The Colorado couple accused of pulling a spectacular hoax by reporting their son was aboard a runaway balloon is set to avoid more spectacle — and a trial — by entering pleas to charges that could bring some jail time and probation.

The story seemed made for cable “news”—and indeed it was. A Colorado family reported that an errant balloon with their small son aboard had disappeared into the vastness of the skies. CNN and its peers gave the incident coverage worthy not only of presidential inaugurations but of missing blonde syndrome. The reports proved bogus, of course. The police had misgivings almost from the start, but played along until they could establish what was really going on. It now appears the family staged a stunt to win a coveted appearance on reality TV. Every philosopher laying claim to the mantle of Thales spoke of the ironic (or whatever) connection between the fake and the real. Once again distinctions were blurred, lines were breached.

Authorities investigating the family accused of perpetrating the balloon boy hoax to promote a reality show said Monday they don’t expect to bring possible charges until at least next week.