# Clowns Love'em or hate'em? I don't think they are oddly appealing... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824 "2004-05-12T18:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/41 "2004-05-14T12:00:32Z")
The problem is these birthday party clowns, or walk around and squirt you with water clowns, don’t really have a clue waht they’re doing and are essentially crap. Some of my favorite clowns can be found here ath the [Cirque du Soleil](http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/NR/exeres/0000c318hewhsmqkvdmzfcxb/quidam.asp?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fCirqueDuSoleil%2fen%2fshows%2ftouring%2fquidam%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b53707E85-E720-4D66-A657-60EB6F5CBDDD%7d&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie%5Ftest=1) I see the point about the old guy dressed up in makeup to play with the children being a little scary, but in the right context, a good clown can be amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/42 "2004-05-14T12:02:28Z")
Clowns meant to be funny? I think so, but not realy for children, the traditional clown paradigm represents in a comcial (and often disturbing way) the Master/servant relationship. The White Clown, is in charge and the Dumme clown is the servant. I’ll see if I can dig up some more details. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/43 "2004-05-14T12:02:38Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > The only acceptable thing that has anything to do with clowns is Smokey Robinson & the Miracles’ “Tears of a Clown”. Stephen Sondheim and Krusty the Clown fans would disagree with that. ---
**Author:** ![cybersnark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@cybersnark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cybersnark)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/44 "2004-05-14T13:20:59Z")
I’m kinda surprised that JW Gacy only came up once in this discussion - he not only was a clown, he also painted them. Want a Gacy clown painting? Better bid soon!: [http://www.epier.com/BiddingForm.asp?881783](http://www.epier.com/BiddingForm.asp?881783) ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/45 "2004-05-14T18:26:35Z")
Pennywise the Dancing Clown: scary Sweet Tooth (from the Twisted Metal series): Cool in TM2, disturbing in TM:Black John Wayne Gacy: Pure evil Shakes the Clown: Funny movie Insane Clown Posse: annoying fans Ouchy the Clown (google if you dare, I’m not posting a link): Kinda frightening, but seems like an interesting person Knockers the Klown (see above): I’d hit it. Mad Clown (Super Punch-Out!!): A bit annoying, but easy once you know the pattern. Dead Clown (Red Meat): Been there awhile. Harmless, but creepy Doink (former, short-lived WWF wrestler): Pretty amusing, actually Ceramic clown dolls: Smash them. Smash them all. Kinko the Kid-Lovin’ Clown: As long as the kids love him back, he’ll never wear a frown ---
**Author:** ![look\_hergo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85e7bf/32.png) [@look\_hergo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_hergo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/46 "2004-05-14T21:07:39Z")
How do you make a clown stop laughing? \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* Hit him in the face with an axe. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/47 "2004-05-14T21:16:11Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > \*\<|:@ > > Scarey Clown Smilie Very good! I’ve got my eye on you, Ms. Xmas! ---
**Author:** ![Thirty-Nine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@Thirty-Nine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thirty-Nine)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/48 "2004-05-14T21:26:00Z")
Clowns have also been fairly mysterious to me, neither scary or amusing. I’ve also never seen the attraction of circuses, parades or similar shows. I do remember finding the garish clown colours unappealing, and would always object to anything decorated with them. I’ll never forget going into hospital when I was around 11, and being forced to wear bedclothes covered with a cackle of dancing clowns. Whatever anaesthetist thought of that is a genius – after the shame of wearing those, no operation is going to hurt a child. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824/49 "2004-05-14T22:40:47Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Stephen Sondheim and Krusty the Clown fans would disagree with that. Okay, I’ll give you Krusty… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-loveem-or-hateem-i-dont-think-they-are-oddly-appealing/244824.md?page=2)