Is the writer’s strike keeping you from watching your favorite shows? Don’t worry…it’s not going to get much better. But if you are looking for a way to pass the time, FOX’s “The Moment of Truth” should help you out. The show’s premiere Jan. 23 sparked controversy about the ethics of the show itself.

“The Moment of Truth” is unlike any other game show on television today. Contestants are connected to a polygraph machine. They are then given 21 questions to answer in exchange for an astounding $500,000. All they have to do is answer their personal questions truthfully, and the questions become more difficult as the game goes on. Easy, right? Not so much when you are essentially taking a polygraph test about your personal life on public television…

This is the only game show where contestants actually know the answers, but for most the truth is better left unsaid. Some of the questions asked on the show can range from, “Have you ever stolen anything from work?” to “Have you ever cheated on your spouse?” Most people wouldn’t tell these secrets to their best friends, let alone millions of people, but it’s all in good humor for the ultimate prize: half a million dollars.

This show is unlike any other because most other shows test knowledge while this one tests honesty (or the ability to lie well?!). Take, for instance, a show like “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?”, which tests knowledge at the elementary education level. And then there are shows like “Deal Or No Deal?” which require a whole lot of luck and no strategy whatsoever. “The Moment of Truth” teaches a valuable lesson of honesty because, as the saying goes, “the truth shall set you free.”

The Moment of Truth is an exhilarating game show. FOX’s President states, “It’s the end of western civilization”. It might not be the end of western civilization, but it will sure be the end to your boring Wednesday night.