Topic: John B Wells 5/8/11

[HorrorReporter]

I'm going to give him a third try... The second wasn't as impressive as my first, but I have hopes. I WANT him to rock. But I don't think he go left field on bumper music again

[George49]

Lets hope he pulls it together. The incredible sufferage of the other hosts continues...

[HorrorReporter]

I think as a whole we are all just looking for .. Someone. Not even a new Art Bell but someone who could bring back that respectable aire of mystery to the night. Wells' voice has it... But he needs practice to go for 4 hours.. I'm still going in with high hopes...

[onan]

I think as a whole we are all just looking for .. Someone. Not even a new Art Bell but someone who could bring back that respectable aire of mystery to the night. Wells' voice has it... But he needs practice to go for 4 hours.. I'm still going in with high hopes...

 
True words writen. For myself, I was angry with AB for yet another retirement. At that time I felt he was just being petulant with a dose of real life issues.
 
I do not pretend to know what motivates AB. I wish I did because I would like to see him back in the chair.
 
Having been told that noory was a consumate interviewer with cred in the paranormal I begrudgingly gave him a try. I dunno whether I was just using a "sour milk" coping skill or if I realized he sucked early on.
But suck he did/does/will forever as an interviewer of the unexplained.
 
So I am hesitant to the possibility of a new talent. I am not impressed with Knapp, bright though he is. Ian I would probably love as a neighbor but after about 15 minutes of interview I am not sure who's agenda is being investigated.
 
I have stumbled upon several voices talking about the paranormal in the last 4 years and frankly the few I did like didn't seem to have any ability for stable/regular programs.
 
So I am in a funk as to what is going to happen to the viability of quality paranormal investigative type show.
 
Please, for the love of all that is right in the heavens, Art, develope a show to bury c2c.

[Eddie Coyle]

 
I have stumbled upon several voices talking about the paranormal in the last 4 years and frankly the few I did like didn't seem to have any ability for stable/regular programs.
 
So I am in a funk as to what is going to happen to the viability of quality paranormal investigative type show.
 
Please, for the love of all that is right in the heavens, Art, develope a show to bury c2c.

      I have a bad feeling that paranormal programming may have seen it's better days. Possibly peaking in the years of 1993-2000. For whatever reason, it seems that this genre is waning, possibly from oversaturation-a mainstreaming of paranormal subjects. It also strikes me as increasingly "dumbed down"(yes,George Noory being the perfect example) and sensationalized.

     And of course 9/11 is a factor...it certainly changed C2C for the worse. Hell, 9/11 ruined talk radio in general,IMO.

[onan]

And of course 9/11 is a factor...it certainly changed C2C for the worse. Hell, 9/11 ruined talk radio in general,IMO.

That may be one of the most profound statements I have read about radio.
 
In all my day to day. I had never considered that very real possibility. Then again I sometimes miss my mouth while trying to drink water... so... anyway thanks for giving me a omg moment.

[The General]

      I have a bad feeling that paranormal programming may have seen it's better days. Possibly peaking in the years of 1993-2000. For whatever reason, it seems that this genre is waning, possibly from oversaturation-a mainstreaming of paranormal subjects. It also strikes me as increasingly "dumbed down"(yes,George Noory being the perfect example) and sensationalized.

     And of course 9/11 is a factor...it certainly changed C2C for the worse. Hell, 9/11 ruined talk radio in general,IMO.

Another factor, at least for me, is this:  It seemed like at the time (mid 90's-2000) we were on the VERGE of discovering some truth.  Stories were coming to light that had been suppressed, Freedom of Information act inquiries, declassification, new science, new discoveries, a new attitude towards things that were once considered "fringe."  People involved in things 50 years prior were getting old and spilling their stories.  Unfortunately it was all just a sideshow.  A really, awesomely entertaining radio circus sideshow.  I loved it, don't get me wrong, I still listen to classic Art Bell shows, but nothing substantial was ever proved or disproved.  But we had a good time listening to stories around the fire.  As these guests became inevitably discredited by and large, paranormal radio had to die.  Which is partially why George Noory sucks. 

[Eddie Coyle]

      Every subject(or so it seems) in talk radio since 9/11 seems to become a "black-white" issue, no more shades of grey, everything is a Manichean battle. Those attitudes certainly existed before, but I think became widespread after 9/11. Bellicosity has risen leading to more overheated rhetoric.

     Prior to 2001, I doubt Art did more than a dozen shows featuring terrorism as a main topic...since then, C2C has had hundreds upon hundreds.

[Eddie Coyle]

Another factor, at least for me, is this:  It seemed like at the time (mid 90's-2000) we were on the VERGE of discovering some truth.  Stories were coming to light that had been suppressed, Freedom of Information act inquiries, declassification, new science, new discoveries, a new attitude towards things that were once considered "fringe."  People involved in things 50 years prior were getting old and spilling their stories.  Unfortunately it was all just a sideshow.  A really, awesomely entertaining radio circus sideshow.  I loved it, don't get me wrong, I still listen to classic Art Bell shows, but nothing substantial was ever proved or disproved.  But we had a good time listening to stories around the fire.  As these guests became inevitably discredited by and large, paranormal radio had to die.  Which is partially why George Noory sucks.

      Yes, 1996-97 was probably the high point of "we're about to get disclosure" speculation. It being the 50th anniversary of Roswell contributed to the hype and Hoaxland was ubquitious. Y2K mania of 1998-99 also was a boon for C2C. But as you say, many of the the major players in this era have been discredited or yet to be vindicated.

         It was great entertainment...but sometimes I watch "In Search Of" episodes from 1978 and think "we've really learned little since then".

[HorrorReporter]

any thoughts on the Wells show?

[Eddie Coyle]

     Great voice...but Noory-like in his lethargy. Lots of "yeahs" and other monosyllabic expressions. Lets his guests go on and on...

[Usagi]

     Great voice...but Noory-like in his lethargy. Lots of "yeahs" and other monosyllabic expressions. Lets his guests go on and on...

Yeah, I get that impression, too.  I remember a show or two last year where I thought I was fairly impressed and that maybe he was the answer.  But, alas, he's far too inconsistent and doesn't have the depth of knowledge to be our great hope.

There *has* be be people out there with the brains and talent.  You know there is... Premiere probably just doesn't want to risk any fill-in host upstaging their "star".

[Eddie Coyle]

Yeah, I get that impression, too.  I remember a show or two last year where I thought I was fairly impressed and that maybe he was the answer.  But, alas, he's far too inconsistent and doesn't have the depth of knowledge to be our great hope.

There *has* be be people out there with the brains and talent.  You know there is... Premiere probably just doesn't want to risk any fill-in host upstaging their "star".

     Agreed, my hopes for this guy have been dashed, last night's performance being the coup de grace. (I like to italicize them fancy foreign words)

    Brains and talent are anathema to Premiere these days. They aim for the lowest common denominator and view the average listener as a sub-morons who exist merely to buy the shit the advertisers fling at them.

[RealCool Daddio]

Holy Crap!  He played the Smiths' How Soon is Now!!!!!!!
 
I have been listening to Coast to Coast for a long, long time, and am pretty sure that they have never played the Smiths as bumper music.  Considering how a bunch of us were raving about the Smiths here a couple of weeks ago, I gotta think he (or the producers) are checking us out here at Coastgab!
 
Coast people - play Joy Division next!  Send us a sign!

[RealCool Daddio]

Yeah, I get that impression, too.  I remember a show or two last year where I thought I was fairly impressed and that maybe he was the answer.  But, alas, he's far too inconsistent and doesn't have the depth of knowledge to be our great hope.

I'm going to stick with him for a while longer.  The Coast format is tough on a host, and I think this was only his 4th or 5th show in as many months.  I would like to hear him in a regular rotation for a while, to see if he gets into a groove.
 
Plus, he has pretty good taste in bumper music.

[Usagi]

I'm going to stick with him for a while longer.  The Coast format is tough on a host, and I think this was only his 4th or 5th show in as many months.  I would like to hear him in a regular rotation for a while, to see if he gets into a groove.

I like your optimism.  Maybe they should give him a few nights in a row while Noory takes an extended vacation.  Really extended.

Plus, he has pretty good taste in bumber music.

True dat. 

[RealCool Daddio]

I like your optimism.  Maybe they should give him a few nights in a row while Noory takes an extended vacation.  Really extended.

A Million Vacations?
 

Max Webster - A Million Vacations

 
everyone needs a town a tune a dream to rely on
one to dance to one to scream to survive on
you need a high a face a space a chance to rely on
cause you can only drive down main street so many times

[Treading Water]

I'm going to stick with him for a while longer.  The Coast format is tough on a host, and I think this was only his 4th or 5th show in as many months.  I would like to hear him in a regular rotation for a while, to see if he gets into a groove.
 
Plus, he has pretty good taste in bumper music.

I'm in agreement there.  Maybe he's playing the game.  He's been around for awhile.  He might know he has to get his foot in the door first, then slowly, deep voicedly expand the horizons...........

Oh, excuse me.
 

[Treading Water]

Oh, yeah.  I like his bumper music, too.

[HorrorReporter]

I like your optimism.  Maybe they should give him a few nights in a row while Noory takes an extended vacation.  Really extended.

True dat.

I think a week's worth of him as host would be make or break. That would be ...say Monday through Friday with 20 hours of programming and 50 or so bumper songs. It would be interesting to see how it would be.

There is a fun video on Youtube of JC calling him the first time he hosted. It was humorous.

I think Wells' goodness or badness depends on his guests..

There is just something about his voice and bumper music that is just perfect. But we need more on the bone than just a suave sound.

 BUT.. I still have hope and would love to hear him again

[Usagi]

There is a fun video on Youtube of JC calling him the first time he hosted. It was humorous.

Must find this.

[HorrorReporter]

Must find this.

Here is the link:

JC vs John B. Wells:Coast to Coast AM

[Usagi]

Here is the link:

"Go ahead, Mr. Suave."

*cackles hysterically*

[JustOneFix]

RCD-

I've heard that How Soon is Now song several times on C2C. I know once it was when Noron was hosting, but the others draw a blank. I'm not a Smiths/Morrissey fan in the least, but even I think it's an OK song.

One song that seems to be a John Wells trademark is "Hayling" by FC Kahuna. The first time I heard it I had to look it up it was so odd.

My opinion on John B Wells is mixed. He needs to ask some better questions, but with a few more shows under his belt he may come around. I had no problem listening to him Sunday night.

[RealCool Daddio]

RCD-

I've heard that How Soon is Now song several times on C2C. I know once it was when Noron was hosting, but the others draw a blank. I'm not a Smiths/Morrissey fan in the least, but even I think it's an OK song.

One song that seems to be a John Wells trademark is "Hayling" by FC Kahuna. The first time I heard it I had to look it up it was so odd.

My opinion on John B Wells is mixed. He needs to ask some better questions, but with a few more shows under his belt he may come around. I had no problem listening to him Sunday night.

I stand corrected, thanks fix.  HSIN is a great song, but not really representative of the rest of the Smiths music.  When it was first released on Meat is Murder, it was not listed on the album, it was a "hidden" song.  Seems to be the song non-fans know and like.

I like that Hayling song as well.  Heard it the same night he played Silver Rider, by Band of Joy.  Both are now on heavy rotation in the, um, boudoir, if you get my meaning.  The RCD likes to get down when he gets down.

[Scully]

My impression of John B. Wells sinks more each time I hear him.  His voice (to my ears) is TOO deep and rumbly.  Gets old quickly.  But that may just be me.

My main point is that Wells seems to have bought hook, line, and sinker into Noory's m.o.  I could swear Premier is telling its hosts to agree and then agree some more with whatever wildeyed guest they come up with.