Mascots on Fire.

NEW ORLEANS - Trouble putting out a ring of fire used in a mascot stunt caused a 19-minute delay during Game 1 of the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets second round playoff series Saturday night.
The delay occurred between the first and second quarter after Super Hugo, a Hornets mascot who uses a trampoline to dunk a basketball, soared through a large hoop that had been set ablaze before slamming the ball through the basket.
While Super Hugo celebrated the success of his stunt, workers struggled to put out the fire with a carbon dioxide extinguisher, then had to douse the fire with foam extinguishers for several seconds before it would go out. Maintenance crews then tried to clean up the mess by using dry mops normally used to soak up sweat, but that ended up smearing it from end to end.
After the floor had been cleaned to the referees’ satisfaction, the teams were given a couple minutes to warm up.
The Hornets also canceled the halftime show so the court could be cleaned again.

We used to go to the circus because it was "the circus." Now, we go to sporting events and a circus breaks out. Are we that bored with life that a professional sporting event isn't exciting enough for us? We need mascots, fireworks and loud music to get us going. We're starved for entertainment.

Watch the NHL playoffs. Every time the puck stops moving the music starts - right up until the time the referee drops it and play resumes. There isn't a dry moment in the game. Baseball insists on showing videos on their giant screens between innings. Mascots dance on the dugout and music plays.

You'd think the game would be enough. Maybe that's why the circus isn't as popular as it used to be?