I’m pretty sure we’ve talked about this before but I think it was more of a question of the day. One day last week this was on”Good Question” on WCCO. Are clowns creepy or aren’t they?
I can’t stand clowns. Or, should I say, I can’t stand masks or people who appear to be hiding. I don’t like Ronald McDonald nor do I like “mascots” for things where people are in those silly costumes like a giant bear or anyone in any kind of costume that I can’t see their face or know who they are. It just creeps me out.
People like to say Steven King started the clown thing but I haven’t liked clowns since I was a child so sorry, he had nothing to do with it. Besides, there was a clown in IT but it wasn’t the main “scary” thing in that book and if you didn’t read it and only saw the movie, you’re really missing out on a good book. I hated the movie. They almost made it silly and stupid and I still to this day can’t figure out how Steven King let them do that to his brilliant novel. But, that’s a post for another day.
There were several things I didn’t know about clowns that were in this little news piece. That way back when, a lot of people who were on the run from the police and such, worked as clowns as a respectable way of hiding their faces.
There are a lot of people who do like clowns and all things mask-y. Where are you on it? Are you a fan of clowns or masks? What’s your take on hiding faces?
Us Girls..Our Views 
I don’t recall clowns ever bothering or scaring me as a child. My kids don’t like them, though.
I think for one thing, the faces often look like skulls. Like the one in the picture you posted here. Otherwise they have such exaggerated features, they are too weird.
When I was a kid, there was a kiddy show on TV that had clowns as characters, and they were designed to be cute and un-scary. So maybe that is why clowns don’t necessarily bother me – though some of them do.
I think a huge part of me dislikes these kinds of characters is because they can see me, or might even know me but I have no idea who they are. I almost feel like they’re spy’s or something. Anyone in a mask bugs me.
I grew up on Bozo’s Circus (http://www.tvparty.com/lostbozo.html), so for me, clowns didn’t get creepy until I reached adulthood, and people started the “clowns are creepy” craze. Maybe it started with IT, maybe it was Chuckie, I don’t know. Now that I think of it, it was probably John Wayne Gacy. He was as creepy as they get, and he did the clown thing for a while.
But clowns, in their purest form, like Bozo, or those at the circus, never bothered me a bit… in fact, some of them – the good ones – still crack me up.
I am scared of them, but that is because of the movie IT, from Stephen King.
Well, I guess for me there’s lots of different clowns and different types of people putting on clown outfits. A bit like Santa. There are big hearted Santa’s and not so good Santas. I actually know of one really great Santa in ALaska and I also know a clown. I ran into a lady who is a clown for a living at Costco and as I was talking to her I was amazed how her eyes were lit up and what a nice natural smile she had. And I remember thinking she’s probably a good clown. So those are my 2 cents on the subject.
I HATE clowns!They freak me out and I dont know why.And Joy,I agree with you about the movie,I read the book ,yea really what the heck did he let that movie be made like that?It was stupid.
I don’t think they “creep me out” because they’re dressed as a clown. I think it’s because I don’t know who they are. That is unsettling to me.
OK I like clowns. But then again I like Gnomes too. My oldest daughter hates clowns because of the clown doll in Poltergeist. You remember the one that grabs the boy from underneath the bed.
I’ve never seen “IT”…..I know can you believe that?! Have never read the book either. I guess I don’t mind them, unless they seem creepy. The worst mask, that really creeps me out is the Michael Myers mask! That freaks me the heck out! Every dang Halloween I see it and it does scare me…I don’t like it!
Growing up my mom collected clowns. Maybe that’s why I don’t mind them SO much, I’m used to them. What I did not like was the masks she had hanging up in our hallway. At night they were creepy. They weren’t clown masks though, they were like Mardi Gras masks…ceramic. At night, I avoided going to the bathroom at all costs!
Did your mom know you were afraid of those masks?
No I never said anything to her…..not sure it would have made a difference.
Did you know that there is a Clown College?!