Abby's father shops a reality TV show

[dumboiu]

Sick.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/06/15/lkl.abby.sunderland.dad.speaks.cnn?hpt=T2

 

[Brit17]

Totally disgusting ... what is wrong with these people? ... first the Balloon's Boy parents and now these parents ... and one of the things that irks me the most is that while these idiots are trying to do these stupid stunts, they are putting innocent peoples lives at risk, a.k.a. the rescuers and the public in general, whom usually end up having to go out and save them when their irresponsible ideas go awry ... not to mention the $$$$ it ends up costing eveybody to rescue them ... why don't these people just face "reality" and go out and get a real job to support their families, instead of trying to make a "get rich quick" reality show ...

 

[Robinrs]

I was expecting this...

 

[CandyMandy]

I agree. Because off stupid, greedy parents, Abby has quickly gone from being a supposed teen heroine to the butt of jokes (people in my office now refer to her as "boat girl," putting her in the club started by "balloon boy.")

It also doesn't surprise me that the big DIS crowd that was cheering on this messed up family last week is now completely silent here.

 

[Magix]

Maybe we're silent because, like a political subject, we type up a response and then realize it's not worth posting it, because those who want to think this was a stunt and that it was horrible are not going to have their minds changed by those of us who believe this was a legitimate attempt by Abby to achieve her goals. And vice-versa.

 

[pigletgirl]

People are just so media hungry!

 

[FergieTCat]

Maybe we're silent because, like a political subject, we type up a response and then realize it's not worth posting it, because those who want to think this was a stunt and that it was horrible are not going to have their minds changed by those of us who believe this was a legitimate attempt by Abby to achieve her goals. And vice-versa.

No, that can't be it ...

 

[mumom95]

You know, I originally thought the parents were wrong for allowing Abby to do this. I'm all for encouraging your child to reach for their dreams, but there has to be a limit. But, even though I thought they were wrong, I thought they were doing this for their daughter

Now, with this new information, I've lost all respect for the parents. The whole "inspirations reality show for other teams" is a bunch of you know what. They did it for the money.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I just read another story which directly contradicts this one. The other story said that the networks approached them, not the other way around. Also, they are not broke - they are doing well financially (as a middle class family).

Who knows what to believe.

 

[diznygirl]

Here's a story that says the Sunderlands were approached, and that they paid for Abby's voyage themselves:


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...y-cut-ties-with-tv-reality-show-producer.html

 

[TiggerTails57]

Errr Balloon Boy comes to mind

 

[Brit17]

I have a feeling that the Sunderland's may have decided to cut ties with the production company regarding their reality show because something tells me that they may now have even bigger plans ... like, maybe, a book AND THEN a movie deal ... who needs a silly reality show when you can make a movie?! ...

 

[Magic Mom]

This was on Abby's blog:

REALITY SHOW

Laurence and I were approached by Magnetic Entertainment last year before Abby departed to shop a reality TV show based on our family. Abby's trip was already sponsored. Their idea was to do an inspiring show about Zac and Abby’s adventures, what our family was like and what made them as strong and independent as they are. The show was shopped and not sold. All rights were returned to us. There is no reality TV show or documentary in the works and we will not be persuing one. We find it ironic that the media, who are spreading gossip and sensationalizing Abby’s story for profit, have the nerve to criticize us for supposedly doing the same thing – very ironic.

 

[CandyMandy]

because those who want to think this was a stunt and that it was horrible are not going to have their minds changed by those of us who believe this was a legitimate attempt by Abby to achieve her goals. And vice-versa.

Boat girl may have certainly had legitimate ambitions. But only those in denial could think those ambitions haven't been permanently stained by those around her. The "drama" and positive aspects of her story are quickly becoming a footnote and will only become further diminished if the family tries to use them for any financial gain (books/movie-TV docudrama-whatever).

And I'm certainly not alone in feeling that way. Here's one excellent example from a news site:

"Lure of the lucre:

Child development experts and other critics are not happy stating that parental greed has now overshadowed Abby’s individual goals to excel.

Not only the Sunderland family, but the media has also been criticized for stooping so low and exploiting kids for profit.

Dr. Ben Agger of the University of Texas, Arlington's sociology department noted, “Testing of limits is a good motivation and I like the idea of being encouraged to take risks.”

However, he added, “But when I find out some of these are thinly-veiled attempts by parents to beef up their kids’ eventual college applications – and now this TV deal which reveals even deeper motivations to economically exploit children – I can put no other face on this than to call it pathetic.”

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Boat girl may have certainly had legitimate ambitions. But only those in denial could think those ambitions haven't been permanently stained by those around her...

Agreed in principle, but I don't blame the parents for that - I blame the media.

 

[Robinrs]

Agreed in principle, but I don't blame the parents for that - I blame the media.

Yea, the media is totally to blame for idiots who allow their little girls to sail around the world alone....

I never even HEARD of this idiocy until I read it on the DIS. My child is 17 and I wouldn't trust him to go around Georgia alone without some issues. Bad choices should not be pooh poohed and hoorayed, if the child had died or was lost at sea then what? Why the heck was this stupidity worth it?

And why do people follow it? I'm completely lost as to why this is INTERESTING at all.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Yea, the media is totally to blame for idiots who allow their little girls to sail around the world alone....

You purposely took that statement completely out of context.

 

[themilesfamily]

I would never let my child do this, but Abby is their child and it's their decision based on what they know about their child and her abilities.

That said:

1) They say they are flat broke. How did they pay for all these boats, equipment, etc. over the years?

2) They sent her out with no ability to pay or contribute toward a rescue or to bring the capsized boat home in the event that happened. ($300,000 for the rescue, $130,000 to tow the boat home.) They're just relying on other people to pick up the tab.

3) And now they say they're going to let her try again. Flat broke? How?

It just seems irresponsible to me in so many ways. Both for the sake of their daughter's safety and financially.

I do believe that Abby probably is an amazing girl and has a love of sailing -- but the parents seem like they are doing everything possible to capitalize on her ability -- shopping reality shows, 30 lines of merchandise they are making money on, websites trying to raise money.

 

[luvmy3]

This was on Abby's blog:

Thanks for posting, thats very interesting. Oh and to the pp who mentioned that those who support the family are now silent, I really don't know whats going on yet enough to comment about it. What is written in the blog is certainly a different story than the gossip.

 

[Magic Mom]

Thanks for posting, thats very interesting. Oh and to the pp who mentioned that those who support the family are now silent, I really don't know whats going on yet enough to comment about it. What is written in the blog is certainly a different story than the gossip.

I agree. Even the organisation that provided her routing has spoken up. Her supporters don't seem to be silent.

TOO FAR SOUTH, TOO LATE IN THE SEASON

Abby's trip was being watched and guided daily by Commander’s Weather, a team of meteorologists that have been routing sailboats around the world for 30 years. Their clients include professional sailors such as Steve Fossett, Ellen MacArthur and PUMA Ocean Racing.

From meteorologist Ken Campbell:

1st, we would not have been involved in this project if we thought this was a publicity stunt or Abby was not capable

2nd, Abby more than proved that she was fully capable, so if everybody agreed to continue, we were on board with you

3rd, we have refused many projects and clients - we have over 6000 clients, but we will not work with somebody that is not capable or does something we consider too dangerous

We were late crossing the Indian Ocean, but I felt Abby was fully capable. Do we handle sailors crossing the North Atlantic in December? Sure, but they follow our rules and we push them as far S as possible and avoid headwinds. We tried to keep her as far N as possible, but there is such a thing as too far N and the worst situation of all would be headwinds and we did avoid those.

Very few people have ever forecast weather there (the southern Indian Ocean), let alone route sailboats. This storm was not unusual for that location, for that time of year and the strategy was the best there could be for that situation

You are great, loving and caring parents, with a remarkable daughter and most of all, she is safe to try again! She is a fine example of the true human spirit! That is what should be celebrated, not criticized. By the way, she is 16, not 8.

Team Abby