In This Case, 'Truth' May Not Set Anyone Free

· Have you ever cheated on your wife?

· Ever stolen anything from work?

And, our fave:

· Do you really care about starving children in Africa?

We think that one's a particularly nice touch for the network that aired the "Idol Gives Back" fundraiser for starving children in Africa and donated what sounded like the gimongous amount of $5 million to the cause. With multiple contestants for each of the seven one-hour "Nothing but the Truth" episodes Fox has ordered, the network could wind up shelling out far more than $5 mil to people just for admitting they couldn't care less about children starving in Africa.

One question that's been asked in the Colombian version: Do you love one of your children more than the others? Fox may not use that one, or may rework it, says Darnell.

Regardless, Darnell says he has no worries about getting people to participate.

"There is no reality show that cannot be cast. . . . And when money's involved -- forget it," he told the TV Column.

"They don't think about all the questions they're going to be asked. They also . . . think they can beat [the polygraph test]. And for money, they will do pretty much anything."

Darnell says he bought the show right away after seeing a presentation in which the game was played.

"Most of the time, they excruciatingly told the truth in front of their wives and families," Darnell said. "They know why they're there: They have to tell the truth, and if they lie they're gone."

Darnell says he's not concerned about putting contestants and their families through the sure-to-be painful questioning. Fox's obligation, he said, is to inform contestants and their families that the questions can "get that dicey."

"Every contestant has the ability to not answer" any question, he points out.

"They can leave, and they know the questions are going to be escalating. . . . It's their own free will -- including the family members'.

"They all know what they're doing."