The Moment of Truth

[Abe Sargent]

Anybody else watch it tonight? I loved it! It's like an evil psychological experiment! They should call it "Ruin your Marriage and Friendships for Dollars"

[DaddyTorgo]

aww damn I missed it. Was it abc? nbc? cbs? i'll catch the webisode

[stevew]

Crazy ass show, obviously FOX.

Well, with a writers strike, the lines are getting blurry.

[oliegirl]

I thought it was interesting, but as with all shows like this, the "suspense" time is too long...takes too long to get an answer from whatever idiot has strapped himself to the lie detector, and then it takes too long to get the verdict from the mystery voice on whether they are lying or not.

Also, some of the questions are vague...using the word "most" and such, leaves it open to A LOT of interpretation and could impact the answers. But definitely an addicting show...

[Alan T]

I watched this while trying to fix my laptop tonight. I think it has alot of potential, but I agree with oliegirl that the suspense at times was crazy.. It felt to me like it was 50-55minutes of so-so programming and then a good 5 minutes of really great questions and reactions that you tune in for.

I'll tune in to watch again though.

[Abe Sargent]

Yeah, but that psychology has become a part of our shows since what, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

[Raiders Army]

It's a great show, IMHO. If you don't like commercials, that's what DVRs are for.

Anyhow, we were talking last night, and the only way to build real suspense is to have the contestant take the lie detector test and then keep them separate from their family. Otherwise, they'd spill the beans to their loved ones and prep them. For example, "Have you ever padded your underwear to look larger?" The dude could explain why and at least save himself from the embarassment from his family and friends.

The other thing was that there is no way these people could be arrested for answering questions. The one that jumped out at me (and wasn't asked last night, BTW) was "Have you ever smuggled goods into the U.S.?" If the guy answers yes, there's no way he could be arrested. First, he was never read his Miranda Rights. Second, he would have to be arrested for a specific crime. What did he smuggle? I would guess this would be true for other more serious questions like "Have you ever murdered someone?" They would have to arrest him for a specific murder.

However, I would say that some answers you give could get you fired at work. All in all, a pretty good show.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I watched the first guy and part of the second guy and didn't get anything out of the show. As many times as his wife looked pissed or shocked at his answers, it seemed that she was still most interested in just getting the money. The way his last question was phrased ("As a personal trainer, have you ever touched a female client more than was necessary?"), he could've failed no matter what. I mean, I don't know how lie detectors really work, but that question could be so vague that he'd be really nervous whether he said yes or no. While he might think he hadn't touched someone more than necessary, he might feel nervous about answering that way because other people might think that it was more than necessary. Whose standard is he answering to? His own? His wife's? The general public? All these things could go through his mind and affect the way the polygraph reads him.

While I don't have any kind of moral objection to this show, it's clearly set up to get people to embarrass themselves and then ask questions in a way that prevents them from winning the big bucks. I mean, yeah, we get to watch these people squirm when they get asked questions, but if those first two contestants are any indication of who we'll see on the show, screw 'em. They seemed like such smarmy assholes that I thought it would be funny for them to lose.

[Critch]

First show was ok, but it's got the look of a show that will get old fast.

I'll be tuning in to see how the guy answers his kid's "did you gamble away my college fund?" question. He's just enough of a tool to hope that he wrecks his life and family for a few dollars.

[Ksyrup]

We watched it. Here's what I don't get - what's the incentive for being on this show? The embarrassment/damage-to-winnings ratio is way too high for this to be worth it. The second guy, in order to win $10K, admitted to going through co-workers personal belongings and to having a gambling problem - and he works at a race track!

Meanwhile, turn over to Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, and someone just won $10K for knowing the square root of 4.

Even if the money is compelling, which I don't think it is in comparison to the questions you have to answer, one wrong answer - based on a lie detector, which really has very little to do with the actual truth - and you walk away with NOTHING. At least on other shows, you hit plateaus where you can't go home with any less than X amount.

I just don't get it.

[ISiddiqui]

I agree with Ksyrup. You'd need to offer a HELL of a lot more money to entice me to be on the show (and even then I probably would not want to).

[wade moore]

I had the same feeling as KSyrup and it's much of why I didn't even consider watching the show.

I just don't see anything redeeming about the concept of this show.

[rkmsuf]

It's a funny show with a short shelf life. How many questions are they going to be able to come up with that remain interesting. For now I love George though.


"Have you ever imaginged rolling around in jello with Al Roker."

[Pumpy Tudors]

"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your own relatives?"
"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your parents?"
"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your pets?"
"Have you ever fulfilled a sexual fantasy you had about one of your pets with another one of your pets?"
"Have you ever defecated on a floor, on purpose?"
"Have you ever intentionally drawn blood from somebody against their will?"
"Have you ever knocked somebody else's tooth out?"
"Do you think Diet Dr. Pepper tastes more like regular Dr. Pepper?"
"Would you have sex with Tom Brady? Don't you dare say no. Don't you dare say no, motherfucker."

[Critch]

I'm sure if the first guy had gone a bit longer he'd have been asked if he'd ever banged the chick that was there as his "friend".

That's what I would have asked, anyway.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your own relatives?"
"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your parents?"
"Have you ever had sexual fantasies about one of your pets?"
"Have you ever fulfilled a sexual fantasy you had about one of your pets with another one of your pets?"
"Have you ever defecated on a floor, on purpose?"
"Have you ever intentionally drawn blood from somebody against their will?"
"Have you ever knocked somebody else's tooth out?"
"Do you think Diet Dr. Pepper tastes more like regular Dr. Pepper?"
"Would you have sex with Tom Brady? Don't you dare say no. Don't you dare say no, motherfucker."

*FLAG ON THE PLAY*

Unnecessary stupidity, Offense, number TUDORS, will be penalized 50 post counts and half the distance to the nearest Chip and Dales club. The penalty includes lss of down.

[RendeR]

In all seriousness though, its just pathetic what some people will do for a piddling amount of money. Shows like this demonstrate just how worthless many Americans feel.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Critch

I'm sure if the first guy had gone a bit longer he'd have been asked if he'd ever banged the chick that was there as his "friend".

That's what I would have asked, anyway.

That was the first question me and my wife said we would have asked.

If "Have you held off having kids because you aren't sure your wife is your lifelong partner" is a middle of round question for $25,000... can only imagine what the $500K question is.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

"Would you have sex with Tom Brady? Don't you dare say no. Don't you dare say no, motherfucker."

[molson]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

The other thing was that there is no way these people could be arrested for answering questions. The one that jumped out at me (and wasn't asked last night, BTW) was "Have you ever smuggled goods into the U.S.?" If the guy answers yes, there's no way he could be arrested. First, he was never read his Miranda Rights. Second, he would have to be arrested for a specific crime. What did he smuggle? I would guess this would be true for other more serious questions like "Have you ever murdered someone?" They would have to arrest him for a specific murder.

He couldn't be charged and arrested for saying something vague, but statements made on a TV show like this could absolutely be used against him as part of a whole case. Miranda only applies to governmental in-custody interrogations.

[Ksyrup]

Funny, the one question that immediately jumped out at me was the question about whether the football player ever got a passing grade just for being a football player. Would have been hilarious for the NCAA to start an investigation of Cincinnati based on the answer of a game show contestant.

[Chubby]

This show rules

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Funny, the one question that immediately jumped out at me was the question about whether the football player ever got a passing grade just for being a football player. Would have been hilarious for the NCAA to start an investigation of Cincinnati based on the answer of a game show contestant.

Brian Kelly would then have to move on yet again.......

[rkmsuf]

"Is your wife a mail order bride?"

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

Anybody else watch it tonight? I loved it! It's like an evil psychological experiment! They should call it "Ruin your Marriage and Friendships for Dollars"

I didn't catch the show but I have seen the commercials. With that being said, they should have casted Maury Povich as the host. Every question would then be aimed at paternity testing....

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Funny, the one question that immediately jumped out at me was the question about whether the football player ever got a passing grade just for being a football player. Would have been hilarious for the NCAA to start an investigation of Cincinnati based on the answer of a game show contestant.

That was the first question that jumped out at me as well for the same reason. Also, I agree that the 2nd round question about his doubts about his wife being his life partner was brutal for such an early question. Crazy to go on a show with such embarassment, particularly when you figure he'd be fairly well off as a former ball player.

[CamEdwards]

I saw the commercials for this, but I don't think I have any desire to watch this. And I don't think it's so much people going on TV and embarrassing themselves for the money as much as it is the 15 seconds of fame.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

I saw the commercials for this, but I don't think I have any desire to watch this. And I don't think it's so much people going on TV and embarrassing themselves for the money as much as it is the 15 seconds of fame.

I agree.

[Ajaxab]

I admittedly only watched a few minutes of this last night, but it wasn't too difficult to predict that the contestant I saw was going to be asked about his piece/weave/toupe/whatever was on his head.

[Pumpy Tudors]

What I don't understand is what takes these people so long to answer the questions. They'd already been asked once when they were connected to the lie detector. Whether their answer is "true" (according to the polygraph) or not, just give the same answer they gave when asked the first time. I'm sure that nerves play a part when you have your family, friends, and an audience watching, but there shouldn't really be anything to think about. You've already answered the question for the producers once!

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

That was the first question that jumped out at me as well for the same reason. Also, I agree that the 2nd round question about his doubts about his wife being his life partner was brutal for such an early question. Crazy to go on a show with such embarassment, particularly when you figure he'd be fairly well off as a former ball player.

I'm no lawyer, but I'd guess the statute of limitations would have run out?

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, but the NCAA and its penalties aren't criminal, so a Statute of Limitations wouldn't necessarily apply. Only the limit they apply themselves.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What I don't understand is what takes these people so long to answer the questions. They'd already been asked once when they were connected to the lie detector. Whether their answer is "true" (according to the polygraph) or not, just give the same answer they gave when asked the first time. I'm sure that nerves play a part when you have your family, friends, and an audience watching, but there shouldn't really be anything to think about. You've already answered the question for the producers once!

I think it's because they have everyone there and are embarrased to admit it out loud.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What I don't understand is what takes these people so long to answer the questions. They'd already been asked once when they were connected to the lie detector. Whether their answer is "true" (according to the polygraph) or not, just give the same answer they gave when asked the first time. I'm sure that nerves play a part when you have your family, friends, and an audience watching, but there shouldn't really be anything to think about. You've already answered the question for the producers once!

I think they tell the people to be theatrical. After all it's a show. I'm sure they are selected on their ability to be dramatic. There is surely coaching.

Second, you could choose to anwer in a way that you can blame the machine to save face if you choose to eject. Like if you told the truth to the machine but then were like uh I better lie here.

The question about "too much touching" was so abstract that there's no way to draw anything from a "no" answer that comes up false.

[gottimd]

Editing pisses me off because you know it doesn't take them that long to answer the questions, but I guess Fox needs the Dramatic pauses.

Also, how embarrassing would it be to lie about something that is false. The first guy, when they asked if he looked at others in the shower, and he said yes, and it was actually false.

So they ask the people 50 questions beforehand on the lie detector, then they choose out of those questions which to air and they have to ask it again? Guaranteed no one wins the $500K on this show.

[Abe Sargent]

What I would like to see is to speed up the response when someones admits to something. I can understand the tension for a No answer for when someone agrees that they whack off in the shower, then its probably true and there's no real tension.

[rkmsuf]

too many questions if they are really going to drag out the tension. 11 before you even get to any "real" money so to speak. I mean who is stopping at 10K. so there you get 6 questions of whatever...speed those up.

[Karlifornia]

I enjoyed the first episode well enough. I agree with anyone who said that it will get old really fast. I read on deadspin that the Colombian version of the show led to a woman admitting she wanted her husband killed.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

I enjoyed the first episode well enough. I agree with anyone who said that it will get old really fast. I read on deadspin that the Colombian version of the show led to a woman admitting she wanted her husband killed.

maybe that's why they will go really slow with the questions. really drag out a handful of games.


when's the celebrity edition?

[gottimd]

"Have you ever had sex with a sandwich?"

[Abe Sargent]

Do you have a mancrush on Jon Secada?

Yes, yes I do...

[gottimd]

They need to somehow incorporate those court room sitcoms on here. Instead of having a small claims court, have the defendant come in and take the polygraph live. Every now and again, maybe around sweeps, bring in the token criminal (grand theft, rape, homicide, etc) case.

[stevew]

This one was pretty good.

[Warhammer]

So dude's marriage is wrecked and he gets no big settlement.

[oliegirl]

I love how they try to draw out the drama when it's SO obvious what the answer is by the contestants initial reaction...as soon as she put her head in her hands you knew they answer would be yes. That is why I can't watch the show...going on and on about the button and the second question and all that, it's a waste of time.

And...how did they even know about this ex-boyfriend/her affair unless someone told them??? The contestants have to be giving them some information, which makes me think it's staged somehow.

Also, who knew Wahlberg was a marriage counselor!

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by oliegirl

I love how they try to draw out the drama when it's SO obvious what the answer is by the contestants initial reaction...as soon as she put her head in her hands you knew they answer would be yes. That is why I can't watch the show...going on and on about the button and the second question and all that, it's a waste of time.

And...how did they even know about this ex-boyfriend/her affair unless someone told them??? The contestants have to be giving them some information, which makes me think it's staged somehow.

Also, who knew Wahlberg was a marriage counselor!

There is no doubt by the questions that the show does a background check on the people. They interview people that are friends or relatives of the person, and ask questions based on the information given. Many of the questions are based on rumours which is why sometimes the answer is no.

In this case, I don't think she cared if this ruined her marriage. I think she was using this as a way out with hopefully a nice paycheck to boot. The fact that she missed the question that she did is sort of ironic justice.

Which leads me to my real problem with this show...lie detectors aren't accurate. They can be beaten, and they show false postives. From every lie detector experts I've ever read about, they'll admit that most of the analysis comes from them, not the machines. People might come on the show with intention of telling the truth about everything they are asked, and still lose because of a false reading. Which is another reason why you'd have to be a complete idiot to go on this show.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

So dude's marriage is wrecked and he gets no big settlement.

Exactly. I'd have rather seen her win rather than get nailed with Insta-Karma. As it is, he gets half of nothing.

[oliegirl]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

There is no doubt by the questions that the show does a background check on the people. They interview people that are friends or relatives of the person, and ask questions based on the information given. Many of the questions are based on rumours which is why sometimes the answer is no.

In this case, I don't think she cared if this ruined her marriage. I think she was using this as a way out with hopefully a nice paycheck to boot. The fact that she missed the question that she did is sort of ironic justice.

Which leads me to my real problem with this show...lie detectors aren't accurate. They can be beaten, and they show false postives. From every lie detector experts I've ever read about, they'll admit that most of the analysis comes from them, not the machines. People might come on the show with intention of telling the truth about everything they are asked, and still lose because of a false reading. Which is another reason why you'd have to be a complete idiot to go on this show.

Aren't they inadmissable in court because of their inaccuracies. I always thought the show looked ridiculous, but in a "I have to watch the train wreck" way, so I gave it a shot but just couldn't stand the fake drama they pumped into every question. That clip was definitely entertaining though, and hey - karma's a bitch, that clip proved it!

[Vinatieri for Prez]

This was worse than an episode of Jerry Springer. At least on Springer, you're in on the fake situations. Here you're not.

[miami_fan]

I caught a little bit of this on Monday. I am just waiting for the story about the husband/wife who kills their spouse three days after the show.