Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Moment of Truth

Last night, for the first time, I watched the new Fox tv show called The Moment of Truth. This is a game show where the contestant’s very life is on the line. Not his physical life, but his life as he knows it.

He is connected to a lie detector with his family a few feet across from him, face to face, while the host asks the most personal and embarrassing questions possible. For instance (from last night’s episode), Do you think your father worked hard enough to support your family?, Is your wife the most attractive woman you have ever dated?, Have you ever slept with any of your wife’s sisters?, Have you ever slept with any of your friend’s wives?

After each answer the lie detector announces if his answer was true or false. As long as the contestant continues to tell the truth, he continues to win money. Also after each question, the host pries and prods at the contestant and family members to elaborate or give up more dirt. While tears are running down their faces and these heartbroken people are holding each other’s hands and consoling each other, he asks, Did you know about this? Do you want to talk about it?

Is this supposed to be a softer, gentler game-show version of the Jerry Springer Show where the object of the game is to destroy an otherwise normal family rather than the trailer-trash people?

Perhaps along with the prize money they should offer free counseling for the entire family and divorce lawyer referrals.