Discovering Area 51
| Date: | 03-22-09 |
| Host: | George Knapp |
| Guests: | John Lear, Gene Huff |
Aviator John Lear and screenwriter Gene Huff joined George Knapp to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Area 51 mystery. The duo discussed their role, alongside Bob Lazar, in bringing the Area 51 story to the world. "It sounds a lot more convenient than it was. It was a lot of synchronicities, a lot of sheer coincidences that made things turn out the way they did," Huff said about the series of events that brought them together two decades ago.
They reminisced about their initial visits to the outskirts of Area 51, sharing a number of details surrounding the events. Huff revealed that their first expedition to the area was primarily motivated by Lazar's desire to impress his wife and that "we were excess baggage. I was just happy to be in on it and I'm sure John was too." Lear recounted watching a flying disc on his telescope that night and laughed about the series of events which prevented Huff from having the same view. "As I stepped back, I hooked my foot around the tripod, and moved the telescope. And, of course, Gene's never forgiven me," Lear joked.
Having known Bob Lazar before he became infamous for his involvement in Area 51, the pair speculated on a number of theories that have surrounded his story over the last twenty years. Regarding skeptics' claims that Lazar was unqualified for the job at Area 51, Lear theorized that perhaps stellar credentials weren't necessarily the primary factor behind his employment, rather "it was who they could probably discredit the easiest, if he said anything about it." Huff was skeptical of the idea that Lazar was a disinformation agent working for the government, saying "he would be the worst guy in the world to make up a lie and try and perpetuate a lie. He's too busy being productive doing other things."
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Area 51 wasn't the only installation that the government has tried to keep secret from enemy nations. During World War II, the Army cloaked the Lockheed aircraft plant in Burbank, California with an elaborate camouflage to protect it from potential Japanese air attacks. Check out this gallery showcasing a before and after look at the subterfuge.
Bumper Music
Bumper music from Sunday March 22, 2009
- Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder
- I Can't Drive 55
Sammy Hagar
- Mystery Dance
Elvis Costello
- Bad is Bad
Huey Lewis and The News
- Trouble Man
Marvin Gaye
- I Know a Little
Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Political Science
Randy Newman
- The Ballad of John and Yoko
John Lennon
- Walk Like an Egyptian
Bangles
- It Came Out of the Sky
Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Third Rock from the Sun
Joe Diffie
- Magic Carpet Ride
Steppennwolf
- Rocket Man
Elton John
- Right Now
Van Halen
- Alien
Atlanta Rhythm Section
- Inca Dance
Cusco


