Anyone else here a fan of Coast to Coast AM?
Hasn't it started sucking recently?
I am seriously getting sick of Art Bell and his clone, George Noory. The two are illiterate clods gifted with big booming voices, ie the radio equivalent of a pretty face.
Just as an example, a few nights ago Art Bell was talking about biochemistry and he came to the word "mitochondria" in an article. He pronounced it "microchondia" and it seems to be the first time he'd ever come across the word. He makes this kind of mistake all the time.
Not a mental giant.
The show has declined steadily in quality since Noory took over, too. Noory seems to think he's taken over a legit political talk show instead of the midnight freak show CTC has always been. 3 nights out of 4 his topic is either terrorism or some alternative medicine silliness, and when he happens to schedule an interesting guest he just lets them talk, shows no curiosity, can't be bothered to read their book before the show, and conducts a superficial softball interview that makes Larry King look like Chris Mathews. YAWN.
George has 1 night a week now, but he's in retirement mode and mostly does open lines. DOUBLE YAWN.
The one bright point on the show is Ian Punnet, who hosts saturday nights.
How did he ever get mixed up with this crowd? Ian is an intellectual, a thoughtful person, and a real gentleman, not to mention a first-class wit.
He always manages to find an interesting guest for his weekly shows and prepares well in advance by reading the guest's book and other background material beforehand. He is also very well read generally.
He is genuinely curious and knows how to force his guests to focus, collect their thoughts and zero in on what his listeners will be most interested to hear.
He never gives anyone a pass, but at the same time he is a true gentleman and treats everyone with respect, dignity and warmth.
Everything this man does is class. I think Noory and Bell are too dim to realize what have in Ian Punnet. Give him 3 nights a week ferchrissakes. Heck, give him the whole show.
<3 Ian Punnet
08 May 2007, 7:05 pm
