Bozo

Bozo the Clown

This week I encountered two references to Bozo. First was from John Grisham's book, Gray Mountain. The protagonist refers to a "bad guy" as a Bozo. However, the character would not necessarily have known who Bozo was as she was born well after the franchise ceased to exist on TV. The second was from Samantha Bee's TBS TV show as she referred to one or more of the Republican Presidential candidates. Now, I've made references and have spoken of my dislike/phobia of clowns thanks to John Wayne Gacy, Ronald McDonald and of course the ultimate killer clown, Pennywise, from Stephen King's book, It. I found the written word far more disturbing than the 1990 TV movie. However, Tim Curry was fantastic as the creepy clown child killer. But what disturbs me is not the ruination of the clown, but the defamation of my youth's beloved TV entertainer, Bozo the Clown.

To equate the Republican Presidential candidates to a bunch of Bozos is an insult to many Late Baby Boomers whose childhood began with this lovable, laughable clown. (For me it was Bozo and the Captain Kangaroo show. Also, very big fan of Beanie & Cecil.) Of course, we can't refer to these clowns (candidates) as just clowns. They're not murderous clowns like Gacy and Pennywise. They're not hawking heart clogging death like Ronny McDonny. They're not from outer space like the Killer Klowns from Outer Space. (Great comedic B-movie from 1988.) A quick shout-out to campy 1980 B flicks.

The Donald posing after the last Presidential Debate

They're more like stupid clowns. But to refer to the Republican Presidential candidates as stupid is an insult to stupid people. However, there's the Catch-22. Stupid people don't know they're stupid. But the candidates are not stupid. Really. I believe they are as intelligent as any college educated American born before 1980. Ignorant, yes. Misinformed, maybe. Out of touch with the average American, definitely.

I agree to one issue the Republicans (all candidates actually) are stumping about - Terrorists. As far as despising terrorists, I agree. The alienation and the Muslim banning suggested by Trump, Cruz and Rubio, I greatly disagree. I disagree with anyone who wants to build walls around the US. To keep non-Americans out, we want to imprison ALL Americans. That's just Nuckin' Futs!!! I think I've said it before. There are a lot of unemployed American actors and TV personalities who have lost jobs to Canadian actors and TV personalities, like Canadian comedienne, Samantha Bee. Just kidding Sam. You deserve that new show that airs weekly on Mondays at 10:30 pm on TBS. No one is screaming to close the borders to them. However, most of these Canadians are a stitch. I wouldn't kick them out either. Another issue that gives people a poke in the eye by a Republican candidate (Kasich) is legislating what women can do with their baby factory installations, I strongly disagree. Women can do whatever the feck they want to their vahoosey whatchamacallits. I don't care. Make a baby. Keep the baby. Put it up for adoption. Abort it. Whatever. It's your choice. My conscience is clear. I wouldn't want the government to legislate on what I can do with my family jewel doodads or where I can put them. (These days I store them in a special safety deposit box in a bank in the Caymans.) I could go on and on but hate talking politics unless it's how funny Full Frontal with Samantha Bee's show lampoons the Republican Candidates. Watch it. Give her a chance. You bunch of Bozos.

So. To the only clown that was ever worthy of being called a clown, Bozo - you are still the greatest. The Republican Candidates? Not so much.