The Funny Bone Medical Team, formerly known as the Ambulance Clowns, are a classic clown unit from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Ambulance Clowns made their first Macy's Parade appearance in 1986, reminding spectators that laughter is the best medicine. A team of daffy doctors and nutty nurses travelled down Manhattan streets with their very own Clown Ambulance. For its debut appearance, the clown unit was joined by actor Ed Begley Jr., who at the time was starring as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on NBC's medical drama, St. Elsewhere.
The clown unit would continue to make appearances throughout the 80s and 90's until 1994 when, with the introduction of themed clown units, the Ambulance Clowns were renamed to the Funny Bone Medical Team. The group continued to appear for over a decade, now carrying supersized vaccines with them. Following the 2012 Parade, the clown unit was retired.
The Funny Bone Medical Team was brought back minorly in 2021, when redesigned costumes from the group appeared in the Funny First Responders clown unit, alongside the Funny Firefighter Brigade and Keystone Cops. In 2022, the Funny Bone Medical Team will once again appear as a stand-alone clown unit.
See also[]
- Clown Ambulance, the Funny Bone Medical Team's companion vehicle