"Balloon Boy" dad Richard Heene is selling off the infamous balloon that made him the most hated father in America -- and if everything goes to plan ... he'll raise over a million bucks for charity in the process.



Richard posted a video online last week -- in which he claims his family wants to help with the tsunami relief efforts in Japan ... and to kick things off, he's already set a "purchase now" price on the balloon for $1,000,000.

Heene claims he will not make a penny off the saucer -- saying he hired an attorney to distribute any profits from the private online auction to Japanese tsunami relief charities.

The 20-foot saucer created a search-and-rescue panic in October 2009 -- when Richard and his wife claimed their six-year-old was trapped in the balloon as it careened into the sky.

Of course, it was all a lie ... and now everybody hates him.

Charlie Sheen is getting ripped by the one guy who still might be crazier than him -- Richard Heene, aka Balloon Boy's dad -- and TMZ has the bizarre music video where Heene morphs into Sheen.



Heene teamed up with comic musician Smokey Miles -- a.k.a. Count Smokula -- to film the parody video for a song about Sheen mania ... featuring multiple references to cocaine, goddesses and yes ... the "W" word.

Also, Richard's eerie transformation into the warlock shows off a special effects budget of about $1.14.
Still, you gotta see it.

Hey ... at least he's not exploiting his kid this time.

Balloon Boy's dad Richard Heene has hatched a new money making scheme that doesn't involve exploiting his kids -- and TMZ has learned it involves a giant back scratcher ... and a whole lot of yelling.


Sources tell us Richard has invented a contraption called the "Bear Scratch" -- basically an upright piece of wood you use to scratch your back ... you know, like a bear would.

TMZ got its mitts on a video of Richard practice-pitching the gadget -- and ... just a suggestion ... he should probably take it down a few decibels.

Billy Mays he's not.

Can you match up the beautiful celebrity mug shots?

The Colorado house where Richard Heene launched his stupid "Balloon Boy" hoax was just rented out to a brand new family ... and TMZ has learned, the home's infamous past was a HUGE selling point.


Sources connected to the property tell us the house received immediate interest when it went on the market last month ... with everyone wanting to see the attic where Falcon hid out while the country thought he was trapped in a homemade balloon.

As we previously reported, the Heene's blew out of town and moved to Florida earlier this month -- but they left a ton of stuff back at the Fort Collins home.

We're told the property owner cleared out all of the Heenes' old crap -- but it's unclear if they'll ever be able to remove the stench of desperation that Richard left all over the home.

"Balloon Dad" Richard Heene has a brand new mug shot in Florida -- but dude didn't break the law this time ... TMZ has learned it's all because he decided to move.



Law enforcement tells us the Heene family has left Colorado for sunny Florida ... and as a convicted felon for that whole "Balloon Boy" hoax thing ... Richard has to check in with local law enforcement before he can settle into a new home.

So, at 7:35 AM ... dude threw on his best yellow t-shirt and waltzed into the Manatee County Sheriff's Office ... where he posed for a mug shot, left his fingerprints and went on his way.

According to reports, the Heenes didn't leave Fort Collins on good terms -- their former landlord claims the fam left discarded belongings all over their former home ... including tables, plates, tools chairs and appliances. 

Don't worry -- they've still got plenty of baggage.

It was a very Jackson afternoon for TMZ Live today -- and Harvey and Mike had you covered, answering questions on the battle between Katherine Jackson and Dr. Conrad Murray ... who may also sue AEG.


Also: A Brock Lesner update, raiding Kirstie Alley's yard sale, the Heene family outing on ABC's dime and ... could Britney go crazy again?

Plus: Does Jon Gosselin stand a chance against TLC?

Harvey and Mike answered your questions on anything this Friday the 13th -- including breaking news about DJ AM's wrongful death suit, the potential prison time Michael Lohan faces for releasing those phone calls and Cindy Crawford's German extortionist.



Plus: The Heenes' day in court, Nic Cage's status as "rich poor" and Mike's pledge to lose weight!

Harvey, Mike, Max and Rick were on live today -- where they answered questions on the Heene family's past run-ins with the law, went on a random Charles Manson tangent and hit on Harvey's "pathetic" book sales.

Plus -- how our Mel Gibson DUI story is causing a giant first amendment controversy, a debate over "The Best Song Ever Written, Harvey says "Save the Pigs!" and breaking Khloe and Lamar news.

T.G.I.F. -- Harvey and Mike answered your questions on everything today, including Lindsay Lohan getting another year of probation, the Balloon Boy family's reality TV aspirations and Jon Gosselin's TLC lawsuit.