Netflix’s doc looks at balloon hoax

It’s been 16 years since a Colorado man pranked the nation after claiming his son was trapped in a giant, flying-saucer shaped balloon. That balloon turned out to be empty once it landed, but it hadn’t stopped law enforcement and a phalanx of media from covering every twist.

Netflix’s “Trainwreck” anthology series will cover the story that took place on Oct. 15, 2009, as part of its survey of modern scandals. The Balloon Boy episode is set to premiere July 15, with currently available episodes covering “The Astroworld Tragedy,” “Poop Cruise” and “The Cult of American Apparel.”

– Tribune News Services