The “Amazing Race” Season 37 contestants Jonathan Towns and Ana Towns are suing Paramount, CBS, ABC Signature and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, alleging the show’s producers rigged the competition and carried out a deliberate smear campaign against them, according to multiple news outlets.
The couple filed an $8 million defamation suit on March 4 in Los Angeles Superior Court and are representing themselves.
The Towns allege that producers deliberately suppressed footage that would have shown Mr. Towns in a more accurate light and instead constructed a false portrayal through omissions and scenes taken out of context.
The filing also noted that during the May-June 2024 filming, Mr. Towns experienced an emotional breakdown. He alleges that producers did little to help him, while also persuading the couple not to quit.
The couple accused the broadcast of depicting Mr. Towns as an immoral and abusive spouse.
Mr. Towns was reprimanded multiple times during the show for name-calling and a demeaning attitude toward Ms. Towns, and the couple finished third overall.
Mr. Towns has since been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which the couple would like added as a disclaimer at the beginning of the show, Deadline reports.
In addition to the $8 million in damages, the Towns are seeking a court injunction to force producers to reedit the show with appropriate disclaimers about Mr. Towns’ condition, as well as a public apology, which could be a first for an unscripted TV litigation.
“Neither Paramount’s CBS nor 20th Television, which absorbed ABC Signature in fall 2024, have responded to Deadline’s request for comment on the complaint or claims,” Deadline reported.
• Juliet La Sala can be reached at jlasala@washingtontimes.com.
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