UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — While there has been some outcry about one of the teams on the current edition of "Amazing Race," CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler wasn't apologizing for how the show handled them.

Jonathan's behavior toward his wife, Victoria, was undeniably abusive. He yelled and screamed at her in seemingly every episode and, in one, he hit the backpack she was wearing because he was so frustrated that they had finished second on that leg of the race.

It appeared he hit Victoria, but replaying the scene clearly demonstrated he hit the backpack. Which is a fine point but one that needs to be clarified.

It's nothing short of astonishing that Jonathan consistently behaved so badly when he knew he was being filmed and that he would end up on national television.

CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler expressed confidence in the show's producers and staff.

"There are security officers. They monitor the teams. That particular incident happened at the mat near the pit stop," Tassler said. "The producers, the cameramen were there. They made a judgment call that she was not in any physical danger. And if she had been, their judgment would have been to intervene."

"The producers are there. And, should they need to, they will intervene, and they will potentially disqualify someone if it gets to that point."

I guess we have to take her word for it.

Jonathan and Victoria were eliminated in the episode that aired Jan. 18. Thank goodness.

THE RATINGS FOR "CSI:NY have cooled off since a very hot start, but the show is still a big hit.

"First of all, we're not disappointed with the ratings. 'CSI: NY' is beating a show that's been winning that time period for 14 years," said CBS chairman Leslie Moonves more than happy to be beating "Law & Order" on NBC. "We're doing our best numbers there in, like, 20 years. . . . It's successful."

On the other hand, CBS execs don't disagree with criticism that the show has been too dark.

"Future episodes are going to be lighter, both in look and some of the story lines," Moonves said. "There's going to be more humor, and you'll see it very, very shortly."

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com