The Moment of Truth Review

The show starts out with one contestant. The questions asked at first are simple things that cause minor embarrassment ("Have you ever sneaked a peek at another guy in a public bathroom?"). When contestants get to $10,000, they opt to stop and walk away or they can continue for more money. That is when things heat up. The questions become more personal. ("Have you ever used the internet to flirt with other women during your marriage?")

There are family members sitting along the side who can stop the game if they feel a question is too difficult to handle. They can push the buzzer and stop the contestant from answering a touchy or very embarrassing question. Many questions are deeply personal relating to a contestant's spouse or parents. ("Would you donate a kidney to your father if he needed one?")

After each question, a mysterious voice tells us whether the person answered truthfully or not. If they did, they can opt to continue or walk away.

The Moment of Truth ... How The Show Makes Me Feel

Now, I like reality shows and I like to glimpse into people's lives. I am well aware that these people signed up for this show knowing full well what they were getting into. But I am still bothered by the deeply personal questions asked - and answered - for money. Relationships could suffer, reputations definitely could suffer, and friendships could end because of these "truths" that the contestants admit to win money. When it goes beyond the simple things like whether someone ever had sex with someone they just met or whether someone ever called in sick to work when they weren't, I start to get nervous. I don't know if I want to hear this stuff about this stranger. Some questions are downright embarrassing for me to listen to and I can only imagine what the contestant and his or her family are thinking.

I watched the show once - its premiere. The first contestant ended up leaving with nothing when he lied about inappropriately touching female clients when he worked as a personal trainer. Meanwhile, he had already revealed that he put off having kids with his wife because he wasn't sure if she was his life partner and that he sneaked peeks of other guys in the football locker room.

The show is fun to watch unless you really think about the premise. Private things are being exposed to the whole world for cash. People are willing to sell their souls for the almighty dollar. I strongly believe that everyone needs to have their own private thoughts and secrets and exposing some things only makes life difficult for you and people around you. I wouldn't go on this show for any amount of money. I have no desire to hurt my family or friends by exposing things that are my private thoughts.

I don't think I will watch this show often. It really makes me uncomfortable. It's interesting, I suppose, in that voyeuristic way that I spoke about above but as for entertainment, I'm not so sure about that. I found myself cringing through the whole show.

The Moment of Truth ... The Bottom Line

I give it 2 stars even though I know some people love this sort of thing. But I think it crosses the line and could be explosive. Watch it and decide for yourself every Wednesday on FOX after American Idol. I don't recommend it to the masses but think you should watch once so you can decide whether you feel like I do when it's over. Like taking a shower and washing the TMI off of me.