George Knapp was joined for the full program by documentary filmmaker Jeremy Corbell to discuss the history of the famous UFO videos released by the US Navy. Corbell stated that "this is an unprecedented time," and "people are accepting the idea that there appears to be real substance to this UFO mystery." Both George and the guest expressed disappointment with the reaction of some of the UFO research community and the seeming legions of naysayers and those engaged in so-called "Twitter wars" but, Corbell said, even those people "have contributed to the conversation."
The three clips that have been released to the public in the last two years are known as the "Go Fast," "Gimbal," and "Tic-Tac" videos. Corbell took the debunkers of the clips to task for "moving the goalposts" in discussions about their authenticity, meaning if they cannot answer one aspect of the video evidence, they will often change the scope and focus of their argument to another tack. Of the "Go Fast" incident, he said that both the temperature of the tracked object as well as its movement (averaging 240 miles per hour) is not possible for birds, which is one of the arguments of skeptics. Corbell played audio of his interview with Lieutenant Chad Underwood. This Navy pilot actually filmed the "Tic-Tac" video, and said that the movements it displayed "would rip the wings right off" of any conventional aircraft, and added that it was "something I just can't describe from a physics-based perspective."
Halfway through the program, reporter Matthew Phelan called in to describe his in-depth research into the videos. Phelan has been investigating the technical aspects of the case, interviewing pilots like Underwood as well as representatives from the company that made the infrared cameras that were used to record them. He said that he was "thrilled that the New York Times gave the imprimatur of respectability" to the subject so that he (and other journalists) could request editors to cover it. He explained many of the intricate technical details of the camera system and how skeptics have tried to explain the seemingly quick movements of the objects as features or limitations of the technology. He lamented that many of them tend to deal in "pure speculation," rather than addressing the practical features of the case.
Corbell also discussed his documentary and involvement with the Skinwalker Ranch mystery. George pointed out that it was almost exactly 14 years ago that millionaire Robert Bigelow visited the property in order to purchase it as a research location because of the strange incidents that had been reported there for many years. Corbell said that he has been able to speak to a local law enforcement officer who responded to incidents there before Bigelow became involved, which he said shows a pattern of strangeness from an earlier era. Corbell concluded that whatever is present on the ranch is something that "is an intelligence that is aware of our interest." He also mentioned a raid by federal agents conducted against Robert Lazar (of Area 51 fame) that was apparently the result of the authorities eavesdropping on a supposedly private conversation they had. Corbell noted it was "the first time I ever felt invaded in my personal privacy like that."
Knapp's News 8/16/20
George Knapp shared a number of recent news items of interest, including information on the biological effects of UFO encounters, and an interview with a former Area 51 employee.