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AirTalk

After 146 years, the end to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’

By AirTalk Staff
Published Jan 17, 2017
A performer rides an elephant holding a US national flag during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Washington, DC on March 19, 2015. Across America through the decades, children of all ages delighted in the arrival of the circus, with its retinue of clowns, acrobats and, most especially, elephants. But, bowing to criticism from animal rights groups, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced on March 5, 2015, it will phase out use of their emblematic Indian stars. AFP PHOTO/ ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (Photo credit should read Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
A performer rides an elephant holding a US national flag during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Washington, DC on March 19, 2015.
(
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen 16:15
After 146 years, the end to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’

The big top comes down: Ringling Bros. circus is closing.

After 146 years, the curtain is coming down on "The Greatest Show on Earth." The owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus told The Associated Press that the show will close forever in May.

The iconic American spectacle was felled by a variety of factors, company executives say. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise.

Read the full story here.

Guest:

Les Neuhaus, reporter who’s been covering the story for the LA Times; he tweets