RIP the "Greatest Show on Earth"

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the closure of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus after 146 years, exploring the implications of this event on entertainment culture and societal values regarding animal use in performances.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the closure as a reflection of changing entertainment preferences, comparing it to the decline of vaudeville and variety shows.
  • Others express concern over the ethical implications of animal use in circuses, with one participant stating that they view it as abuse and welcome the circus's closure.
  • A humorous remark references political commentary, suggesting that the circus could not compete with current events, indicating a shift in public interest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reasons for the circus's closure, with some attributing it to changing entertainment habits and others focusing on ethical concerns regarding animal treatment. No consensus is reached on the implications of these factors.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on entertainment evolution and ethical considerations, but lacks a unified stance on the broader implications of the circus's closure.

jtbell
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to End Its 146-Year Run (NY Times)

Ringling Bros. closing ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ after 146 years (NY Post)

The last performance will be at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island NY, on May 21.

Many years ago (20 or so?) I saw their train passing through Lake Worth, Florida, on its way to or from Miami, but I've never seen the show itself. They'll be in one of my nearby "big cities" in early February. Maybe I'll take advantage of this last opportunity.
 
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I saw a headline about this last night. I guess it's a sign of the times. It seems circuses are going the way of vaudeville and variety shows on TV, and it would appear that folks are finding entertainment elsewhere, e.g., the internet.
 
To be fair the circus has done a lot in the past 20 or so years to reinvent themselves, but for me any animal use in that context is abuse and I am glad to see them out of business.
 
As Steven Colbert puts it, they just couldn't compete with the new circus team from the white house.