Only in the modern world have clowns become so wide-spread.  With this mass consciousness comes the universal appraisal: clowns are funny.  Funny clowns are the most common type of clown.  Clowns usually engage in humorous routines, called “bits”, meant to make the audience laugh.  Though not intrinsically funny, clowns nevertheless are often linked to humorous settings or goings-on.

One medium in which one finds clowns that are almost universally funny is cartoons.  There have been no major depictions of cartoon clowns that didn’t embrace the funny side of clowns.  “Krusty the Klown”, the alcoholic clown from the television show “The Simpsons” is a very funny clown.  His gruff demeanor and alcoholism stand in stark contrast with the lightheartedness of his clown makeup.

“Krusty the Klown” often finds himself in trouble because of his angry personality.  It does not gel with his role as a “funny clown” on television.  He often steals bits, those humorous routines clowns do to entertain the audience, from other cartoon clowns or other television personalities in general.

Yes, cartoon clowns are often very funny clowns indeed.  Clowns meant for the adult sensibilities of a prime-time animated show like “The Simpsons” are funny clowns.  Clowns on children-themed quasi-educational shows, however, are less funny clowns than just all-around circus scamp-type clowns.  Bozo the Clown hosted a children’s show during the 80’s and early 90’s.  It was a very popular clown show.  People enjoyed the “variety show” aspect of Bozo’s program.  In particular, children especially enjoyed it when Bozo would play a cartoon.  Clown friends of Bozo’s would also often pop up.

All things considered, however, Bozo was not a very funny clown.  Although he did engage in some clown-type shenanigans, he mostly served as the ring master for his larger variety show.  Indeed, he acts very much like “Krusty the Klown” from “The Simpsons”, except for the ironic twist of Krusty’s miserable personality.  Krusty was doubtless based on Bozo, or at dreamt up with funny clowns like Bozo in mind.

Clowns are funny, as a rule.  They are comedic characters who trick each other and engage in slapstick routines, called bits, meant to entertain and delight an audience.  Though some cartoon clowns are nasty and have a miserable side, most clowns are funny and appropriate for all ages.

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