Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Why the funny name? This town (current population of 5,894) voted to change their name from Hot Springs, New Mexico in 1950. Back in the day, there was a radio show, then a TV show called Truth or Consequences – one of those “man on the street” answering a goofy question no one would probably know the answer to – after which the person would either face consequences or win a prize (a NEW Maytag dryer)! It was actually the 4th longest running show of all time. In 1950, the show wanted to celebrate their 10th anniversary by broadcasting the show directly from any town that would be willing to change their name to the name of the show. And that, as Paul Harvey would say, is the rest of the story.