Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael Ep. 69: Pop Culture Esoterica from Paranormal TV Shows to Pro Wrestling w/ Coast to Coast AM's Tim Binnall
And now for something completely different! On this edition of Parallax Views, Coast to Coast AM news editor Tim Binnall, "The Sublime Scoundrel of the Paranormal", joins us to discuss all things esoteric (ie: fringe, weird, off-the-beaten path) in pop culture including paranormal TV shows, History Channel's Project Blue Book UFO drama, conspiracy theories going mainstream, the Momo Challenge, and even pro wrestling! Did that last one throw you for a loop? Listen to this episode to find out why we talk pro wrestling!
I myself am a skeptic, but thought Tim was worth having on the show because of the impact that the paranormal, conspiracy theories, UFO folklore, and related topics have had on pop culture.
The conversation begins with Tim describing how he got interested in the paranormal, UFO subcultures, and other fringe topics in the early 00's after 9/11, Tim cites Jim Marrs' Alien Agenda and Rule by Secrecy as early inspirations for his foray into esoterica before becoming a fan of Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell and George Noory. Additionally Tim tells listeners about how he became one of the early adopters of podcasting (before it was even called that!) with Binnall of America: Audio,
From there Tim fills us in on how he ended up working for Coast to Coast AM after being a fan for years. We dive into the popularity of Coast to Coast AM. What turned C2C AM into a late night radio sensation and made Art Bell a household name? And what are some of Tim's favorite Coast to Coast AM moments?
Stanton T. Friedman, "The Man Who Put Roswell on the Map"
Then Tim tells us about his relationship with nuclear physicist and UFOlogist Stanton T. Friedman. Friedman appears annually on Tim's Binnall of America: Audio's holiday special and is, perhaps, the most recognizable face in UFO lore due to his countless radio and TV appearances as well as lectures at colleges across the country. Tim goes onto explain how Freidman is the reason that Roswell became a part of the popular consciousness. And, of course, Tim explains how Friedman became an annual holiday guest on Binnall of America: Audio.
Then we delve into why Tim chose to describe Binnall of America as an exploration of the "esoteric" rather than the paranormal. We discuss some of Tim's favorite interviews from his BoA: Audio tenure including his show covering Rumspringa, in which Amish youths are allowed to leave the Amish community and decide for themselves if they want to return, and the uncredited inventor of television Philo T. Farnsworth. In addition, Tim tells us how he came to speak with Kendall Carver of International Cruise Victims about the scandalous side of the cruise-line industry.
We then move onto the topic of UFOs, which Binnall of America has covered extensively. Tim tells listeners about the Disclosure Movement and Exopolitics, both of which seek to push politicians to "reveal the truth" about UFOs, and how he became disillusioned with Ufology. Tim tells us what he thinks drives belief in UFOs and the problem of what he calls being "UFO famous", or becoming a "celebrity" within the UFO subculture. We discuss how this creates a problem of grifters within the subculture. In addition Tim gives his take on the UFO phenomena as a whole and whether there are explanations other than the "Extraterrestrial Hypothesis".
Tim and I then discuss how the paranormal became popular in pop culture. Tim says that he started noticing the topic rising in popularity, specifically on television, with the show Ghost Hunters. We discuss some of the popular TV shows that deal with esoterica such as The Curse of Oak Island and Project Blue Book. Tim explains how some people who interested in the topics dislike said shows and Tim gives his take on the matter. Additionally we discuss how the paranormal has influenced other pop culture artifacts such as creepypasta genre with Slenderman and, more recently, the meme of the Momo Challenge that cause a minor parental hysteria in the past month.
The Momo Challenge caused a parental panic earlier this month
We then move onto the topic of conspiracy theories. Tim tells listeners about how he witnessed the birth of the "9/11 Truth" movement and watched its evolution over the years. Tim voices his dissatisfaction with conspiracy theories and notes how are culture is now overflowing with them on both sides of the political spectrum in the social media age. We also discuss the popularity of Pizzagate and QAnon as well as its predecessors like Project Monarch and how there's a creepily prurient aspect to such conspiracy theories' obsessed with the subject of child trafficking. Additionally, Tim gives his critical take on "false flags" theories, especially those which claim that mass shooting are "hoaxes" with "crisis actors, and how death hoax theories went from seemingly fun things like "Elvis is Alive!" to the more insidious "Sandy Hook was Faked!" conspiracy theory. Additionally, Tim gives his take on what drives people to conspiracy theories like the moon landing hoax and flat earth expressing an interest in understanding conspiracy theory as a social phenomenon. To cap off the conspiracy segment of are conversation we discuss the Denver Airport Illuminati conspiracy theory and how the airport has jokingly embraced said conspiracy theories with an art installation involving a Gargoyle.
THE DENVER AIRPORT'S CONSPIRACY-LOVING GARGOYLE WHICH TIM BINNALL WROTE ABOUT FOR COAST TO COAST AM
And finally, we wrap up with the topic of pro wrestling! Tim explains why he feels that pro wrestling fits into "esoterica" as much as the paranormal, conspiracy theories, and UFOs do. We discuss how the "Is This Real or Fake?" hall-of-mirrors world of pro wrestling is akin to other esoteric topics. In this regard we discuss the infamous "Montreal Screwjob", which saw Vince McMahon screw over WWE Champion Bret Hart in a non-scripted incident on Pay-Per-View, and why the conspiracy theories surrounding the screwjob don't hold up to scrutiny. We also discuss where pro wrestling is at today, the fandom around WrestleMania, and the rise of women's wrestling.