Don't be confused - this one is about actual circus acts made of family members, not the controversial comic strip.
AI Summary
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating world of circus families - multi-generational dynasties who've made performing under the big top their family business. They explore famous circus clans like the death-defying Flying Wallendas, the pioneering Clarks, and the motorcycle-riding Urrises who invented the Globe of Death way back in 1912. The hosts discuss how these families got started, why the circus life makes sense as a family tradition, and share some surprising stories about everything from circus fires to royal endorsements that shaped these remarkable performing legacies.
Movies Discussed
Bewitched
"bewitched — Josh lists Bewitched as another TV show that actor Parley Bayer appeared in."
— Josh
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Circus Rookies
"all of the Nelson's were in a movie called Circus Rookies in 1928 — Josh mentions this 1928 film that featured the Nelson circus family performers."
— Josh
Family Circus
"Family circus is totally different — Chuck mentions the comic strip Family Circus when discussing circus families, noting it's different from actual circus families."
— Chuck
Hey Dude
"stars of the cult classic show HeyDude — Referenced in a podcast advertisement about 90s nostalgia with the show's stars David Lacher and Christine Taylor."
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
"teach Lon Chaney, the actor, how to walk the high wire in a movie called Laugh, Clown, Laugh — Josh mentions this 1920s film where circus performer Hilda Nelson taught actor Lon Chaney high wire walking."
— Josh
Mad Max
"I watched the whole Mad Max trilogy — Chuck mentions recently watching the Mad Max movies when making a reference to 'break a deal, face the wheel' from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome."
— Chuck
Man on Wire
"the movie coming out about Man on Wire, the tightrope walker between the Twin Towers — Josh references the documentary about Philippe Petit's tightrope walk between the Twin Towers when discussing high wire acts."
— Josh
Saturday Night Fever
"The New York Times don't make a man — Josh references a line from the Saturday Night Fever song 'Stayin' Alive' while discussing old New York Times articles."
— Josh
Scarface
"I think a Scarface. Tony Marinara — Chuck confuses the character name Tony Montana from Scarface when trying to remember the Saturday Night Fever character."
— Chuck
The Andy Griffith Show
"He was the mayor in Andy Griffith — Josh mentions that Parley Bayer, who married into a circus family, played the mayor on The Andy Griffith Show."
— Josh
The Golden Girls
"from 3's company to the Golden Girls — Josh mentions The Golden Girls as one of the many TV shows that actor Parley Bayer appeared in."
— Josh
The Wire
"It's like real police if you're a fan of the wire — Josh uses The Wire as an analogy to explain the distinction between being 'circus' versus just working in a circus."
— Josh
Three's Company
"from 3's company to the Golden Girls — Josh mentions Three's Company as one of the many TV shows that actor Parley Bayer appeared in."
— Josh
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