Man who was a clown in Ringling Bros. Circus reacts to closure

Paul Miller, who used to work as a clown in the Greatest Show on Earth, reacts to the show's closure.

[@SR71_Blackbird]

They needed to adapt and couldn't figure out how without the animals.

[@vegasdavetv]

I'm beyond sad it's closing, another hit to America's past and future.

[@brendantan146]

vegasdavetv The animals get abused there!Fuck them

[@highwinds71]

So when is the shrine circus going out of business ? I can't wait until that day comes circuses treat their animals poorly .. No living thing should have to endure the pain that circus animals receive on a daily bases

[@ParkerPlays2005]

I can't wait for shrine circus to close down!

[@BRANDONISH72]

Not the greatest show on earth but the saddest show on earth

[@RockerArtist21]

BRANDONISH72 It's still great!

[@jeffreymichaelprice]

My friends and I attended this show twice when we were young. I want to thank every performer, animal, crew member, etc who made this show possible during its 146 year run

[@brendantan146]

Jeffrey Michael Price Fuck them animal abusers

[@cheeckymonkey3078]

I lived in the circus winter quarters for a long time and saw how they cared for the animals. I never saw any one mistreat them it was the way they made a living. Most of them considered them a part of their family. My husband grew up next to a very famous lion tamer who walked his big cats on leashes around the streets and no one worried their kids would be eaten by a hungry lion. A shame to lose the animals without them there is no circus. I hate clowns they have always given me the creeps except Emmit Kelly the hobo clown. I can't go to zoo's you don't see happy contented animals there.

[@tech45]

These ARTS are DEAD:(

[@danaelona4081]

this is not the greatest show on earth. it's the most abusive show

[@kimmarelli9155]

Just drop the animal acts. The simple solution is always the right solution

[@abby4908]

It's fine to have humans in the circus, but once you start abusing the animals that's not ok.

[@givenup1904]

HelloItsAbby22 Human's have a choice to leave if they're being abused. Humans have _choices._ Animals do not. Animal's are forced to obey our choices, which should be left to us, and not forced upon those wild creatures.

[@sims2000ful1]

are you serious. Like for real. This world is tailored to fit humans. All of these people can find jobs, however the animals will just be tossed to the side. They don't even belong to the circus. Good riddance.

[@threecatsandherfamily1079]

HelloItsAbby22 exactly they didn't have to close but just stop there animal act but i guess that was there major profit

[@jholden4169]

I agree. we rush to help human but beggar the animals. We should all remember that GOD or however made all things on this earth. not just for us to abuse and kill. thankyou for your comment.

[@vinetamanua1749]

That's right. Get the poor animals out of your circus... train your family members to perform these animal acts. See if they will take the same abuse you gave these animals. Do you think they will take it? You idiots

[@sweetstace7]

Karma is a bitch

[@popsingerstar]

im devastated! :( im 22 & i still love the circus & im gonna miss it :'( i saw the circus xtreme show in december '15 :'(

[@chloejohnson6861]

I have mixed feelings about this. I always felt like forcing wild animals to perform was wrong, even as a kid. But on the other hand, the circus is such an institution and was the last mainstream live variety performance you could see in America (Cirque de Soleil is cool, but it's a different kind of thing). I'd like to see someone try to revive variety shows in theaters with circus-type acts, musical numbers, and grown up comedy.

[@glurpbot8048]

I think that if you shut down the circus it will just make matters worse. Because the animals were raised in captivity so they wouldn't know how to survive in the wild. Not only that but the actors, trapeze artists, clowns, ring master, animal trainers and all the other workers won't have a job anymore and they would have a hard time supporting their family. Not only that but the crushed hopes and dreams of children all around the world. Goodbye Ringling bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus. It was fun while it lasted, and thank you for the joy I felt while I was there. Though the circus will be gone, the memories will stay with us forever.

[@kimdecsi8753]

They should reinvent themselves without the animals like Cirque Dr Solail people will come. There are many amazing people doing awesome things but at least its their choice. The animals however have none and its not natural behaviour for them. Give them to sanctuaries to be rehabilitated into a natural environment.

[@carmenjazz5546]

How can animal cruelty be described as the greatest show on earth?!

[@ParkerPlays2005]

Agreed,sadly some barbarians in the comment section can't get over that there cruelty show is gone. Let Entertainment with animals die as a whole

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Shut up crybabies. The circus was an American institution

[@jemiahdapap8053]

Times change

[@jholden4169]

reading through the responses and what kind of people are there in this world. care for nothing by their own self interest entertainment and beggar ever thing else. makes me wonder as a species where we headed. if there is a god he is probably rolling in this grave wondering why he created adam and eve.

[@Allhoney33]

For those of you who don't think circus animals are abused, Watch the documentary called Tyke. It's about a circus elephant who killed her trainer after years of physical and psychological abuse. After that, watch the documentary called Blackfish. It's about the abuse of performing killer whales at Seaworld. Some also killed their trainers due to abuse. Then after that, watch the documentary called Lionsrock. I guarantee you'll walk away with a different perspective! While I loved the human performances in the circus, I never liked the animal performances. You could tell those animals were anxious and didn't like it. I don't understand why the Ringling Brother's circus can't simply reinvent itself. They've had to do it before. I mean they used to do freak shows but that had to stop as well. Why not concentrate on human acrobats and creative skills like Cirque du Soleil? Or perhaps they are unable to compete with Cirque du Soleil??? I think this is nothing more than a passive aggressive move to get back at animal rights group.

[@autumnleaves-77]

Thank you Lizzy. I know the heartbreaking story of the circus elephant, Tyke. She was a dissenter and an activist. I will watch the three films you suggested.

[@judenihal]

Ringley Brothers should stop abusing animals. However they should not shut down and continue performing their circus acts. It is a major shame that this business has to close. The business should survive and people should go for the circus and support the circus- just as long as they stop getting animals to perform.

[@Starry2000]

There are plenty of other festivals and fairs.

[@exoticcar5482]

They tried that already but people were stupid and didn't come when they didn't have elephants in their shows

[@Bearwoman11]

corporate karma! liberation for the animals!

[@keddakedda7939]

To be honest I see no abuse in the animals there were no news saying the circus starved them to death no were there any records expected in the old days they were blooded and tortured

[@threecatsandherfamily1079]

Kedda kedda if you look close if there doing a trick with tiger you can see the showing there teeth having there claws out and ears back all signs of intense fear and when the elephants come out you can often see them using a bullhook to lead the elephants but there's much more

[@adrianacotzajay6514]

Kedda kedda they actually have to use whips in order to make the animals obey them and people thought that was heartful so they to the elephants out and families loved the elephants so there wasn't a lot of families coming to the circus so this is the last show today

[@brendantan146]

Kedda kedda they abuse animals.Nothing good about that!

[@jj1548]

Kedda kedda thats because THEY DONT SHOW WHAT THEY DO TO THE ANIMALS DUH

[@puddles3425]

Your a dumbass... Of course there is no showing of abuse!! If they showed it they would be out of buisness!!! Stop being so selfish care about animals and not your emtertainment!!

[@codename7000]

Form a new circus perhaps?

[@Farie0706]

Human society can kiss my ass! The animals were treated well and with much respect that they can possibly give! I watched the final performance and the tamer broke almost down in tears because he had the perfect place to raise the big cats! Now he has to fly back to his family's training and let go of the perfect place to raise and train tigers and lions...

[@brendantan146]

Farie 0706 they abused them!

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Brendan Tan proof?

[@redrobloxxianyt849]

No offense but,WHY DOES THE HUMAN RACE HAVE TO MESS UP EVERYTHING WE LOVE?! ;-;-also,Barnum and Bailey was my first time I ever went to a circus and it was my last. That elephant act made the circus lose hope. And now,it's hopeless.

[@colleen.s5753]

*GemVlogs* because there is footage of the circus beating the animals so they are forced to do unnatural and potentially dangerous stunts but I guess it's okay for you if you get a small bit of entertainment when you could have done something useful like getting an education

[@quindixie6867]

Because they TORTURED the animals. I don't care how fun those stupid tricks are, its wrong!

[@anthraxkiwi1974]

Jackson_Chicken Wang I'm fine with the animals being tortured for my amusement. I'm completely serious. Not trolling.

[@vrinda5303]

Jackson_Chicken Wang So, going a circus once takes the same amount of time as getting an education ... You need to get an education.

[@j.pebbles5128]

actually you guys need to know what happened before the animals came into the ring. they beat their animals

[@DudeHead]

Proof?

[@j.pebbles5128]

Dude Head PETA dude PETA

[@DudeHead]

Yes, PETA got involved. Was it because of one or two occurrences, or do they actually beat the crap out of their animals before they go to perform? There can most definitely be bad trainers who abuse their animals, but any self respecting organization who finds out about such a scumbag employee would get rid of them, or make sure it didn't happen again. People are taking one side or the other. I don't think the Ringling Bros. are 100% innocent, but I also don't think they were so inhumane that they deserved the repeated lawsuits, a good portion of the hate, and getting shut down.

[@vrinda5303]

Dude Head You said what I have been trying to say all along. While I don't deny that there is abuse going on in some circuses, I cannot make the judgment that all circuses abuse animals. That would be ignorant of me and don't like painting people of a certain group or an entire industry with the same brush. I don't condone abusing animals and I believe circuses can be more humane in their treatment of animals but I will not accuse all of them of such practices. Like you said, if it is certain people abusing them, they should fire them. No organization that has been around as long will keep such people around.

[@carolinahernandez-yh1qk]

yay so happy it shut down

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

carolina hernandez oh fuck off

[@ridgenappier2255]

@@dillonohlemiller9027 why would you say that?

[@vinetamanua1749]

If your sad this circus closed down and miss it so much. Go to the White House... you will find untrained and crazy animals there, they will entertain you. This is for all those who love cruelty to the good animals.

[@brendantan146]

vineta Manua Fuck the circus!

[@lonewolf6517]

Goodness Gracious!!! I do not understand the fact that people have to be angry about the elephants being used now. I mean, come on. For 145 years the Ringling Brothers circus has been moving around and NOW people get mad! #RuinMyChildhood

[@Starry2000]

The animals were being tortured all this time, and people found out about it recently and reacted accordingly to the third world culture that it is. That is the power of Knowledge and Intellectualism, the pillars of western culture, at work.

[@jgroth3906]

Yeah it's been going on for a long time so it should never change #logic

[@glurpbot8048]

I went to circus for the first time ever in my life yesterday, now I'll never experience anything like that anymore.

[@threecatsandherfamily1079]

thank the gods the have answered my prayers I couldn't stand Ringling brothers this was the happiest news I have ever received in my life

[@AislinnCharmingtalon]

Omg im so sad... why?? Circuses are the best fight me. If they ever go away completely im gonna die inside 😂 or ill just start my own 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@SpeegBJ]

Dear Mr. Miller, I'm so glad you have Circus Mojo. Living in Sarasota and Bradenton in the 60's as a kid, I can say first hand a lot about the circus behind the scenes and out front. I was sickened to hear of the closing of Ringling Bros. I read today, however, that Nik Wallenda has appealed to Feld and asked for sale of the circus, as he'd like to be part of purchasing it, reforming what needs reformed; thanks to the animal activists stepping in and showing whatever weaknesses need to change, rather than lose our cultural heritage entirely. Thank, Paul Miller.

[@MitchRuth]

Paul is a great guy dedicated to the Circus Arts. Be sure to catch a Circus Mojo performance locally if you can. You know, if you think the Ringling animals are going to be set free somewhere...you really aren't thinking it through. The sad thing here is all the performers who didn't work with animals are out too. Many of these performers have worked all their lives perfecting their skills to give you joy and entertainment.

[@briannamaria95]

Read Devon's thoughts about the show's closure here: "I'm not sure if the public image of "the circus" is really as obsolete as they say. I think it's a combination of a few different factors. Besides getting rid of the elephants, clowns are also a relic from a bygone era, and are now associated more with American Horror Story than actual comedic entertainment." www.theodysseyonline.com/killed-ringling-brothers-barnum-bailey-circus

[@DrCruel]

I've got an idea. Have President Trump cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and instead reallocate it to keep the Ringling Brothers circus open. Certainly the oldest circus in the US is part of our cultural heritage, and more worthy of funding from the National Endowment of the Arts than just another media mouthpiece for the limousine Left.

[@vinetamanua1749]

Go ahead and start up a new circus. No one will come and pay money to watch. We love the animals that you are cruel to

[@jgroth3906]

You're full of shit and I hope you get put in a cage and beaten.

[@jgroth3906]

We've seen the video evidence on what you fuckers do.

[@burbingberries6917]

Paul Miller was with them for one year way back in 1996. Interview someone else who was actually there longer.

[@CharliesfavoritesTV]

I am Ringling Bros. Out, and now I’m into Disney On Ice. I took my 2 year old niece to see it, and boy was it cool! Disney on ice is becoming an international tour.

[@BRANDONISH72]

If you people had any financial sense, you could still have a circus without the animals.

[@perduegamesandblogs6904]

what's funny is that I went there I'd do anything to help the greatest show on earth (especially if they did the dragon again)

[@leechalmers1588]

sharkboys 24 right I remember going when I was 7 years old and I still haven't forgotten

[@ronniej.7911]

0:33 "Mom, dad, I'm dropping out of college to join the circus and become a clown." DAD; "Smack!"

[@andrewheckman8916]

I'm sorry, but the Humane Society shouldn't have gotten involved. Those animals were raised in the Show Business, so that's all they know. Releasing them will only kill the animals in the end. Animal activists need to realize that they were not abusing their animals.

[@exoticcar5482]

Andrew Heckman Fucking bullshit. Have you seen the actual footage the activists have captured behind the scenes? Go watch that and dare to tell me that's not abuse...

[@renaldothegeography8150]

I watch their show when I was 8 withe the elephants

[@CriticalShot1]

Great (sarcasm), now we're going to have a disgruntled, angry clown loose on the streets searching for vengeance.

[@hollyhock9638]

This quite depressing ngl :(

[@IgnacioAgramonte]

so awful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johntvs]

Watch my video on it.

[@th3darkpr1nc37]

2017 rip the circus bissness

[@willowreed1911]

yes finally good bye Ringling brothers the animal abusers!

[@brendantan146]

river the hydra 👍

[@msejkss64]

Im glad they're gone. They treated their animals like HELL.

[@Wildman-lc3ur]

Will the shrine circus be closing

[@ParkerPlays2005]

No but they should

[@lc5782]

I just went to the ringing brothers circus yesterday and it was amazing! Sad that there closing though. 146 YEARS!!!

[@dunbstuff5953]

that was my favorite i been there for 10 years

[@stawberrystar7aj304]

They abuse the animals there

[@danaelona4081]

stawberrystar7 AJ thanks for speaking out. keep your voice high

[@RockerArtist21]

stawberrystar7 AJ Animals are abused everywhere.

[@danaelona4081]

Nekro_dellikon yep but people paid for it here they were unaware.

[@thesamabey]

Kudos to animal rights organizations which stood against using animal in circuses.

[@CreativeSteve69]

Sam Abey boooooo