By Clint McLeod
Fancast Correspondent
One of the most talked about reality shows on television right now is Fox's The Moment of Truth. This show dares contestants to pour out their inner most secrets on air in exchange for large sums of cash and the loss of most their self-respect. The show hits on both a social and personal nerve the way that Indecent Proposal did when it hit theaters. If you haven't seen it, take a look at the first two episodes on Fancast.
Most reality game shows reward various things like knowing obscure trivia, eating bugs, or being confined in a house with a bunch of jerks. But The Moment of Truth challenges its contestants to be honest in the face of loved ones and the entire country. Telling the truth is simple, but what's behind the truth is what keeps viewers glued to the tube.
The larger and timely social implications of this show during a presidential campaign aside, I think the dynamic that makes this show fascinating is watching it with someone else. There are plenty of shows that allow people to laugh and cry together. But few cut to the core of the dark side of human nature and make us cringe with a knowing embarrassment and dread as this show. Sure, it's funny, but it also triggers the knowledge all of us have that there's one question, maybe two, that if asked could cost us everything: our relationship, our friendships, our integrity...our shot at the top prize. And I'm not just talking about TV games shows.
That's the beauty of the show. It transcends the tube. For some the questions are profound. Maybe there's adultery, drug use, or unspoken crimes that we couldn't bring ourselves to speak of. For most of us though, the price of shame and self-respect can be quiet high. Would you want your family to know that you gamble too much, regret a relationship or still have all of Quiet Riot's albums on their Ipod? These are all the questions that swirl in our minds as we watch. It's fantastic, the best part of the show may be what goes through our minds and remains unsaid as we watch.
Now I love the show, but I do have questions. In the first few episodes, the contestants haven't been the most likeable people in the world. Obviously it's hard to make anyone look good, when you delve into their personal lives. I gotta believe that even Mary Lou Retton would garner up some boos and who doesn't love her? So it will be notable to see how producers handle that issue.
I would also like to see the host Mark L. Walberg be given the chance to probe the answers a bit more than he's allowed. There have been times when I've been left wanting to know more about what the contestants or their family/friends think about the bombshell that's just been dropped. Basically, I'm the Jerry Springer in me is looking for a fight.
So if you haven't checked out The Moment of Truth yet, don't be afraid to hit that record button. I think you may be surprised not only by what the contestants are saying, but what you're thinking about yourself.
