Ringling Brothers Eyes Comeback With Animal-Free Circus Show

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus announces its comeback on TODAY after disappearing five years ago while under pressure from animal rights groups. The circus aims to wow new audiences with a reinvented show from the best talent in the world. NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports for TODAY.
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#Circus #RinglingBrothers #TODAY

[@user-hu3cp6xc3f]

The animals particularly Elephants were the best part I thought

[@Tweezy786]

Yes please come back! I’m dying to go again. The whole show was awesome when they came to Hershey, PA.

[@philipbambarger4340]

I find it extremely offensive that a show like The Today Show even stabbed and attacked the clown world by saying "Corny Clown Act"!!!! SHAME ON YOU for even saying it.. As a respected show on TV I think you owe an apology to the world of clowns... But I also dont expect it simply because journalism thrives on drama and negative energy... Also this comment will get lost in the threads here...DO BETTER!! THINK BETTER...... Remember what Mr Rogers said about the platform of television..... USE IT FOR THE GOOD!!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

There on the side of animals activists they don’t like the American circus they want the woke European style only.

[@rockmation717]

So true!

[@Jojo44138]

I totally agree with you philipbambarger4340, this also hit me very hard that they beyond insulted the clowns. Clowns have been and what made the circus between acts. But yes they NEED MORE OF AN APOLOGY TO THE WORLD OF CLOWNS. Many clowns have lost jobs and really nowhere to go. It is extremely heart breaking some news people don't respect the clowns. I'm actually beyond upset on this.

[@amyreese7868]

I'd say keep the clowns though. I've always love the clowns, they're my favorite performers. Afterall, a circus without clowns is like a parade, a county fair, or even a birthday party without, we'll, clowns. We'd wll be singing the "where are the clowns?" song. So please, keep the clowns.

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Plenty of clowns in the Democratic Party so you won’t run out anytime soon!

[@reviewgeek6162]

A circus without animals is like America's got talent terrible 💡💡💡💡

[@jayceedior8291]

I agree. The circus doesn't have to have the animals but they should at least keep the clowns because they're funny. And they're talented just like all the other performers.

[@billbillerton6122]

@@jayceedior8291 The clowns have never been funny.

[@wesleyabram229]

@@billbillerton6122 Put a sock in it! I love those clowns the way they are!!

[@reneecasey7241]

PLEASE COMEBACK! Although,there will no longer be clowns or animals, I would love for my granddaughter to see the show. I grew up on Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. FELD ENTERTAINMENT STILL ROCKS!

[@parkercowan8648]

0:47 I’m 21 and I want to see animals performing

[@dillonohlemiller401]

Exactly. Human beings performing on their own doesn’t impress me. Seeing animals do things you’ve never seen before is part of what makes the circus stand out. Without them, it’s just another stunt show

[@stevie-jaynenorton8697]

Look up how the animals are abused to perform. Only humans will exploit other's lives for entertainment. Congratulations

[@jrvc20]

My childhood went to my first circus show when I was little on my birthday and kept going I was sad too see it go but happy it’s back

[@billbillerton6122]

No animals? Sounds about as much fun as a vegan cookout.

[@precise3291]

Using wild animals in an unnatural environment doing unnatural and dangerous things to entertain primitive humans is inconvenient huh? Easy to condone when it's not you who suffers.

[@sthpac69]

I only want to know if they will be using the same trains so I can sit at a crossing to watch them go by and reminisce of an era long gone.

[@leroycuykendalliv7811]

I believe they sold off the rail cars

[@sthpac69]

@@leroycuykendalliv7811 They did sell the cars off , and they are all sitting in Florida rusting away. I believe they know the rail cars are a big part of that circus. I bet the children that see that beautiful train going pass the crossings will get just as excited as I did 64+ years ago, there is something magical about trains and a circus that will never go away regardless all the changes in the world.

[@leroycuykendalliv7811]

@@sthpac69 I work for one of the railroads I remember hearing about them selling the cars off I think we even moved some

[@sthpac69]

@@leroycuykendalliv7811 I know you must have pictures to show a generation or two after you of what a circus train looked like. I am searching high and low for photos of the Royal American carnival midway from the 50s 60s, they billed themselves as (The greatest show on earth), and boy were they lol. All I see on the internet is a short very blurry video and a beautiful HO train set up. I'm going to purchase a few HO train cars for my layout, (they are awfully high).

[@kimberlymorgenstern883]

So sad the animals are gone. This was the best part

[@rogerporter7463]

You sad of the fact animal won’t continue to be abused for the sake of your human entertainment or are you sad you won’t be seeing them perform?

[@str8dominican]

@@rogerporter7463 both

[@ultra10yt26]

Animal abuse is bad. Those animals can’t take that anymore

[@jonathan-vf2ql]

Animal abuse…have you watched TikTok lately

[@elusivenarwhal1996]

You don't even know what happened to them behind the scenes

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling art museum, Circus World, Circus hall of fame, Al Ringling Mansion, Guther Gebel Willams, Illinois State University , Bob Train are all creditable sources that know Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus did not abuse there animals.

[@dianaortiz1150]

Having animals perform and keeping them in cages is abusive

[@johynsmith]

Booooooooo! It's never going to be the same without the animals and 3 rings....

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Blame the woke animal activit’s

[@russellwright1422]

That’s so sad!!! I’m so thankful I got the opportunity to see the real show when it still had clowns and animals! I don’t know what makes them think nobody want’s to see the animals anymore! Don’t speak for me! There’s something special about seeing the bond between the animals and the people who work with them! It’s not a circus without clowns and animals! That would be like going to watch an animal free Rodeo! That’s just ridiculous!

[@poopoofuhqueue2389]

Touring circuses have a long history of mistreating animals. Sorry you won't be able to be entertained by abused animals. And clowns are stupid.

[@trevorsheehan1757]

So this circus is coming back in 2023 without animals?

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@poopoofuhqueue2389 animal activist groups were forced to pay $26 million dollars to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

[@Joker96624]

Most people aren’t entertained by animals being forced to do an act by threat of abuse if they fail. I’d personally rather see an elephant in its natural environment doing natural things.

[@paltheporg7821]

@@trevorsheehan1757yes

[@missmadness564]

Saw them perform a couple days ago, doesn't have the wow that it used to, especially without the animals, but it was still good

[@Metacognition88]

Bring back the animals, children performers and midgets. It needs to be authentic.

[@dillonohlemiller401]

Human beings performing on their own doesn’t impress me. Seeing animals do things you’ve never seen before is part of what makes the circus stand out. Without them, it’s just another stunt show

[@jamesdunn8893]

i miss the clowns so funny i 💓 ringling brothers

[@christophercervantes5753]

I’m glad the Circus is back! But I’m kinda going to miss the Animals😢

[@nathanjones411]

do you want animals ABUSED for entertainment?

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@nathanjones411Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus used voice commands for all its animals.

[@Ajohnson091]

Animals was the best part!

[@PapaLobo94]

Even though I’m looking forward to seeing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey come back, I have a problem with this. The clowns and the animals are practically the bread and butter of what made The Greatest Show on Earth what it was as well as the enduring popularity of gained for almost 150 years, as well as the iconic three rings. If I wanted to see a clown-less and animal-less circus, I would’ve gone to Las Vegas and just watch Cirque du Soleil over and over again. The clowns were what gave the show humor and life, while the animals performing gave people like me a chance to admire their beauty and power for the world to see I get that they had to clean up their image after the scandal with PETA many years ago and try to make their show more relevant to a wider audience, but in my honest opinion, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey COMPLETELY missed the point of their comeback. Still, I wish them the best and hope they comeback in successful.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling only closed because of the Disney company.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus will never be the same the elephant, train, clown college, and animals are all gone because of a slander peta.

[@sjetzz1829]

Thank God for that! The days of animal cruelty are over! 👍🏻

[@vigo894]

Clown College still exists. It's called Harvard.

[@charlzincharge2281]

@@sjetzz1829 If you don't like it don't come to the show.

[@texastrainfan56]

Wait there not going to remake the train?

[@ReadingAreaRailfan]

@@texastrainfan56 I'm crying

[@marlonnicholson8410]

It ain't really Ringling Bros without the animals

[@nathanjones411]

i mean, do you want animals mistreated

[@marlonnicholson8410]

@@nathanjones411 Do you eat chicken bacon or sausage 🤔

[@Julietml11]

@@marlonnicholson8410 I don’t and that is why I am supporting their decision to reopen without the animal acts. This circus has evolved many times over the 100 plus years it’s been running, and that is a smart thing to do to keep in business all these years.

[@istaythinkingabout]

Right exactly

[@nathanjones411]

@@marlonnicholson8410 Yes but we raise them sustainably.

[@linusperssonsgamingchannel7354]

We do want to see animals performing, just idiots think animals shouldn't be in a circus... I hate people.

[@wangomania4922]

Come back Ringing, I love you and my old family. Great times touring back in the 80's!!!

[@chollister08]

Seems like there has to be some middle ground , There is no way on earth I’d pay to see a circus without animals . I just took an informal poll at the office 26 out of 29 agreed not worth it without the animals .

[@sthpac69]

Poll those same people in your office including yourself asking, who is still having fun with some entertainment from their childhood days? A circus is still fun without those miserable looking animals. People in your office probably love going to the zoo and taking the little ones to see animals all couped up in cages, and the children wanting to rub them (not knowing how dangerous they are). All of you should watch the Twilight Zone episode (PEOPLE ARE THE SAME ALL OVER), just maybe you will look at animals a lot different when you see yourself in a cage and people looking at you.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@sthpac69 Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus animals were not abused because they used voice commands for all there animals, fresh food, Fresh water on the train.

[@sthpac69]

@@trevorthesorcerer I understand what you are saying but I didn't believe the animals where beaten and neglected but the abuse is in the captivity of these creatures. It makes no difference if they were born in captivity, it's in their genes to want to roam vast areas and have a certain diet that the captors try to imitate. I have not been to a zoon but once in the last 45 years and that was because my 7 y/o granddaughter wanted me to attend a zoo day with her about 10 years ago. That little girl sits with me now and watch the animal shows. I never talk the zoo down to her , but she said she likes the TV shows better because she did not know how the animals reacted in the wild or their natural habitat. Watch the Twilight Zone episode "People are the same all over".

[@chollister08]

@@sthpac69 perhaps I should mention my family owns an animal rescue with about 300 acres of space to roam , I simply said there must be some sort of middle ground or compromise . I certainly didn’t say anything requiring a lecture .

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@sthpac69 Should all the Millions of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus workers be slander because PETA wanted attention and slander them for no reason.

[@Skyarmychic]

Not many people are gonna see the circus because no animals=boring circus. And i say this as someone who loves Ringling. Acrobatics were always boring to me.

[@texastrainfan56]

So no clowns or a train.... quite disappointing honestly.

[@romanmontesdeocarmdo]

Not a circus without animals. Rather fly out to China and see a real circus show

[@jassu1321]

So u haven’t seen how they abuse the animals?

[@MidnightsDeluxe]

so you like animal abuse

[@lindsayvlogs4374]

Sadly other people's neglect of animals and abuse and cruelty to animals has made it hard for this circus to keep going with animals and it was obvious these animals was well taken care of the big cats was well fed and they wasn't overworked this is example of how it takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch

[@trevorthesorcerer]

If you didn’t hear circus worlds retiring, it’s elephants, they didn’t plan Ringling brothers, returning.

[@wm8673]

Cirque Du Soleil did a job on them too. This is a business folks!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers And Barnum & Bailey Circus is the world’s largest live entertainment company.

[@collgoff]

I’m happy that the circus is coming back, but I’m not happy about that there are not going to have any clowns and animals. It isn’t a circus without Clowns and animals.

[@stevie-jaynenorton8697]

Look up how the animals are abused to perform. Only humans will exploit other's lives for entertainment and embrace sadism. Congratulations

[@djpanther77]

No animals no clowns no thank you

[@rogerporter7463]

Good for that

[@AMSalley94]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!! WELCOME BACK RINGLING BROS!!

[@wm8673]

Also, Universoul Circus is a competitor too.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

They are not ready for Ringling Brothers.

[@BXDudeRD2007]

Man sad to see that the animals were abused so badly one of my fondest mentor is as a kid was taking the trains from the Bronx to MSG and watching the elephants march in

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus won all lawsuits just closeing due to slander.

[@adriangarcia543]

I miss circus animals

[@yourfuckinfather]

They would abuse them during training

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer would make a great replacement along with turtle Mitch McConnell!

[@ul7185]

Animal Acts Replaced by Guest Acts

[@-_-GT350]

The circus never needed animals to be fun they just need to find a spark of creativity !

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus used voice commands for all there animals and won all lawsuits.

[@DrCruel]

@@trevorthesorcerer It doesn't matter. Logic and reason never have anything to do with it.

[@-_-GT350]

I wanna audition to b the ring master sooo bad 😭😭😭

[@jessiedavis602]

You lost me when you said there will be no animals.The whole purpose of a circus is to see animals that you don't see everyday.This is disappointing.

[@bensonselebogo2768]

Let the circus return please

[@toysvilltvstudios2.072]

A circus without any any animals is fine, I've seen circuses done that before. But without clowns????........Hmmmmmmmm They'll put them back in eventually. Perhaps by a huge demand by fans. Anyway, Back R.B & B.B! Nice to see ya again. ^_^

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling won all its lawsuits against animal activists.

[@GamerKing1482]

Yea! Awesome, that'll be really cool!

[@wayneprice6720]

No animals trash.

[@VeronicaRodriguez-gy8iy]

Guys did you hear the ringling bros brothers Barnem and Bailey circus is coming back in 15 months there will be no more circus animals this time they are doing something brand new that will blow your mind!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

You know what blow people mind 50 elephant’s, 5 rings, 4 stages, 4 trains, 20 big cats, 50 clowns, 50 show girls, sideshow, and a wild show not a one ring circus.

[@stellalunastarvet]

I'm glad I can finally go back to the circus and don't have to worry about the animals!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling won all its lawsuits.

[@elusiveDEVIANT]

They should just ignore all the animal rights clowns. Every person who worked with an animal treated them like their kids. Humans and their inflated egos drive me nuts

[@trepabeard]

Nothing wrong with using animals as long as they are taken good care of and are not harmed. They use animals in movies/shows and are observed to make sure they aren't harmed. No reason they can't do the same with the circus.

[@stevie-jaynenorton8697]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Look up how the animals are abused to perform. Only humans will exploit other's lives and embrace sadism for entertainment. Congratulations

[@lilyhoyle5239]

The logo redesign looks really nice

[@stevie-jaynenorton8697]

Amazing how many advocates for a life time of animal cruelty for 30 minutes of their entertainment there are in this comment section.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

If you did’t know Ringling won every single lawsuit against animal activists organization.

[@mayrarosa1409]

Not a circus anymore the animals made it the show it was now there another cirque de Soleil it sucks not going ever again

[@jassu1321]

So u haven’t seen how they abuse the animals?

[@mayrarosa1409]

@@jassu1321 not all circuses abuse there animals

[@rogerporter7463]

@@mayrarosa1409these living beings you talk about are better off not being commanded for the sake of human entertainment

[@seanohearn6237]

No even Disney on Broadway or Disney live.

[@skibiditoilettvman220]

PETA: Thank God.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus won all lawsuits.

[@skibiditoilettvman220]

@@trevorthesorcerer yeah

[@goddessgang8309]

Why no clowns? I'm not getting that part

[@chrislapp9468]

waste of time and money now. saw that circus in the late 60s when it was an actual circus.

[@mikeoxmaul9675]

Be cool if they use like AI or virtual animals Like how the did with Tupac?! 😂 Be cool to see to see a holograph animals perform

[@jacksonrailroad]

Will the train at-lest come back

[@Tiffany-fp9rt]

JUST CALL IT A COMEBACK 😂

[@carolynkernan939]

Thank god humans should take risks if they want no beautiful species

[@themashugana9440]

I thought the circus came back to Washington DC in January of 2021.

[@cesarjimenezanimator]

Maybe it was a different circus...

[@danielkelly1210]

Rachel Levine will be Performing

[@seanohearn6237]

No animals no Simbas or Dumbos in the circus no more.

[@michaelbeecher2095]

No clowns or animals??? NO THANKS

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Blame the Walt Disney company for forceing ringling to remove the elephants.

[@elusivenarwhal1996]

The Disney Company had nothing to do with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey removing the elephants

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@elusivenarwhal1996 Why would FELD Entertainment remove the elephants then, since they were remove early and FELD produce Disney production which was perfect leverage to Force Ringling to close

[@elusivenarwhal1996]

@@trevorthesorcerer It was becoming difficult for touring elephants, that is why

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@elusivenarwhal1996 It was not Hard to tour elephants It was munch harder 100 years ago, the train cars were quite advanced at the time haveing hear, air conditioning, and running water. Disney forced FELD It’s a fact since FELD won all there lawsuits.

[@SilverScribe85]

Doesn't look as impressive as Cirque du Soleil

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Cirque du Soleil does not have a canon.

[@yoips4059]

Kids still laugh at clowns tho

[@lordofthegames6601]

Is there still gonna be clowns?

[@markbn2883]

If they need more clowns biden needs a new job 😂😆😂😆😂😆 but he would even screw that up !

[@sthpac69]

Nah, I think he would be pretty funny because he does have humor unlike that horrible, insulting, nasty president before . If tRump would be the clown, there would be an age limit of 21 and up. I am not a great fan of Biden although I voted for him just to slow down the American spiral to the bottom and now this stupid white boy withis crazy idea of thinking black people are going to run away from their home America because he shot and killed some defenseless black people , gtfooh.

[@rockmation717]

@@vashsunglasses HA! Good one!

[@sspecialaagent007]

NO ANIMALS?!!!!!! 😡 That’s the WHOLE REASON I bought these tickets!!! I feel like I got scammed by WOKE AMERICA 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@kameo3963]

I'm thoroughly disappointed.

[@Evoteev]

Click bait I just seen animal free terrible

[@ul7185]

Animal Acts Replaced by Guest Acts (Fall 2023 Only)

[@coojo8978]

Biden ruined the circus too

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Animal activities are on Democrats side they don’t like patriotic animals and people of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

[@seansweeney3533]

They actually shut down in 2017 not 2020

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Still Biden’s fault

[@Skyarmychic]

Actually uneducated animal activists did

[@marthajf73]

Too fn late. For all those years, you tortured and abused all of those animals. I am not interested.

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus did not abuse this information is backed Museums and Universities.

[@dianabeurman364]

I saw the Peta undercover videos of trainers beating elephants!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@dianabeurman364 Those we’re PETA spies it even says on there website they sent spies into Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was going though a hard because the head of Guther Gebel Willams had died in surgery. They used voice commands and always cared of there animals. Please don’t slander the millions of animals and people of The Greatest Show On Earth.

[@cinemathemostimportant7717]

@@dianabeurman364 that is a type of way the people interact with elephants, they do so by touch. That's how the elephants can understand them

[@giselleysushuronesylaosa]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH