Let’s go back to September 2013. Art Bell starts a new show on SiriusXM called Dark Matter. It’s okay. It’s cool. But six weeks later, right after the Halloween “Spooky Matter” show, it’s all over. Sometimes when you go all in, you lose, or something like that.
The end.
I was pretty miffed when that happened. I didn’t think the show was doing that badly. The audience was smaller, sure, and there could have been more guests talking about things we hadn’t heard before. But six weeks? That’s hardly enough time to settle in, let the show build some character of its own. And then there were the streaming issues…
But I guess that’s just the past. I’m late to the party on this one, but word on the street is that Art Bell intends to return, in some manner, this July on the Dark Matter Radio Network. “Art is planning to return to broadcasting on the Internet when his non-compete clause with SiriusXM expires in July 2015,” reads his official website, and despite some apparent drama back in November, things appear optimistic:
Well, we’ll see how that goes. Just thought it was worth a mention.
In fact, can I tell you a secret?
Stranger Dimensions was originally, back when I was first poking at the idea in late 2010, going to be a podcast inspired by Coast to Coast AM (well, a parody, if I’m going to be honest). I chose the name Stranger Dimensions because I wanted something that was generically paranormal, and “dimensions” is (or at least was) one of those buzzwords you’d always hear when talking about spacey paranormal experiences.
I obviously didn’t go through with that idea (who knows; maybe some day I will), but my point is that Stranger Dimensions is intrinsically linked to the original Coast to Coast AM and Art Bell. It would not exist without them.
So will I listen to Art Bell if and when he returns? I guess the better question is: Why not? There’s nothing to lose and the ride is free…
Update 7/12/2015: Check out my latest post for all the details on Art Bell’s new show.
Update 3/20/2015: Art Bell’s Dark Matter has been renamed to Midnight in the Desert.
Update 1/31/2015: Art Bell has officially announced that he will return this July with his show, Dark Matter, on the Dark Matter Radio Network. Five nights a week, 9PM to 12AM PST, free for all. Read the official announcement at ArtBell.com.
