Think we missed one ? Send your nomination to binnall.
7.2.6 -- Host : George Knapp, Guest : William Birnes, Don Ecker, and Vicki Ecker, Topic : The State of Ufology
Georege Knapp does it again. Another outstanding episode that covered the gamut of Ufology, from key cases to notable nutcases. Great stories abounded in this episode, including Don Ecker's feud with Phil Klass. Tons of beyond the 4th wall discussion on Ufology as a whole, which is rare for C2C. Strong stuff on media coverage of UFOs as well.
Bonus Points :For the trio harpooning Serpo, one of the sacred cows of C2C.
7.10.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Brother Michael Dimond, Topic : Counterfeit Catholicism
A strong contender for Best Newcomer, Best Episode, or "Coaster", Brother Michael Dimond was a hardcore Benedictine Monk who hated just about everyone else and damned them all to hell, according to his studies. The Noor was confounded at Dimond's sheer insanity and tried, in vain, to "talk him down", much to the delight of everyone listening at home. Dimond was so over the top, they opened up the phone lines so he could fight with people he'd damned to hell, including a redneck who yelped, "Where's your Magistrarians now ?! You don't have one !". Classic.
Bonus Points :What else ? The on-air slapfight between Dimond and JC. When C2C brings in JC to bitchslap you, you know you are a nutcase. Amazingly, JC won over The Noor. No word on whether or not Noory has joined the Church of the New Revelation yet.
One of the most beloved C2C guests ever, Lionel Fanthorpe, returned to the show to talk about all sorts of odd stories. He first began with telling some of his life story, which was punctuated by sidebar stories that were awesome. Then he doled out a ton of stories on time travel and vanishings, which left Noory spellbound more often than not. One of those episodes that is an awesome listen three or four months or years down the line. Fanthorpe delivers.
Bonus Points :For two things, Lionel's method of storytelling ("Have you ever heard the story of _____ ?") and for Noory's response to the vanishing stories (an awestruck "Where did they go ?!")
7.21.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Gary Busey, Mark Hall, Topic : Busey on Esoterica / Thunderbirds
If ever there was a pop-in that was tailor-made for Coast to Coast AM, it is the ever-bizarre Gary Busey. And Busey finally arrived on C2C, just in time to put over Louis Turi as some kind of genius. Busey busted out some classic Busey-isms, much to the confusion of Noory and then played guitar and sang songs.
Full show guest Mark Hall kept the momentum going with strong cryptozoology discussion, focusing on mainly thunderbirds and similar creatures like giant bats. Noory, of course, pushed his "dinosaurs are still alive" agenda again and, sadly, Hall felt compelled to encourage the madness.
Bonus Points :For Noory showing how far behind the pop culture curve he is by referencing Busey's '80's flicks and not his new millenium renaissance as reality tv nutcase.
7.22.6 -- Host : Ian Punnett, Guest : Phillip Carlo, Topic : "Ice Man" Richard Kuklinkski
This show rocked! I think the difference was pointed out by Carlo when he said to Ian "It sounds like you actually read the book." Ian had read the book and asked great questions. We heard all kinds of freaky tales about Kuklinski, from his early childhood up to his death, a suspected poisoning by Sammy "the bull" Gravano. (Recap courtesy of Lesley's C2C Rewind)
Bonus Points :For Ian finally getting credit for doing the research for his guests and actually reading their books.
7.27.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Linda Moulton Howe, Topic : EBE Autopsy
Outstanding stuff from the first lady of Coast to Coast. Linda produced an interview with a guy who was somehow affiliated with an autopsy of an EBE at Wright Patterson Air Force base. The quality of this particular episode is more dependant on the guy who was actually involved in the autopsy story, as that was what stood out as so amazing. Fantastic, riveting interivew, the likes of which we don't hear on C2C often enough anymore.
Bonus Points :For LMH finally getting a full show after being stuck in the pop-in / theme episode realm for far too long.
7.31.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Buzz Aldrin / Richard C. Hoagland, Topic : The Moon / Apollo Tapes
This episode featured first the ultra-rare Bull Adrin appearance, where he tried to distance himself, in any way possible, from the UFO phenomenon. Noory was all too willing to let him do so. Otherwise, it was interesting, from a historic perspective, to hear from Aldrin.
The full-on episode featured Richard C. Hoagland and may best be remembered as the most controversial episode of the year on C2C. Coming smack dab in the middle of an esoteric slapfight between Art Bell & Steven Greer against Noory & Seth Shostak, Hoagland was caught in the middle when he was asked about the controversy by Noory. Being no fool, Hoagland was quick to take Noory's side and then rip on Ufology and put himself over at the end. Noory was all too happy to act as accomplice in this ridiculously self-masturbatory moment, including implying (if not outright saying) that Hoagland produces better evidence than Ufology.
Bonus Points :For Hoagland's over-the-top promoting of his Joshua Tree conference to the point where it went from funny to annoying to back to funny again and then just plain sad.
8.10.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Walid Shoebat, Topic : Life in the PLO
A stunning and riveting three hours with a former PLO member turned Jewish advocate, Walid Shoebat. With vivid and frightening detail, Shoebat talked about how he went from disenfranchised Palestinian youth to a full-on member of terror groups who sought to go to war with Israel. Stunningly graphic stuff on the PLO's activities and also Shoebat's family turning on him after he left the PLO. Noory was at his best in this episode, asking all the right questions and letting Shoebat do his thing with little to no interruption.
Bonus Points :For first hour pop-in Peter Lance finally admitting to grativating towards the "LIHOP" (Let It Happen On Purpose) line of thinking with regards to 911 and for also confirming that he still hasn't let go of his little mini-feud with Alex Jones.
8.12.6 -- Host : Ian Punnett, Guest : "Simon", Topic : The Necronomicon
Another alt. history gem from Ian's spin-off show that saw the purported "author" of '70's cult hit "Necronomicon", "Simon", reveal the story behind how he got his hands on a purported ancient manuscript dubbed "The Necronomicon". Lots of talk of traveling bishops, strange religious cults, faux religions, and other odd stuff. Ian was "in the zone" and orchestrated the episode like an old jazz bandleader, asking all the right questions, but being flexible enough to take it where it went.
Bonus Points :For Simon's insistance on speaking with a voice distorter and closely guarding his anonymity, something that reminded me of what the "good old days" of C2C must have been like.
C2C's usual nanotechnology guru, Kosko, showed he could branch out into other material, as he brought some fascinating insight into the phenomenon of "noise". Great insight into what it is, how it may be useful, odd attributes of noise and other stuff that normally would go unnoticed. An alternative science episode that went beyond the usual realm and, instead, focused on an everyday aspect of life that doesn't often get examined.
Bonus Points :For C2C feeling the need to trot out Ed Dames to comment on the Jon Benet Ramsey suspect arrest, despite no evidence that he had anything to do with it (other than some truly awful remote viewing insight that didn't match the suspect).
8.27.6 -- Host : Art Bell, Guest : Whitley Strieber, Topic : The Greys
Strieber's second full show appearance in four days gets the nod over his first appearance, due to it's serendipitous origins and the Bell / Strieber reunion that was a long time coming. In-depth discussion of the infamous ET species called "The Greys" with Bell asking all the right questions and Strieber providing a wealth of insight from his years of experiences.
Bonus Points :For the strange chain of events that created the episode. Whitley was supposed to be merely a 1st hour pop-in, but got the full show slot after the originally scheduled Open Lines had been moved to Saturday night when the guest, Rick Strassman, was too ill to do the interview.
8.28.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Alexandra Robbins, Topic : The Overachievers
The Noor went back to school with the returning Alexandra Robbins, who was discussing her book The Overachievers. Detailing the trials and tribulations of a group of high school students who are driven to excel, no matter what the cost, Robbins continued her streak of strong C2C appearances.
Bonus Points :For Noory being forced to use the term "hottie" when describing one of the characters. ("Whatever happened to Taylor ... uh ... the one you call 'the hottie' ? ") Perhaps the most unintentionally hilarious line of the year on Coast.
8.31.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Pat Buchanan, Topic : Immigration
C2C goes mainstream, as former presidential candidate and political talking head Pat Buchanan joined the C2C guest list for '06. Despite widespread fears in C2C fandom that Buchanan would bring the show down to an awful level, he actually managed to bring this episode up to ultra high quality. He came on with an agenda of addressing immigration and never backed down, throwing facts, anecdotes, and observations out there left and right. Noory was, of course, in hog heaven, getting to interview an actually relevant political guest as opposed to the usual C2C loon.
Bonus Points :For Buchanan even showing up on Coast to Coast. He must really want to sell some books.
9.4.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Jeff Danalek, Topic : Ghosts and Reincarnation
Missed by binnall but nominated due to overwhelming buzz from C2C hardcore listeners.
Bonus Points :
9.5.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Richard Dolan, Topic : UFO's and Secrecy
A loose, but in-depth discussion on all things Ufology related with Dolan. They discussed the nature of secrecy, how the UFO secret hasn't necessarily been kept secret, only that whistleblowers are under-reported by the media. Noory bashed the disclosure folks, which was amusing and strange. Dolan was fair, as usual, and brought a strong "outsider" perspective to the UFO enigma that is sorely lacking nowadays. In short, an outstanding episode covering a wealth of UFO topics without a serious agenda being pushed.
Bonus Points :For Dolan laying the smackdown on SETI and Steven Greer, following the Greer / SETI fiasco that was still echoeing on C2C.
9.10.6 -- Host : Art Bell, Guest : Steven Greer, Topic : Disclosure
Great stuff from Greer, who seemed to focus on astronauts and UFOs and teased a lot of information regarding alleged astronaut UFO sightings. The usual stuff, with Greer speaking in clues, dropping names left and right, and teasing tantalizing information that probably only like 5 people can verify as true or not.
Bonus Points :For Art Bell and company tweaking the SETI folks, by bringing Greer on for a full episode so soon after the infamous stand-off in the Summer.
9.11.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : David Hawkins, Victor Thorn, Lisa Guliani, Alex Jones, Topic : 911 5th Anniversary Special
A veritable revolving door of 911 guests, as C2C decided this year to acknowledge the 5th anniversary of that infamous day. Nice range of guests talking about various reasons for 911, from insurance fraud, to Israeli involvement, to an Illuminati agenda. An excellent showcase of the "fair and balanced" nature of C2C, which even replayed an old Howard Bloom interview to give the "mainstream version" a voice as well.
Bonus Points :For the appearance of the Wing TV folks, who have thrown more than their fair share of bile at Noory and C2C, yet still got a shot at appearing on the show. (And, not surprisingly, didn't voice any of their usual C2C criticisms). Additional bonus points for the next segment, which featured an exhausted Alex Jones.
9.12.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Robert Schneck, Topic : Strange Stories
Great stories from Shneck with tons of detail, but always with an eye on the bottom line and never really sensationalizing anything. A fine alternative history / cryptozoology episode that could stand up with the best of the bunch so far this year on Coast. Highlights included a "vampire" pardoned by a president, some kind of pygmy controversy, witch trial stories, Spring Heel Jack type stories, Ouiji board tales, stuff about vanishings and tons more little gems.
Bonus Points :For the variety of ground covered by Schneck and the detail he brought to each story, which was considerable.
Subtitled by binnall as "Noory gets goth", this episode saw Noory tackle the growing "vampire subculture" that is enveloping wayward teenagers everywhere. Belanger brought a ton of information to the table, analyzing the sociological aspects, the different kinds of "vampires" (from hardcores to posers), and dealing a lot into the concept of psychic vampires, including even claiming she was a psychic vampire. Also, lots and lots of sex talk, which seemed to come up at random times, which was more uncomfortable than anything.
Bonus Points :For Noory trying to make Whitley Strieber into a vampire legend (due to some early influence in the vampire culture), and Belanger promptly shooting that down.
9.19.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : William J. Birnes, Topic : Ufology
Birnes was talking about Corso and was dishing a lot of interesting info regarding the infamous insider. Birnes's first hand perspective on the events of Corso's rise was excellent. Also excellent, was Birnes teasing information regarding disclosure and his "big picture" perspective on Ufology as a whole.
Bonus Points :For Noory and Birnes not hardselling "Worker in the Light", which was released that day, instead just plugging it in the first half hour and then moving on to Ufology talk.
9.24.6 -- Host : Art Bell, Guest : Jon Klimo, Topic : The Afterlife
Klimo had a lot of good material and both he and Art were smart enough to emphasize that it was channeled material, so they weren't trying to pass off some bad bill of goods on us. Klimo also discussed those who commit suicide and what happens to them when they cross over. For the morbid voyeurs in the audience, Art recounted his story of almost committing suicide, which was awkward, to say the least. Also, interesting discussion on the moral and kharmic differences between suicide and homicide. Strong episode on a number of levels.
Bonus Points :For Art's graphic recounting of his suicidal thoughts, which was riveting but uncomfortable.
9.20.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Philip Carlo, Topic : True Crime
Carlo is hardcore and has charisma by the boatload. He did sound kind of tired or worn out and his voice reminded me of Peter Lorre, but his stuff was still top notch. He pretty much ran the gamut of different serial killers and had a ton of info on them and what may make them tick. He also estimated that there are 500 serial killers on the loose in America today. Yikes.
Bonus Points :For Carlo's continual "calling out" of criminals listening in jail. He kept claiming they were listening and then he'd address them and insult them, including calling them "punks". Carlo is bad ass.
9.28.6 -- Host : George Noory, Guest : Graham Hancock, Topic : DMT
A fantastic show. Hancock discussed fairies and what I would call the fairy realm. He tied that and other ancient folklore in with ufos and alien abduction. (Recap highlights courtesy of Lesley's C2C Rewind)
Bonus Points :For Hancock debating the merits of pot with a caller.
