American imperialism has brought us to this point. No, I’m not talking about global politics or anything like that. I’m talking hockey ambitions. In 1917, the Canadians started up this little organization called the NHL where six teams fought over the chance to drink LaBatt from a giant beer stein. Now, almost a century later, they are practically an afterthought in their own league due to a critical mass of American teams located in places that wouldn’t even know what ice looked like unless it came served in a glass. Retribution for our impertinence was inevitable.The tents were raised. The training was rigorous. The time had come. We took their hockey, they would take our cirque… err, circus.
Since the early 90's (which is coincidentally the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup) resistance to their spectacular spectaculars was of no use. We were outmatched by performance artists and buskers. And they didn’t even have animals! (Actually, that was probably a really smart move on their part.)
Today, the Ringling Bros. circus comes to town in an effort to reestablish its tagline. Taking cues from the Canadians, the circus has attempted to modernize and shake off its somewhat shabby image. Done away with are the three rings, bleacher seating, and even the “big top” itself. Unfortunately they have decided to keep the clowns.
Will this change of pace win over the hearts and minds of the American circus going public or will Barnum and Bailey look like a bunch of Jeany-Come-Latelies? Don’t know. But when you get down to it, a circus is about being under a hot tent which smells like a barn eating overpriced cotton candy next to a child who is bawling his eyes out due to being frightened by a hobo-chic clown walking in front of a depressed bear riding a unicycle. In other words, it's perfect just the way it is. Let the Canadians perform the ethereal artistry of the cirque (plus give them a chance to win the Cup a few times again, would ya?) and let the Americans supply the earthy showmanship of the circus.
posted by -jw-
