WQED Weekly
The Circus
Clip | 9mVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about life performing in a circus.
This segment of WQED Weekly features a former circus performer reminiscing about her time traveling around the country with her circus troupe. She visits the circus setting up in Pittsburgh to meet old friends and talks about what circus life was like. This segment also includes archival video of previous circus performances.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
WQED Weekly is a local public television program presented by WQED
WQED Weekly
The Circus
Clip | 9mVideo has Closed Captions
This segment of WQED Weekly features a former circus performer reminiscing about her time traveling around the country with her circus troupe. She visits the circus setting up in Pittsburgh to meet old friends and talks about what circus life was like. This segment also includes archival video of previous circus performances.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch WQED Weekly
WQED Weekly is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
The circus came to the town where I lived, and I was a real little girl then.
My brother wasn't even born.
And they pitched their tent across the street from where we lived.
And my mother and father were very kind.
And they had them come over to our house and use the outside water faucets to get water for themselves and for the elephants and to cook.
So that was my first time for seeing the circus.
Yeah, it was a real big wing ding on Sunday morning.
We went out the yard and, you know, the men were always riding out on top of the cars.
Out on top because it was so hot in the inside.
And the trains go slow when they're coming into a town, and they could sit up on top of them.
And then, then they'd see some of us like waiting for them, and we'd say, come on, we'll go home.
Out here only for Here.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Come here.
Well, arent you surprised?
- What are you doing down here?
Fine.
I'm really glad to see you - Good.
How are you?
Oh, great.
Great.
I'm going to ride the lead elephant and inspect tonight.
Didn't you know that?
Didn't know that.
Didn't you know that?
Well you don't know anything about the elephants then, do you?
Not from the outside, no.
Only you only know from the inside.
Well, I know from the inside.
Go on go.
I think I've done everything that could possibly be done except a perch pole.
And I can't get up a perch pole.
The most fun I had with snakes was when Josephine.
Whenever she would see me around, she was like, come on, put my cape on and you can do it.
The people you see when you go to the circus.
Yes.
What are you doing here?
I'm not going to tell you Oh, you're circus hopping again.
Arent you, sweetheart.
Oh, good to see you.
Gee you look wonderful.
Oh, great to see you.
Hi.
Isn't it wonderful?
Every once in a while, see if we were together every day.
You know that would be old stuff.
You'd be tired of seeing me and all this.
And you're tired of seeing me.
Never.
We have these once in a while meetings.
Look at the fun we've had in New York.
In New York?
I can't remember the places.
Well, when I when you were painting your house, now, you know that was a day you cooked up some kind of concoction.
Well, I got to go in and change my outfit.
Okay.
What are you doing?
Well, goodbye.
This is a spec costume.
Any time, any place.
See you in Providence, right?
Right, Ill see you.
Bye bye.
You remember the fun we used to have a ring at the side show?
Oh, yeah.
Golly with Joe on her side.
Oh, Joe, all right.
Yeah, I take it you know I never go down.
I never go too far to that.
Well to me you were like a part of the family.
Yeah, I know we were a family.
You remember?
We were a family in those days.
Of course, there's a lot of good friends who no longer with us.
You know, it was about 30 years ago when I saw you.
Do you remember when we used to... when you all.... Its just sounds silly when you think of all the people that I have known.
And who have come and stayed for a week.
And that when the show was here, they would all come and stay awake, whoever got the beds.
I'd always wanted to be a dentist but I was a secretary.
Just a plain ordinary every day.
Secretary.
There was nothing else a girl could do that or teach school.
Well, I was a lot of things I wanted to do.
But it takes a long time to fulfill all your dreams and aspirations.
Just the things that you wanted to do and didn't.
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about backyard gardeners. (8m 18s)
NewUniversity of Pittsburgh’s Hockey Club
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about the University of Pittsburgh’s Hockey Club. (5m 50s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment highlights a Ukrainian cultural festival. (11m 36s)
NewTransportation Challenges for Disabled Persons
Video has Closed Captions
This segment explores the transportation challenges people with disabilities face. (5m 56s)
NewThree Rivers American Indian Center
Video has Closed Captions
This features an interview with Russell Sims from the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (6m 32s)
NewSleight of Hand Magic by Paul Gertner
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview and live performance by sleight of hand magician Paul Gertner. (6m 1s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a visit to a sexual health clinic. (6m 12s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about the Schuman Center, a juvenile detention center. (7m 42s)
NewReenactment Battles at Lexington and Concord
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a reenactment of the battles of Lexington and Concord by grade school children (6m 53s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This highlights Reach to Recovery, a program that supports women recovering from mastectomies. (7m 26s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This highlights the Powder Mill Nature Reserve and the work of environmental activist Ruth Scott. (9m 18s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment explores a police counseling program. (5m 52s)
NewPittsburgh Penguins Financial Problems
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about the Pittsburgh Penguins’ financial problems. (7m 14s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Pittsburgh Mayor Pete Flaherty. (5m 39s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment of WQED Weekly features a story about penny candy. (5m 13s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This features an interview with, Oliver Mason, a former City of Pittsburgh police officer. (8m 3s)
NewNational Organization for Non-Parents
Video has Closed Captions
This is about the National Organization for Non-parents, a group supporting child-free couples. (7m 15s)
NewMeridian Elementary School Football Team
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features footage of the Meridian Elementary School football team. (10m 20s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Sarah and Rachel McClelland. (8m 54s)
NewMaintenance in Terrace Village
Video has Closed Captions
This explores maintenance problems in low-income housing run by the Pittsburgh Housing Authority. (8m 52s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Leon Bibber, a man who spent 19 years building a boat. (7m 10s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment highlights Jim Nagle performing as Kimo the Clown. (5m 30s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Kim Nagel, and 18-year-old running for school board director (8m 17s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about Jane Grey Swisshelm, a feminist and abolitionist from the 1800s. (4m 58s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about a high school senior internship program. (7m 28s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about community service and support work. (8m 46s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with actor Frank Gorshin about growing up in Pittsburgh. (4m 46s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This WQED Weekly features a story about a foster grandparent program for children with disabilities. (4m 17s)
NewFiscal Crunch of PennDot and City Hall
Video has Closed Captions
This segment explores PennDOT and the City of Pittsburgh’s financial problems. (7m 38s)
NewFifth Avenue High School Basketball Team
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about the Fifth Avenue High School basketball team. (7m 59s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with local farmer Dick Koons. (8m 50s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment highlights a program that supports the children of couples who are getting divorced. (6m 47s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment explores decriminalizing marijuana possession in Pennsylvania. (9m 16s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about the Crawford Grill, a jazz bar in the Hill District. (8m 38s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with community advocate Franklin Wilhamina “Frankie” Pace (7m 35s)
NewThe Claysville McGuffey Recorder
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about Gene Shaw, the owner of the Claysville McGuffey Recorder. (8m 33s)
NewCitizens Band Radio and Truck Driving
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about citizens band radios and truck driving. (4m 16s)
Now PlayingVideo has Closed Captions
This segment features a story about life performing in a circus. (9m)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This features a short film titled “A Christmas Night Story” created by Nicolas and Sandrine Schoen. (6m 27s)
NewCeinwen King-Smith - A Blind Teacher at Hillel Academy
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Ceinwen King-Smith, a blind teacher at Hillel Academy. (4m 35s)
NewBreast Cancer Detection Center
Video has Closed Captions
This segment follows a screening appointment at the Breast Cancer Detection Center in Oakland. (7m 5s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment explores donating blood at the Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh. (3m 15s)
NewArthur ‘Art’ J. Rooney Interview
Video has Closed Captions
This segment features an interview with Arthur ‘Art’ Rooney. (7m 29s)
NewVideo has Closed Captions
This segment explores ad campaigns encouraging people to attend church. (4m 36s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
New Episode- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
New Episode- News and Public Affairs
Today's top journalists discuss Washington's current political events and public affairs.
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
Support for PBS provided by:
WQED Weekly is a local public television program presented by WQED