Moment of Truth Outs Killer

Reality show Moment of Truth hit headlines around the world when a contestant on the Colombian version was arrested for admitting to hiring a hitman to kill her husband! Just how far will the American show go to find the truth in the ultimate version of live train wreck television?

Filmed in front of a live studio audience, this high-stakes, high-drama game show tests one contestant's resolve as they attempt to truthfully answer 21 questions in a row for a $500,000 cash prize. As easy as this may sound, the questions intensify as the money escalates, and telling the agonising truth of a deep dark secret in front of loved ones, only makes this game show more tense.



The host of the American version of The Moment of Truth is Mark L. Walberg. He explains that the questions vary, increasing in difficulty and degree of personal nature as the contestant progress.

"To date, not one contestant has reached the 6th tier!" says Walberg. "Sometimes, if the contestant is getting too comfortable we bring out a "surprise guest" - such as an ex-partner or a good friend. We bring them on stage and ask a particularly difficult question."

Walberg goes on to explain, "It's easy to answer questions truthfully when the people you care about aren't around but when you come face-to-face with a loved one you suddenly have a lot to lose."

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 more personal in nature.

If the contestant answers honestly as confirmed by the polygraph, 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 and the contestant loses all of the prize money accumulated. 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. Honestly answering all 21 questions wins the jackpot of $500,000.

The Moment of Truth screens Fridays at 9.30pm on TV2. Frightening stuff.


Photos: TVNZ