Taped in Los Angeles by Dick Clark Prods. Exec producer, Dick Clark; producer , Marilyn Wilson; co-producers, Bruce Nash, Allan Zullo; director, Michael Linder; writers, Nash, Zullo, Philip Gurin; art director, Bruce Williams.
Host: G. Gordon Liddy.
Slick set and camerawork, good juxtaposition of narration and film clips, and clever production combine to make revelation of lies that surround us a fast-paced, colorful half-hour.
Not many of the tales on Fox's minispecial "The World's Biggest Lies" are news, but documenting them as lies gives some a new perspective.
Under the bright, inventive direction of Michael Linder, lies of various kinds are covered, from insurance fraud to politics to secret lives. Some are harmful, others not.
Show takes on the tabloids, shows how they manufacture lies, how they go after celebs who cross them. But the expose is mild. As with the rest of the show, no judgment seems to be being made, despite the subject.
Segment on jazz musician Billy Tipton, a woman who lived 50 years as a man, even marrying and raising adopted sons, is well written and especially well edited. Brief, well-chosen interviews with family reveal clues as to how Tipton managed it and show how positive Tipton's sons continue to feel toward their parent.
Guest inventor Charles R. McQuiston demonstrates his voice stress analyzer, a means accepted in some states to detect truth or lies. Analysis of remarks from Leona Helmsley, Jim Bakker and Ronald Reagan give possibly surprising results.
Host G. Gordon Liddy keeps things moving with taste and poise on a show that works well, as far as it goes.
Music, Scooter Pietsch.
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Date in print: Wed., May. 20, 1992