How low can TV shows go?

Last wednesday I found something on tv very disturbing. So much, that I ended thinking... damn, a show about killing people live is next. Now watch To Kill a Human, Live! I was speechless. What, pray tell, did I watch? The Moment of Truth, on that lovely channel we call Fox. Low. The lowest of lows.

Haven't seen this shit? I'll let Wikipedia give you a run down...

"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. Honestly answering all 21 questions wins the jackpot of $500,000. Friends, work colleagues, and family of the contestant who are gathered near the player have access to a button which can be used to switch out a question once per game, an option which is introduced to them after the third question."

So yeah, there it is. I didn't know much about it, but last night, my sushi had a hard time going down my throat. Why? Well, in all honesty... Do people really need to hurt people's feelings for money? Because at the end of the show, this is what you get. Pain.

I've known people who, against all logic, share everything with almost everyone. Personal details involving relationships, old boyfriends, "extra curricular" activities... Eeesh. Granted, we here at WAS share one or two personal things, but it comes not even close to what the program does. Maybe it's because this is an anonymous blog, so things close to home have to be taken with caution... But I know we all have secrets and truths that are solely ours.

Do you really need to tell your ex-boyfriend how much he ruled in bed, in front of your husband? What amount of money is ok to stand there and admit something so painful to your family and friends? 50,000 bucks? 100,000 bucks? Ok, so you went home with a huge load of cash. Do you have any respect left?

Skeletons in the closet. Everybody has a couple. I sure do. You do too, admit it. We all have them, hidden more perfectly than porn. The first one that isn't without sin, by all means write down in the comment box, I sure know that maybe it will be bullshit. Humans are not saints. The thing is, while it's not ok to judge, because in every story there are two sides, it's still not a good idea just to lay it all out there. Why? It's called privacy, for one, and respect for others, two.

And now that we're on the subject... Ever went to a bar with a group of people and you see the chick who whines about her last boyfriend or ex-husband and tells everyone who has an ear every single detail of their destroyed relationship? Yeah, that one. While some people might think they are reaching out to get help, I always think... Hey, would your loved one like the fact that you are spilling out very personal details to people who really shouldn't know this? I mean... look around. Are there doughnuts and coffee? Are people sitting in a circle and someone looks like a doctor? No, right? This is not therapy night. Then, for the love of God, shut the fuck up. Is it just me or am I wrong to think that extremely personal shit should be only said to people who have our utter most confidence?

I guess Fox doesn't think so. This show should be cancelled. Honestly.