Far be it from ABC to pay for interviews -- something they say they don't do -- but they will pay to stuff the stomachs of those they interview and then drive them comfortably to their hotel ... which is exactly what happened with the Heene family last night. 
We got the entire Balloon Family out for a fabulous sushi dinner at Ocean Grill in NYC.
Sources told TMZ that ABC paid the tab. We contacted ABC and they acknowledged they broke tuna rolls with the Balloons and did foot the bill.
Now here's the best part -- a source at GMA says, "We did not pay for a limo to drive them around the city. We did have a car service (SUV) take the family as they required a bigger car. "
11/17/2009 3:10 PM PST BY TMZ STAFF
ABC on Heenes: We Pay for Sushi, Not Interviews
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Reader Comments
(Page 1 of 2) | 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments1.
OK, folks, now the word is BOYCOTT, do not watch any ABC show that features these retards and their obnoxious foulmouthed children.
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2.
TMZ, Kelly Ripa had some interesting scoop on this family this morning during host chat on Live with Regis and Kelly. She said one of her show's producers texted her yesterday evening, telling her she was eating dinner and the Heene family was at the same restaurant and they "were filming each other, not with personal camcorders, either...really filming!" Anyway, Kelly sometimes doesn't make a lot of sense but you might want to check that out.
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3.
I will NOT be watching anything on tv with this family in it. They should be in JAIL!
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5.
Hey, lets interview the dirt bag family and pretend there normal. Reward them and give them a show that no one will watch.
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6.
I totally agree! WTF! Those "parents" should be in jail instead of rolling around in Manhattan getting free meals and lodging. The courts should take any and every dime their milking and the IRS takes whats left.
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7.
Apparently Richard Heene hasn't learned any lessons and would do it all over again because the media is so desperate they will pay him for his CRIMINAL behavior and abuse of his children. No ABC for me.
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9.
how long before Dr.Phil the pill jumps on this carcass with no medical lic. and cures these folks? or drive them completely over the edge
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10.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?????
This sick bastard is now getting EXACTLY what he wanted....and now has three sick pups ready to follow in his footsteps because they won't know any better.
THE MEDIA HAS GONE MAD.
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14.
I said it before and I'll say it again. If these fools get a show I will be getting rid of cable. Talk about rewarding bad behavior!!!
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15.
WHY did the Judge let them travel. They are being rewarded for bad behavior. This is just plain wrong.
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