Radio Talk Show Host Bell to Retire

[Guest MrRant]

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Radio talk show host Art Bell, whose overnight talk of UFO sightings and conspiracy theories made him famous, has announced his retirement.

 

Bell, 57, said on Wednesday night's show that he'll retire because of ongoing back problems.

 

Regular guest host George Noory will replace Bell on Jan. 1. Barbara Simpson will host on weekends.

 

"Coast to Coast AM" will continue its current broadcast schedule until Dec. 31. Bell hosts three nights a week, Noory hosts three nights and Simpson one night.

 

Bell, who broadcasts from his home studio in Pahrump, 60 miles west of Las Vegas, plans to be an occasional guest host for Noory.

 

"Coast to Coast AM" airs on 525 stations nationwide over the Premiere Radio Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications. The show deals with arcane mysteries, alien abductions and all things unexplained.

 

Bell, who created the show in 1993, had resigned in April 2000 because of ongoing torment he said his family had suffered since his son was kidnapped and raped in 1997 by a substitute teacher. He also said he left because he was falsely accused of being a child molester.

 

The teacher, Brian Lepley, 37, was convicted and sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison for the assault.

 

Bell returned to the air in February 2001, saying his family and legal issues had been resolved.

 

I always enjoyed his broadcasts when I was up late enough to listen.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

The teacher only got 10 to 25 years and he raped and kidnapped someone? What a fucking joke.

 

Whenever I listened Art Bell never seemed the same since he left the air back in 2000.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

Too bad for Art, I thought he was getting better. At least the show will be around still and George Noory is just as good if not better than Art. Noory can make ANYTHING sound spooky.

[Guest The Czech Republic]

I liked Dreamland, the weekend version. They were always interviewing Wiccans and vampires and stuff.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

This is a sad day for Bigfoot, aliens, Shadow People, and Government Conspiracy Theorists everywhere.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Never cared for the show, but it was a shame what happened to his son...

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

Who was the host that filled in while Bell was taking his hiatus?