A REALITY HOST SPEAKS!
The Moment of Truth and Temptation Island emcee Mark Walberg comes clean about hosting some of reality TV's tawdriest shows.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Aside from the cold, hard cash, why host a show like The Moment of Truth or Temptation Island?
MARK WALBERG: I think you pretty much encapsulated the entire thought process. But with a show as rough as mine, I like to think that in someone else's hands, it could be even more destructive. So while I am completely whoring myself out for cash, I'm kind and sensitive to those who have chosen to ruin their lives on national television.
Which show triggers more shame in you?
WALBERG: We were helping America one couple at a time on Temptation Island, so I feel like there was a higher calling. With Moment of Truth, I just look at it like this: As a microwave heats bacon quickly, we bring people to where they're headed much faster. In both cases, I'm providing a service.
Is there a show that you've turned down and said, ''No! I draw the line at that''?
Wahlberg: The Littlest Groom [Fox's little-person dating show]. They said, ''Here's the concept, and we're going to handle it in a very sensitive and responsible way,'' and I said, ''I don't believe that you are. I think you're going to make fun of little people, and while I'll secretly watch, I don't feel comfortable hosting it.'' But you know what? They actually did handle it pretty sensitively, so maybe I blew it. —Dan Snierson
