Letterman Backtracks

By Stephen M. Silverman

03/24/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

A David Letterman wisecrack about beauty pageant contestant Miss Colombia -- that swallowing bags of heroin ranked among her top talents -- has sparked an international incident and a rare apology from the "Late Show" host. Andrea Noceti, who competed in the Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico last week, said Letterman insulted all Colombians and made light of the country's drug-fueled civil war when he made the comment on last Friday's show. "I am totally outraged," Noceti told the Bogota-based RCN TV news. "I don't think there should be jokes about something this serious . . . People have died in this conflict." Adding fuel to the fire, Colombia Consul General Mauricio Suarez dispatched a letter to CBS saying that Letterman's attempt at humor "hurt the feelings of our entire community." In a joint statement released Tuesday, the network and Dave said they "apologize for the joke referencing Miss Colombia . . . There was no intent to offend her or the people of Colombia." On the other hand, it remains to be seen who'll have the last laugh. Noceti is booked to appear on "Late Show" on Thursday.