Not really sure when the “long pause for suspense” started or on what show, but I know when it started annoying me. Deal or No Deal! The waiting before opening the cases seemed to drag on just a little too long, but it was border-line tolerable albeit an annoying waste of air time.

But the other day I watched the new Moment of Truth show and found myself getting steamed by the female voice that said “that answer is … (30 second pause) … True.” I’d like to see them try that on the radio!

They never did make it to the “meatier” questions due to it taking so long between the contestant’s answers and the reveal. The first guy blew it after 11 questions, and the second guy had just gotten started when they ran out of time.

Sure they kept taking shots of the contestant, his wife, boss, and the audience to catch the facial expressions, but it really did drag on and on far too long. I mean some of the questions had obvious, human nature answers that didn’t really merit all that much suspense. But suspense we got ad nauseum.

It would have been far better to cut to the chase and really get these guys squirming over the tougher questions than to let everyone simmer over the answer to “Did you ever sneak a glimpse of another guy while taking a shower at the gym?”

Human nature would say “sure, why not?” Curiousity, lack of self confidence, ego could all be valid reasons why you would. Nothing embarrassing or suspenseful about that.

Who knows, maybe viewers like all this “holding your breath, edge of your chair” kind of stuff. And maybe it does really make it more exciting for the participants. But as far as I’m concerned, they could easily dispense with all the dead air space and get on with it.

I’d be interested to hear what you think.