6-year-old boy floats away in balloon- Page 5

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 10:25am

Publicity stunt for what, though?
--
You could ask the same question about "storm-chasers": Storm chase...why?!?

Things that are thrilling release certain hormones. People get addicted to that hormone release.

It's the same reason that trolls pop up on chatboards and start fake fights and controversies: They enjoy watching everyone get upset.

If that's the father's game, he scored big with this one. News reports all over the country led with WHERE IS THE BOY?"

I don't think it has anything to do with the rush of hormones storm chasers get, although they probably played a big part in helping Heene actually carry out his stunt.

As the article indicates, it sounds like the Heene's motive may have been to get attention on his balloon flying saucer so he can claim the idea as his own. Apparently, he has had ideas stolen from him before, so my guess is he wanted to protect his idea. He mentions he has nothing to sell, but I think this was a lame attempt to publicize his balloon invention.


Second Business Partner: Balloon Dad 'Always Scheming'

Updated On: 10/16/09 at 10:25 AM

[Tom1071]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 10:56am

It also looks as though they give home haircuts.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:42pm

"A Foxnews.com search of public records revealed that Richard Heene, 48, and his wife, Mayumi, owe thousands of dollars in connection to a company called My You Me Productions. Prior to moving to Colorado, Heene and his wife were aspiring actors in Los Angeles who met at an acting school, a source told Foxnews.com.

The state of California filed a $5,812 tax lien against Heene in 1993, and records show a small-claims judgment of $5,000 was filed against him in Los Angeles County in 2006. County tax liens totaling roughly $2,000 were found in connection to the production company, which is now known as Alternate Reality Productions, according to productionhub.com."

Also:

"'It was a publicity stunt because Richard is not in the limelight like he used to be,' [Perry Caravello, former associate] said. "He wants to be in the entertainment field. What will this guy go through or put up with to become a celebrity?'"

Storm-Chasing Father of 'Balloon Boy' at Center of New Storm

Updated On: 10/16/09 at 01:42 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 1:59pm

un-friggin-believable.....

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 2:08pm

The most important question is: can we mass-manufacture Balloon Boy costumes quickly enough for this Halloween?

[danmag]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 2:10pm

Here is the rap video the Heene boys made with their parents help....nice language.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmlBPAY90MM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 6:18pm

Any parent knows: you do not put a six year old on camera with a Tupperware containor to hold his vomit. Dragging that kid out of bed at what, 4 a.m., to appear on these two shows? How insane does it get. What's with the gagged mother?

I'm loving the Ed Shultz shtus about it. He's in a lather, because he appropriately sees this as the new wave of this culture -- celebrity at any cost. Does anyone really believe it's a coincidence that these people are alumni of "reality tv?"

The footage of the dad in the backyard at the time of liftoff, combined with the order of his calls (FAA, TV station ... 20 minutes later, 911) says it all, folks.

Updated On: 10/16/09 at 06:18 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 6:23pm

Agreed.

[otis33]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 6:40pm

I find it ridiculous that the 'authorities' are going to hold another round of questioning, but are going to wait until tomorrow to let the family rest (get their stories straight).

This story is stupid, and I'm bored with it - yet my obsession is growing and I can't stop watching or reading about it. Help.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:48pm

"Any parent knows: you do not put a six year old on camera with a Tupperware containor to hold his vomit. Dragging that kid out of bed at what, 4 a.m., to appear on these two shows? How insane does it get. What's with the gagged mother?"

Not to mention, he got ill on Good Morning America AND the Today Show. Poor kid.

Updated On: 10/16/09 at 08:48 PM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:17pm

Seriously, can these idiots just have the kids taken away, and be done with them? It's not even funny or amusing anymore. Imagine if something happened to the kid while he was in the attic. I know the one at my house is not good for hiding because it's either too hot or too cold. Plus, it's not finished.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:37pm

The whole thing is insane. If you saw this family on Wife Swap you'd know how insane the parents are. AAARGH!

[otis33]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:44pm

I know this has been said, but I can't believe Child Protective Services hasn't stepped in. Hopefully they have.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 8:12am

I'm watching the Today show, and they are waiting for the father to come outside and make a "major announcement"

[tazber]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 8:19am

Keep us posted stockard!

Sometimes the only way people like this guy learn that life is not a TV show is to face the consequences for their actions in real life. I hope he does.

[clever name]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:11pm

What was the major announcement?

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:40pm

The announcement is that he is taking written questions:

"Richard Heene showed no sign of backing out of the spotlight, promising a "big announcement" Saturday morning.

He then emerged from the house to tell a crowd of reporters and spectators he'd take written questions and answer them at another news conference later in the day.

As Heene walked away, a reporter shouted, "Can you tell us once and for all if this is a hoax?"

"Absolutely no hoax, I want your questions in the box," Heene said, waving a cardboard box he then left on the doorstep."


Richard, your 15 minutes were up 14 minutes ago.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:51pm

What a douche. It's over for him, thank god.

[James885]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:53pm

This guy is milking this publicity stunt for everything it's got.

[Anakela]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:07pm

Apparently the balloon stunt is straight out of the plans for a Heene family tv series that was pitched to (and passed on) by TLC? Well, Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide confirm the show was pitched and passed on by TLC, and it's an anonymous source quoted on Foxnews who is saying that the balloon stunt was one of the ideas from the show. So who knows.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:15pm

I'm so glad I basically missed ALL of this stunt, the following media frenzy, the floppy-haired, distraught, camera-ready dad, with his junior-high level theatrics. The puking kid used as a pawn.

I only caught up to this (barely) in the last day or so. One peek told me it was crap and to change the channel. So I did.

This goes right up there with the Octomom and other "fifteen mintues of famers" who will seek celebrity at any and all costs.

Yawn.

I'm not a "fan," an "interested viewer," or even a "casual bystander."

I moved on. Next, please.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:26pm

And here was I, the big sucker who believed the whole thing was real. I sat transfixed to the tv through the whole fight, and when the balloon landed, I was filled with emotion as the men ran toward the thing to rescue the kid.

I feel like I was played, which I was, and I resent the fact that this imbecile involved so many people at great cost who also believed him.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:30pm

Best12bars, I agree with you, but at the same time, I can't stop following this!

I wasn't even aware of the details of the story until I read an article saying the boy was hiding in an attic. Prior to that, I had just glanced at the article saying a boy was in a balloon, but I didn't realize that so many people were bending over backwards to find this kid.

[clever name]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:46pm

If they don't take his kids away, then I think this crazy bastard guy got everything he wanted out of this. Mission Accomplished.

[Anakela]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:46pm

I feel like I was played, which I was, and I resent the fact that this imbecile involved so many people at great cost who also believed him.

I keep reading because I want to hear that this family's going to be charged for the "rescue" costs for their stunt. Even though it looks like it's not going to happen.