Clubs depressed bridge team, not the brightest people? (6)
I believe the answer is:
clowns
'not the brightest people?' is the definition.
(clown can mean a foolish person)
'clubs depressed bridge team' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'depressed' becomes 'low' (synonyms).
'bridge team' becomes 'NS' (north and south are a team in bridge).
'c'+'low'+'ns'='CLOWNS'
(Other definitions for clowns that I've seen before include "Funny men in the circus" , "Circus performers" , "Funny circus folk" , "They amuse with ridiculous behaviour" , "idiotic people" .)