You're using Art Bell as a source of entertainment and not as a source of information. Though I would listen attentively if he is discussing how to get some Lemurs from the old country
Actually, in the early days, it was a fairly mixed up pot of credible vs. crackpot. He'd get legit physicists to come on and explain the science behind things like wormhole theory and time travel, and sometimes even more everyday things. George Carlin was also a guest a couple of times, and while we educated people don't take it seriously, he's had a parade of various priests come on to explain the more interesting facets of their respective religion.
The show didn't go 100% completely off the wall till probably the late 90s, at which point you could expect insane crap just about every night. And apparently before he did Coast to Coast, he did a legit political talk radio thing for like a decade.
But, eh, I can devote an entire thread to Art. I think the show is an educational experience. Even the crackpots, I try to piece together how they've come to think what they think, and believe me, after a long time studying this shit, it's pretty easy to tell the "legit" crackpots from the people calling in just to joke.
But yes, it started out as a source of entertainment before I just got plain fascinated by the (I hate to use this word but I am watching Arrested Development and lol brain fart) "psychology" behind the crackpots.