In anticipation of tonight’s premiere of FOX’s newest reality TV show THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, the TV Addict recently had the opportunity to sit down with show creator and executive producer Howard Schultz. But before we get to the interview, this TV Addict must pause and reveal partake in his own moment of truth.
While I generally loathe reality television and blame most of the world’s evils on it, I will be giving this show a try (at least for ten minutes that is.) Not only is there absolutely nothing new/interesting on TV tonight (with the exception of CASHMERE MAFIA), THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is a train-wreck waiting to happen. The Columbian version already was cancelled after a woman confessed to hire someone to murder her husband (for a measly $25,000).
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, on to the interview.
What’s the premise of the show?
Howard Schultz: The basic premise of THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is that it’s a game in which a contestant is potentially asked twenty-one questions. Naturally, each question gets increasingly more personal and private in nature to win a half a million dollars. The game is divided into six levels. There are six questions on the first level, than five, four, then three, two and one, adding up to twenty-one. Contestants can quit at anytime and take the money they’ve won thus far. But if they continue on and tell one lie, they lose everything.
I imagine the questions get a lot more personal as the show goes on?
Absolutely
How accurate is the lie detector?
Most experts would say that it’s anywhere between 94-98% accurate, and I’m fine with that. I don’t really want it to be 100% accurate. We’re not here to destroy people’s lives. If a guy wants to go home and tell his wife, “I did not cheat on you, I swear, the polygraph is wrong.” Well, God bless him, let him do it.
Have you ever sat in the chair yourself?
No, but I would. I’m not scared of it. If anything, I’ve probably developed a healthy respect for the upper levels of questions because I realize there are certain questions where it’s hard to know what the truth is. I’m a very honest person, I really am. Yet there are questions that I’m not sure as to what the answer is.
Is THE MOMENT OF TRUTH your original concept, or one you’ve imported from the Netherlands?
I created it. The show’s already aired in Columbia and England and is currently shooting in Germany. We’ve already sold the concept to thirty-four markets. It’s doing very very well.
People don’t realize the amount of work and energy that goes into creating something like this. It’s taken me over five years to make this show work. I knew the truth element was an interesting element, but the big mystery was what form could I put around it to make the show work.
I’ve got a really great Sweeps Stunt for you. Major League Baseball Players.
I’d love to have Roger Clemens, Senator Larry Craig, Barry Bonds, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton. We’re reaching out to those people now. I’ll give half a million dollars to charity to get Roger Clemens on the show. But he has to come and answer the other questions to, like have you ever cheated on your wife!
I have a feeling Mr. Clemens is only concerned with one question.
Probably, but it’s okay. We have a standing invitation out to all of them.
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH premieres tonight on FOX at 9PM (7PM on CTV in Canada)