(Yes – This COULD happen to you)
If there’s one thing on which virtually all sensible human beings agree, it’s that clowns are disturbing. It’s no accident that they’re continually portrayed as slashers and chainsaw wielding maniacs in horror movies. Clowns are creepy and frightening. And let’s face it: most of them probably ARE actually evil . . .
Hence, my relief to come across some outstanding reporting in the New York Daily News explaining that we’re currently experiencing one of the most serious “clown shortages” in the history of the not-so-venerable industry.
Membership at the country’s largest trade organizations for the jokesters has plunged over the past decade as declining interest, old age and higher standards among employers align against Krusty, Bozo and their crimson-nosed colleagues. “What’s happening is attrition,†said Clowns of America International President Glen Kohlberger, who added that membership at the Florida-based organization has plummeted since 2006. “The older clowns are passing away.†He said he wouldn’t release specific numbers, citing the privacy of the members. Membership at the World Clown Association, the country’s largest trade group for clowns, has dropped from about 3,500 to 2,500 since 2004.
And yet I’d advise curbing your enthusiasm here just a little bit longer: ““The challenge is getting younger people involved in clowning,’ said Association President Deanna (Dee Dee) Hartmier, who said most of her members are over 40.”
In other words, they’re trying to mount a comeback . . . This is no time to drop your guard.