Historic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Says Goodbye After 146 Years | NBC News

As the 146-year-old circus pitches its tent one last time, performers take us behind-the-curtains to peek into life in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and what’s next.
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Historic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Says Goodbye After 146 Years | NBC News

[@aidinromero1386]

nobody in the next generation will know what the greatest show on earth is. there will be nothing like it again

[@richardreifeis6537]

When I was 17 I hitchhike to California Ringling Brothers was at the Colosseum there in Long Beach. Got to talking to the guys took care of the horses I got a job as a groomsman. Went to Oakland San Diego Denver Colorado and Cleveland Ohio then Hitchhike back to Indianapolis greatest time in my life.

[@realmswhatwillbeyournightm8230]

Your right I’m still sad that it closed and it makes me mad that all there’s people are saying they abuse the animals when they didn’t

[@cloakedcorps5767]

They have shows at Circus World in Baraboo Wisconsin still!! Only elephants and Horses as animals though but lots of acts

[@CommanderBruh]

Animal abuse isn't a show

[@cloakedcorps5767]

@@CommanderBruh Not abuse

[@patrickwatson4430]

I was young when I saw my first and only Ringling Brothers,Barnum and Bailey circus. It was a road show and it was marvelous. What a shame they have to close.

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

sad. thats the only way to describe it just plain sad. glad i got to see it once when i was a kid.

[@band4lyfe]

And your middle name?

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Same.

[@Sumiya-lp8mm]

Sigh....I still have my tickets from the last show....my sons loved it...my first time was in 1970s. Every year it changed...still have the flashlight....I still have memories of the beautiful, fun aspects of life. Bye for now.

[@Cameroo]

Glad to have at least seen it once in my life. It's sad news but I've grown to learn that nothing lasts forever. I do hope all the performers there find something else.

[@Tall_Order]

I hope these performers found other circuses. I know it was their passion and any other job is just a job to them. The fact this place shut down is part of the reason I don't like the modern iphone age. If all the entertainment you'll ever need is in your pocket, it kills things like this.

[@greywolf2362]

One of the last thing made popular in the Victorian era gone😢

[@paulj6756]

What a great athlete she is. It must be absolutely heartbreaking for her and the rest of the troupes to say goodbye.

[@christiki295]

So sad. I took my son to the Greatest Show on Earth - twice. After Covid, the world needs the circus again.

[@kaylariggs5188]

*Great video... Sad... Bittersweet. The circus was a memory from everyone's childhood. Before social media and technology, and everything that rules the world today, was the circus. My daughter will never get to experience that. And I will never get to experience that with her..... But on the other side of that, are the many stories of abuse to the animals. Neither do I, nor does anyone, know if those stories were true or not. But I do have a deep love in my heart for animals and as much enjoyment as it brings to everyone - adults & children alike - to see the elephants & all the animals perform, we know that is not what their purpose is here on Earth. What is so ironic is that the reason there were complaints for years was because people wanted the elephants removed; and later, one of the biggest reasons people stopped going to see the circus was because the elephants were gone... This is something I will enjoy telling my children in the future - the stories of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus - and the magic & wonder it held in children's hearts nationwide.*

[@band4lyfe]

*roleplay text*

[@lawless37291]

January 27, 2019. It has been more than 2 years since the circus fold up its tent, not a day goes by I miss them.

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Me too. But remember There is still Carson and Barnes, Zerbini Family, and Culpepper & Merriweather Circuses still going Great.

[@jayceedior8291]

Paul is right. There's also the circus world museum, omnium circus, Shrine, Unierversal and more. And I have great news for both of you. The barnum and bailey circus is coming back this year! They won't have animals anymore tho.

[@exospaceman8209]

I miss this circus show I had great memories of them I don't care what people say on how they treat the animals Its like part of my childhood is gone :(

[@colliric]

I learnt more about the beauty of animals from going to Zoos and Circuses and seeing these exotic animals live in person than I ever have from seeing or reading anything Peta puts out..... Poor kids today will never experience this. Us 80s kids may have been the very last to witness dreams come to life.

[@LoyalmoonieProductions]

#FuckPETA

[@mjtruth1039]

colliric Do you think they want the circus shut down JUST because it uses animals or because they mistreated them? If you have any evidence to provide that they didn’t harm animals, I would love to see that. Seeing as how they would get fines after inspections because their animals were badly taken care of, that should be enough evidence that they did harm the animals.

[@Isa-oe1kq]

MJ Truth where is the proof that the animals were mistreated, give me a real one NOT made by peta

[@brianhamel3136]

I AGREE THAT PETA IS EXTREME, BUT.....are those animals honestly happy being whipped and trained with weapons for human entertainment? No. It's sick

[@BOOBERRY105]

It’s not sick and hey some of us like being whipped as a fetish but not me but it’s okay and cmon how are you going to make em do tricks

[@bradleycotton3237]

R.I.P., Ringling Bros.

[@vahidm6119]

All the wholesome stuff in life is evaporating... Virtual Reality is the new zombie norm. Smh

[@mookixox]

You can thank 8 years of Obama the Clown!

[@Karamoonsage]

It was wonderful to see the human animals perform when I was a kid but there was nothing wholesome about what the non-human animal performers were forced to do. To the best of my knowledge, Cirque Du Soleil is comprised of 100% consenting human performers ergo I feel much more comfortable calling that "wholesome entertainment". I pray that all the non-human animal performers have a safe and happier life now that they are free.

[@Usatoday69]

So if we could find a way to Translate non human animals language into human animal language and get their consent That would make it ok...... smh. How do you know the human animals are consenting performers and not forced.

[@giapatel7504]

There is nothing wholesome about it. Animals spend their lives in boxcars and chains. Not to mention, they’re covered in electrical pods, wires, and bull hooks when they can’t balance on something or do a trick.

[@littlesister1602]

this makes me so sad!😢 I'm glad I got to go and take my kids.

[@mookixox]

You can thank 8 years of Obama the Clown!

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Little sister amen. well heres to 4 years of bozo the clown oh sorry i mean donald trump. ha jk jk

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

I worked there and i was in the last show

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Same, I took my niece when she was very little.

[@powerlinepowerlineentertai1712]

If only i could've seen the last show before it was gone. I'M GONNA CRY!!!!!!!

[@Lava1964]

I find it telling that when the animal-rights crowd's pressure managed to get most of the animal acts removed from the circus, they still didn't buy tickets. The people who liked the animal acts, of course, stopped buying tickets. So why bother catering to your adversaries?

[@Usatoday69]

Yeah its also Telling when those same animal right activists had to Pay 16 millions dollars to Ringling Bros for Paying someone 150, 000$ to Make a false Statement Against Ringling bros.... very telling

[@SmoothbassmanStudios]

It's been 3 years and I miss it. Every year like clockwork we went as a family to the show. There's a special place in my heart for the show that my kids will never know. Long live the show in our hearts.

[@FTulumello]

So sad :-( I thank all that performed or worked with the circus for generations of smiles. You will all be missed and I wish you all great success at this crossroads in your lives.

[@popsingerstar]

i'm gonna miss the circus soooooooo much :'( i'm 22 & i still love it :'(

[@keldoofthescyre4861]

I go to summer circus camp in summer... I went to as much of these shows as I can and I loved them. It feels like I just lost half of my family. This circus was my dream all of my life. Look what the internet has done. Are you proud of this? People brought down the greatest most talented people. This circus was living history. And you killed it. Were the most wonderful and exquisite people came together as one. And it is gone. I am seriously crying my eyes out over this. This circus was my life goal. Now it is gone. I wanted nothing more than to be apart of that family. Thanks. Rest in peace. Dear circus..

[@sadsader100yearsago9]

I am so sorry about that. I miss the circus too.

[@albertodillon]

Ringling Bros and Barnum was also famous abroad,it's a pity the big circus was closed ,thanks to the movie "the greatest showman" l like the circus

[@Stvrl1ghttt]

I really wish I would have been able to see this before it’s closed :(

[@donaldmcauliffe7653]

I saw the last show it was bittersweet l remember going to see it in new york as a child

[@divinejustice536]

I was definitely spoiled with always getting to go to the circus with my gr parents as a child.

[@TrooperMcflowOfficial]

I’m glad I made it to there last show

[@marcosjuarez7809]

A sad ending to the Greatest Show on Earth. But the circus will never die because there are still the UniverSoul Circus and Cirque du Soilel.

[@blackdemins42910]

Marcos Juarez where are they located?

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Amen! :-)

[@RailfanParadise]

And don’t forget about Circus Vargus.

[@BradleyTisdale]

It's sad to see all of the circus performers, human and animal both, go the way of the dodo bird.

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Never Give up hope you must have faith for the future.

[@DSkehan2004]

I went there in the early 90's with my mom and grandfather.

[@twinpyramid5985]

😭😭still crying in 2022

[@AZsportshut]

PC killed it

[@LynneAnn51]

Heartbreaking 💔 😢

[@adriangarcia543]

Rest in peace

[@ellebelle2507]

I don't get how social media could not have helped with this....

[@christiantracey1479]

#RIPRingling

[@gerardor1702]

I grew up hearing about it. I never got to see the greatest show on earth.

[@lynneferencik1378]

Saddest thing I have watched in a long time. Wish it could make some kind of of comeback

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Same.

[@markmerberger6767]

Sold Programs for them in Richmond Virginia seen them 8 times and every one of the shows was special. Worked for the Coliseum :)

[@retrosiren824]

I miss this show..I wish they still had it atleast the human stuff continuing

[@seanwhatshisname1831]

I only read two books in their entirety my whole life..." left behind" the legend f pt barnum"

[@pcorey182]

It's just so sad

[@Legendary-Duelist00]

I was given a lifetime ticket when I was born. I’ve never got to use it. I usually pull it out once a year and read it.

[@mubarizsalim]

Good bye :'(

[@EYEBALLKLOTT]

Sensei.

[@Cqllies]

This makes me 😭😦😭 why ppl are liers they said the circus abuses the animals not true! God bless the circus good bye forever we missed you!

[@band4lyfe]

They aren’t liars! It’s true! I’ve seen cam footage

[@Cqllies]

Bro its not true!!! The circsu my child hood place! I love the circsu plus you cant see there footage plus they got tyem wuen they wuer babies and trainded them if they abused them then thell attack them!

[@jannettebrown2033]

Trying to find out who I am related to in this circus he was one of the Baileys. Does anyone know the Baileys of Greenville, SC ?

[@stephanie79925]

So sad.

[@brandonhardeman7555]

Do not get me wrong I do not believe in animal cruelty but it really was not cruel you try to train tigers and elephants you animal cruelty people thanks to y'all my daughter and a lot of other kids will not get to enjoy what i and others did growing up

[@Toast_Studios]

Actually she will! I’m starting my own circus! Currently working on concept art atm but, when I get things into the final stages for the first show to be to made I’ll have a kick starter! If you’d like to help support it I can link you to kick starter for my circus when I have things ready?

[@JB-re6ne]

So sad. I remember seeing the Greatest Show On Earth. It was amazing trying to see all 3 rings going on. Unfortunately, kids just don't seem interested anymore. 😕 I do have a question, though...where do you go from Ringmaster? 🤔

[@mookixox]

*8 years of Obama the Clown and not even the Clown Jobs are safe anymore...SAD*

[@paulj6756]

Obama had nothing to do with this, so shut up you troll.

[@JB-re6ne]

Paul J So true

[@mikemathews5844]

THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS ! OR YOUR LOCAL SHRINERS ! CIRCUS ! BOTH OF THEM ARE ALWAYS HELPING OHTERS ! ESPECIALLY KIDS AND OTHERS IN NEED OF A FEW HOURS IN TIME IN WITCH TO JUST BE HAPPY !☺, AND FORGET THER OWN TROUBLES ! BE KIND!,LOVE!,AND IN PEACE !!! 🙏

[@kawazy9528]

Its so sad to see the circus leave town. But did you know that there is still some light? Circus World in baraboo, wisconsin is the winter headquarters for the ringling Brothers! It still has performances, a carousel, And some other stuff used by the ringling brothers!

[@alexandrearaujoandradedasi550]

For me the Ringling Bros&Barnum and Bayley circus was the real-life incarnation of Casey Jr and Dumbo. Unfortunately I never got the chance to buy a ticket and watch a show😢.

[@awesomeninja9178]

they have returned

[@systemshocker2875]

People who miss this circus, get ready, Feld Entertainment is planning to relaunch the circus in 2023.

[@vickjr98]

Really?

[@systemshocker2875]

@@vickjr98 yeah,the only thing is there not gonna have any live animal shows

[@melaniemitchell9419]

​@@systemshocker2875 I would hope not

[@wandaclark5020]

Historic is right

[@madeleine9907]

Thats where Chicko Stewart worked for a while, the most handsome man ever.

[@realfreddy1993]

I find it so weird that the Barnum & Bailey Circus came to a close the same year the greatest showman was released isn't it weird to think about that 🤔😮😯😲😱

[@sarahwolfmoon4057]

I use to go here when I was 4 my dad dressed up as a clown I miss it

[@agent00nada57]

😭😭😭😭

[@clairegheill2944]

I don't know why people at the ringling brothers circus abuse animals but I don't think they would do that because think about the ringleader said that he donate money for the elephants that have cancer

[@nephric850]

@Camilla Johansson no it's not he did it's a shame this circus got shut down

[@dodgecowboy97]

I remember seeing them in Germany. Then seeing them in Alabama 10 years later. Remember when they said it was their last tour. When evil started taking the animals knew it wasn’t long.

[@mariannatexas]

Is there anyone out there trying to bring the circus back?

[@elusivenarwhal1996]

Yes, Feld is rebooting Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey Circus in September 2023, animal free and no clowns

[@CharliesfavoritesTV]

I loved Ringling Bros when I was a kid. But now when it closed I began liking Disney on ice. I love that show because I’m a big fan of Disney stuff. People around the world liked Disney.

[@roxannestrickland704]

It was still going but it's too expensive

[@marys5876]

Who bought the shell factory in 1997

[@wandaclark5020]

God giveth and God taketh

[@davidvincent1093]

The GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH is returning at the later part of 2023 . They will just not have the animals, which I this is going to be a shame. But if you live in Florida where I do you can see them coming back to life!!! New owners and new program. They are keep it kind of under wraps in Sarasota at the training center but they are there.. I can't wait to see the new train or if they are going to use the old one. I had the privilege of being a steam train engineer a great many years ago and got a once in a life time opportunity. They used to run across our section of tracks going into Sacrament CA and this time they wanted to come in on a steam engine like the old days before diesel . I was chosen to being them into the Old California State Fairgrounds all the way through the city . I am in my dying years but to this day I have never forgotten it and made sure my grand children have the pictures of me in that cab with the train behind me entering the fair grounds

[@DRAINPIPE57]

WHY IS THIS???? 🎪🎠🎭 IM IN THE UK AND SEE ABOUT 5-7 PERFORMANCES PER YEAR CIRCUS SHOWS HERE IN THE UK WHEN IT ROLLS INTO TOWN OR WHEN IM ON HOLIDAY UK /VACATION STATES AS JUST RETURNED FROM ONE BASED AT THE WORLD FAMOUS TOWER CIRCUS BASED IN THE TOWER COMPLEX IN BLACKPOOL LANCS HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIRCUS COMING OF AGE ????

[@brucedawes1473]

.....wow......I never even knew who they were till I seen a scene from "who framed Roger rabbit"where the main characters was looking at his brother and showed a picture of em at that circus in the movie as a kid in 1906..... know the main character's brother in theovie died from getting a piano crushed on his head by a cartoon....good movie

[@EYEBALLKLOTT]

This has forever been my hard no. No jugglers before rent is payment

[@TheDylanJoyce]

We can all blame Disney for this....

[@mjtruth1039]

Charles Randolph How?

[@olivergonzalez2271]

@@mjtruth1039 This has nothing to do with Disney and besides I think we should blame Feld Entertainment but on the bright side though theirs still Monster Jam Monster Energy Supercross and Disney on Ice

[@melaniemitchell9419]

If anything, Disney romanticized it. It's an extremely entertaining movie

[@KiriakosVilchez]

As much as it pains me to have seen Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey take the Big Top down for the last time a few years ago, it had to happen. As much as I loved the tradition and the history behind this circus, it was trying to survive in a time where show business has changed quite a bit since the mid-1800s. Especially when it comes to using animals in performances. While there were people who genuinely cared for the elephants, lions, and other animals in their acts, it isn't right to force wild animals to perform tricks in an environment unsuitable for their species. PETA might've been the devil that started the beginning of the end for the show but they were just one of the groups who realized it was wrong. Even other circuses phased out big cat or elephant acts. It was a matter of time and necessary, too. All one has to do is look up what happened with that poor elephant in Hawaii in the 90s as just one horrifying example as to why this kind of entertainment had to end. The circus still has a place in my heart where people found enjoyment and wonder yet just like anything else in entertainment, it wasn't so black and white. It wasn't just jugglers and clowns and acrobats enjoying their work and good feelings and all that jazz. There was some bad stuff going on, too, and we have to accept that. Animals acts are obviously a big draw but to continue them would be to condone the unhealthy practices kept in place to train these animals to do their tricks.

[@user-dy6bl5fh7v]

Redwolf just purchase to perform next year for the next 15 years.

[@user-dy6bl5fh7v]

At MGM.

[@DRAINPIPE57]

This disgust me with whats happening

[@Kurlaaja]

People still crying about this? It's just a circus! Wild animals do not belong to circuses performing idiotic tricks for your brats. Glad it's over for this circus.

[@jimfaust6342]

Now you can see all the freaks who removed the Elephants and other animals from the circus at Walmart. They are the true freaks

[@GraphicJ]

Yeah it's sad to see those Circus performers go but *hopefully* the circus animals will now have a better life.

[@eryndeweycarter]

Graphic .J I am glad that you care so much about the animals! I worked for Ringling for three years as a teacher and saw how the animals lived. Trust me when I say they had a great life! There is SO much misinformation out there.

[@Gloria.heim.55]

Really? If they have a great life then why is it that at 5:03 the pigs have to be coaxed out? Could it be that they sense it's showtime, don't want to perform (perhaps because they're overworked, but there might be other reasons), but they are made to do so anyways?

[@blackdemins42910]

Camilla Johansson ever here of positive reinforcement? Moron bye 👋🏻

[@mandyr9179]

,

[@octaviusdelmonte9019]

I thought this was a fortnite vid, sorry, I'll leave.

[@user-dy6bl5fh7v]

Limited liabi6y with government fully insured.

[@discontinuedchannel2392]

Why couldn't they have just removed the animals and kept the show going.

[@pepefetora7630]

People didn't want to come to the show without animals that's why the circus had to close.

[@mjtruth1039]

Pepe fetora I thought it was because of dwindling audience, high maintenance cost and legal battles because of mistreatment of animals?

[@wandaclark5020]

Good was stealing people for this circus and making money 💵 off them nothing last fir ever all good things must come to an end this show is not going on.

[@andyjowsey3549]

Great news an end to animal abuse

[@reviewgeek6162]

Bring the circus back!!!!!! So sad cancel culture had a big voice to destroy history. #cancelculture

[@jayceedior8291]

Good news! The circus is coming back this year. They have the animals anymore tho.

[@chrisholcombe137]

Human animals now ? Just watch 2023 in real life . A Circus 🎪 .

[@evile1174]

Cancel culture .... 😡

[@giapatel7504]

Smh. All these people are sad about the circus closing. I used to love Ringling Bros when I saw their shows. Until, I did a project on endangered animals. I chose the Asian elephant. PETA( which shut them down) truly opened up my eyes to the pain and suffering the animals go through. I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, but there’s something different about circuses that I can’t wrap my mind around. Beating animals for entertainment?! At least when animals are eaten, the killing is fast.

[@blackdemins42910]

yafav. giap peta is disgusting saying no shearing a sheep and killing thousands and more animals

[@davin5642]

i hope they dont make a comeback because they torchered the animals

[@umbrellau8381]

I HATED the circus as a kid ... And I STILL DO as an adult!!😠

[@michaelgonzales8969]

Then why did you watch this video if you obviously dont care

[@EASbear]

I been to a Spanish circus before.

[@brunoprovangenoia5659]

Ehhhh You see one circus You've seen them all

[@Fruityfruitcat]

I'm happy the show is closing. Although, i would've preferred JUST the animals taken out. They've gone through enough abuse.

[@jasonwright8950]

Ivette M. I hope you don't have any pets. They started as wild animals and should be in the wild. Lol! Idiots.

[@Toast_Studios]

Ivette M. They were never abuse omg... Anyways I hope you come see my circus show. We’ll have preforming animals of tigers, loins and elephants! 😄 it’s gonna be great, it will be a new era of circus again bringing back the big top!

[@michaelgonzales8969]

There would be no show without the animals

[@Fruityfruitcat]

What’s up w all these people lol, I have an opinion, doesn’t mean ppl gotta be rude if they don’t like it

[@michaelgonzales8969]

@@Fruityfruitcat was i being rude