Balloon Boy - Why all the TV Coverage?
I was amazed to see the Network News coverage of the Balloon Boy story yesterday.
Wolf Blitzer (for whom I have enormous respect) spent much of the time on yesterday's "The Situation Room" tracking the unmanned home-made balloon that floated across the Colorado sky. Tom Foreman worked the "Magic Wall" and various "Balloon Experts" were interviewed. MSNBC kept on with the story as did Fox News.
The Colorado Sheriff was out in full force and even the Colorado Air National Guard was called out to track the Balloon and help find the missing 6-year old that was speculated to have been on board the runaway Balloon.
Ariana Huffington (The Huffington Post) was preparing to to be interviewed by MSNBC on the topic of Afghanistan, but instead was asked her thoughts about the Balloon Boy. Her reply was direct and to-the-point. She asked why, since the 6-year old boy had been found safe and sound at home, the media was still continuing with the coverage of the story.
In a later interview with CNN's "Larry King Live," the 6-year old boy (Falcon Heene) said he heard his parents call for him from the garage. When asked by his father on-air why he didn't respond, the boy replied, "You guys said we did this for the show." Wolf questioned the boy's father about this response, but the father became indignant and said he was "appalled" at the insinuation being made.
The Balloon Boy's father - Richard Heene - obviously thrives on media attention having appeared twice on ABC's reality show "Wife Swap" (fortunately I've never watched it) as well as being known as a "Storm Chaser".
If in fact Heene wants to dismiss yesterday's fiasco as a genuine mishap with a good ending and get on with his private life, why is he on the morning TV shows today?
Stewart,
I would like to give the family the benefit of the doubt, but I saw the interview of the family this morning were the little boy said he "did it for the show." If they are able to prove that this was done as a publicity stunt, they should be tried in a court to the fullest extent of the law. Countless people put their lives in danger, and the media redirected all their attention to this event when there is a lot bigger fish to fry in the current world we live in. A sad situation.
Jeremy Williams
Keller Williams Realty NE
Kingwood, TX
www.williams4yourhome.com
Stewart, It appears to have been done to capture the media's attention. I failed to see the sincerity with the father and if the boy said they did it for the show, then I'm apt to believe him.
What's further amazing is that the story has continued into Day 2.
Shouldn't the media leave it alone until the authorities discover whether or not it was a genuine incident or a hoax?
I'm far more concerned with Health Care, our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan ....
..... even Balloon Boy himself couldn't stand it anymore and he threw up on live TV today!
I think it was one thing for us to see it yesterday but I can't believe we are still talking about it today. If it was a hoax then we are only giving the family what they wanted by keeping the story in the news. This is definitely a strange story.
Certainly during the event yesterday....I was listening intently, hoping for a good outcome. I remember being glued to the news all those years ago when Baby Jessica was trapped in the well....my son was the same age. I think as a parent, we can imagine the horror of thinking our children are in danger. But now? Clearly a sweet little boy and crazy parents.....but time to get back to the real issues that need addressing.
Hi Stewart... Yesterday's ballon story was definitely a modern day Baby Jessica and The Well story! It must have been a slow news day.
Stewart,
Seems everyone needs their 15 minutes in the sun, I think this is no different.
Stewart - The more information that comes out on this story the more disheartening it becomes. This family may of reached their goal of exposure to national publicity for future gain.
....same OJ White Bronco chase....They want their 15 minutes AND to get paid for it!!!
It's sad that father would involve his son in such a hoax... kids tell the truth and I think we all know what really happened here.
Stewart, Did you know they Moved To Colorado From LA
Before moving to Colorado, the Heenes owned a production company in Los Angeles, where they helped actors develop audition tapes, demo reels and websites, according to a pair of brief mentions in the book "Acting Is Everything" by Hollywood acting coach Judy Kerr.
The Heenes, Kerr wrote, were "dedicated to helping actors achieve their marketing goals."
I'd like to recommend a punishment for this father: Being put on house arrest and banned from facing a camera for a year: and having to watch Sandra Bullock's movie "All About Steve" every day.