Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    This real clown is not happy about the creepy clown hysteria

    In late August, police in South Carolina received reports that clowns were trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, creepy clowns have been spotted in more than two dozen states. Last week, police arrested a man in Pennsylvania after witnesses say he was jumping in front of cars dressed in a clown mask.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    By Madeleine Brand • Oct 11, 2016 • 1 min read

    In late August, police in South Carolina received reports that clowns were trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, creepy clowns have been spotted in more than two dozen states. Last week, police arrested a man in Pennsylvania after witnesses say he was jumping in front of cars dressed in a clown mask. Law enforcement in California is deeply irritated by the clown panic, but are urging people to keep calm, saying most of these creepy clowns are doing it as a prank. The prank is not so funny for people with a clown phobia, though, and also not funny to legit clowns, people who work for circuses and perform at birthday parties.

    The full episode

    5 of 5
    Are Russian hackers leaking false stories to sway the US election?
    1. 0:30Are hackers to blame for Trump’s false Blumenthal, Benghazi link?
    2. 13:00With 6th year of drought ahead, California is slipping on conservation
    3. 19:39Turf Terminators: How much bang for your buck?
    4. 28:37Beyond the berets and guns, the softer side of the Black Panthers
    5. 43:09This real clown is not happy about the creepy clown hysteriaYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Eric Newton

      Teacher, Performer

      News

    The full episode

    5 of 5
    Are Russian hackers leaking false stories to sway the US election?
    1. 0:30Are hackers to blame for Trump’s false Blumenthal, Benghazi link?
    2. 13:00With 6th year of drought ahead, California is slipping on conservation
    3. 19:39Turf Terminators: How much bang for your buck?
    4. 28:37Beyond the berets and guns, the softer side of the Black Panthers
    5. 43:09This real clown is not happy about the creepy clown hysteriaYou’re reading this
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand