In her Salon piece, “A Nation of Attention Whores,” Mary Elizabeth Williams asks why everyone in this country seems so starved for fame. I think that very question is on everyone’s mind after the recent “Balloon Boy” incident. As Falcon Heene vomited on national television, you couldn’t help but feel sick about being taken for a [balloon] ride by his fame whore papa. And that’s just one of many examples of how people are doing crazier and crazier things to get their 15 minutes. Others: Meghan McCain’s boobs, Jon and Kate, Susan Boyle, OctoMom, Real Housewives, Perez Hilton—the list goes on and on. Ever since the evolution of reality TV and the internet, it is easier than ever for anyone to get famous for just about anything. No talent, intelligence, or hard work required. But why are we so obsessed with fame?

Someone had to make money off the Balloon Boy hoax, right? Presenting the Balloon Boy T-shirt. It was only a matter of time. [$20, Glennz Tees via LikeCool.com]

If the universe were a fair place, the Balloon Boy caper would blow over by Halloween (har, har). But we all know we’re probably stuck with this kid for a while, so why not go trick-or-treating this October 31st dressed as the most famous 6-year-old on the planet, Falcon Heene? All it takes is a big flying saucer-shaped helium balloon and the twinkle of adventure in your eye!

In the saga of the Balloon Boy, the gift that keeps on giving, here’s a real treat worth unwrapping ... or, listening to, as the case may be. I think I’ve just found my next favorite song to work out to. [via Nerve]

Well, as if it wasn’t obvious already, officials have finally confirmed what the entire universe already knew—the ballad of missing Balloon Boy, Falcon Heene, was a hoax. Richard Heene, with the help of his wife, concocted the whole saga in hopes of getting the family some publicity, so they could sell a reality show. This is what happens when a plan EPICALLY BACKFIRES. The Heenes will face charges, some of which may carry jail time.

Alright, WTF is going on with this “Balloon Boy” story? For starters, can we stop calling Falcon Heene that, because, remember, he wasn’t actually in the balloon. Secondly, was this a hoax or not? The family appeared on “Larry King” last night and Falcon seemingly called out his parents for faking the whole incident saying, “You guys said we did this for the show ....” Then this morning, the whole family appeared again on “Today” and his dad, Richard, said he was appalled that anyone would even suggest they staged this whole thing for publicity. Meanwhile, poor little Falcon barfed during the interview and Meredith Vieira and his father ignored it and continued on with the interview. Someone take the cameras off these people and put that little boy to bed.

A “6-year-old boy” named Falcon Heene (allegedly the son of Richard and Mayumi Heene of Ft. Collins, Colorado) climbed into a “helium balloon” shaped like a “homemade flying saucer” in “his parents’ backyard” outside of Denver and floated away when he untethered it from its rope. At least, that’s what the government wants you to think.

But seriously, we hope he’s back on solid ground. Land safely, Falcon!

UPDATE: The balloon has landed and television is saying one of Falcon’s siblings said he fell out of the balloon.
UPDATE: Police are now saying the balloon is empty, meaning Falcon is not inside. Here’s hoping he’s just snickering under the bed.
UPDATE: We’re now hearing the Heene family appeared on the TV show “Wife Swap.” ABC’s web site for “Wife Swap” has a picture of a 5-year-old Falcon on its website.