Quit Clownin' Around

There has been a frightening new tide of anti-clownism, though the clowns would disagree. (Bozophobia? Ok ok. It's really called Coulrophobia.)
Straight from the article: "We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable." Granted that was a sampling of 250 children, and I would like to see the study repeated with American children as well. However I don't think the results would be very different. Times have changed. Once Stephen King's "IT" came out... clowns went from mysterious to murderous and scary.

Pennywise (Tim Curry did a fabulous job in this role btw) started a downward spiral of red noses. And "They all float down here!" Just plain creepy. Good job Mr. King.

I for one am ok with fewer clowns, but want to keep clowning around. Can we retain silly behavior without requiring the makeup caked faces? I've never been thrilled with them. Though the final blow was struck when two phobias converged in one spot. One of my step-brothers had a ventriloquist dummy... that's right the clown looking one. The REALLY creepy looking one that bore a remarkable resemblance to the evil possessed clown toy in Poltergeist.

(eeek ok I need to stop looking at the bad pictures!)

So clown plus evil possession, plus dummies that come to life like in Twilight Zone and there was even a Fantasy Island episode where the dummy came to life too.... yep. I was all done with clowns, dummies, and anything where they joined up.

But even the ones that aren't trying to look creepy, just the fact that the behavior is out of the norm and that they hide themselves just gives off a bad vibe. I still have no idea how they can think that "in general" they are at even the very best, neutral. If not down right disturbing. I mean wouldn't you rather see cute puppies than clowns?!

Sleep tight, and hope that if the clowns come to get you, that you've got your twisted balloon pistol ready for 'em!