




Longer than a freeway chase, more cinematic than news of a child trapped down a well, the balloon voyage was utterly transfixing as stations bounced from helicopter to Heene driveway scenes. Cable news picked up Denver stations' footage, and international networks joined the nerve-wracking coverage.






Some of the errors were worse than others. Channel 4 helicopter pilot Rob Marshall was a big offender. "Correct me if I'm wrong," Marshall said just after the balloon touched down, "they're saying the little boy's OK!" That bad information was picked up and repeated for several minutes on KCNC.



The riveting coverage confirmed that, when broadcasters start talking about "hopes and prayers," they're in tricky territory.

"If you are predisposed to do so and want to say a little prayer, you might want to do that now," a CNN anchor advised as the UFO-like craft neared the ground. Or you could be quiet and wait for actual information.

Best work of the day, besides the long-lens photographers, was by Theresa Marchetta, Channel 7, reporting the family's background and TV connections.

Now, with national networks marveling at the family's unique hobbies and interesting personalities, it's not too soon to ask:

How long before they get their own reality TV show?

Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@