A New Television Low: "The Moment of Disgrace"

I just finished watching an installment of the new Fox game show called The Moment of Truth.  This is the program where they hook people up to a lie detector and ask them embarrassing questions.  If they answer truthfully, their bank increases up to a cap of $500,000.  As the money increases, the questions get more and more scandalous and the answers slower to come by.

It appears the end goal is to ask a question so unsettling that the contestant lies to stave off complete disgrace.  However, the lie detector catches the lie, so they're screwed either way.

Think about it, the first game show where you don't win, even if you win!  Who thinks this stuff up?

After watching this "embarrafest" for a few minutes, I was able to quickly deduce that there were only three possible outcomes for a contestant:

1. Get caught in a lie, lose all your money, leave humiliated.
2. Retire from the game after a correct answer, keep the money you've earned, leave humiliated.
3. Win the game, leave humiliated.

See a pattern here?  Makes you wonder where they find these people.  Psych wards?  Prisons?  Former guests on Dr. Phil? 

I've always been curious what they might ask someone who is trying out for a typical game show.  I'm assuming it's probably pretty mundane stuff, right?  Just making sure your not a three-toed sloth and you have some personality.

This show?  The interview should last ten seconds and include two questions:

1. "What's your dignity worth?" 
2. "Do you have any shame?"

Answers "Zero" and "No" guarantee you a spot in the show.  Responses "not for sale" and "plenty" automatically disqualify you.  Let's face it, if you've got a stomach for degradation and shame, you've got a reasonably good shot at walking away with some cash.

But what to do with all that new found money you might win?  Here's a suggestion.  Find a good plastic surgeon and invest wisely.  You're not going to want to be recognized after appearing on this show and you'll need to milk every penny from your winnings since you'll never work again.

This really is the modern day freak show.  We've traded in the Bearded Lady and Lobster Boy for some clown with a bad rug admitting he's a compulsive gambler in front of his astonished boss, family members and the nation.  Good career move Ace.  Big job market out there for gambling addicts.

This isn't new, but it's more extreme.  It's nastier.  Far more unpleasant.

As the show was closing and highlights of next week were rolling the dramatic voice-over strongly encouraged you to tune-in.  "AND DON'T MISS NEXT WEEK WHEN JILL'S ANSWERS TEAR HER FAMILY APART... ON THE MOMENT OF TRUTH."  Requisite shots of both Jill and her family members crying accompanied the tasteless voice-over.

With programming like this, can the Running Man be far behind?

Comments

[K. Douglas]

Too funny - great synopsis. I saw the show as well and was amazed at the questions these people would answer. You're literally watching people flush their dignity down the toilet.

Keep this stuff coming. You've got a unique perspective and and keep it light. I'm now a loyal subscriber and spreading the word!

[USA Conservative]

Thanks for the positive feedback - I really appreciate it. I'll do my best to keep it coming.

Also, many thanks for getting the word out.

[Chas Ferrelle]

What are your thoughts on Clemens? Sounds bad. He should have let his wife pitch for him this year if she was the one that was juiced. Its sad to see someone as talented as he continue to try and tell a story that only appears to get harder for him with each passing day. The facts are stacked against him, yet he continues to try, its like my children getting caught in a lie. All I know is that I've never heard the expression mis-remember before.
Like your blog. Keep it up!

[Chas Ferrelle]

Like your blog. Keep it up! What's up with Clemens? Next someone going to tie him to dog fighting. He should have road off into the sunset. Looks bad for him. He should have had his wife pitch for the yanks this year if she was the one that was juiced. All I know is I learned a new expression, and I'm going to use it in my business when I get in trouble. The expression is MIS-REMEMBER. I guess that's all.