In December 1996, the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru was invaded by a group of terrorists from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, a group of indigenous Peruvian Indians demanding more political autonomy. The embassy personnel and the guests at a dinner party were taken hostage. This incident was later turned into a novel titled Bel Canto. This is where the title of this show comes from.
Two of the clowns are named "Oingo" and "Boingo". Oingo Boingo was a popular L.A. based band in the 1980s and '90s led by Danny Elfman.
Most of the clowns' names begins with the same letter as whatever color they are dressed in (e.g., Oingo=Orange; Boingo=Blue; Rompers=Red). The only exception is the purple clown Nurple.
(at around 12 mins) This is the first episode in which the word "fuck" (bleeped) is said; Cyril says it to Cheryl.