The Moment of Truth

To fill the void of programming due to the Writers' Strike (which could be over soon if the rumblings in the news are true), FOX put out a new lie-detector gameshow with Mark Walberg as the host called The Moment of Truth. The idea is a simple one: get someone to answer 50 tests while strapped to a lie detector prior to the show. Pull 21 of those questions to have them reanswer on TV in front of an audience as well as their family, friends, co-workers, etc. Answer six of the questions the way that the test demeed was TRUE previously, win $10,000. Answer another five, win $25,000. Answer another four, win $100,000. Three more win $200,000. Two more win $350,000. Answer the last one as well and they win a grand total of $500,000.

Answer any question So far, no one has made it past the $100,000 level. A number of folks have went home with nothing. The key is: you have to match what the test considered the truth before. That's what burns people.

What is really bad is the carnage that results from the answers. Some of the questions are shocking. Some are meant to test the foundations of the relationships with friends and family. It is a train wreck of a show - and something that just fascinates me. Who in their right mind would subject themselves to something like this? Someone with a clean past? Well, that person won't get picked - it won't make good TV. Someone with nothing to lose? Maybe - and in that case, they don't give a darn about the lives they leave behind in carnage for the truth to come out.

It does make for some interesting discussion in our house between my wife and I though. During the commercials, we see which questions we can answer ourselves - and share that. An interesting way to find out more about the folks you're watching the show with - but you gotta be truthful.

I'd love to see a celebrity edition or one with some politicians on it. Might be useful before an election of a President, eh? FOX might be on to something.