23 replies to this topic

[fliptopbox]

This show doesn't start until Thursday night on AMC, but the previews I have seen are looking pretty awesome. I've always had a weird obsession with the whole circus freak/sideshow thing though. Anyone else going to check it out?

AMC's Freakshow is the new unscripted series that follows Todd Ray's quirky family business -- the Venice Beach Freakshow. Leaving behind a successful career in the music industry, Todd was finally able to realize his true passion: bringing together all things bizarre and unique, including two-headed animals, strange artifacts, eccentric performers and human wonders. Located on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, spectators gather to see truly exceptional people, specimens and creatures. Todd and his wife Danielle open their home and hearts to the extraordinary people who proudly call themselves "Freaks." Normal is relative. Premieres Thursday at 9:30/8:30c, only on AMC.

And after watching the sneak preview I have determined this is my new favorite show. It almost makes me want to learn how to swallow a sword. Almost.

[ElectricBoogalo]

Thanks for starting this thread. I rarely watch AMC these days so I hadn't seen any commercials for this show or known that it existed, but Geek Love by Katherine Dunn is a favorite of mine so I know that I'm going to love this show.

Related story: a friend of a friend wanted to take a fire breathing class so he signed up online and then showed up to the class. Almost the entire first class was about fire safety so it wasn't until near the end of class when they started doing stuff that he realized he had accidentally signed up for a fire EATING class instead of a fire BREATHING class. Just thought I'd throw that out there as a cautionary tale who might get inspired by this show to learn some of these skills.

Edited by ElectricBoogalo, Feb 13, 2013 @ 12:40 AM.

[dirtybubble]

Thank you for starting this thread. I was about to start one myself until I found this.<BR><BR>I am soooo watching this show! I love Walking Dead so I've seen alot of previews for it and read the bios online. It does look good but its a shame its only 30 mins. long. I haven't picked out a favorite person/character yet.

[fliptopbox]

I'm really looking forward to it. I just wonder if tonight's episode is going to be the same thing as the sneak peek that was On Demand. I hate when they do that!

And so far my favorites are the daughter, (whose name I forget) and the blonde guy with no eyebrows. I suppose I'll learn their names as the series goes on.

[Zuleikha]

I'm excited for this because I do circus arts and know sideshow performers. At least one of my area's local sideshow performers is going to be on the show.

I watched the interview with the daughter on YouTube, and she cracks me up. Her look is so mature, and she's a very poised professional performer in the few performance clips of her I dug up but then when she talks, she sounds like a conventional teenager.

[MissTheLove]

I love the "giant," he seems like such a nice, gentle man. And the daughter is adorable. Overall, the whole group seems like good folks.

I'm definitely sticking around.

[dirtybubble]

I liked this show as well. Everyone seems to be cool and my only complaint is that its only 30 mins. long. With all the commercials shoved in, it just seemed to be too short.

I liked the "tallest man in the world" but I did read somewhere that he's now the 2nd tallest man in the world. Someone beat him out recently so when this was filmed he might have held the world's record but its been broken.

Loved the girl that can breath fire and the indestructable lady as well. Both are so pretty too me. Loved Morgue as well. I hope one of the episodes is centered around him as well.

[MissTheLove]

The indestructible lady lighting her cigarette with the grinder was badass.

Does anyone get a Mad Mad House vibe from this show (I miss that damn show)? Minus the competitive aspect, of course.

[bilgistic]

The parents, daughter/fire-eater (Asia), glass-eater/grinder lady (blonde w/tattoos) and Morgue (pale sword-swallower guy) were on Anderson Live last week and they featured their talents. They all seem really fun and welcoming. I enjoyed the show last night and will keep watching.

[Eris Rising]

I've been around the site for long enough to know that it's a tricky thing at best to take part in a reality show conversation when you know one or more of the participants, but I do think that it's worth the risk to say that they really are that friendly and welcoming, and it isn't an act for the camera. My wife and I have been acquainted with the Rays since I had a stand on the Venice Boardwalk. Out of all of the hundreds of characters we encountered there, they were simply the kindest, most warmhearted, and the most generous.

Also, Asia is indeed a typical teenager in many ways, but she's the youngest female sword swallower in the world, and can also spot a counterfeit bill by touch in the dark. That's one unique family.

[fliptopbox]

Also, Asia is indeed a typical teenager in many ways, but she's the youngest female sword swallower in the world, and can also spot a counterfeit bill by touch in the dark. That's one unique family.

That's impressive.

[ElectricBoogalo]

I liked the "tallest man in the world" but I did read somewhere that he's now the 2nd tallest man in the world. Someone beat him out recently so when this was filmed he might have held the world's record but its been broken.

I'm pretty sure they said he was the tallest man in America, not in the world.

[dirtybubble]

I'm pretty sure they said he was the tallest man in America, not in the world.

Yeah you're right. I rewatched the episode and they made it clear that its in America and not the world. My bad. I guess I'm just used to hearing WORLD'S biggest/fastest/dumbest, etc. Still 7'8" is impressive.

Edited by dirtybubble, Feb 18, 2013 @ 3:18 PM.

[dirtybubble]

Another great episode last night! I had no idea so much went into sword swallowing. I guess I should have realized the difficulties of letting any object fall down your esophagus and then into your stomache and pull it back out again--tummy acid in your mouth, ouch.

[MissTheLove]

I find it hilarious that a rock soundtrack apparently follows Morgue wherever he goes. And while he looks like he might be a bit eccentric and moody, the staredown with Murrugan wasn't convincing. C'mon show, you don't have to manufacture drama for us.

[hatchlynn]

Morgue is hot.
And that might be the single most disturbing sentence I have ever typed.
I'd love to know his real name and what he looked like before adopting this persona.
The hair color looks real enough but the pale skin could be being enhanced a bit, maybe?
I'd just love to see a high school yearbook or similar!

[dirtybubble]

Morgue is hot.
And that might be the single most disturbing sentence I have ever typed.

LoL! He is kinda a cutie isn't he? Enh if I had to guess, the hair might be dyed but the skin could be just him either wearing alot of sunscreen or just not going out in the sun. Ya know, to keep up the stage persona...

Yeah I would like to know his real, as we say in the south your Christian name. =)

I agree with a previous poster that the scuff with he and Murrugan seemed a bit forced. And speaking of Murrugan, the vibe I get from him is he's someone who's shall we say been around the block a time or two. Been through the ringer....I don't know, something in his eyes, the way he talks, he's had a tough life. =( He seems like a cool guy though--all of them do.

[ElectricBoogalo]

Despite the warning at the beginning of the show, I'm still a little afraid that some dummy is going to watch this episode and think that they can learn how to swallow a sword by shoving a wire hanger down their throat for a few days. I do love that Asia wanted to learn how to and did it.

[Judas]

I wish I had a jar filled with conjoined twin babies . . . that is the best souvenir ever.

[dirtybubble]

Another great episode! I am quickly discovering though that I much prefer to see the entertainers of the show (Creature, Morgue, Asia, etc.) instead of the people that actually run the show. Nothing against the guy who runs this operation but he is beginning to BUG a bit! His zeal going after the "two headed baby" is a bit bizarre. By that I mean he's treating it more as a souvenir as the previous poster said. Meh IDK, he just grates. And his family is a little on the dull side. Or at least dull for reality tv.

Bring on the roller skating!! =D I don't care if it was setup by the producers; I am really liking Creature. He seems to have a very warm and friendly personality. And more info on Morgue!

Edited by dirtybubble, Mar 1, 2013 @ 11:35 AM.

[hatchlynn]

I am quickly discovering though that I much prefer to see the entertainers of the show (Creature, Morgue, Asia, etc.) instead of the people that actually run the show. Nothing against the guy who runs this operation but he is beginning to BUG a bit! His zeal going after the "two headed baby" is a bit bizarre.

He was falling all over himself to convince the seller that the two headed baby would be presented as "So and So's Amazing Two Headed Baby" or some such, yet when he got it back to the show and it was displayed I saw nothing of the sort. Even in the long shot where you could see the "Amazing Two Headed Baby" sign as well as the surroundings there was nothing to give credit to the previous owner. As he had promised.

He can be as "we are family and I am a sincere and caring father to my freaks" as he likes but his actions say otherwise. It's all bottom line to him.
Not that it shouldn't be- it's a business whose purpose is to make money.
But don't go on TV and make promises you don't intend to keep and expect us to keep buying your spiel.

Frankly, I thought $20K was a steal.
They should have asked for more.

[Minerette]

When I saw the "two-headed" baby, I thought about the Hensel twins.

I am soooo going to hell for that. . . .

[xls]

I saw the "two-headed" baby, I thought about the Hensel twins.

I am soooo going to hell for that. . . .

I did too. Only because I thought how hurt and offended they would be by the didplay and him saying "wounder if they had two souls?"

[dirtybubble]

Only because I thought how hurt and offended they would be by the didplay and him saying "wounder if they had two souls?"

Exactly! He was treating them like a prop. The thing about him taking the Lobster Boy along seemed a little more just because the young man was in total agreement with it and seemed to enjoy being around like minded individuals. Even if he was using that young man as bait/leverage/sweeten the pot, maybe.

Meh either way I'm excited about another episode tonight. If this show comes back for a second season maybe they can lessen the exposure on Todd Ray the doofus and show more of the entertainers.