Plot Monkeys

How many of you have watched the fairly new evening game show, The Moment of Truth? I hate to admit it, but I have. And if you haven’t, let me give you a description of the game show so you’ll be able to understand, and follow, today’s blog.

This game show is unlike any I’ve ever watched, in as that people actually WANT to air the sordid details of their lives on national TV. No one is forcing them to do this, and it’s clear that they have a fairly good idea what is going to transpire while they’re sitting in “the hot seat”, because the questions they are asked (and are expected to answer honestly) ON AIR, are the same questions that they’ve been asked before the show even starts. REALLY! Every contestant is given a lie detector test and asked 50 questions before the show. The truth of the contestant’s answers are determiend by a certified polygraph examiner, but the contestant is not told the results. Then, when the contestant appears on the show, he or she is asked 21 of those questions in front of a live audience (and in front of their significant others, friends, and family members!).

The questions start out innocent enough, but once the $10,000 level of money has been reached, the questions usually take a very personal and intimate turn that has the contestant squirming in their seats, or near tears because of what they’re about to admit to family and friends and a million other people who are watching the show. Some of the questions I’ve seen asked are: Do you think you’ll still be with your husband five years from now? Have you gambled away your children’s inheritance? Would you dump your current spouse or partner if your ex wanted you back? Do you like your mother-in-law? Have you ever stolen anything from work? Have you ever cheated on your spouse? Not only are most of the answers to these questions a YES, but the contestants are answering them in front of said husband, children, mother-in-law, etc. If just watching the contestant squirm and contemplate their hurtful answers is enough to make ME nauseous, why isn’t it enough to make THEM decide during the course of their lie detector test (the one they take BEFORE the show) that hurting the ones they supposedly love on LIVE TV just isn’t worth the $10,000, $100,000, or even $500,000 they might win? I’m truly baffled by this!

This is, undoubtedly, the Jerry Springer of game shows, where people openly air their family secrets, personal opinions, and other sordid details of their lives, in hopes of gaining monetary compensation. But is that money worth risking their relationships with their spouse and family? Not to mention giving up all self-respect, slaughtering any semblance of integrity they might possess in front of millions of viewers, and doing irrepairable emotional damage to significant others, friends, and family — all for money?

In my personal opinion, there is no amount of money that would make me reveal such personal, intimate information on TV — and hurting the people I love in the process. I don’t care if I was destitute — I’d never do it. There are just some things that are better left unsaid. And some truths that should only be revealed in a private discussion so the other person isn’t completely humiliated in front of the world.

So, what do you think drives these people to be on the show? Lack of conscience, definitely. Money, most likely. What are your thoughts about the show?