Kristian Day

Des Moines Forgotten 7/1/2026 Gary Monte at the KFMG studio. In the late 1990s, I discovered the late-night talk show “Coast to Coast,” hosted by Art Bell. It was more personal than watching television because it felt like it was just me and the host. He was filling me in on what was going on around the country in the world of paranormal and extraterrestrial life on this planet.

Blazing Saddle patrons raise a pitcher. — archive photo courtesy of Kristian Day, via Blazing Saddle The Blazing Saddle is open 365 days a year, but a Thursday afternoon at the bar is very different from a Friday or Saturday night. The doors open at 2 p.m., and the bar quickly fills with men, most at retirement age or approaching it. They’ll drink a few beers, or a cup of coffee, and watch the news. At 3 p.m., Jeopardy! comes on, and it is nearly a contact sport.

Des Moines Forgotten 6/3/2026 Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry at the Country Cove in 1979. Mongo would eventually open up The Blazing Saddle in 1983 and owns it to this day with Bryan “Stinky” Smith. Photo by Gary Moore Exactly two years ago, I was eagerly waiting for the premiere of “The Last American Gay Bar” at the Varsity Cinema here in Des Moines.