News/Talk/Sports October 25, 2002 R &R 17

Continued from Previous Page R&R: What has been the biggest I'm a dinosaur, I know, but I factor in your finally coming to this wouldn't know how to do it any George Noory overnights at KDWN /Las Vegas. decision? other way. My doctor has told me Continued from Previous Page That's where I began exploring the AB: Most of all, it is because it's clearly that I cannot continue to sit kinds of esoteric subjects and top- not fair to listeners for me to be all those hours every day. He told Exec. Producer of Coast to Coast] Alan Corbeth. In April of 2001 Alan ics that we do today. Even though gone so much. I've lost some time me I was crazy if I thought I could gave me my first opportunity to fill in, and I have been the regular sub- the injury continued to flare up a on the air because of this for sever- still do it. stitute for Art ever since. couple of times a year and twist me al years, but it has been especially R &R: The last time you left the R &R: Art Bell retired once before and came back. Does that worry like a pretzel, I would simply deal bad over this past year. I'm very show, things did not go very well you? with it for several days or a week cognizant that I am disappointing under a new host. What makes you GN: In every broadcast position I have ever been in, I have given year to work and then snap back and go back to my listeners, and I'm tired of doing confident that George Noory is the 110% of my energy. I've had an opportunity over the past with Art on this program, and I feel that I have been pretty work. that. right guy to take your place? directly well accepted not only by him, but also by the listeners, affiliates and But my doctor kept telling me I feel awful about it, but this is a AB: There have been a lot of advertisers. The response I have received has been overwhelmingly that, over time, my condition was choice I have to make for my life people who have come and gone positive and supportive. likely to get progressively worse. It beyond the radio show. If I don't over the years as fill -in hosts, The pacing, the sound and the style - everything Art has devel- has, in fact, gotten much worse. It have to sit for hours every day to do weekend hosts, etc. Of all of them, oped for the show - will stay the same. I feel very comfortable not has now reached a point where I am the show, then I can, perhaps, begin George is truly the only one whom only with the format, but also with the subject matter of Coast to Coast. no longer able to sit or stand for the to apply some slow exercise and I can honestly say gets it. He un- The fact that Art himself has expressed how comfortable he is with is four hours a night that are required physical therapy to try to improve derstands what this show all what I do on the show is, to me, the biggest and best endorsement I to do my show. The pain is so se- things and avoid an operation. But about. could ever have. vere that it curls me up in such a if I have to do the show night after It's easy to find someone who R &R: How will the show be the same with you behind the micro- way that I now walk with my body night, there is no way I can do that. has a passion to do a talk show, but phone, and how will it be different? at about a 30- or 40- degree angle. it's not easy to find someone who GN: It will be the same because I am not going to change it. I will R &R: Is there a surgical solu- has a passion for the kind of mate- be me, but within the same Coast to Coast program and subject mat- tion? rial I do. I can tell you without hes- ter that fans have come to know and love. What will be different, I in. I this country our world as AB: Yes, but I'm not crazy about itation that George Noory has that think, is the world that we live see and being headed into a very difficult time in history. the odds for success. My doctors - - passion. In fact, as further proof of "Ironically, what brought People are concerned about not only their own lives, but also things and I have been to some of the best my confidence in George, I will like end times, whether we're going to be hit by an asteroid and other doctors there are for this have me back to radio is what continue to air Coast to Coast on - topics that Coast to Coast has addressed. I want to be right there on told me that there is, at best, a 50/50 my own station here in Parumph, is now forcing me to the air during what I think are going to be unusual moments of crisis success. Success means a NV, KNYE -FM. chance of that will occur in the months and years ahead. I So, is really reduction of the severe pain have, leave it." R &R: this goodbye? R &R: How are you feeling on the eve of replacing a Talk radio but my mobility would be signifi- Will we never hear Art Bell on the icon? cantly decreased. On the failure air again? GN: I feel like the coach has asked me to pinch hit for Babe Ruth, side, it ranges from ending up being AB: I'm not going to tell you and I'm Mickey Mantle. When it's time for me to step up to the plate, worse off than I am today - it's that. That is what I said once, al- I'm going to do the best that I can, utilizing the abilities I have devel- hard to imagine what that pain R&R: What about outfitting the though, as you know, the last time oped over my entire career. I'm going to be me, doing a program that would be like - to becoming total- studio to do the show lying down? I retired it was for very different the best talk show host in the world developed, but I am confident ly crippled and having no feeling in AB: We talked about that. The reasons. Hey, if George needs a and secure in my own talent and abilities and with who 1 am. I would my lower body. people at Premiere have been great fill -in now and then - or maybe ask only that people listen and judge for themselves, because I'm con- That's a very serious decision to and have offered to do whatever I'd like to come on and do some- fident they will like what they hear. make, and it's a hell of a terrible was necessary. But I just can't do thing special - I would say you position to be in. So, while I will not the show that way. When you are will hear me again on Premiere rule out an operation eventually, the lying down, your voice doesn't Radio Networks. odds being what they are, I have project right and you don't sound In terms of being lashed to a com- TALK BACK TO R &R! decided that I'm not going to take right or have the right kind of ener- mitment of four hours a day, five I absolutely have to. gy. When you do a show like this, days a week, however, I can't do that that step until Do you have questions, comments or feedback regarding this I without and attention anymore, at least in the foreseeable If reach the point where, you have to sit up pay column or other issues? the operation, I am faced with not and be really involved in what you future. But if there is anything I have or e-mail: being able to walk, I'll go under the are doing. learned from all that has happened in Call me at 858 -486 -7559, fax: 858 -486 -7232 knife, but I want to exhaust all oth- I do everything - I run my own the past few years - probably the apeterson @radioandrecords.com er possible options before I take that commercials and my own bumper hard way - it's that you should nev- route. music, and I take my own calls. er say never.

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