Amazing Race Producers, CBS Apologize to Veterans for "Insensitive" Inclusion of Hanoi, Vietnam War Memorial

Reality series comes under fire after filming at a war memorial in that commemorated the wreckage of a U.S. plane

By Josh Grossberg Mar 25, 2013 4:49 PMTags
The Amazing Race Sonja Flemming/CBS

This was one Amazing Race they wish they could've done differently.

The folks behind CBS' popular reality competition series have issued an apology after an outcry from veterans groups offended that last week's episode set in Hanoi, Vietnam featured a war memorial of a downed U.S. bomber.

"Parts of last Sunday's episode, filmed in Vietnam, were insensitive to a group that is very important to us—our nation's veterans," Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan read in a statement at the start of last night's edition.

He continued: "We want to apologize to veterans, particularly those who served in Vietnam, as well as to their families and any viewers who were offended by the broadcast. All of us here have the most profound respect for the men and women who fight for our country."

The outcry was prompted by a mission the show's contestants were sent on which saw them visit the memorial to discover their next clue. The Veterans of Foreign Wars took issue with the location—as did several Fox News pundits—believing it dishonored the soldiers who gave their lives for the country during the Vietnam War.

"The B-52 scene, as well as the young people singing a propaganda song, was totally unnecessary to the show's plot, which speaks volumes about naïve producers who think they're in charge when they are not," VFW national commander John Hamilton said in a letter earlier this week to network honcho Leslie Moonves obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

After hearing Amazing Race producers express their regret, Hamilton and company offered their appreciation.

"On behalf of the 2 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our Auxiliaries, thank you for the apology to America's Vietnam Veterans and their families," Hamilton wrote in a response posted online today.

He added: "Our nation has many national priorities, but to the VFW, making sure our men and women who serve in uniform return home to a grateful and respectful nation is paramount. Your network and all of its programs can be tremendous assistance in that mission. Again, thank you for hearing our voice."

A rep for CBS was unavailable for comment.