Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: The Bizarre Clown Panic of 2016
Feb 25, 2025
In 2016, eerie clown sightings sparked global panic, starting with a viral photo from Green Bay. This phenomenon revealed deep-seated fears around clowns, influenced by horror films and cultural figures like John Wayne Gacy. Social media fueled hysteria, leading to unjust repercussions for professional clowns everywhere. The podcast dives into the twisted relationship between entertainment and societal fears, inviting listeners to reflect on how such panics can happen in today's digital age.
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Gags the Clown Marketing Stunt
- Filmmaker Adam Krause admitted the initial clown sightings in Green Bay were a marketing stunt for his short film, "Gags the Clown".
- Despite Krause's admission, clown sightings escalated nationwide and internationally.
Greenville Clown Sightings
- Greenville, South Carolina, experienced clown sightings where children reported clowns trying to lure them into the woods.
- Police investigated but found no evidence of clowns or related items.
Spread and Escalation of Clown Panic
- Clown sightings spread across the US, Puerto Rico, and 18 other countries, escalating into attacks and criminal incidents.
- Media reports heightened panic and hysteria by using charged vocabulary like "sightings."
