The Moment of Truth was a ratings success for FOX Wednesday night, with the show's debut episode delivering the highest retention among adults 18-49 of any series leading out of American Idol.

The Moment of Truth, hosted by Mark L. Wahlberg, earned an average of 23.2 million and a 10.2/24 ratings share in the key adult demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research's preliminary estimates.  It was able to retain 87 percent of Idol's viewership, and even gained over the musical competition in the adults 18-34 and teen demos.

Additionally, The Moment of Truth stands as the highest-rated premiere so far this season.  Only CBS' Criminal Minds fared well against the new game show, earning 12.9 million viewers and 3.2/8 ratings share.  Not surprisingly, the overall winner that night was FOX, besting the other networks in all categories.

Executive-produced Howard Schultz and Michael Maddocks, The Moment of Truth is a game show where absolute honesty is rewarded with a big cash prize. Attached to a polygraph, contestants are thrown an array of personal questions, which get more and more difficult to answer as the six-level game progresses.  Once a contestant is caught lying, he is out of the game with nary a cent. However, if the contestant is proven to be truthful all the way, he gets to bring home a whopping $500,000.

In Moment of Truth's premiere, which aired on Wednesday, the first round featured a personal trainer named Ty, and at one point in the game was asked “Have you ever had sex with someone the same day you met them?”  Ty sheepishly admitted to doing so, and was able to move on the next level.  However, he was forced to leave the game with nothing but his 15 minutes of infamy when the polygraph revealed he was lying about never having touched a female client inappropriately.

The second contestant of the night was a man named George, who had no answer saying yes to questions about having sexual fantasies during Mass and stuffing his underwear.  He also admitted to being addicted to gambling.  George's turn on the chair continues next week, during which a surprise guest asks him whether he gambled away the college fund of one his kids.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Hollywood Reporter, TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of FOX)