Conspiracy theories propel AM radio show into Top 10 (Coast to Coast AM)

SF Chronicle ^ | 11/12/06 | Delfin Vigil, Chronicle Staff Writer

[BurbankKarl]

There was a time when "Coast to Coast AM," the late-night syndicated talk radio show dedicated to paranormal activities and political conspiracies, didn't get much respect.

"At one point it was, 'Oh, that strange show about weird paranormal things?' " said George Noory, who has hosted the program on weeknights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. PST full time since 2003.

That all changed when millions from the mainstream met up with the after-midnight fringe folks to make "Coast to Coast AM" a top-rated show.

The show that gives self-described vampires a place to vent on its Friday night Wild Card line is the same one that was taking calls about Sept. 11 conspiracy theories just two weeks after the terrorist attacks. And "Coast to Coast AM," which airs in the Bay Area on KSFO 560 AM, is the same show that can now reach upward of 3 million listeners through 500 stations each week, according to Premiere Radio Networks, the company that syndicates the show.

"There's absolutely a growing conspiracy climate," said Noory, explaining the phenomenon of numbers typically unheard of for that time slot. "People are tired of being misled and confused from taking information directly from a government official. After a while, it becomes almost like a pressure cooker that needs to let off steam."

"These kinds of ideas that used to be really out on the fringe and tucked away in a subterranean subculture are now a part of pop culture," said Barkun, who also sees a link between the growing political conspiracy climate and the end of the Cold War.

[Sir Gawain]

The government puts out all the conspiracy theories. I saw it on the X-Files.

[SteveMcKing]

Art Bell did his best to fight the 9-11 conspiracy nuts. Not an easy task with his particular audience.

[scott7278]

The government puts out all the conspiracy theories.

Coast to Coast was created by the government to confuse us.

[BurbankKarl]

George Noory hosts "Coast to Coast AM," a late-night radio show that attracts fringe conspiracy theorists and mainstream listeners alike. Photo by Ann Johansson, special to the Chronicle

Art Bell started the show as "West Coast AM" in the mid-1980s. He still hosts "Coast to Coast" on weekends from the Philippines. Associated Press photo, 1998, by Jeff Scheid

Ian Punnett. When Art Bell returned to the air, Coast to Coast Live was created. Many existing Coast to Coast AM affiliates automatically carried the new program from its first night and in the subsequent months many new affiliates have come on board. Currently, the affiliate count stands around 200. In his short time hosting Coast to Coast Live, Punnett has developed a loyal following of his own.

Punnett always opens the show reminding 'hostile invading aliens' hovering just beyond earth's atmosphere to 'Eat the Canadians first', saying they are 'much tastier' than overweight Americans.

[MarkeyD]

Yep, the Military-Industrial-Entertainment Complex.

[BurbankKarl]

C2C has switched affiliates in Sacramento, CA. Starting tonight, listeners in the area can hear the show on the big 50,000 watt powerhouse --KFBK-- 1530 AM, from 10pm to 4am M-F and 12a-4a on Sat/Sun.

[scott7278]

I forgot my password to Coast to Coast AM online, and so I opted to have it sent to me. When I tried to access my Hotmail account, the server was down.

What don't they want me to know?

[BurbankKarl]

HAARP bouncing energy off the ionosphere to destroy Kim Jong Il's preemptive launch against Hawaii.

[SittinYonder]

I love Coast to Coast. Nothing like falling to sleep listening to EVP recordings. It keeps me a little jumpy and freaked out all the time.

[Bender]

$noory is in the business for one reason and one reason only. Can you guess? Thats right, it is for the $$$$$$$$$$$.

[zarf]

Coast to Coast is a guilty pleasure on those lonely late night drives. Kudos to Art for having the balls to run with it.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Theres a show?
I just thought it was a straight hour of commercials.

Good for laughs on late night long drives home.

[Crim]

It's a conspiracy to silence the bowel...er...sorry..."truth" movement...*snicker*

I been knocking truther heads on nutscape for weeks now...

http://antitruther.blogspot.com/

[Sulla123]

This and Jerry Springer are a sign of the end of the world.

[PC99]

This article is a classic "bogus trend" story by a reporter eager to write on a topic close to his heart, but with little to back up the article's "growing trend" hook. Notice the conclusion - that a conspiracy "climate" is growing due to AM radio, especially "Coast to Coast"- is a totally subjective interpretation supported only by interviews with his hand-picked "experts". "Yeah, more and more people are thinking this way..." The ratings (the only hard data) really don't show a recent spike or anything to support this "growing trend" that is conclusive, and anyway ratings are influenced by the local market and competing shows. Ugh.

[Crim]

Bah...not the end of the world....just the end of the world as you knew it...

*wink*

Buy brass....load often...

[BurbankKarl]

It isnt even a SF Chron reporter...might be a Clear Channel reporter!

haha

[BurbankKarl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9IF6JdW3s

[BurbankKarl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wseo5t7d4fw

[SoDak]

$noory is in the business for one reason and one reason only. Can you guess? Thats right, it is for the $$$$$$$$$$$.

As a capitalist, I say keep up the good work, Noory.

[Mobile Vulgus]

This show is laughable and filled with so much GARBAGE it's amazing. Sadly, there are people out there who BELIEVE this idotic stuff.

I work nights and listen every once in a while for the humor aspect of it. But usually I can't take the stupidity streaming out of it for long.

[Pontiac]

I work nights and listen every once in a while for the humor aspect of it. But usually I can't take the stupidity streaming out of it for long.

I am with you brother.

I occasionally listen when I can't sleep after getting off mid-shift.

Sometimes the callers actually make me spit out my coffee on the radio they are so self deluded.

The only place you can find a group of people more foolish is the Democratic Underground.

But I think the two groups share a lot of the same members.

[Bender]

You think it is a good thing that $noory makes money from lying to people? Really?

[real saxophonist]

Some of those EVPs give me chills years later. Nowdays I listen to Trevor Carey on 1310 KFKA. I've often wondered if they named the station after Kafka. Probably not.

[Ranald S. MacKenzie]

I listen to Coast to Coast on a regular basis, depending on the show. There used to be a lot more shows about UFO's, Area 51, Out-of-Body Experiences, Bigfoot, etc.. Those are the shows I enjoy listening to. I realize it's a bunch of hooey but its entertaining, like watching the X-files on TV. Since Noory took over the show there seems to be a greater number shows on medicine, vaccines, diseases, finances and subjects like that. I can stand about 30 seconds of listening to that kind of stuff.

[driftless2]

"Dem..Underground"

I think recent years that libs are far more susceptible to nutty, conspiracy theories than conservatives. The dopes at DummyU were convinced that if Dems won in the recent election, Bush would have them thrown into concentration camps (already built of course). All sorts of dire things were going to happen. They didn't happen. Does anyone seriously believe that this will stop the libs from concocting more ridiculous conspiracy theories?

My lib, lawyer daughter-in-law was firmly convinced that Bush was going to reinstate the draft if he was reelected in 2004, so she and and her husband had made plans to escape to Canada. I swear I'm not making this up. When her mother, my wife, and I tried to convince her that that was nonsense, she KNEW!!! what was going to happen. It didn't happen. She will not admit she was wrong.

[Pontiac]

My lib, lawyer daughter-in-law was firmly convinced that Bush was going to reinstate the draft if he was reelected in 2004…She will not admit she was wrong.

Wellll, he does have two years left, it could still happen. (Sarcasm OFF)

[wolfcreek]

She will not admit she was wrong.


She's a Liberal alright!

[SoDak]

He's in the entertainment racket. If you're using Coast-To-Coast as a news source, and expecting the truth, the jokes on you.

[Bender]

If you listen to the statements made on Hoax to Hoax they are telling the truth.

The question to you is simple: Is making money by lying right or wrong?

[SoDak]

I've already answered the question. Yes. It's entertainment and I hope he's making a lot of money.

[Bender]

So it is right to make money by lying? You apparently think so.

How liberal.

[SoDak]

Decrying lawful economic activity.

Maybe you think the government should step in and regulate.

How liberal.

[Bender]

Where did i say the government should regulate? Are you making things up and aattributing the delussion to others?

How liberal

Is HilLIARy your hero?

Face reality, Hoax to Hoax makes their income by lying. They try to present entertainment as fact.

But if you like being lied to the Democratic party has a place for you.

[SoDak]

The reality is that I support free enterprise, and you don't.

[Bender]

Assumes facts not in evidence.

How leftist.

[SoDak]

Projecting your shortcomings on others.

How Clintonian.

[wildwood]

i just wanted to take this opportunity to say i despise the intellectually bereft george noory. he is a despicable human being who runs a despicable show. for those of us who suffer from insomnia, how much worse can it get. teetering on the verge of hatred, i was tipped over the edge when noory had some morons on talking about how they didn't EAT for several years...just subsisted on air and water.

he fans the flames of ridiculous stories about bush and 9/11. he puts anybody on who wants to espouse all kinds of nonsense about aliens, bush, republicans, God...on and on...

at least with art bell, you were never sure he was taking everything seriously.