With one comment, "Balloon Boy" Falcon Heene unwittingly added to speculation that his disappearance and non-balloon ride were designed by his parents to bring attention to the family, who have gained national notoriety for twice appearing on 'Wife Swap.'
During an interview with CNN on Thursday night, Wolf Blitzer asked the 6-year-old boy why he hadn't responded to shouts of his name when he was apparently hiding in an attic. Falcon's reply? "You guys said, uh, we did this for the show." On Friday, similar questions on 'Today' made Falcon sick ... as he literally threw up on air. Watch After the Jump!
'Did This for the Show'
Sick on 'Today'
His parents Richard Heene and Mayumi Heene appeared to be thrown off by their son's response and grew visibly irritated when pressed by Blitzer later on in the show.
"Let me interrupt you on this, because I see where you are trying to hedge on this," Heene said. "I'm kind of appalled, after all the feelings I went through with this, that you guys are trying to suggest" that it was all a hoax or publicity stunt.
On Friday, the Heenes appeared on NBC's 'Today' show to offer an explanation for Falcon's "show" slip.
"First of all, let's clarify: He's 6," Heene said. "I don't know that he really understood the question he was being asked."
He explained that earlier on Thursday, reporters asked Falcon to show them where he was hiding.
"One of the guys told him it was for some TV show. That's what he was referring to when he made that statement," Heene said.
Later on 'Today,' Falcon fell ill and actually threw up on live television before 'Today' host Meredith Vieira could ask him a question. After a break, Richard Heene returned to Vieira and more questions on whether the whole thing was a stunt.
"I'm starting to get a little ticked off," Heene told Vieira. "I'm repetitively getting asked this. What do I have to gain out of this? I'm not selling anything. I'm not advertising anything. My family and I, we do this all the time."
The drama surrounding the Heene family began in Fort Collins on Thursday when a homemade balloon aircraft floated away from a backyard after Falcon was thought to have been seen climbing inside. This set off a frantic scramble by the military and law enforcement agencies. Two hours later, the balloon slowly touched down in a field -- but with no sign of the boy inside.
Authorities feverishly searched for any sign of the child on the ground, including in the neighborhood where he lives. Then, it was announced that Falcon had been hiding in a box above the family garage the whole time.
The whole thing was a fake they should be billed for all the police that was looking for that DUMB kid. Too bad he wasnt on the balloon it would have made this story better instead of the lame ending it had. STUPID PEOPLE SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED TO BREED...
Michael, I do hope you dont have children, you jackass. That child is obviously terrified of offending his loud mouth, verbally abusive father. Of course, you being the rocket scientist you are, never considered that possibility! His father is a bully, the family is afraid of him, not unlike Joe Jackson. You, sir, are just an idiot.
Oh yeah sure , the guy calls the FAA , then the TV stations , he had his balloon tethered ? Bulll-Crap !Also , Am I wrong in saying that if you own any type of Helium-Balloon ,You definitely have to have it certified / OK'ed by the FAA as a flying type object ? AND then with a few hours of 'interviews' the mom had bags packed(intentionally) - Expecting to be called by TV networks to Pay them to be on the TV show(s) ? YES , that guy is a total Creep , and Shame on the TV networks to be duped, and waste our concerns with Pathetic news and tv journalism . Shame , Shame !!!!!
whata bunch of crap!!! The child is alive and thats all that should matter. Things like this happen alot, children , even those wo have been lost in the wilderness will hide and they won't answer when being called ... Thats why rescue workers SEARCH as well as call out!!! And what a B!t@H the reporter is ..The kid is puking his guts out and she just keeps "GOING for the story" instead of cutting the interview short! And why do you think the kids was sick , Hmm could it be because he was so upset from the events of the day???
This was an obvious stunt. The little guy gave it away. Dad seems too shifty eyed, and can't manage a tear with his phony emotion. The shame of it is they will probably be offered a reality show on TLC.
Oh man, I would have stopped the interview if my child was doing that. That poor child is puking his actual guts out and Dad's still talking. They better get the child flu tested or something instead of doing interviews.
What a crock of s*it! It's a HOAX for sure! Jail those freaking people, all they want is media attention. They want a reality show! Give them that in jail, and take those kids away from them, teaching them to lie for them. Jail the fraaks who caused so much trouble for the airport, police, military, and many other people, and it was all a HOAX. I felt it immediately, and I was right!
I don't really believe they did this for publicity. I blame the media and a slow news day for this. I mean come on! Who's idea was it to call up all the cable news networks to cover a story from some hick town in Colorado? However, I do think the parents should be held responsible for at least some of the money spent searching for their dumb kid.
THis guy really and truly beleives he is a "mad scientist" he should have had his kids taken away and be forced to pay for the search, and quote "rescue" it was a hoax he needs to admit it he was caught in a lie the kid admitied it so why can the poor excuse for parents, that guy is just nuts. btw how in the world did the kid get in the attic by himself he had to have help from the video of the hpuse he had to have help to get up there, a search of the house reveiled the attic where the kid was was well stocked with snacks and juice drinks,
You go dad! I don't believe this was a publicity stunt because of the way he is protecting his son. Much like some of the other parents who exploit their kids on these reality shows for their own publicity. He seems to want to involve his children in his hobbies and other dads could benefit from his example. His response is genuine and he seemed to put his childrens wellbeing first. Way togo!
My suspicions arose the minute one of the reporters asked how the parents were doing -"..bet tney are too distraught to answer any questions ..." nope, they are doing fine - the father is on the phone with someone. I saw the object supposedly falling off from the balloon and I was distraught thinking it was the kid - the parents were too "calm".
This was right out of the movie Twelve Monkeys. Except the story in the movie involved a child down a well, Bruce Willis told Madeline Stowe the kid was hiding in a barn to prove he was from the future. And what do you know!
With one comment, "Balloon Boy" Falcon Heene unwittingly added to speculation that his disappearance and non-balloon ride were designed by his parents to bring attention to the family, who have gained national notoriety for twice appearing on 'Wife Swap.'
Comments
(29)Add a comment
Friday 16 October
By winger
I think I'M gonna vomit. Whoooooooooops.
Reply
Friday 16 October
By MICHAEL K
The whole thing was a fake they should be billed for all the police that was looking for that DUMB kid. Too bad he wasnt on the balloon it would have made this story better instead of the lame ending it had. STUPID PEOPLE SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED TO BREED...
Reply
Friday 16 October
By gennie
Michael,
I do hope you dont have children, you jackass.
That child is obviously terrified of offending his loud mouth, verbally abusive father. Of course, you being the rocket scientist you are, never considered that possibility! His father is a bully, the family is afraid of him, not unlike Joe Jackson. You, sir, are just an idiot.
Friday 16 October
By MJB
Oh yeah sure , the guy calls the FAA , then the TV stations , he had his balloon tethered ? Bulll-Crap !Also , Am I wrong in saying that if you own any type of Helium-Balloon ,You definitely have to have it certified / OK'ed by the FAA as a flying type object ? AND then with a few hours of 'interviews' the mom had bags packed(intentionally) - Expecting to be called by TV networks to Pay them to be on the TV show(s) ? YES , that guy is a total Creep , and Shame on the TV networks to be duped, and waste our concerns with Pathetic news and tv journalism . Shame , Shame !!!!!
Friday 16 October
By Darcy
whata bunch of crap!!! The child is alive and thats all that should matter. Things like this happen alot, children , even those wo have been lost in the wilderness will hide and they won't answer when being called ... Thats why rescue workers SEARCH as well as call out!!! And what a
B!t@H the reporter is ..The kid is puking his guts out and she just keeps "GOING for the story" instead of cutting the interview short! And why do you think the kids was sick , Hmm could it be because he was so upset from the events of the day???
Reply
Friday 16 October
By Laurin
Hey Darcy, I didn't see either one of the parents give a crap that he was getting sick. The father is a nut job and needs to be held accountable.
Friday 16 October
By Uncle Martan
This was an obvious stunt. The little guy gave it away. Dad seems too shifty eyed, and can't manage a tear with his phony emotion. The shame of it is they will probably be offered a reality show on TLC.
Reply
Friday 16 October
By Dang
Oh man, I would have stopped the interview if my child was doing that. That poor child is puking his actual guts out and Dad's still talking. They better get the child flu tested or something instead of doing interviews.
Reply
Friday 16 October
By Linda Sinclair
What a crock of s*it! It's a HOAX for sure! Jail those freaking people, all they want is media attention. They want a reality show! Give them that in jail, and take those kids away from them, teaching them to lie for them. Jail the fraaks who caused so much trouble for the airport, police, military, and many other people, and it was all a HOAX. I felt it immediately, and I was right!
Reply
Sunday 18 October
By BW
It absolutely has to be a hoax... Sorry but the dad just can't act!!! He had fake tears. Seriously that balloon could hold 5-10 lbs MAX.
I mean I saw a video of the children doing strom chaser and cussing.. What kind of parents are rasing these children to curse and swear.
All the want is media attention, money hungry and do not care what they put there children thru. They are exploiting there kids.
They should me heavily fined..
Friday 16 October
By LC
I don't really believe they did this for publicity. I blame the media and a slow news day for this. I mean come on! Who's idea was it to call up all the cable news networks to cover a story from some hick town in Colorado? However, I do think the parents should be held responsible for at least some of the money spent searching for their dumb kid.
Reply
Friday 16 October
By Colin
THis guy really and truly beleives he is a "mad scientist" he should have had his kids taken away and be forced to pay for the search, and quote "rescue" it was a hoax he needs to admit it he was caught in a lie the kid admitied it so why can the poor excuse for parents, that guy is just nuts. btw how in the world did the kid get in the attic by himself he had to have help from the video of the hpuse he had to have help to get up there, a search of the house reveiled the attic where the kid was was well stocked with snacks and juice drinks,
Reply
Friday 16 October
By bwall03
You go dad! I don't believe this was a publicity stunt because of the way he is protecting his son. Much like some of the other parents who exploit their kids on these reality shows for their own publicity. He seems to want to involve his children in his hobbies and other dads could benefit from his example. His response is genuine and he seemed to put his childrens wellbeing first. Way togo!
Reply
Saturday 17 October
By Uh...No
You're not fooling us with that fake name (bwall03), Richard Heene.
Friday 16 October
By SpaceToast
Punk'd!!! Send 'em the bill.
Reply
Friday 16 October
By Gina
My suspicions arose the minute one of the reporters asked how the parents were doing -"..bet tney are too distraught to answer any questions ..." nope, they are doing fine - the father is on the phone with someone. I saw the object supposedly falling off from the balloon and I was distraught thinking it was the kid - the parents were too "calm".
Reply
Saturday 17 October
By Laurin
Right on Gina. Here I was praying for this kid. I feel totally scammed.
Friday 16 October
By rhonvw
THESE PEOPLE ARE FREAKING I-D-I-O-T-S!!!
Reply
Friday 16 October
By the scootist
This was right out of the movie Twelve Monkeys. Except the story in the movie involved a child down a well, Bruce Willis told Madeline Stowe the kid was hiding in a barn to prove he was from the future. And what do you know!
Reply
Friday 16 October
By larry.wyrick
From the getgo that was a bunch of bunk. That family is a zoo. He has temper tantrums of a 3 year old and he breeds.
Am sure he thought Sarah Palin was normal too.
Reply