I will miss the circus if there are literally none left. I have seen the occasional regional, one ring traveling circus come through town, though not for a few years. The Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey, 3-ring circus was something special to see. The kind of experience every child should have once. Like the Harlem Globetrotters.
I am going to speak up for clown. I always loved them. Maybe I got to see really good ones. But they always made laugh. I have no memory of being afraid of them ever.
Funny how the sideshows (aka “freak shows”) weren’t enough to finish off the circuses, but a few elephants get mistreated and it’s “take down the tents and sell the cages”. (Yes, animal abuse is bad, but I prefer to believe that those were the exception, not the rule, and that genuinely “modern” circuses treated their performers, human and otherwise, with respect.)
The last show was being streamed LIVE last night and, having not been to the circus in decades, I decided to watch. After two hours, I was bored to tears, although the big cats were fun to watch. Everything else was so “meh”. I guess it is time for retirement. It’s a different world now. This wouldn’t interest most kids today.
I’ve long wondered if fear of clowns might stem from those jack-in-the-box toys. Set a pretty colored box in front of a very small child and turn a crank, playing a funny little tune. Suddenly a brightly colored, not quite human-looking face jumps out at the kid and scares the bejeebers out of her. Scarred for life. <8-O
I am a professional clown. I bring joy and smiles to all I meet. I feel sorry for those who only have bad memories of clowns or feel the need to put them down. Perhaps one day you will have the privilege of meeting or seeing a true clown and smile.
I think I’ve seen elephants in a zoo, but I have seen them in the circus several times. I figure that future kids will not get to see them except on tv/internet. Is that really better?
Have they tried to have circuses without elephants and lions? Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple circus don’t have them, and personally, I find the human acts – acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists – far more interesting. And while they may attract some customers, they also repel some customers, and it must cost an enormous amount of money to travel with elephants, tigers, and lions.
Big Apple Circus does use some animals. They have these dog acrobats. One thing that makes it great is that it’s obvious that the dogs are having a blast.
I just saw a show called “Circus 1903” (which was really good). Instead of an elephant, they have this giant puppet elephant that had to be seen to be believed.
I once followed the circus for a week just to hang out with the elephants. I was a farm boy, and big animals are fascinating. To watch the big fellows standing, shoulder to shoulder, rocking gently back and forth in rhythm….and then nodding off myself in a sleeping bag. Comforting. For years in my dreams I had an elephant, very powerful. Scary, too.I did marvelous things in my misspent youth. Didn’t we all?
Clowns were use distract the audience’s attention from any mishap on disaster that may have happened, hence the phrase, “Send in the clowns.” The band would also immediately start playing the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Long ago when I was a reporter for a community newspaper, I did a feature on a circus that came to town. Then they made me up as a clown and put me in the show. It was a blast.
Ooo…so many comments on fear/hatred/scarring caused by clowns. Dare I mention that I am bemused by the fact that most of the clowns you meet are Shriners…?
I think Pig may be on to something today. It has certainly become Fashionable in some circles to bash and mistreat clowns as though it were okay to do so.
BE THIS GUY over 7 years ago
I always thought clowns were extraterrestrial aliens sent here to traumatize little children.
Sherlock Watson over 7 years ago
I’ve only ever seen one evil clown, and he’s currently occupying the White House.
Packratjohn Premium Member over 7 years ago
Watch “Killer Clowns from Outer Space”, then come back and comment…
Gent over 7 years ago
They’re also creepy…
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 7 years ago
I will miss the circus if there are literally none left. I have seen the occasional regional, one ring traveling circus come through town, though not for a few years. The Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey, 3-ring circus was something special to see. The kind of experience every child should have once. Like the Harlem Globetrotters.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 7 years ago
I am going to speak up for clown. I always loved them. Maybe I got to see really good ones. But they always made laugh. I have no memory of being afraid of them ever.
HeckleMeElmo over 7 years ago
He’s just jealous that they get more attention for hamming it up.
dadoctah over 7 years ago
Funny how the sideshows (aka “freak shows”) weren’t enough to finish off the circuses, but a few elephants get mistreated and it’s “take down the tents and sell the cages”. (Yes, animal abuse is bad, but I prefer to believe that those were the exception, not the rule, and that genuinely “modern” circuses treated their performers, human and otherwise, with respect.)
dlkrueger33 over 7 years ago
The last show was being streamed LIVE last night and, having not been to the circus in decades, I decided to watch. After two hours, I was bored to tears, although the big cats were fun to watch. Everything else was so “meh”. I guess it is time for retirement. It’s a different world now. This wouldn’t interest most kids today.
carlosrivers over 7 years ago
if you like Killer Klowns, you should watch “stitches”. it’s a great killer clown movie…
llhack over 7 years ago
When I was growing up, I always heard people saying to lock your doors because the circus was coming to town.
Brass Orchid Premium Member over 7 years ago
I knew a clown once.
But he wasn’t one of those John Wayne Gacy clowns.
An unusual enough fellow, though.
Of course, one must consider the company.
ACK! Premium Member over 7 years ago
I’ve long wondered if fear of clowns might stem from those jack-in-the-box toys. Set a pretty colored box in front of a very small child and turn a crank, playing a funny little tune. Suddenly a brightly colored, not quite human-looking face jumps out at the kid and scares the bejeebers out of her. Scarred for life. <8-O
Carl Rennhack Premium Member over 7 years ago
“Send in the clowns”…Don’t bother, Steph and his crew are here!
JerrysLover Premium Member over 7 years ago
I am a professional clown. I bring joy and smiles to all I meet. I feel sorry for those who only have bad memories of clowns or feel the need to put them down. Perhaps one day you will have the privilege of meeting or seeing a true clown and smile.
Qiset over 7 years ago
I think I’ve seen elephants in a zoo, but I have seen them in the circus several times. I figure that future kids will not get to see them except on tv/internet. Is that really better?
Ignatz Premium Member over 7 years ago
Have they tried to have circuses without elephants and lions? Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple circus don’t have them, and personally, I find the human acts – acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists – far more interesting. And while they may attract some customers, they also repel some customers, and it must cost an enormous amount of money to travel with elephants, tigers, and lions.
Big Apple Circus does use some animals. They have these dog acrobats. One thing that makes it great is that it’s obvious that the dogs are having a blast.
I just saw a show called “Circus 1903” (which was really good). Instead of an elephant, they have this giant puppet elephant that had to be seen to be believed.
Masterskrain over 7 years ago
And Cirque du Soleil has some VERY interesting “Eye Candy” performing for them…
tigre1again over 7 years ago
I once followed the circus for a week just to hang out with the elephants. I was a farm boy, and big animals are fascinating. To watch the big fellows standing, shoulder to shoulder, rocking gently back and forth in rhythm….and then nodding off myself in a sleeping bag. Comforting. For years in my dreams I had an elephant, very powerful. Scary, too.I did marvelous things in my misspent youth. Didn’t we all?
Queen of America over 7 years ago
NO, they are not.
Fido (aka Felix Rex) over 7 years ago
Before condemning clowns, please remember how many little ones are traumatized when placed on the lap of a certain Jolly Old Elf.
Charlie Tuba over 7 years ago
Clowns were use distract the audience’s attention from any mishap on disaster that may have happened, hence the phrase, “Send in the clowns.” The band would also immediately start playing the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
chris_weaver over 7 years ago
Pig is obviously not familiar with standard Clown Car Engineering.
Andrew Sleeth over 7 years ago
I am not an animal!
Number Three over 7 years ago
If there’s one thing I’m against is animals being used in circus acts. Animals entertain us in their own natural way.
xxx
BitterScribe over 7 years ago
Long ago when I was a reporter for a community newspaper, I did a feature on a circus that came to town. Then they made me up as a clown and put me in the show. It was a blast.
blunebottle over 7 years ago
Ooo…so many comments on fear/hatred/scarring caused by clowns. Dare I mention that I am bemused by the fact that most of the clowns you meet are Shriners…?
Fido (aka Felix Rex) over 7 years ago
Jimmy Stewart played a clown in a well-known movie. Therefore, now clown can be evil.
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
I think Pig may be on to something today. It has certainly become Fashionable in some circles to bash and mistreat clowns as though it were okay to do so.
They are as Pig says almost human, you know!
ND Cool Z almost 6 years ago
Just almost..