The Thrill of the Circus
Concerning Dennis McDougal’s cheap-shot commentary, “Can the Circus Still Compete With TV, Movies?” Aug. 5:
Tabloid TV, big-budget bombastic movies and McDougal’s piece have something in common--cynicism and negativity, the scourges of our age.
If McDougal can’t see the difference between hanging from a trapeze and hanging from a terrorist noose (an odious and shameful simile unworthy of The Times), let me explain what makes the Gunther Gebel-Williamses of this world different from the Morton Downey Jrs. and the Dennis McDougals: positivity, creativity, showmanship and art.
There is a great deal of danger in circus work, and the fact that animal trainer Gebel-Williams doesn’t show off his tooth-and-claw scars may disappoint the National Enquirer mentality that McDougal brought to his article and to the circus. But for the real audience, we are thrilled and enchanted by the live and uncanned performances of the showmen and women who make up “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
DAN FENDEL
Los Angeles
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