Richard Metzger
Encyclopedia
Richard Metzger is a television host and author. He was the host of the TV show Disinformation (United Kingdom Channel 4
, 2000-01), The Disinformation Company and its website, Disinfo.com. He is currently the host of the online talk show Dangerous Minds.
series, Metzger hosted a talk show
, The Infinity Factory, broadcast on Manhattan public-access television
cable TV and distributed inline through Pseudo.com
. It was similar in tone and appeal to Art Bell
and George Noory
's paranormal Coast to Coast AM
radio show, on which Metzger had also been a guest. Many of the interview subjects on this show would go on to be features in the Channel 4
series.
Metzger was the host of the TV show Disinformation, which aired for two seasons (2000 and 2001) on Channel 4
in the UK
as part of their late night "4Later" programming block.
According to interviews, Metzger was told just twelve days prior to the first specials' air-date that he would have to cut 50% of the material from the show in order to pass the USA Network
's corporate lawyers' scrutiny. Those four shows have subsequently been released on a DVD with a second bonus disc presenting highlights of The DisinfoCon, a 12 hour event featuring shock rocker Marilyn Manson
, underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger
, painter Joe Coleman
, Douglas Rushkoff
, Mark Pesce
, Grant Morrison
, Robert Anton Wilson
, and others.
Metzger created the Disinformation website in 1996,Strausbaugh, John (30 July 2002). Richard Metzger's Disinformation, New York Press
, Retrieved December 8, 2010 and infamously was able to regain control of the intellectual property rights and a $1.2 million dollar investment by the site's original backer, cable giant TCI (now AT&T Broadband
) when TCI CEO John Malone demanded funds be cut off when news of Metzger's "anarchist bullshit" reached him. In 1997 he co-founded The Disinformation Company, which joined with Avenue A/Razorfish
, and became part of the RSUB Network until 2001.
, Joe Coleman
, Paul Laffoley
, Grant Morrison
, Duncan Laurie, Peter Russell
, Kembra Pfahler
, Genesis P-Orridge
and Howard Bloom
. "Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide To Magick & The Occult" (2004) is an anthology of occult essays.
According to a footnote in Disinformation: The Interviews, Metzger is the uncredited male-voice interviewing Japanese pop singer Maki Nomiya
of Pizzicato 5 on their song "This Year's Girl #2" (Matador Records EP CD: "5 x 5"). Metzger has also directed and produced several music videos in the 1980s for such New York "underground" luminaries as Bongwater
(6 October 2008). Guestblogger: Richard Metzger, Boing Boing
, Retrieved December 8,2010 (their animated "Power of Pussy"), John Sex
and others.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, 2000-01), The Disinformation Company and its website, Disinfo.com. He is currently the host of the online talk show Dangerous Minds.
Career
For several years prior to the Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
series, Metzger hosted a talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
, The Infinity Factory, broadcast on Manhattan public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV and distributed inline through Pseudo.com
Pseudo.com
Pseudo.com was a website for live audio and video webcasting. Founded in late 1993, its parent company Pseudo Programs Inc. filed for bankruptcy following the end of the Dot Com Bubble in 2000. Its assets were purchased by INTV in 2001...
. It was similar in tone and appeal to Art Bell
Art Bell
Arthur W. "Art" Bell, III is an American broadcaster and author, known primarily as one of the founders and the original host of the paranormal-themed radio program Coast to Coast AM. He also created and formerly hosted its companion show, Dreamland...
and George Noory
George Noory
George Ralph Noory is a Lebanese-American radio talk show host.As of 2010, he is the weekday host of the late-night radio talk show Coast to Coast AM. He is heard across the United States and Canada on many AM and FM stations as well as on XM Satellite Radio. His show is one of the most listened...
's paranormal Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
radio show, on which Metzger had also been a guest. Many of the interview subjects on this show would go on to be features in the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
series.
Metzger was the host of the TV show Disinformation, which aired for two seasons (2000 and 2001) on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as part of their late night "4Later" programming block.
According to interviews, Metzger was told just twelve days prior to the first specials' air-date that he would have to cut 50% of the material from the show in order to pass the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
's corporate lawyers' scrutiny. Those four shows have subsequently been released on a DVD with a second bonus disc presenting highlights of The DisinfoCon, a 12 hour event featuring shock rocker Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (person)
Marilyn Manson is an American musician, artist and former music journalist known for his controversial stage persona and image as the lead singer of the eponymous band Marilyn Manson...
, underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger is an American underground experimental filmmaker, occasional actor and author...
, painter Joe Coleman
Joe Coleman (painter)
Joe Coleman is an American painter, illustrator and performance artist.-Biography:He was born Joseph Coleman, Jr. in Norwalk, Connecticut to a World War II-veteran father and the daughter of a professional prizefighter.-Work:...
, Douglas Rushkoff
Douglas Rushkoff
Douglas Rushkoff is an American media theorist, writer, columnist, lecturer, graphic novelist and documentarian. He is best known for his association with the early cyberpunk culture, and his advocacy of open source solutions to social problems.Rushkoff is most frequently regarded as a media...
, Mark Pesce
Mark Pesce
- Biography :September 1980, Pesce attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology , for a Bachelor of Science degree, but left in June 1982 to pursue opportunities in the newly emerging high-technology industry. He worked as an Engineer for the next few years, developing prototype firmware and...
, Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson , known to friends as "Bob", was an American author and polymath who became at various times a novelist, philosopher, psychologist, essayist, editor, playwright, poet, futurist, civil libertarian and self-described agnostic mystic...
, and others.
Metzger created the Disinformation website in 1996,Strausbaugh, John (30 July 2002). Richard Metzger's Disinformation, New York Press
New York Press
New York Press was a free alternative weekly in New York City, that was published from 1988 to 2011. During its lifetime, it was the main competitor to the Village Voice...
, Retrieved December 8, 2010 and infamously was able to regain control of the intellectual property rights and a $1.2 million dollar investment by the site's original backer, cable giant TCI (now AT&T Broadband
AT&T Broadband
AT&T Broadband was the name of AT&T's cable operations, which were composed of the assets of TCI and MediaOne, Prime Cable, as well as two Comcast cable systems AT&T acquired later in a system swap. Formed in 1999, AT&T Broadband was the largest provider of cable television services...
) when TCI CEO John Malone demanded funds be cut off when news of Metzger's "anarchist bullshit" reached him. In 1997 he co-founded The Disinformation Company, which joined with Avenue A/Razorfish
Avenue A/Razorfish
Razorfish Inc. is one of the world's largest interactive agencies. Razorfish provides services including digital advertising and content creation, media buying, strategic counsel, analytics, technology and user experience...
, and became part of the RSUB Network until 2001.
Books
He is the author of two books. Disinformation: The Interviews (2002) features unedited interviews with several of the characters and thinkers who were guests on the series such as Douglas RushkoffDouglas Rushkoff
Douglas Rushkoff is an American media theorist, writer, columnist, lecturer, graphic novelist and documentarian. He is best known for his association with the early cyberpunk culture, and his advocacy of open source solutions to social problems.Rushkoff is most frequently regarded as a media...
, Joe Coleman
Joe Coleman (painter)
Joe Coleman is an American painter, illustrator and performance artist.-Biography:He was born Joseph Coleman, Jr. in Norwalk, Connecticut to a World War II-veteran father and the daughter of a professional prizefighter.-Work:...
, Paul Laffoley
Paul Laffoley
Paul Laffoley is a U.S. artist and architect. As an architect working for Emery Roth & Sons, Laffoley worked for 18 months on design for the World Trade Center Tower II. As a painter, his work is usually classified as visionary art or outsider art...
, Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, Duncan Laurie, Peter Russell
Peter Russell
Peter Russell M.A., D.C.S. is a British author of ten books and producer of three films on consciousness, spiritual awakening and their role in the future development of humanity. He has designed and taught personal development programs for businesses, and has remained a popular public...
, Kembra Pfahler
Kembra Pfahler
Kembra Pfahler is an American performance artist, rock musician and actress. As a performance artist she has been recognized on every "Top 10 List" published during the past quarter century. Her graphic depictions of the horror, repetition, degradation, and have been recognized as insightfully...
, Genesis P-Orridge
Genesis P-Orridge
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge is an English singer-songwriter, musician, writer and artist. P-Orridge's early confrontational performance work in COUM Transmissions in the late 1960s and early 1970s along with the industrial band Throbbing Gristle, which dealt with subjects such as prostitution,...
and Howard Bloom
Howard Bloom
Howard Bloom is an American author. He was a publicist in the 1970s and 1980s for singers and bands such as Prince, Billy Joel, and Styx. In 1988 he became disabled with chronic fatigue syndrome...
. "Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide To Magick & The Occult" (2004) is an anthology of occult essays.
According to a footnote in Disinformation: The Interviews, Metzger is the uncredited male-voice interviewing Japanese pop singer Maki Nomiya
Maki Nomiya
is a Japanese singer and musician. She released her first solo album in 1981, and worked through the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the New Wave band Portable Rock. In 1991 she became the lead singer of the band Pizzicato Five. When the group disbanded in 2001 she embarked on a solo career...
of Pizzicato 5 on their song "This Year's Girl #2" (Matador Records EP CD: "5 x 5"). Metzger has also directed and produced several music videos in the 1980s for such New York "underground" luminaries as Bongwater
Bongwater (band)
Bongwater was a psych rock band formed in 1985 and dissolved in 1992. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer , who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III...
(6 October 2008). Guestblogger: Richard Metzger, Boing Boing
Boing Boing
Boing Boing is a publishing entity, first established as a magazine, later becoming a group blog.-History:...
, Retrieved December 8,2010 (their animated "Power of Pussy"), John Sex
John Sex
John McLaughlin , better known as "John Sex" was a cabaret singer and performance artist in New York City from the late 1970s until his death.-Early life:...
and others.