An online petition urges NBC to cancel Stars Earn Stripes, a reality television show in which celebrities compete in military training exercises to win money for charities.
"This show makes war a game, and war is anything but a game," the petition on iPetitions says. "In real war there are no prizes only the hope that you survive to come home to one's family and friends."
Stars Earn Stripes premiered Aug. 13 and attracted immediate criticism from Nobel Peace Prize winners, satirical news show host Stephen Colbert, archbishop Desmond Tutu and veterans. They argue the show glamorizes war and does not honor troops.
NBC responded to the uproar: "Stars Earn Stripes is about thanking the young Americans who are in harm’s way every day. This show is not a glorification of war, but a glorification of service."
The petition has 125 signatures as of Saturday morning, including one from this veteran:
The first episode (watch below) showed celebrities such as actor Dean Cain, singer Nick Lachey, Olympian Picabo Street and WWE wrestler Eve Torres training alongside professionals from the Navy, Marines, New York Police Department and other special operations.
By episode's end, they were jumping out of helicopters, shooting weapons, completing military-style challenges, while surrounded by a barrage of explosions.
"This is a terrible insult to our Veterans and our active duty Armed Forces," say the petition, which hopes to get 500 signatures.
Do you think the show gives viewers a good look at what troops do to prepare for war? Or does the show trivialize war for the sake of entertainment?
Photo by Tyler Golden/NBC
This story originally published on Mashable here.