Big Apple Circus is also on the verge of shutting down.
It’s a shame if the world loses the big circuses. Great childhood memories.
Lack of kids, and change of culture. Many kids today are likely watching porn.
By midcentury, the circus was routine, wholesome family entertainment. But as the 20th century went on, kids became less and less enthralled. Movies, television, video games and the internet captured young minds. The circus didn't have savvy product merchandising tie-ins or Saturday morning cartoons to shore up its image.
The Feld family bought the Ringling circus in 1967. The show was just under 3 hours then. Today, the show is 2 hours and 7 minutes, with the longest segment — a tiger act — clocking in at 12 minutes. "Try getting a 3- or 4-year-old today to sit for 12 minutes," he said.
Congress can be considered/treated as a Circus....
***Great childhood memories.***
True indeed. I saw them in 1953, Denver. My kids got to go to Circus Vargas and Carson and Barnes, under their tents.