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?
Add Comment Share This
Comments
Ingenious
I think it’s almost better than Deal or No Deal! It’s a win-win situation. It should be thought out before the person applies for the show. People aren’t forced to go on this are they? I agree with the comment about saving everyone 15 or 20 years of living a lie. I wished someone I know and love had told me the truth years ago. Maybe I can get him on there!! I’d want half the money.
andrea maetschke | 1 year, 10 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
to viktor
i posted a comment along the same lines and did not read yours till after. Strange how some of us think this way and then some of the very guilty or afraid to admit of their faith in god and jesus think that show is awful, because they don’t believe or just have no direction
andrea maetschke | 1 year, 10 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Truth or lie
A lie isn’t a lie until it is spoken. My response to your comment about an ugly, well, the other option would have been to keep comments to yourself. It’s your opinion, not fact. The show is based on facts isn’t it? So there is a bit of difference!
andrea maetschke | 1 year, 10 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
The laws exist regardless of our consent
Those laws weren’t created by us, we could not come up with them. They were given us by God at birth = conscience, and written in the Bible. A little child feels guilty when he/she steals cookies, knowing that its bad, regardless if he/she gets caught! Many criminals (murderers) came and turned themselves in to the police because their conscience accused them and became unbearable, even though there was no way to find out! The existence of these laws outside the common consent or society is sure.
Hitler and the whole German society decided at one point that Jews are subhuman, and therefore they need to be killed. We know that above the laws of a country, is the higher law of God. That’s what the founders fought for.
I think that the act of cheating is worse than the truthful admission to it, and all because one day it will be brought to light for the whole world to see.
viktor | 1 year, 10 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
What would the show be responsible for?
Or responsible TO for that matter? If I ask a straightforward question, and get an answer I don’t want to hear, then where does the fault lie? With me, and my expectations? Or the one that gives the answer? When the premise of the show is that a contestant will be grilled while hooked up to a lie detector, then one should be prepared to hear truth, pleasant or otherwise. My daughter’s comment on this show was that if she were to go on as a contestant, she would let us know, and that we might not wish to hear the things she said. That is part of the situation, isn’t it? The truth will be told, one way or another, so if you don’t want to know, don’t watch the show…which is what I do. Bad enough that some shows consist of What Grotesque Thing Are You Willing To Eat For $50,000… this is a low point in television programming
James Allard | 1 year, 9 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Does it matter?
Why is everybody so uptight? I don’t get it! If someone wants to tell about their sex life on national television, let them. It’s their decision. If they can live with that, then I’m not going to stop them.
Pickle Pickle | 1 year, 9 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Leaving a comment.
Being a newly retired school teacher 25 years 5 months, it is amazing to me when the subjects consent to a lie detector test and when it is known that either person is asked questions about each other, I think it is evident both parties know the answer but do not want to admit it to themselves.
Sure it is a game show, but I believe they know most of the answers however strong they might be. Marriage is a two way commitment,and when one person breaks that bond, well it makes you think about the vows they had taken.. My own opinion is to expect whatever comes out either good or bad to realize the outcome. Quite a few relationships could be saved before something might happen to break them up.Thank You.
Lawrence M Beck | 1 year, 9 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
dumb show
Did you know after they answer the 50 questions the show is taped two weeks later so the questions should come as no surprise. I would assume they are discussed at length before taping
wanda wiseman | 1 year, 9 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Stupid
This is the worst show I’ve ever seen on tv and I am 56.
Did you know after they answer the 50 questions the show is taped two weeks later? The questions should come as no surprise. I assume they are discussed at length before taping.
wanda wiseman | 1 year, 9 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Drunk Driver question
I feel that the drunk driver coming on was a complete joke; if he was not drunk then he would have stuck around to see how the “kid” was doing and not just wondered how he was. Not only that but who runs over a kid and drives away especially if they are completely sober!!! What a LOSER and if he was serious then his face should have been shown on national TV for the whole world to see!! It was VERY DISAPPOINTING at the outcome of that one because I feel he was drunk.
Amy Bowie | 1 year, 8 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
< 1 2 3 4 5 > Last » (7 pages)