“The Moment of Truth” game show aired for 24 episodes from January 2008 to August 2009. Prior to the taping of each show, the contestant was administered a lie detection test, and then on air, had to answer select questions of increasing difficulty to prove their willingness to be honest. To add to the dramatization, the show was taped before a live studio audience as well a small panel of family and friends. A truthful response was required to move on to the next question in the pyramid. The first few questions were usually softball questions but got progressively more personal and invasive as the money stakes went up.
In episode 5, a young lady by the name of Lauren was a contestant on the show. She was accompanied by her husband of 2 years, father, mother, brother, and sister. To set the stage for what follows, these were the opening remarks of the game show host the night the episode aired:
“Welcome to a special Monday night edition of the “Moment of Truth.” This episode was so controversial it sparked a long debate as to whether or not to air it all. Quite honestly, if I had my vote, it would not air. It is the most uncomfortable I have ever been on television. Asking these questions and listening to the answers that were given. But in the end, it was decided that this episode should air. I will tell you however, that the truth is often not pretty. So, here it is. This is, “The Moment of Truth.””
As usual, the first few questions were revealing, but not too invasive. Here is are the first few questions, her answers, and the results. Keep in mind, that to advance to the next question, the lie detector had to determine that she was telling the truth.
1) As an employee of a hair salon, have you ever told a customer you liked their hairstyle, but in fact you didn’t?
Answer: No
Result: True
2) Have you ever flashed a stranger just for laughs?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
3) Would you give food to a stray dog before you would give it to a homeless person?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
4) Have you ever derived pleasure when one of your siblings have gotten into trouble?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
5) Have you ever been fired from a job for stealing money?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
If you knew you wouldn’t get caught, would you steal money from your place of employment? ($10,000 question)
Answer: No
Result: True
At this point, the host asked Lauren if she wanted to go on. She could take the money she had earned and walk away, or she could keep working towards the ultimate prize of $500,000. It is important to note, that her family was clapping and cheering for her to keep going, which she did. Here is the next series of questions she was asked:
7) Since you’ve been married, have you ever pretended to be asleep in order to avoid sex with your husband Frank?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
8) Do you blame your husband for your lack of close friends?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
9) Would you ever be a surrogate mother for your sister is she were unable to have children?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
10) Do you think your parents are proud of you?
Answer: No
Result: True
Again, the host asks if she wants to continue and the camera shifts to her dad who is clapping and pumping his fist as he encourages her to go on. She takes his encouragement and moves on to the next question which is the $25,000 question.
11) Do you know things about your father that you keep secret from your mother? ($25,000 question)
Answer: Yes
Result: True
With this question, the drama of the show really began to build. This question revealed that there were secrets, and now the audience was hooked. But you could see the family did not feel the same way. With this revelation, the jovial spirit the family walked in with, was replaced with a more somber and serious attitude. Lauren’s mother was left wondering what secret was being kept from her and that feeling was only exacerbated when Lauren’s father stood up from the semi-circle couch and walked across the stage to give Lauren a hug, and then a kiss on the cheek. It was if to say, “I admire you, and thank you” all at the same time.
Once again, the host asks if she wants to continue, and Lauren responds, “Well to be honest, I am really not concerned about the money. I’d just feel a lot better getting everything I need to get off my chest.” Having already answered these questions before, she seemed to know what was coming. Instead of feeling uneasy, she seemed to want to get out all that she had been holding in and keeping secret. With her answer, the host followed up with the next question:
12) Do you secretly stay in touch with any boyfriends that your husband does not know about?
Answer: No
Result: True
As the announcer revealed that Lauren was telling the truth, a sigh of relief washed over her husband’s face, as well as the rest of the family, who had been bracing for the worst given her previous comment. With a greater sense of caution, the host encourages Lauren, “Think about the people, not just you, but the people that will hear your truth tonight. What do you want to do, do you want question 13?” But Lauren doubles down, “Well, they may not like the answer, but I think they will eventually appreciate it. So, I want number 13—lucky number 13.” She seems to know what is coming and wants to release what she has been keeping bottled up inside. The host then asks question 13:
13) Have you ever taken off your wedding ring to appear as if you were single?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
Her husband’s face lost all emotion. You could see in his eyes that that his mind was running through all of the reasons why she would do this, and like most of us, he was coming up with worst case scenarios.
The host interrupts the moment and says, “I don’t know if I have the stomach for the rest of these questions,” but Lauren dismisses his concern and pushes forward to question 14:
14) Do you believe you might have been in love with a former boyfriend on your wedding day?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
At this revelation there is a groan from the audience, blank stares from the entire family, and her husband is shaking his head in disbelief. At this point the host is very uncomfortable, not only for himself, but for the whole family. Any logical person can see this line of questioning is headed for a train wreck. The host once again expresses his concern about moving forward:
[Host] “One more, you win $100,000, but I’m sure I’m not the only one watching this program wondering if that $100,000 is worth it given what we’re doing. But it’s your world, your relationships, your choices.”
[Host] “One more question gets you $100,000. Unless you tell me to stop.”
[Host] “I can’t talk you into stopping, can I?”
[Lauren] “No, I’m ready for number 15.”
[Host] “I don’t think you really are ready for number 15. But if you want it I ‘m going to give it to you.”
[Host] “Okay?”
[Lauren] “You’re making this worse than it is.”
[Host] “I don’t think I can make this worse than it is. This is you’re $100,000 moment of truth, and this question will not be asked by me. It is by a surprise guest.”
A young gentleman enters from backstage and was immediately recognized by Lauren. The host asked her if she would like to introduce the guest, but she was caught off guard and didn’t know what to say. The show had gone through the trouble of finding the ex-boyfriend she thought she may have been in love with on their wedding day, and he was the vessel that would deliver the next question for Lauren and test her resolve to tell the truth. After introducing the ex-boyfriend, the host leads him into the next question, “Frank has a question for you, and I hope this $100,000—if you win it— is worth this question. If you don’t want the answer, you still have the button.”
One element of the show was a button that could be pressed by any member of the family as a pass if they did not want to hear the answer to a question that was asked. The only caveat—it could only be used once. This was a gentle reminder from the host since he knew what was coming. The ex-boyfriend then asked the $100,000 question:
15) If I wanted to get back with you, would you leave your husband?
The host questions the husband about pushing the button, but he says that he wants to hear the answer. The sister on the other hand is not as interested and she leans forward and relieves Lauren from the burden of answering the question. The host questions her about why she pressed the button when her husband wanted to hear the answer. Her sister answered, “I don’t want to hear that answer. I don’t think anyone will want to hear that answer.” Her answer was met by a combination of cheers and booing from the crowd. Pause and reflect for a moment on a group of people being disappointed because someone tried to protect your dirty laundry from being displayed for the world to see.
There would be no salvation for future questions. The single lifeline the button offered was now gone. The host announced that the replacement question would also be presented by her ex-boyfriend:
15) [Replacement Question] Do you believe I am the man you should be married to?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
Here is the conversation that followed:
[Host] “I’m not sure what to say. You’ve answered 15 questions truthfully. You’ve won $100,000.}]
[Host] “Frank, first of all, is there anything you want to say?”
[Frank] “There’s nothing else I can really hear. So… might as well go for it.]
{Sadness expressed from the crowd}
{Host asks some personal questions about the marriage}
[Host: “Lauren, what do we do here?”]
[Lauren] “This is, uh…”
[Husband] “Come on, what else is there? I mean, just go for it.”
[Host] “This is a little bigger than the game right now.”
[Host] “So, you have a $100,000. You leave here with a $100,00 right now and go home with your husband Frank and you have to now figure out where you two are.”
[Husband] “We’re telling her to go. What else is there to tell me? What else is there to really tell me?”
Her mom was the only one encouraging her to stop at this point. Her dad and sister were encouraging her to continue, saying that she had already answered the hard questions. Her brother didn’t seem to be voicing an opinion one way or the other.]
[Host] “I will let you know that the questions I already asked you, a couple of them are way over my line. This one’s further than that.”
[Host[ “You probably know what’s coming next. And you want it anyway?]
Lauren nods her head yes and they move on to question 16:
16) Since you’ve been married, have you ever had sexual relations with someone other than your husband?
Answer: Yes
Result: True
The host doesn’t waste any time in between questions. He asks if she wants to keep going and she says, “yes.” They quickly move to the next question:
17) Do you think you are a good person?
{When the question is asked, the camera pans to the husband and he is shaking his head, “no.”}
{Camera shows the father and he is mouthing the words, “It’s true. It’s true. It’s true.”}
Answer: Yes
Result: False
Lauren’s mouth was gaped open, and her eyes peeled back as she raised her head up and stiffened her body. She took a couple deep breathes before she let out some sheepish laughter and shrugged her shoulders.
Listen to the conversation following her answer:
[Host] “Lauren, I’m so sorry. Why do you think this came up as a lie for you when I asked if you think you are a good person?”
[Lauren] “Because even after everything I have done, stealing the money and everything, I think I’ve become a better person…”
[Host] “Yet, it came up as a lie. Which means that somewhere in you, you haven’t forgiven yourself. Somewhere, your truth is that you don’t think you’re a good person at all.”
[Host] “Why don’t you go out and hang out with your family and I thank you very much for being on the show. I wish you the best.”
Lauren walks from her seat to the couch area to meet her family, who are all standing to receive her. The camera pans in and she is in tears.
Lauren’s experience teaches us something about human nature. Deep down, no matter what we have done, we want to be good. She had previously admitted to flashing someone for fun; valuing a dog over another human; finding pleasure in her siblings being punished; being fired for stealing; pretending to be single while married; feeling like she should be married to someone else; and cheating on her husband, yet still, she wanted to think of herself as good. All other people are no different. The problem for all of us is that we are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I want you to put yourself in Lauren’s position. You are before your family, friends, and a host of people you do not know, and you are asked the same question, “Are you a good person?” What would your answer be? I dare say that like Lauren, you desperately would want to say, “I’m a good person.” But, like Lauren you would most likely begin to rehearse in your head all the things that disqualify you. Like Lauren, you would not be able to deny what you would know deep inside. You may have done a lot of really good things; you may have worked really hard to change and be better; but you wouldn’t be able to escape the things that came to mind that crossed the line of good and bad, right and wrong. You may not have gone as far down the rabbit hole as Lauren, but you would know the secret things of your heart and they would not be what you would describe as good.
Here is the good news:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
– 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on His children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
– Psalm 103:11-13 (NASB1995)
You don’t have to carry the baggage of your past around; you don’t have to walk under the weight of you worst mistakes; you don’t have to worry if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds; you can come clean and have it all washed away. Honest confession before God is where it starts. Maybe you, like Lauren have some stuff that has been eating at you. And that stuff is eating you alive—emotionally and spiritually and you feel like you just need to get it out. You can do that right now; pause and pray and let it all out. Be brutally and ruthlessly honest about who you are and what you’ve done and receive the forgiveness that God promises when you seek Him.
Then, find a trusted friend and have a long honest talk.
Bibliography
“The Moment of Truth (American Game Show).” 2021. Wikipedia. April 8, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moment_of_Truth_(American_game_show).
Lighthearted Entertainment. n.d. “The Moment of Truth – Episode 5.” Www.youtube.com. Accessed September 16, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=salFV5YKb0w&t=764s.