The Moment of Truth (U.S. game show)

Infobox Television
show_name = The Moment of Truth


caption = A screencapture of the show's logo.
format = Game show
picture_format =
runtime = 60 minutes
creator = Howard Schultz
executive_producer = Howard Schultz
co_exec = Michael Maddocks
composer = William Kevin Anderson
director = Ron de Moraes
starring = Mark Walberg
channel = Fox
first_aired = January 23 2008
last_aired = present
num_seasons = 2
num_episodes = 16
list_episodes = List of The Moment of Truth episodes
country = United States
producer =
related =
imdb_id =

"The Moment of Truth" is an American show that first aired in Colombia as "Nada más que la verdad" ("Nothing But the Truth"). Contestants answer a series of 21 increasingly personal and embarrassing questions to receive cash prizes. The show is hosted by Mark Walberg and is aired by the Fox network. The show premiered on January 23, 2008. On February 1, 2008, Fox ordered an additional 13 episodes of the show, bringing its episode order to 23. [ [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080201fox01 Fox Orders 13 Additional Episodes] ]

Format

Prior to the show, a contestant is hooked up to a polygraph and asked more than 50 questions; there is no polygraph testing conducted during the actual show. Without knowing the results of the polygraph, he or she is asked 21 of those same questions again on the program, each becoming progressively more personal in nature. If the contestant answers honestly, according to the polygraph results, he or she moves on to the next question; however, should a contestant lie in his or her answer (as determined by the polygraph) or simply refuse to answer a question after it has been asked, the game ends. If he/she gives a false answer before the $10,000 level of questions, he/she leaves with nothing; after the $25,000 level, if a false answer is given, the contestant leaves with $25,000 (during the first season, a false answer on any level caused the player to leave with nothing). For each tier of questions answered correctly, the contestant wins the corresponding amount of money. A contestant may stop at any time before any question is asked and collect the money he or she has won. Although a person may stop after any question, once they hear the question, they must answer it or the game is over. Answering all 21 questions truthfully, as determined by the polygraph results, wins the jackpot of $500,000.

The questions vary, increasing in difficulty and degree of personal nature of the questions. To date, no contestant has reached the final tier. Sometimes, a "surprise guest" - such as an ex-partner or a good friend - will come on the stage and ask a particularly difficult question. Friends, colleagues, and family of the contestant who are gathered near the player have access to a button which can be used to switch out a question once per game, an option which is introduced to them after the third question.

Though no contestant has answered all 21 questions truthfully as determined by the polygraph testing, according to Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment at Fox, "In the vast majority of contestants, 99%, [they don’t say the machine is wrong] . You get, 'Hmm, I was a little worried when I answered that question.'"cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/11/darnell_in_defense_of_the_trut.php|title=Darnell in Defense of the ‘Truth’: Fox Executive Talks About the Network’s Controversial Lie Detector Show|publisher=TV Week|author=James Hibberd|date=2007-11-25|accessdate=2008-03-11] The series requires contestants to sign an agreement that they will accept the conclusions drawn by the polygraph examiner.

Episodes

The first episode was the lead out after the highly-rated "American Idol", and managed to rate very well itself with 23 million viewers, the highest rating for a premiere to that point in 2008. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/24/AR2008012403045.html All the Young Dudes Tune In for 'MOT,' the Hoopla] ] [ [http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-truth25jan25,0,5343642.story Moment of Truth Review] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.fox.com/momentoftruth/ "The Moment of Truth" (US)] at Fox Website