makes one of his usual nitwit comments and she puts him in his place.  I hope some night she tells him to go set in the corner.