correction
An earlier version of this piece stated that Capitol Records released "Bozo's Circus" to stations. In reality, it is unclear whether the show went to stations or to theaters. Additionally, it incorrectly stated that John Wayne Gacy had dressed like a clown to lure children into his home before murdering them. In reality, while Gacy had portrayed a clown at public events, earning him the moniker of the "Killer Clown" he did not use the clown costume to lure his victims.
Actor David Arquette has bought the rights to Bozo the Clown, with plans to open a museum in Chicago filled with Bozo-iana. For decades in the middle of the 20th century, Bozo was an iconic character and a model for a new form of consumerism aimed directly at children.
While children’s television programming subsequently evolved, catering to children’s educational needs (“Sesame Street”), family viewing (sitcoms) and satire (“The Simpsons”), Bozo remains dear to people who, like Arquette, initially saw his show as a child and felt spoken to directly by the character. Bozo fostered his viewers’ sense of themselves as consumers and his likeness has since lived on in American entertainment, even long after the peak popularity of clowns.
