I'd say a lot more people in the general public are aware of Heyerdahl and his theory than the actual correct theory which is the South Pacific Islands were populated by sea peoples originating in Southeast Asia.
I'd say most people in the general public couldn't locate Peru on a map, and many couldn't locate the Pacific!
But perhaps I'm cynical. You are correct, and they SHOULD have mentioned Heyerdahl was wrong - but my main objection is that this is pointless. Just some dudes having fun. The old Heyerdahl had a reason, which was part of what made it interesting.