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The Debaters is a Canadian radio comedy show currently hosted by Steve Patterson.Patrick Blennerhassett, "The great Canadian comic debate". Victoria News, October 2, 2008. It airs on CBC Radio One, Saturdays at 3:00PM (PDT) and Wednesdays at 11:30AM, Eastern Time.
During each episode, two debates take place between two sets of two contestants. The topics are deliberately comedic, such as "Apples vs. Oranges and "Was Darth Vader a Bad Father?". The winner is chosen by audience reaction at the end of the debate."Taping comedy show for radio; CBC's Debaters comes to the McPherson stage". Victoria Times-Colonist, September 3, 2008. Each season has approximately 33 new episodes. These are recorded in front of live audiences in studios, theatres and clubs across Canada.
In 2011, the radio series also taped a number of episodes for broadcast as a television series on CBC Television, but did not get a second season.
Whereas the first season was entirely hosted by Shaun Majumder,"Majumder hits the radio". The Telegram, September 5, 2006. the second season featured a succession of guest hosts, including Sean Cullen, Patrick McKenna and Roman Danylo. Beginning with the third season, the regular host of the show has been Steve Patterson.
Other comedians who have appeared on the show as debaters include Irwin Barker, Ian Boothby, Charles Demers, Gary Jones, Deborah Kimmett, Andy Kindler, Patrick Ledwell, Marc Maron, Mark Meer, Darcy Michael, Greg Proops, Lara Rae, Simon Rakoff, Dan Redican, Derek Seguin, Erica Sigurdson, Ron Sparks, Scott Thompson and Mary Walsh.
In 2011, the series also taped 13 episodes for broadcast as a television series on CBC Television,"Welcome to the Debaters". Calgary Herald, September 19, 2011. but did not get a second season.
There are four rounds to each debate: the first allows the comedian to state their position on the issue, which is followed by the "bare-knuckle round" where the two debaters spar with each other directly. This is followed by the "firing line" round, in which the host quizzes the debaters on their knowledge of the subject, with the debaters trying to provide either the correct or most amusing answer. Finally, each debater is given the opportunity to deliver a one-minute summation of their arguments. The live audience then votes by applauding for who they thought had the best combination of "laughs and logic".
There have also been two debates featuring just one debater debating themself. Simon Rakoff did it first, debating himself on the topic of "Mixed Marriages" (S01E09). That is also the only time the show deliberately had one debater debate themself on any topic. Ron Sparks also debated himself on the topic of "Optimism vs. Pessimism", after his debating partner's flight to the show was canceled due to a blizzard.
There have also been several debates featuring more than one person arguing for one side. Most are musical duos (The Doo Wops and The Williamson Playboys), but also a set of twins.
The "Should We Marry?" debate (S12E26) recorded at the 2018 Winnipeg Comedy Festival on April 15, 2018 and airing May 5, 2018 had high stakes, with anti-wedding Dana Smith agreeing to marry her opponent/boyfriend Tim Gray if he won the debate. He did, and they did just that after the show.
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