Friday, October 07, 2005

Truth or Consequences

Once upon a time there was a quiz show called “Truth or Consequences.” It was a runaway hit. The show was so popular that a town in New Mexico renamed itself after it. That was 1950.

Truth or Consequences was on the radio from 1940 until 1957. From 1956 unto 1975, you could see it on television. Contestants were asked obscure trivia questions and sentenced to silly outcomes for not answering “truthfully.” Compared to today’s reality shows, Truth or Consequences was ingenuous and naïve.

What I wonder is . . .
If they made that show right now, what would they call it?

Today those two words don’t have the same relationship.
—me strauss Letting me be

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The reality shows of today makes one ask the question - what do you get for telling the truth? Depending on who benefits, telling the truth can save you or destroy you. Being able to 'stretch the truth' seems to the key to winning. That's not necessary just in the context of reality tv.

They should call it "Truth and Consequences". If you get caught out for incomplete truths, you will be penalised. If you tell the the truth, you get to pick two boxes, one's a fabulous reward and the other's a penalty far worse than the penalty you get for lying outright. (There, that's my crazy idea for today..)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Wow, Liz,
I think you have just hit the proverbial nail on its proverbial head. AND you've done it so artfully too.

Yours is a well-thought and supremely creative response to the question. Everything you say is in context and true.

Thanks for this. You made my night.
Liz

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a modern show would be called Relative Truth and the Penalty for Thinking Otherwise...

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Gone,
A pithy and appropriate title indeed. :) There is much truth and insight in your title.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

"Our perception of the correct answer and public humiliation."

(What is truth! I dunno I skipped Philosophy class and went to the mall that day) =)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Janus,
What is truth! These days that is the question isn't it? I think half of the country was at the mall with you and the other half was sleeping through Philosophy. :)

Liz