can't people take sarcasm?
it's been my experience that sarcasm doesn't translate when written down - especially on forums - unless people expect it in a thread...
that's where the smileys come into play because they can give the comment a 'tone of voice'
It's not a "clowns" program.
He's Pierrot, a mime:
It inspired one of the most if not the most popular french song: Au Clair de la Lune
Then there are different versions: Some says that Pierrot "took the moon" For Columbina's love. In other versions Colombina is the moon and Pierrot falls in love with the moon.
So the moon is very important in the story. Pierrot is often portrayed win the moon:
http://billounette.b.i.pic.centerblog.net/5qyswnfx.jpg
http://billounette.b.i.pic.centerblog.net/lra5p6ca.jpg
http://billounette.b.i.pic.centerblog.net/7j4jz2pi.jpg
http://aerise.unblog.fr/files/2007/12/pierrots4.jpg
http://image.mabulle.com/i/is/isilfea.mabulle.biz/pierrot.jpg