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{{Short description|American radio talk show}}
{{Infobox Radio Show
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox radio show
| show_name = Coast to Coast AM | show_name = Coast to Coast AM
| image = Coast to coast am logo.jpg | image = File:Coast to Coast AM Logo 2024.webp
| imagesize = 200px | imagesize = 200px
| format = Talk show | format = ]
| runtime = 4 hours normally | runtime = 175 minutes, 20 seconds
| creator = ] | creator = ]
| writer = | writer =
| presenter = ]<br>] (Saturdays)<br>] (stand-in)<br>] (Sundays) | presenter = ] (weeknights and 1st Sunday)<br />] (Sundays)
| announcer = Dick Ervasti
| opentheme = "] (Theme from ])" by ]
| opentheme = "] (Theme from ])" by ]
| endtheme = "Ghost Dance" by Cusco<br>
"Hands of Time" by ] (Shows hosted by Punnett)<br> "Midnight in the Desert" by ] (Bell-hosted shows) | endtheme = "Inca Dance" or "Ghost Dance" by ] (Shows hosted by Noory and Knapp)<br />"Listening to Coast to Coast" by UFO Phil (Fridays)<br />"Midnight in the Desert" by ]
|rec_location = ]
| country = {{USA}} <br>{{CAN}}
| rem_location = ] (Noory) <br />] (Noory) <br />] (Knapp)
| first_aired = 1980s
| country = United States<br />]<br />] (2006–2010)
| first_aired = 1988
| last_aired = present | last_aired = present
| website = {{URL|https://www.coasttocoastam.com/}}
| network = ]
| syndicates = ]
| website =
| home_station = ]: 500+ affiliates
| podcast = | podcast =
}} }}
'''''Coast to Coast AM''''' is an American late-night ] that deals with a variety of topics. Most frequently the topics relate to either the ] or ]. It was hosted by creator ] from its inception in 1988 until 2003, and is currently hosted by ]. The program is distributed by ], a subsidiary of ], both as part of its talk network and separately as a ] program. The program now airs seven nights a week from 1:00–5:00&nbsp;a.m. ].<ref name=affiliatecount>{{Cite magazine |url=http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/02/70218 |title=Coast to Coast AM Is No Wack Job |author=Randy Dotinga |date=February 15, 2006 |magazine=]}}</ref> It airs on over 600 affiliates, and has repeatedly been called the most popular overnight show in the country.<ref name="Lavin" /><ref name="NYT1" />


== History ==
'''''Coast to Coast AM''''' is a ] (US and Canada) late-night ]d ] ] which deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate either to the ], or to alleged ]. It was created by ], airs seven nights a week 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. ], and is distributed by ].
In 1978, ] created and hosted ''West Coast AM'', a late-night political talk/call-in show on Las Vegas radio station ].<ref name= knight>{{cite book |author= Knight, Peter |title= Conspiracy Theories in American History: An Encyclopedia |url= https://archive.org/details/conspiracytheori00knig_851 |url-access= limited |publisher= ABC-CLIO |year= 2003 |page= |isbn= 1-57607-812-4}}</ref> In 1988, Bell and Alan Corberth renamed the show ''Coast to Coast AM'' and moved its studios from the ] in Las Vegas to Bell's home in Pahrump.<ref name = knight /> After Bell's retirement, the show was hosted by various personalities, including ], ], and others.


At its peak, ''Coast to Coast AM'' under Bell was syndicated by Premiere Radio Network, and aired on more than 500 radio stations and boasted a weekly listening audience in excess of 10 million listeners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/radio-host-art-bell-dead-at/article_937236ee-4145-11e8-bdbb-7b5841033d1a.html|title=Radio Host Art Bell Dead At 72|website=Inside Radio|date=16 April 2018|access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/the-outer-limits-a-lone-voice-in-the-desert-lures-10-million-listeners/2013/10/28/95615598-3ff6-11e3-9c8b-e8deeb3c755b_story.html|title=The outer limits: A lone voice in the desert lures 10 million listeners|last=Fisher|first=Marc|date=1998-03-29|access-date=2014-07-28|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|title=The Top Talk Radio Audiences|work=]|access-date=2014-07-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209101821/http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|archive-date=February 9, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Since 2013 the weekly listener numbers have declined to 2.5 million.<ref name="talkers.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|title=The Top Talk Radio Audiences|work=Talkers Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209101821/http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|archive-date=February 9, 2014|access-date=2015-03-29|df=mdy-all}}</ref> According to estimates by '']'', ''Coast to Coast AM'' has a cumulative weekly audience of around 2.75 million unique listeners listening for at least five minutes, making it the ] in its time slot.<ref name="talkers2.15">{{cite web|title=The Top Talk Radio Audiences (Updated 2/15)|url=http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209101821/http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-radio-audiences/|archive-date=February 9, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> By 2010 the program was known as by far the most popular overnight show in the country,<ref name="Lavin" /> echoed by '']'' in 2017, citing ].<ref name="NYT1" />
== Format and subject matter ==
''Coast to Coast AM'' covers unusual topics, and is full of personal stories related by callers. While program content varies, most nights are focused toward the paranormal, and subjects such as the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]s, ], ] and ], among other paranormal and unusual topics. Since the ] attacks carried out in the ] on ], the events of that day (as well as conspiracy theories surrounding them) and current U.S. ] strategy have also become frequent themes. ] also takes interest in the ], and believes something will happen.


The show is estimated to be carried by over 600 US affiliates,<ref name=affiliatecount/> along with a limited number of ], as well as many Canadian affiliates, several of which ] the show on their station's website. The affiliate group is fronted by 12 ]s, among them ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], ] in New York City, ] in ], ] in Los Angeles, and ] in ]. The show is also carried by ], on its ] channel 146.<ref>{{cite web |title=Road Dog Trucking Shows |url=https://www.siriusxm.com/roaddogtrucking |publisher=Sirius XM Radio |access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>
After the theme song is played (]'s "The Chase" from ''],'') the broadcast is typically kicked off with a reading of ] or news stories by the host, usually with at least one bizarre or peculiar story. This is usually followed by a guest interview for the rest of the first hour (with open phone lines if there is enough time), then a lengthier two-hour interview with a second guest. The last hour is dedicated to open lines (see below), where callers may ask questions of the second guest. Every so often, host George Noory will flip the show's format and have the longer interview guest on first to fill the first three hours of the show. In this format, the primary interview begins after the reading of the news and then the first break. In the last hour in this "flipped" format, the last hour will sometimes feature guest with a shorter subject or, more often than not, be simply an hour of open lines. Occasionally, round table discussions are held on one of the show's common topics. Conventional topics are sometimes discussed, with interviews with notable authors and political talk sometimes featured.


==Criticism==
On rare occasions, hosts have cut interviews short when it became clear that guests were being dishonest, unethical, unintelligible, abusive, or patronizing. When this happens, the rest of the show will be filled with open lines. Guests that have interviews cut short due to bad phone connections for example, or at the last minute becoming unavailable will generally be rescheduled for a later date.
Scholars have criticized ''Coast to Coast AM'' for promoting ] and ] ideas. Historian ] characterized the show as an "especially influential example" of the trend in modern media to disseminate false history and fake science.<ref name="Fritze2009">{{cite book|author=Ronald H. Fritze|title=Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-religions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2BrqdFg5AkC|year=2009|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-86189-674-2}}</ref>


According to ] (SUNY) professor Paul Arras, early shows hosted by Art Bell featured guests that were frequently pseudoscientists, but "regardless of their reputation, all guests are presented as experts." According to Arras "Bell seems to believe much of what even his wildest guests say".<ref name="Arras2018">{{cite book|author=Paul Arras|title=The Lonely Nineties: Visions of Community in Contemporary US Television|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u7BhDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA137|year= 2018|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-93094-7|pages=137–}}</ref> ] professor Michael C. Keith noted a "characteristic of distrust and fear that is a part of the text of Coast to Coast —fear of the unknown, fear of invasion, fear of being taken over by some kind of evil force".<ref name="Lavin">{{cite web |last1=Lavin |first1=Timothy |title=The Listener |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/01/the-listener/307840/ |website=] |access-date=13 June 2019|date=January 2010 }}</ref>
Some guests have been challenged. However, the overall tone of the show is generally friendly toward paranormal and fringe views, and apart from panel discussions and advertised debates, guests are generally free to air their views unopposed.


Religious Studies lecturer David G. Robertson observed that "sweeping conspiratorial revisionist histories and ancient alien narratives" are a frequent feature of the show.<ref name="Robertson2016">{{cite book|author=David G. Robertson|title=UFOs, Conspiracy Theories and the New Age: Millennial Conspiracism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vXgwCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|year=2016|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4742-5321-5|pages=101–}}</ref> Nolan Higdon of ] speculated that programs like ''Coast to Coast AM'' that "propagate unsubstantiated claims" were "potentially dangerous".<ref name="NYT1" />
In 2008, George Noory volunteered an elaboration of the show's policy respecting the controversial opinions of regular guests. He explained that, provided there was no element of hostility toward third parties, it was program policy to allow expression of opinion unchallenged. He gave as an example ]'s contention that features on Mars are artificial, constructed by a civilization that once inhabited the planet. Noory accepted that this opinion has no support whatsoever in the planetary science community, but said that C2C exists in part to provide a forum for such eccentric ideas. He added that, since guests are never paid appearance fees, it is inevitable that promotion of books, videos, and web sites is often a motivation for guests to sacrifice a night's sleep.


According to '']'' senior editor Timothy Lavin, host George Noory "lets clearly delusional or pseudoscientific assertions slide by without challenge". Lavin wrote that "Coast to Coast AM has perfected a charged and conspiratorial worldview that now pervades American media".<ref name="Lavin" />
During hours of "open lines", calls are taken and put on air. Under George Noory, open lines have added topics for callers to share their experiences or stories about a particular issue or situation. The show has multiple call-in numbers for:
# "East of the ]"
# "West of the Rockies"
# "First-time callers"
# "International callers"
# A "]" line


In 1998, the ] awarded show host Art Bell their ] "Snuffed Candle Award", citing his work "for encouraging credulity, presenting pseudoscience as genuine, and contributing to the public's lack of understanding of the methods of scientific inquiry".<ref name="NYT2">{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Sam |title=Art Bell, Radio Host Who Tuned In to the Dark Side, Dies at 72 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/obituaries/art-bell-radio-host-who-tuned-in-to-the-dark-side-dies-at-72.html |newspaper=] |access-date=13 June 2019|date=April 17, 2018 }}</ref>
As of 2007, ] has added a "Special Line", which is a dedicated line, with varying subjects, such as the "People who are Aliens," "Time Travelers," "Area 51 personnel," etc.
CSI fellow ] has appeared on the show occasionally as "a voice of skepticism", saying his goal was to explain and demystify the "bizarre topics 'Coast to Coast' deals with" such as ] and ]s.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |last1=Bromwich |first1=Jonah Engel |last2=Wertheim |first2=Bonnie |title=Does Bigfoot Have a Soul? A Radio Host's Audience Ponders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/business/media/coast-to-coast-am-george-noory.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=13 June 2019|date=February 20, 2017 }}</ref>

They are all announced at the beginning of each broadcast by ]. On special occasions, ''Coast to Coast AM'' rolls out more numbers, including lines that are reserved for special "themed" callers, for example those who claim to be from other ], time periods, and those ] by spirits.

The ] edition of ''Coast to Coast AM'' becomes '''''Ghost to Ghost AM''''', as listeners call in with their ghost stories. The ] show usually entails listeners calling in their predictions for the coming year, and the host (commonly Art Bell) rating the predictions made a year earlier. In recent years, the host of the New Year's Eve prediction show has been cautioning the open line callers that they may not predict the assassination of any person or the death of the ].


==Hosts== ==Hosts==
===Art Bell===
] hosts the show weekdays, and the first Sunday of every month. ] hosts Saturday nights, and the second Sunday of every month. ] hosts the 3rd and 4th Sunday of each month, and when there is a 5th Sunday, Art Bell or a fill-in hosts the show.
{{main|Art Bell}}
Bell was the original host of the show, starting in 1988. He announced his retirement in 2000, but would return as show host, retire, and return again a number of times.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dickey |first=Jack|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2151794,00.html#ixzz2ehU9iB4g |title=Insomniac Radio King Art Bell Reclaims His Crown |magazine=] |date=2013-09-23 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref> Bell died in April 2018.


===Mike Siegel===
== Broadcast area ==
{{Main|Mike Siegel}}
{{main|List of Coast to Coast AM affiliates}}
Mike Siegel hosted the show from April 2000 until February 2001. He became a frequent substitute for Bell in late 1999, and when Bell announced his retirement in early 2000, he recommended Siegel to succeed him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-11-ca-18179-story.html |title=Veteran Talk-Show Host Mike Siegel to Succeed Bell |newspaper=] |author=Judith Michaelson |date=April 11, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509235300/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/11/entertainment/ca-18179 |archive-date=May 9, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> Siegel maintained the format of the show that Bell had created, but his personal style was very different, and the show became less popular. Siegel hosted the show from ], where he lived. Early in 2001, Bell decided to return, and Siegel left the show.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=109935&page=1|work=ABC News |title=Weird Radio Host Art Bell Returns |author=Edward Mazza |date=January 6, 2006}}</ref>
''Coast to Coast AM'' is broadcast on over 500 United States affiliates, as well as numerous Canadian affiliates, several of which ] the show on their station's Web site. The show's ''Streamlink'' service offers live Internet feeds of the show by subscription. The program is also broadcast on ] in the United States, on ]. Currently, the XM channel is not available to ] subscribers due to ] regulations limiting content produced outside of Canada.


===Ian Punnett===
In addition, XM Satellite Radio's operational assistance agreement with Clear Channel provides the satellite broadcaster with exclusive rights to all Clear Channel content, and doesn't permit the broadcast of ''Coast to Coast AM'' on partner ].
{{Main|Ian Punnett}}
Ian Punnett hosted the show sporadically, as either guest host or main host, between 1998 and 2012, and from 2018 to 2023. Punnett died in December of 2023. <ref>{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2022 |title=Coast To Coast Am |url=https://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2022-08-20-show/ |website=Coast To Coast Am}}</ref>


===John B. Wells===
''Coast to Coast AM'' is also available via ] on the W3 (GE3) Transponder 18, Sub-Carrier 6.8 MHz wide band. There are several feeds and re-feeds of the show.
{{Main|John B. Wells}}
In January 2012, ] replaced Punnett as host of the Saturday evening<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/99834/ian-punnett-to-step-down-from-saturday-coast-to-co |title=Ian Punnett To Step Down From Saturday 'Coast To Coast AM,' John B. Wells Named Host |publisher=All Access |date=2011-12-05 |access-date=2020-12-03}}</ref> and the second Sunday evening programs.


===George Noory===
* A re-feed of the previous weekday show's last three hours is played Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Pacific. Weekend shows are exempt from this feed.
{{Main|George Noory}}
* The live show is fed every night at 1 a.m. Eastern/10 p.m. Pacific.
George Noory first took over show hosting duties in 2003 as a replacement for Bell, but was temporarily discontinued after Bell returned citing disagreements with Noory. After Bell's death in April 2018, Noory said that the two were "not that close" personally and that there were major differences in their approaches. Despite this, Noory said that Bell was "instrumental in me being where I am right now."<ref>{{cite web|title=Coast to Coast AM|url=http://www.talkers.com/tag/coast-to-coast-am/|website=Talkers|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Noory currently hosts the show on weeknights and on the first Sunday of every month.
* Following the live show, another re-feed is broadcast every morning at 5 a.m. Eastern/2 a.m. Pacific.
* Art Bell, Somewhere in Time is fed Saturday nights at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific.
* A four hour George Noory "best-of" show is fed Sunday nights at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific.


===George Knapp===
The show's complete schedule can be found on its website. Because the show is so frequently repeated, audible cue signals are inserted at the beginning and end of commercial breaks, to facilitate substitution of commercials by local stations.
{{main|George Knapp (journalist)}}
George Knapp joined the show in 2007 and is currently hosting every third and fourth Sundays of every month.


== Guests == ===Others===
Guest hosts have included ], ], ], Dave Schrader, Connie Willis, Lisa Garr, Richard Syrett, Rob Simone and Jimmy Church.
* ] - A cryptozoologist and author on issues relating to new animal discoveries and the sightings of ], ], ], and other ].
* ] - An author who discusses paranormal, visionary, and spiritual topics.
* ] - A controversial author on issues relating to ] activities, space anomalies and alleged extraterrestrial architecture (the Face on Mars; structures on the Moon.) He is described as the program's "science adviser."
* ] - An American radio host, ] conspiracy theorist, political activist and filmmaker.
* ] - A mainstream theoretical ]. Dr. Kaku typically discusses topics involving string theory, quantum physics, astrophysics, and other hard sciences.
* ] - A self-promoted ] and "astro-psychologist," author of 4 books, and motivational speaker.
* Dr. Evelyn Paglini - A ] who is a self-promoted ] and ].
* ] - Author and Director of Media Studies at Cardiff Academy, Lionel is President of ASSAP (the ]) and is also the President of BUFORA (the ]).
* ] - A reporter and ], appears monthly on ''Coast to Coast AM''. George Noory has referred to Howe as an ] for the show and refers to phone call segments with Howe as ''"Conversations with Linda."''
* "Dr. Sky" (Steve Kates) - An astronomy journalist who discusses planetary events and weather patterns.
* Peter Davenport (Ufologist) - Head of the ].
* ] - Theologian specializing in ] and ].
* ] - Frequent contributor, researches giants, global security (especially with regard to giants), weather weapons and terrorism.
* ] - Hypnotherapist whose research expertise ranges from interdimensional travels to past lives and the power sources of ancient ]
* ] - Former nuclear physicist and current author & UFO researcher, specializing in the alleged UFO crash at Roswell.
* David Wilcock - A professional lecturer, filmmaker, and researcher of ancient civilizations, consciousness science, and new paradigms of matter and energy. Wilcock was Noory's personal choice as his first guest of 2009, and has become a regular contributor.
* ] - Former guest; currently banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180681,00.html|title=TV Psychic Misses Mark on Miners|publisher=Fox News}}</ref>


==Guests==
== Other associated shows ==
The show featured a number of guests, some recurring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guests |title=Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref>
Several shows associated with ''Coast to Coast AM'' have aired in the slot immediately preceding the late Saturday night edition of the program, from 6-10 PM Pacific time.
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/david-edward/ |title=David Edward – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> Author and Old World researcher.
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/albrecht-katherine/6200 |title=Katherine Albrecht – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref> consumer rights advocate.
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/bayerle-martin-80390/ |title=Capt. Martin Bayerle – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> Treasure Hunter, author of ''The Tsar's Treasure''.
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/bloom-howard/5626 |title=Howard Bloom – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref> author of ''The God Problem'', '']'', ''Global Brain'', ''Reinventing Capitalism'' and former publicist for ] and ].
* ], psychic.
* ], economic and political forecaster.
* ], cryptozoologist and author on issues relating to new animal discoveries and the sightings of ], the ], the ], and other ]s.
* ], Harvard PhD, author of sensationalist books on Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and Barack Obama. Joined ], as correspondent.
* ], author, director of Media Studies at Cardiff Academy, president of the ], and president of the ].
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2006/02/23 |title=9-11 Theories & Evidence – Shows |work=Coast to Coast AM |date=2006-02-23 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref> conspiracy theorist on ]. Fetzer claims that the assassination of President ] was a "government hit job" and that "the Zapruder film is a fake".
* ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/fitts-catherine-austin/6488 |title=Catherine Austin Fitts – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM|access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref> Politically Conservative economist; was Assistant Secretary of Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner at HUD in the first Bush Administration
* The late ], former ]; author and ufologist who focuses on the ].
* ], author who discusses ], ], and ] topics.
* ], former museum curator who was a major figure in the show's history, discussing issues relating to ]'s activities, space anomalies and alleged ] architecture (the ] and vast glass domes on the Moon). Hoagland was replaced as "science adviser" by Robert Zimmerman in June 2015 and developed digital radio chat-shows of his own.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/darkcityfm/richard-c-hoagland-out-at-coast-in-at-dark-matter-network |title=Richard C. Hoagland: out at Coast, in at Dark Matter Network |publisher=Dark City |access-date=2015-07-15}}</ref>
* ], reporter and ufologist. Famous as pioneer in the study of cattle mutilations and crop circles.
* ], ] conspiracy theorist.
* ], radio talk show host, New World Order conspiracy theorist, filmmaker and political activist.
* ], mainstream theoretical ] who typically discusses topics involving ], ], ], and other ].
* ] is a weekly correspondent on Coast to Coast AM, sharing relevant ] and ] insights.
* ], magician.
* ], investigative journalist, specializing mainly in ] and the ].
* ], physicist and president of ], a scientific supply company; renowned for disclosing his supposed employment at a secret government facility called ], and his alleged work reverse engineering ].
* ], Niburu cataclysm advocate.
* ], ] of nationally syndicated ] television series '']''.
* ], known for the Amityville Horror.
* The late ], ] advocate.
* The late ], author mostly known for "Crossfire", a discussion of the Warren Commission conclusions and commentator also on "hidden history " and the paranormal.
* The late ], Catholic priest, theologian and professor, known for sometimes controversial views concerning the Catholic Church.
* ], former advisor to President Clinton. Switched parties to Republican and hosts his own podcast. He is a big supporter and defender of ].
* ], neo-Nazi and author of '']''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Darby |first=Seyward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U5S5DwAAQBAJ |title=Sisters in Hate: American Women on the Front Lines of White Nationalism |date=2020-07-21 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-316-48779-5 |language=en}}</ref>
* ], an alleged UFO abductee. George Noory arranged to have Stan take a lie detector test over some of his claims of alien visitations, which Romanek failed.
* ], author of ''Communion'' and many other books. A frequent guest on the show since the 1990s.
* The Late ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/sitchin-zecharia/6026 |title=Zecharia Sitchin – Guests |work=Coast to Coast AM |access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref> author of books promoting an explanation for human origins involving ].
* ], one of the hosts on ]'s '']'', and the publisher of ''Legendary Times'' magazine, a periodical that is centered on the ancient astronaut theory.
* UFO Phil (aka Phil Hill), a comedic singer, songwriter, and claimed ]. He created the program's Friday end theme, "Listening to Coast to Coast". He has appeared in various media venues, including ''UFO Phil: The Movie'' (2008) and '']''.<ref>. ''Coast to Coast AM''. October 12, 2010.</ref>
* ], paleontologist who specializes in mass extinctions who is famous for his Rare Earth hypothesis.
* ], professor of cybernetics who discusses his research with implants, artificial intelligence and robotics – especially cyborgs.
* ], inventor of the and author of


==Associated shows==
=== Dreamland ===
Several shows associated with ''Coast to Coast AM'' have aired in the slot immediately preceding the late Saturday night edition of the program, from 6–10 p.m. Pacific Time.
''Dreamland'' was another Art Bell creation, nearly identical to ''Coast-to-Coast AM'' but less caller driven. Bell hosted ''Dreamland'' on early Sunday evenings, until he relinquished control of the show to ]. It continued to precede ''Coast-to-Coast AM'' on most affiliate stations on Sunday nights but moved to Saturday night (after ] began to syndicate ]) and then dropped the program entirely. It is now heard over the ] exclusively.


===''Dreamland''===
''Dreamland'' continues to focus on many of the same topics as its sister program, although often with a more spiritual point-of-view, as well as an increased emphasis on ].
''Dreamland'' was another Art Bell creation, nearly identical to ''Coast to Coast AM'' but less caller driven. Bell recorded ''Dreamland'' on Friday afternoons where the show streamed live over the Internet and listeners could call in towards the end of the show. The show then aired at various times on different stations during the weekend, but doing eight shows a week got to be too much and he handed over control of the show to ]. Many affiliates aired the show before ''Coast to Coast AM'' on Sunday nights, but ] pre-empted that time spot after it began to syndicate ], and then dropped the program entirely.


===Coast to Coast Live=== ===''Coast to Coast Live''===
Upon Art Bell's January 2006 return, Ian Punnett hosted ''Coast To Coast Live'' on Saturdays from 9 pm to 1 am Eastern Time. A spin-off of the original ''Coast to Coast AM'', the show covered similar topics as its flagship program. With Bell's July 2007 retirement, ''C2CLive'' was discontinued, with Punnett returning to host the regular Saturday edition. Upon Art Bell's January 2006 return, ] hosted ''Coast to Coast Live'' on Saturdays from 9&nbsp;p.m. to 1&nbsp;a.m. Eastern Time. A spin-off of the original ''Coast to Coast AM'', the show covered similar topics as its flagship program. With Bell's July 2007 retirement, ''Coast to Coast Live'' was discontinued, with Punnett returning to host the regular Saturday edition.


===Art Bell, Somewhere in Time=== ===''Art Bell, Somewhere in Time''===
Replacing ''C2CLive'' in the late Saturday time slot is a series of reruns of classic Art Bell episodes of ''C2CAM'', under the name of "Somewhere in Time." Replacing ''Coast to Coast Live'' in the late Saturday time slot is a series of reruns of classic Art Bell episodes of ''Coast to Coast AM'', airing under the title ''Somewhere in Time''.


===''Midnight in the Desert''===
==Newsletter==
Midnight in the Desert was a live radio and podcast which Art Bell founded. The program was later hosted by Heather Wade and then by Dave Schrader.
The radio show publishes a monthly newsletter for subscribers called ''After Dark''. It discusses matters covered on the show. It has fourteen inner pages. Approximately 46% of the fourteen pages are illustrations and photos instead of text. The front cover is artwork. The back cover is a schedule listing of recent shows.


==See also==
== References in popular culture ==
* ]
An excerpt of one show is used in the song "Faaip de Oiad" by the band Tool, in Lateralus (2001). The song samples a supposed employee from Area 51, who called Art Bell on September 11th, 1997 at about 11 p.m. PST. The same sample has also been used by ] in their song 'Planetary Duality I (Hideous Revelation)'.
* '']''

* '']''
The song "All the Children Are Dead" by ] uses excerpts from a caller retelling a story from his grandfather, who was once on the police force, who tells about his deputy finding a pit of dead bodies in a closed down factory. It appears on his 2001 album ].

''Coast to Coast AM'' is spoofed in the popular ] '']'', as a radio segment on WCTR aptly-named "Area 53." Area 53's host and callers would make ludicrous claims, such as video games giving people ], or cheese being the "new weapon in the fight against ]". The slogan of the show is "Prepare to be appalled!"

In 2006, Bell was featured in the video game "]" and played himself. He hosts, as in real life, ''Coast to Coast AM'', and the player is able to listen to the broadcast at several terminals throughout the game. The broadcasts detail what is happening on Earth during the time of the game.

] released a song in 2006, on his album "Catalina Sunrise," called "Conspiracy Radio" about ''Coast to Coast AM'' and Art Bell.

A track on ]' ] begins with an excerpt of frequent caller Oscar predicting a large super volcano to explode "in 2007."

]'s song "Midnight in the Desert" is a tribute to ''Coast to Coast AM'' and Art Bell; Bell has since used the song as the end theme of all shows hosted by him.

The location of the Martian landing in the film '']'' is ], hometown of Art Bell.

Art Bell and his radio show were featured on the ], ] episode of the television series "]" entitled "Collateral Damage."

The eccentric itinerant AM radio host seen in the alien-themed Stephen Spielberg mini-series, "]", is modeled on Art Bell.

Referred to on '']'', a time traveling show. One of the leading stars said that not all people listen to Art Bell, when the main star asked about something that was on the radio.

The satirical ] used to begin some hours with a mockup of the open Coast to Coast airs every hour. A deep, gravely voice would give out the numbers for callers East of the Rockies, West of the Rockies, the first-time caller line and the wild card line, but every single one would be the same phone number.

Black metal band Nahvalr uses a sample of Art Bell speaking on the subject of the Siberian sounds from hell, for their song "Chorus of the Blasphemies"

At least one psychedelic trance track (by "Etnica - Sharp (2004)") features samples of Art Bell's C2C program, this particular one regarding triangular UFO craft.

== See also ==
*]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{refbegin}} {{refbegin}}
<!-- add references here --> <!-- add references here -->
* {{cite web * {{cite web
| last = Hartmann | first = Thom
| last =Dotinga
| title = Political Commentator and Talk Show host
| first = Randy
| work = ]
| title =Coast to Coast AM Is No Wack Job
| date = May 4, 2011
| publisher =Wired News
| url = http://www.thomhartmann.com/
|date=2006-02-02
| access-date = August 8, 2013}}
| url =http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/02/70218
* {{cite magazine
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}
| last = Dotinga | first = Randy
* {{cite web
| title = Coast to Coast AM Is No Wack Job
| last =Corliss
| magazine = Wired
| first = Richard
| date = February 15, 2006
| title =The X Phones
| url = https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/02/70218
| publisher =Time (magazine)
| access-date = April 19, 2007}}
|date=1999-08-09
* {{cite magazine
| url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991693,00.html
| last = Corliss | first = Richard
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}
| title = The X Phones
* {{cite web
| magazine = ]
| last =Jaroff
| date = August 9, 1999
| first = Leon
| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991693,00.html
| title =THE MAN WHO SPREAD THE MYTH
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101028181100/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991693,00.html
| publisher =Time (magazine)
| url-status = dead
|date=1997-04-14
| archive-date = October 28, 2010
| url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986171,00.html
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}} | access-date = April 19, 2007}}
* {{cite web * {{cite magazine
| last = Jaroff | first = Leon
| last =Davis
| title = The man who spread the myth
| first = Pamela
| magazine= Time
| title =10 years to grow, 1 snip to go
| date = April 14, 1997
| publisher =St. Petersburg Times
| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986171,00.html
| date =2001-01-11
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051121060305/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986171,00.html
| url =http://www.sptimes.com/News/011101/Artsandentertainment/10_years_to_grow__1_s.shtml
| url-status = dead
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}
| archive-date = November 21, 2005
* {{cite web
| access-date = April 19, 2007}}
| title =Pentagon Photos Whodunnit
* {{cite news
| publisher =CBS News
| last = Davis | first = Pamela
| date =2002-11-08
| title = 10 years to grow, 1 snip to go
| url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/08/attack/main528709.shtml
| work = ]
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}
| date = January 1, 2001
| url = http://www.sptimes.com/News/011101/Artsandentertainment/10_years_to_grow__1_s.shtml
| access-date = April 19, 2007}}
* {{cite news
| last = Dakss | first = Brian
| title = Pentagon Photos Whodunnit
| publisher = CBS News
| date = November 8, 2002
| url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-photos-whodunnit/
| access-date = April 19, 2007}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
* * {{Official website|https://www.coasttocoastam.com/}}
*


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Latest revision as of 16:14, 12 September 2024

American radio talk show

Radio show
Coast to Coast AM
GenreTalk radio
Running time175 minutes, 20 seconds
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Philippines (2006–2010)
SyndicatesPremiere Networks
Hosted byGeorge Noory (weeknights and 1st Sunday)
George Knapp (Sundays)
AnnouncerDick Ervasti
Created byArt Bell
Recording studioSherman Oaks, California
Remote studiosLos Angeles, California (Noory)
St. Louis, Missouri (Noory)
Las Vegas, Nevada (Knapp)
Original release1988 –
present
Opening theme"Chase (Theme from Midnight Express)" by Giorgio Moroder
Ending theme"Inca Dance" or "Ghost Dance" by Cusco (Shows hosted by Noory and Knapp)
"Listening to Coast to Coast" by UFO Phil (Fridays)
"Midnight in the Desert" by Crystal Gayle
Websitewww.coasttocoastam.com
PodcastStreamlink

Coast to Coast AM is an American late-night radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics. Most frequently the topics relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was hosted by creator Art Bell from its inception in 1988 until 2003, and is currently hosted by George Noory. The program is distributed by Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, both as part of its talk network and separately as a syndicated program. The program now airs seven nights a week from 1:00–5:00 a.m. ET. It airs on over 600 affiliates, and has repeatedly been called the most popular overnight show in the country.

History

In 1978, Art Bell created and hosted West Coast AM, a late-night political talk/call-in show on Las Vegas radio station KDWN. In 1988, Bell and Alan Corberth renamed the show Coast to Coast AM and moved its studios from the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas to Bell's home in Pahrump. After Bell's retirement, the show was hosted by various personalities, including Mike Siegel, George Noory, and others.

At its peak, Coast to Coast AM under Bell was syndicated by Premiere Radio Network, and aired on more than 500 radio stations and boasted a weekly listening audience in excess of 10 million listeners. Since 2013 the weekly listener numbers have declined to 2.5 million. According to estimates by Talkers Magazine, Coast to Coast AM has a cumulative weekly audience of around 2.75 million unique listeners listening for at least five minutes, making it the most listened-to program in its time slot. By 2010 the program was known as by far the most popular overnight show in the country, echoed by The New York Times in 2017, citing Nielsen ratings.

The show is estimated to be carried by over 600 US affiliates, along with a limited number of FM stations, as well as many Canadian affiliates, several of which stream the show on their station's website. The affiliate group is fronted by 12 clear-channel stations, among them WBT in Charlotte, WHO in Des Moines, WWL in New Orleans, WOR in New York City, KFBK in Sacramento, KFI in Los Angeles, and WTAM in Cleveland. The show is also carried by Sirius XM Radio, on its Road Dog Trucking channel 146.

Criticism

Scholars have criticized Coast to Coast AM for promoting pseudohistoric and pseudoscientific ideas. Historian Ronald H. Fritze characterized the show as an "especially influential example" of the trend in modern media to disseminate false history and fake science.

According to State University of New York (SUNY) professor Paul Arras, early shows hosted by Art Bell featured guests that were frequently pseudoscientists, but "regardless of their reputation, all guests are presented as experts." According to Arras "Bell seems to believe much of what even his wildest guests say". Boston College professor Michael C. Keith noted a "characteristic of distrust and fear that is a part of the text of Coast to Coast —fear of the unknown, fear of invasion, fear of being taken over by some kind of evil force".

Religious Studies lecturer David G. Robertson observed that "sweeping conspiratorial revisionist histories and ancient alien narratives" are a frequent feature of the show. Nolan Higdon of California State University, East Bay speculated that programs like Coast to Coast AM that "propagate unsubstantiated claims" were "potentially dangerous".

According to The Atlantic senior editor Timothy Lavin, host George Noory "lets clearly delusional or pseudoscientific assertions slide by without challenge". Lavin wrote that "Coast to Coast AM has perfected a charged and conspiratorial worldview that now pervades American media".

In 1998, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry awarded show host Art Bell their mocking "Snuffed Candle Award", citing his work "for encouraging credulity, presenting pseudoscience as genuine, and contributing to the public's lack of understanding of the methods of scientific inquiry". CSI fellow Joe Nickell has appeared on the show occasionally as "a voice of skepticism", saying his goal was to explain and demystify the "bizarre topics 'Coast to Coast' deals with" such as Bigfoot and ghosts.

Hosts

Art Bell

Main article: Art Bell

Bell was the original host of the show, starting in 1988. He announced his retirement in 2000, but would return as show host, retire, and return again a number of times. Bell died in April 2018.

Mike Siegel

Main article: Mike Siegel

Mike Siegel hosted the show from April 2000 until February 2001. He became a frequent substitute for Bell in late 1999, and when Bell announced his retirement in early 2000, he recommended Siegel to succeed him. Siegel maintained the format of the show that Bell had created, but his personal style was very different, and the show became less popular. Siegel hosted the show from Seattle, Washington, where he lived. Early in 2001, Bell decided to return, and Siegel left the show.

Ian Punnett

Main article: Ian Punnett

Ian Punnett hosted the show sporadically, as either guest host or main host, between 1998 and 2012, and from 2018 to 2023. Punnett died in December of 2023.

John B. Wells

Main article: John B. Wells

In January 2012, John B. Wells replaced Punnett as host of the Saturday evening and the second Sunday evening programs.

George Noory

Main article: George Noory

George Noory first took over show hosting duties in 2003 as a replacement for Bell, but was temporarily discontinued after Bell returned citing disagreements with Noory. After Bell's death in April 2018, Noory said that the two were "not that close" personally and that there were major differences in their approaches. Despite this, Noory said that Bell was "instrumental in me being where I am right now." Noory currently hosts the show on weeknights and on the first Sunday of every month.

George Knapp

Main article: George Knapp (journalist)

George Knapp joined the show in 2007 and is currently hosting every third and fourth Sundays of every month.

Others

Guest hosts have included Hilly Rose, Barbara Simpson, Rollye James, Dave Schrader, Connie Willis, Lisa Garr, Richard Syrett, Rob Simone and Jimmy Church.

Guests

The show featured a number of guests, some recurring.

Associated shows

Several shows associated with Coast to Coast AM have aired in the slot immediately preceding the late Saturday night edition of the program, from 6–10 p.m. Pacific Time.

Dreamland

Dreamland was another Art Bell creation, nearly identical to Coast to Coast AM but less caller driven. Bell recorded Dreamland on Friday afternoons where the show streamed live over the Internet and listeners could call in towards the end of the show. The show then aired at various times on different stations during the weekend, but doing eight shows a week got to be too much and he handed over control of the show to Whitley Strieber. Many affiliates aired the show before Coast to Coast AM on Sunday nights, but Premiere Radio pre-empted that time spot after it began to syndicate Matt Drudge, and then dropped the program entirely.

Coast to Coast Live

Upon Art Bell's January 2006 return, Ian Punnett hosted Coast to Coast Live on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time. A spin-off of the original Coast to Coast AM, the show covered similar topics as its flagship program. With Bell's July 2007 retirement, Coast to Coast Live was discontinued, with Punnett returning to host the regular Saturday edition.

Art Bell, Somewhere in Time

Replacing Coast to Coast Live in the late Saturday time slot is a series of reruns of classic Art Bell episodes of Coast to Coast AM, airing under the title Somewhere in Time.

Midnight in the Desert

Midnight in the Desert was a live radio and podcast which Art Bell founded. The program was later hosted by Heather Wade and then by Dave Schrader.

See also

References

  1. ^ Randy Dotinga (February 15, 2006). "Coast to Coast AM Is No Wack Job". Wired.
  2. ^ Lavin, Timothy (January 2010). "The Listener". The Atlantic. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Bromwich, Jonah Engel; Wertheim, Bonnie (February 20, 2017). "Does Bigfoot Have a Soul? A Radio Host's Audience Ponders". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Knight, Peter (2003). Conspiracy Theories in American History: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 120. ISBN 1-57607-812-4.
  5. "Radio Host Art Bell Dead At 72". Inside Radio. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  6. Fisher, Marc (March 29, 1998). "The outer limits: A lone voice in the desert lures 10 million listeners". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  7. "The Top Talk Radio Audiences". Talkers Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. "The Top Talk Radio Audiences". Talkers Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  9. "The Top Talk Radio Audiences (Updated 2/15)". Talkers Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014.
  10. "Road Dog Trucking Shows". Sirius XM Radio. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  11. Ronald H. Fritze (2009). Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-religions. Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-86189-674-2.
  12. Paul Arras (2018). The Lonely Nineties: Visions of Community in Contemporary US Television. Springer. pp. 137–. ISBN 978-3-319-93094-7.
  13. David G. Robertson (2016). UFOs, Conspiracy Theories and the New Age: Millennial Conspiracism. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 101–. ISBN 978-1-4742-5321-5.
  14. Roberts, Sam (April 17, 2018). "Art Bell, Radio Host Who Tuned In to the Dark Side, Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  15. Dickey, Jack (September 23, 2013). "Insomniac Radio King Art Bell Reclaims His Crown". Time. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  16. Judith Michaelson (April 11, 2000). "Veteran Talk-Show Host Mike Siegel to Succeed Bell". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009.
  17. Edward Mazza (January 6, 2006). "Weird Radio Host Art Bell Returns". ABC News.
  18. "Coast To Coast Am". Coast To Coast Am. August 20, 2022.
  19. "Ian Punnett To Step Down From Saturday 'Coast To Coast AM,' John B. Wells Named Host". All Access. December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  20. "Coast to Coast AM". Talkers. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  21. "Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  22. "David Edward – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  23. "Katherine Albrecht – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  24. "Capt. Martin Bayerle – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  25. "Howard Bloom – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  26. "9-11 Theories & Evidence – Shows". Coast to Coast AM. February 23, 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  27. "Catherine Austin Fitts – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  28. "Richard C. Hoagland: out at Coast, in at Dark Matter Network". Dark City. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  29. Darby, Seyward (July 21, 2020). Sisters in Hate: American Women on the Front Lines of White Nationalism. Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-48779-5.
  30. "Zecharia Sitchin – Guests". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  31. Spotlight on UFO Phil. Coast to Coast AM. October 12, 2010.

External links

34°9′12″N 118°27′56″W / 34.15333°N 118.46556°W / 34.15333; -118.46556

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