The world was transfixed on the story of the "Balloon Boy," 6 year-old Falcon Heene, who was supposedly whisked away in his father's experimental Mylar balloon over Colorado. After a desperate chase by foot and air, the boy was found sitting unharmed in the family's attic. (Technically, he should be called "Attic Lad," but "Balloon Boy" is more media-friendly.)
Now the world is transfixed on another issue: was it all a hoax? Here are the Top 3 Reasons we think so.
1) "We Did This For the Show." In this live interview on CNN, when asked by his dad why he didn't respond to the family's cries for help, the boy responds something that sounds like, "We did this for the show."
Wolf comes back on screen a few minutes later and delivers this hard-hitting investigative followup, consisting of one question:
Kids say crazy stuff all the time, so this could be a harmless remark. But watch the father's reactions throughout -- his hesitation at asking his son to repeat the comment, and his unwillingness to answer any further questions, feel like a classic cover-up.
2) There is a show. The Keene family, who are stormchasers, contribute regular updates to CNN, such as this one (courtesy of iReport):
Although Richard Heene says that he never puts his family in any danger with their stormchasing exploits, I've never seen a parenting manual that advises driving your kids into the eye of a hurricane, then getting out of the car while your children film you.
3) There was a show. The family was also featured on the ABC reality show Wife Swap, where the Heene mom got traded to a mullet-loving dad:
While their Wife Swap experience could have been a coincidence, let's review the evidence:
- A family that loves the media spotlight
- A family with content to promote
- A family with an appetite for risk
Our verdict? PRANK.
You have to admit, though, that is a pretty sweet balloon.
Am I the only one pissed off at these people for costing the taxpayers and the economy so much by wasting police and rescue workers' time and resources as well as shutting down one of the country's largest airports? I say the dad at least belongs in jail if not the mom too.
Google Search runs " Wait. Wrong Falco." through its engine 10/19/2009 11:19 AM
Did you mean, Falcor?
It'd be funnier if that's really what the real Google said. I just tried it and Google knows who Falco is....and this conversation came up at #8 in the list. Not too shabby Google.
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