A clown was a type of performer in Human cultures who entertained young children with jokes and pantomime. Modern clowns often dressed in funny-looking clothing and adorned their face with paint, usually white with brightly colored highlights. They were often seen at circuses and carnivals. The term was also used to describe mythological tricksters and people acting in a clownish manner.
History and specifics[]
The "trickster" deity in Human folklore was described as a mischievous clown, shape-changer, and thief. (TOS novel: Uhura's Song)
William Shakespeare included a clown character in Othello, Act 3, Scene 1. (TNG novel: Greater Than the Sum)
A group of circus performers aboard a traveling circus tent-like starship became lost and ended up settling on the planet Omicron. Their descendants often dressed as clowns, even while farming or on the job as police officers. (TOS - A Book to Color comic: "First story")
In the 23rd century, Onlies had a circus "foolie" game in which they would punish clowns. (TOS novel: The Cry of the Onlies)
At Starfleet Academy in 2249, Spock had a concern about clowns. He wondered whether he could retain his Vulcan calm when seeing one or laugh. When Cadet James T. Kirk called Starfleet Criminal Investigative Service agents clowns, Spock deadpanned that he'd not seen any clowns. (TOS novel: Academy: Collision Course)
In the 2260s decade, Prince Vikram often played the part of a clown in public company, but was no fool. (TOS novel: Shadow Lord)
In 2270, passage of the Federation starship USS Enterprise through an unusual field of energy altered the ship's computer. Kirk described it as having a "clown-mind", as it began pulling infantile pranks on the crew. (TAS - Log Six novelization: The Practical Joker)
In 2366, William T. Riker could hear a street clown performance outside his hotel window in Besidia on Dante Maxima VII. During the parade on the last day of their Trade Carnival, locals put on a huge show, dressing up as clowns. (TNG novel: Fortune's Light)
In 2369, Riker, Deanna Troi, Worf, Alexander Rozhenko, and Geordi La Forge attended Bitinga's Traveling Wonderment Exposition. During the acrobatics act, clowns in Starfleet uniforms pretended to hold a safety net below the trapeze artists. (TNG comic: "The Rich and the Dead!")
At least one of the clowns on Beta Maradi VII was involved in a smuggling operation and aimed a hand phaser at the USS Enterprise-D away team after the illegal activity was exposed. (TNG comic: "Hidden Agendas!")
In 2370, children during a halloween celebration dressed up as a clown, bee, cat, dinosaur, ghost, vampire, witch, and even a caped superhero. (TNG - Holo-Ween comic: "Issue 4")
Remarks[]
In 2024, Vin said the time traveling Benjamin Sisko and Julian Bashir were dressed like clowns, referring to their Starfleet uniforms. (DS9 episode: "Past Tense")
In 2271, while reporting to Bela Oxmyx on Sigma Iotia II, Rilke said a clown — a "superhero" in an exoskeleton suit — effortlessly stopped thugs at Exwhil's Jewelry Emporium. (FASA RPG module: Another Piece of the Action)
In 2274, Kirk called Husian leader Edrem "a clown in platform shoes" to deflate the diminutive mastermind's threats after his people kidnapped and restrained the crews of the Enterprise and USS Venture. (TOS comic: "Husian Gambit")
Notable clowns[]
The Clown, a malevolent hologram.
- The Clown (VOY episode: "The Thaw")
- Pagliacci (VOY episode: "Virtuoso")
- USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) computer (while afflicted in 2270)
Notable mythical tricksters[]
Appendices[]
Connections[]
- See also: class clown
References[]
- TOS novel: The Tears of the Singers
- TOS novel: Strangers from the Sky
- ST - The Fall novel: Peaceable Kingdoms
- TOS novel: The Folded World
External links[]
- Clown article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Clown article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.