Moment of Truth
Many people tell the truth because it’s the responsible thing to do.
But should you ever tell the truth because it’s a lucrative thing to do?
Contestants on the controversial new TV show Moment of Truth say yes, motivated by the chance to win $500,000 in exchange for performing a kind of moral striptease in front of their families, spouses, and ultimately, millions of riveted viewers.
The show uses a lie detector test to gauge the truthfulness of a contestant’s answers to 21 uncomfortable questions, the most benign of which go something like this:
Have you ever lied to get a job?
Do you find any of your spouse’s friends attractive?
Do you really care about starving children in Africa?
Each set of truthfully answered questions moves the contestant one step closer to winning the $500,000. A false answer immediately ends the game—and negates all money won. But the big bucks can only be had by truthful replies to a series of intrusive and explosive questions, like those asked of a recent contestant, 26 year-old Lauren Cleri.
Ms. Cleri arrived at the $100,000 level by having honestly answered “yes” to being fired from a job for stealing money, preferring to give food to a dog rather than a homeless person, and feigning sleep to avoid her husband.
The next question was delivered by a surprise guest, Ms. Cleri’s ex-boyfriend, who asked her, “Do you believe I’m the man you should be married to?” With her shocked parents and husband tensely sharing the same TV stage with her, Ms. Cleri answered “yes.” Then: Had Ms. Cleri cheated on her husband? “I’m going to have to say yes,” she said, as her husband buried his face in his hands.
With her marriage disassembling on national television, Ms. Cleri was asked, “Do you think you’re a good person?” Her answer: “Yes.”
No.
According to the lie detector, Ms. Cleri’s answer was false, meaning she didn’t think she was a good person. The game was over—and perhaps the marriage as well.
After the highly-rated show, a reporter posed a question to the show’s executive producer: “When ‘Moment of Truth’ has perhaps busted up a marriage, is the show responsible?”
“I don’t know,” the producer replied, before shifting responsibility to Ms. Cleri. “She’s the one answering the questions.”
Tell us what you think—is “Moment of Truth” irresponsible? Or irresistible?
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selfish
I have to ask myself if this whole thing was staged. How did they know about the ex? Some people will do anything for money. If this was not staged, she is an incredibly selfish person. I hope she doesn’t have kids! The show is not responsible for her actions.
terrance tattrie | 1 year, 8 months ago
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moment of truth
honesty is always the best policy period.
when married and you feel like cheating on spouse you communicate those feeling.If they can not help you in some way you move on..Why live lies life is short..No one is all good or all bad..Its a yin yang dance baby.
alan kuntz | 1 year, 8 months ago
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Way to go Girl!!!
I don’t think she was selfish at all. I would’ve done the same thing she did. If your not doing it for the money there is no reason to lose anything. She had to tell her husband upfront what to expect and what questions they asked her. She and him are still together so what does it matter. I want to go on the show just for the money and publicity.
Jennifer | 1 year, 8 months ago
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You've got to be kidding
This is worse than American Idol and being the worst singer in the world and thinking no one will notice. Your exactly right – she knew what she was doing and her family knew what she was doing and it was for money. Point fingers all you want but with the dwidling economy and housing foreclosures being at its highest, people are trying to improve their lives. And if that means 5 minutes of fame or humiliation for half a million dollars, well the money will usually out last the fame of anyone remembering what you’ve done.
c anderson | 1 year, 8 months ago
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C. Anderson
I too agree that the economy is not at its best right now. However, I would not sell my soul to the devil for any amount of money. Ms. Cleri, like all others that have come onto the show, truly feel they have winning potential to make it to the end. Some hosts know when to take the money and run with a minimal amount of damage done to their lives while others risk it all. Call me a coward, but I am not willing to risk it all. I am not willing to go onto a game show that forces truths to come out that is better left where they are. I cannot see the value to human health or growth potential of a game show of this type. If people refuse to participate a game show like this will go away until something better replaces it. I actually like shows where people come out winners, and the odds are not stacked against them from the beginning.
Beulah Lee | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Moment of Truth
Ms. Cleri caught a tough break on the the game show “the moment of truth.” However, most people know the deeds they have performed in this life. If they chose to conceal or delete those parts of their lives then they run the risk of a game show like this devouring them. Ms. Cleri knew the risk of such a game show and still decided to take her chances monetarily (irresistable) not thinking about what might hurt others (irresponsible). The producers of “moment of truth” perhaps feel if you are caught in an uncompromising moment(s) that’s your fault for coming on to our show, and if you make it to the end you will be given what we promised, and if not suck it up and move on.
We now live in an era where anything and everything goes, and that is unfortunate for both the producers of such a show and the contestants whose lives become demolished behind thier decisions to come on the show.
Beulah Lee | 1 year, 8 months ago
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moment of truth
she needs love not money
alan kuntz | 1 year, 8 months ago
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OPEN TRUTH
I would not even consider being on such a game show. I would have to believe the damages far exceed the money. Admit to any wrong doing; I believe; could bring about criminal, civil, and or marital dissolve!!
If I admit to stealing while employed, current or past, can charges be brought or be fired. If I admit to a civil wrong, can I be prosecuted? If I admit to having sexual relations with someone other than my spouse, will I be in Divorce Court.
If I was a employer, I would fire this person,or civil proceedings. As I’m married, I would bring divorce proceedings, using the tape of the show as evidence. A show like this cannot be called entertainment in the truest form. I would like to know what happens to these people after admitting to all these truths. How it has effected their lives?
Mike Martin | 1 year, 8 months ago
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On the other hand
On the other hand there was the gentleman who, when asked if he would ever consider cheating on his wife, even if he knew he would never be caught, replied “No.” and it was true.
What people choose to do in their lives affects what truths they tell on the show. She knew what questions had been asked, and could have told her husband. At the same time, if I had been asked these questions, I would not have embarrassed my husband by still going on the show. But the show isn’t responsible. They’re a little greedy (so far as ratings go), but they aren’t responsible for the loss of her marriage. They didn’t cheat on her husband, and they didn’t marry a man they didn’t love.
If anything, these two people should thank the show that they didn’t have to keep living a lie for fifteen or twenty more years before it all broke down anyway. At least now it’s all out in the open, and they can decide what to do about it together.
Dani O'Malley | 1 year, 8 months ago
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Pathetic
I believe, for one, that “the Moment of Truth” is a pathetic and degrading television show. The people who put their marriages and interpersonal relationships on the line are so desperate for money that they will let nothing get in their way. Perhaps these people want a divorce and want to earn some money in the process?
laura finch | 1 year, 7 months ago
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