freak show

American  

noun

1. a display of people or animals with unusual or grotesque physical features, as at a circus or carnival sideshow.

2. any ludicrous, bizarre, or dehumanizing occasion, function, performance, etc.; grotesque, circuslike event.

   endless interviews and auditions that became a ridiculous freak show.

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Etymology

Origin of freak show

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

I want to thank them all, from the bottom of my freak show heart.

From Literature

The most notable addition to the story is a sequence depicting the Phantom’s humiliating past as part of a freak show—a clever innovation that slightly humanizes this opaque character.

From The Wall Street Journal

George Carlin told us that when you are born in America, you get a front row seat to the freak show and Thompson told us you bought the ticket and so you should enjoy the ride.

From Salon

The Jim Rose Circus Sideshow, a freak show that featured Slug the Sword Swallower, the Torture King and some dude who drank vomit, became a crowd favorite, making the world safe for “The Jim Rose Twisted Tour” TV show.

From Los Angeles Times

Like most reality TV, it's closer to a freak show than an attempt to reflect the average person's experiences.

From Salon