Balloon Boy: Heenes Chase Their 15 Minutes of Fame
[ABOVE: Heene's star-crossed vehicle to stardom touches down]
The parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, met in a Hollywood acting school and “put on a very good show for us.”
–(Larimer County, CO Sheriff Jim) Alderden
Jail Time May End up Longer than 15 Minutes
When the Balloon Boy parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, continued their latest chase after their next 15 minutes of fame, they might have stopped and considered: that possible jail time for the stunt might exceed that small measure of reality show-based infamy.
From Authorities: ‘Balloon boy’ incident was a hoax:
The Heenes have repeatedly denied any hoax. In an interview Friday with CNN’s “American Morning,” Richard Heene said Falcon’s remark was a reference to the media that had assembled in front of the family’s home.
Charges have not been filed, but authorities expect to recommend felony charges including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and attempting to influence a public servant, Alderden said. They also plan to recommend a charge of filing a false police report, which is a misdemeanor.
There’s something to be said for reality shows: they’re cheaper to produce and they fill a niche that underserved; i.e., Ghost Hunters and their imitators give paranormal fans something to look forward to on TV each week.
That being said, one of the main drawbacks to the genre is that no-talent boors (such as every woman featured on We’s Bridezillas) come into our homes and are fooled into thinking that, because they appear on TV, they are something more than classless clowns.
This was the fame (infamy) that the Heenes were chasing.
That the Heenes involved their children, shut down the airspace around Denver’s airport, and scrambled the emergency personnel in surrounding areas didn’t seem to enter into their calculations.
They should be made to bear the law’s fullest brunt for their forcing others into becoming involved in their chase for Jerry Springer-hood.
by Mondo Frazier
images: http://i.telegraph.co.uk
