You said:
Stupid for the parents to trot their son out on Oprah...regardless of whether the kid wanted to do it or not.
Of course, I don't know what I would do if in this situation. Pray to God I never have to find out.
However, I suggest that by allowing their son to talk in generalities to Oprah may help with one very HUGE problem, and that is the nuisance of the intrusive media.
By exposing their son to the best possible interview situation, it may cause the media to "back off" and allow the family some privacy. On the other hand, sometimes by guardine one's privacy, it only makes the press more determined than ever to get any tiny piece of information to the public.
I'm reminded of how Elvis Presley chose to hide and avoid the press -- on the advise of his manager -- to make the public PAY to see Elvis. The result, Elvis was forced to live a very unnatural life. Compare with how a singing idol from an earlier generation, Frank Sinatra, handled the media hype, which was every bit as fanatical as that surrounding Elvis. Mr. Sinatra decided early-on to make himself assessible by TV appearances, fund raisers, restaurants, etc., so that the press had some access to him, but at Mr. Sanatra's choice.
I can't help but think that this child's parents did this Oprah interview in an attempt to somewhat satisfy the natural curiosity of the public, with the hope that the press will leave the family alone in the future.
I am willing to give these parents a break and I certainly wish them well.
Trust me. The parents are blowing it. Big time.