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Poor Balloon Boy. First off, that’s what six-year-old Falcon Heene is going to be called for the rest of his life. From his college graduation to his wedding, people will always reference Balloon Boy. But really, that’s not the worst of it. The worst of it is that it seems Balloon Boy probably didn’t do anything wrong. It’s appearing more and more obvious that his scheming parents were behind the whole thing, and the poor kid is clearly wracked with guilt. While being interviewed on CNN, Falcon was asked by his father why he hid in the garage even when rescuers were calling for him. He responded, “You guys said we did this for the show.” His father Richard Heene responded “Oh man.” Since then the Heene family has been on both ABC and NBC to defend themselves, and when Falcon’s statement was brought up, each time the little boy became physically ill and threw up.

Clearly poor Falcon is guilt-ridden, something his scheming parents sure don’t seem to be bothered by. Not only were they on an episode of “Wife Swap” last year, but it turns out they’ve been shopping a reality show “all over town” for the last several months. That sounds like “the show” little Falcon was referring to.

A TLC official tells TMZ the Heene family approached the network “months ago” with a reality show idea, but the network passed.

TMZ has learned the Heene family has been pitching a reality show about the wacky family, as one TV source put it, “all over town.”

We’re told Richard Heene pitched a series to Reality Real, as well as RDF Productions. RDF produces “Wife Swap,” on which the family appeared back in March.

We’re also told the Heene’s have made the rounds at the networks, including TLC. Of course, TLC produced “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”

So is balloon boy the ultimate reality show pitch?

[From TMZ]

It’s sad that we’re so accustomed to ridiculous reality show schemes most people saw this coming. Everything is about reality TV, and it’s invaded our lives in this incredibly awful way. Instead of up-and-coming actors with lots of drive striking out for Hollywood, all these run-of-the-mill people are looking for sensational ways to make themselves rich and famous, and extend their 15 minutes to 15 years.

While you obviously don’t want to accuse someone of doing something as terrible as this for the publicity, given all the information that’s come out it would seem gullible to try to assume the best. These parents sound like whackos, plain and simple. Not only did they try to get attention – and a reality show – by worrying the country that their child was in danger or dead, but now they’re letting him suffer deep physical (and presumably emotional) consequences. If Falcon’s getting sick on NBC, what do you think he’s doing at home at four in the afternoon? Probably still sick. Considering how terribly upset he seems when the cameras are on, imagine what he’s going through the rest of the time. The Heenes have made not only their son sick, but the rest of us as well.

Update by Celebitchy: Eyes for Lies, a tested truth expert like the ones portrayed on the Fox series “Lie to Me,” believes that the family is telling the truth based on their demeanor in the 911 tape, in interviews and in the family home video taken right after the balloon accidentally launched. She says the father’s anger is genuine and that “I am surprised by the anger I see in his father Richard, and the fear I see in Richard’s wife, Mayumi. If they set this balloon off as a hoax, I wouldn’t expect to see this because they would be Emmy Award winning actors.” Eyes also says that Richard’s behavior on CNN does not indicate deception.

My theory on how it went down is that maybe they truly believed that the boy was in the balloon at first, but then they realized soon afterwards that he was safe in the garage. They saw how much publicity they were getting and decided to drag it out until the balloon landed so they could get more air time. That would explain why Falcon said “you told me it was for the show.” It’s possible they’re telling the truth, though, and that their history as fame seekers is counting against them. As much as the facts point to one thing, Eyes is usually dead on in her assessments and if she says this family seems to be telling the truth, maybe they are.