The Debaters
Comedy
About
The Debaters is the hit show where comedians go toe-to-toe in a battle of laughs and logic. Hosted by award-winning funnyman Steve Patterson, the program is a combustible combination of sharply crafted comedic rants and hilarious ad libs. The engaging format is part stand-up, part quiz show and part comedy competition, with the live audience picking the winners.
Episodes
- Is Mother’s Day superior to Father’s Day? Is no one more impactful than a coach?
This episode of The Debaters features two debates. The first pits Mother's Day against Father's Day, with Dave Hemstad advocating for Mother's Day and Elvira Kurt for Father's Day. The second debate discusses the impact of coaches, with Em…
- Weekend laughs from The Big Five
The Big Five, a segment from The Debaters, explores the "Big 5" of various categories. Hosts Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and celebrity guests debate topics like farm animals, types of hats, and ways to cook a potato.
- Does table service beat a buffet? Is Toronto a great place to live?
This episode of The Debaters features debates on two topics: whether table service is better than a buffet, and if Toronto is a great place to live. Comedians Simon Rakoff, Wassim El-Mounzer, Adam Christie, and Clare Belford participate in…
- Do millennials make the best parents? Is rain superior to shine?
This episode of The Debaters discusses whether millennials are the best parents, with Levi McCachen arguing for and Simon King arguing against. It also debates the superiority of rain versus sunshine, with Charles Haycock supporting rain a…
- Is carpet superior to hardwood? Does nothing beat living in a university town?
This episode of The Debaters features discussions on the merits of carpet versus hardwood flooring and the advantages of living in a university town. Jan Caruana and Sean Cullen debate flooring, while Courtney Gilmour and Rob Bebenek discu…
- Are scammers getting smarter? Should everyone join a book club?
This episode of The Debaters features two debates. First, comedians discuss if scammers are becoming more sophisticated. Second, the panel debates the merits of joining a book club.
- Shh! Is silence golden? Does a smoothie make a meal?
This episode of The Debaters features two debates. First, Yumi Nagashima and Charlie Demers discuss if silence is golden. Second, Katie-Ellen Humphries and Gavin Clarkson debate if a smoothie constitutes a meal.
- Are trees overrated? Do you learn nothing from praise?
In this episode, Dave Hemstad and Jon Steinberg debate whether trees are overrated, while Kate Davis and Faris Hytiaa discuss the pros and cons of praise. The show was recorded in London, Ontario.
- Are massages the best? Does a dishwasher beat hand washing?
Comedians debate whether professional massages are beneficial and discuss the advantages of using a dishwasher versus washing dishes by hand. The episode features arguments from Emily Woods, Ivan Decker, Ryan Williams, and Sean Devlin.
- Are jeans the best pants? And is food delivery easier than ever?
In this episode of The Debaters, Stacey McGunnigle and Myles Anderson discuss whether jeans are the best pants, while Graham Clark and Lachlan Patterson debate if food delivery is easier than ever.
- Should we trust influencers? Are electric vehicles the way to go?
In this episode of The Debaters, Elvira Kurt and Andrew Johnston debate the trustworthiness of social media influencers. Then, Jacob Samuel and Julie Kim discuss whether electric vehicles are the right choice for the future.
- Does CBC have the best fans? Are coffee dates great?
This episode of The Debaters features debates on whether CBC has the best fans and if coffee dates are an ideal way to spend time together. Charlie Demers, Abdul Aziz, Faris Hytiaa, and Shirley Gnome present opposing views on these topics.
- Weekend laughs from Because News
This episode of Because News, hosted by Gavin Crawford, features guests Brandon Ash Mohammed, Leslie Seiler, and Emma Hunter. They discuss various news topics, including 'boy kibble,' Olympic curling controversies, negotiations with the US…
- Are tourists the worst? Should people stop comparing themselves to others?
This episode of The Debaters features a comedic debate on the topic of tourists and includes a segment discussing the act of comparing oneself to others. The episode features comedians Myles Anderson, Yumi Nagashima, Graham Clark, and Syd…
- Should everyone love raisins? And are romantic comedies lovely?
This episode features a debate on raisins and a discussion about romantic comedies. It includes insights from Deborah Kimmett, Ivan Decker, Katie-Ellen Humphries, and Levi McCachen.
- Should you raise your family in Winnipeg? And is compromise the best solution?
This episode of The Debaters explores two key questions: Is Winnipeg a suitable city for raising a family? And is compromise truly the most effective resolution? The discussion features insights from Chad Anderson, Lara Rae, Courtney Gilmo…
- Is Ottawa more exciting than Montreal? Are sports the best way to meet people?
This episode of The Debaters features a comedic debate on whether Ottawa is more exciting than Montreal, followed by a discussion on the effectiveness of sports for meeting new people. The episode includes comedians Ron Sparks, Derek Segui…
- Do museums make you smarter? Are rules meant to be broken?
This episode of The Debaters tackles two distinct topics: the potential for museums to increase intelligence and the philosophical question of whether rules are meant to be broken. The discussion features debaters Isabel Zaw-Tun, Wassim El…
- Is shawarma the best late-night food? Are parent-teacher conferences important?
This episode features a debate on whether shawarma reigns supreme as the best late-night food. It also includes a discussion on the significance of parent-teacher conferences with comedians Ali Hassan, Courtney Gilmour, Matt Falk, and Jenn…
- Is a mullet better than a perm? Should we all be prepping for doomsday?
The Debaters features a comedic debate on whether mullets are better than perms, alongside a discussion about doomsday prepping. The episode includes performances by Dave Hemstad, Laurie Elliott, Martha Chaves, and Paul Myrehaug.
- Do candles deserve more appreciation? And is Tom Cruise the greatest movie star?
The Debaters episode explores whether candles deserve more appreciation and questions if Tom Cruise is the greatest movie star, featuring guests Jon Steinberg, Jan Caruana, Adam Cawley, and David Pryde.
- Does every home need a landline? Is Saint John superior to St. John’s?
This episode of The Debaters discusses whether landline phones are still necessary and features a debate comparing the cities of Saint John, New Brunswick, and St. John’s, Newfoundland. The episode includes contributions from Matt Wright,…
- Should snowball fights be banned? And is 60 the new 40?
This episode of The Debaters tackles two distinct topics: the potential banning of snowball fights and the idea that 60 might be the new 40. The episode features comedians Derek Edwards, Dave Hemstad, Mike Wilmot, and Deborah Kimmett.
- Are night owls superior to early birds? Does dogsledding bring the excitement?
This episode of The Debaters features a debate on whether night owls are superior to early birds. It also includes a segment discussing the excitement of dogsledding, with appearances by Don Kelly, Yumi Nagashima, Graham Clark, and Jenny H…
- Is pool superior to darts? Does nothing beat growing up on PEI?
The Debaters podcast episode features a debate comparing pool and darts. It also includes a discussion on whether Prince Edward Island is the best province to grow up in, with insights from Kelly Taylor, Clare Belford, Meg MacKay, and Patr…
- Is having a plan superior to winging it? Are small airports a delight?
This episode of The Debaters explores whether planning is superior to winging it and discusses the merits of using small airports. The debate features Nour Hadidi, Graham Chittenden, Shawn Hogan, and James Mullinger.
- Are high school friends the best friends you'll ever have? And are nosy neighbours better than noisy neighbours?
The Debaters podcast discusses whether high school friendships are the best friendships one can have and debates the merits of a nosy neighbour versus a noisy one.
- Are podcasts superior to music? Are date nights the key to a good relationship?
This episode of The Debaters features a discussion on whether podcasts are superior to music, and a debate on the importance of date nights for couples. The episode includes commentary from Erica Sigurdson, Myles Anderson, Kyle Brownrigg,…
- Should curling be Canada’s national sport? Is Canada's Thanksgiving better than America's?
The Debaters features a discussion on whether curling deserves to be Canada's national sport and a comparison of Thanksgiving traditions between Canada and the United States, with insights from John Cullen, Elvira Kurt, Clifton Cremo, and…
- Is meeting the parents important? And is Victoria, BC cool?
The Debaters episode tackles two questions: Is meeting the parents a significant milestone? Is Victoria, BC a cool city? The discussion features Syd Bosel, Abdul Aziz, Ivan Decker, and Katie-Ellen Humphries.
- Does Velcro beat laces? Do dress codes at work matter?
This episode of The Debaters features a debate on whether Velcro is superior to laces, followed by a discussion about the significance of workplace dress codes. The episode includes contributions from Lisa Baker, Sean Cullen, Chad Anderson…
- Is wireless better than wired? And do you actually need a driver’s license?
This episode of The Debaters features Arthur Simeon, Matt Falk, Jackie Pirico, and Derek Edwards debating the merits of wireless versus wired technology and the necessity of a driver's license.
- Should married couples renew their vows? And is living up North worth it?
The Debaters episode discusses whether married couples should renew their vows and if living in the North is worthwhile. The featured debaters are Charlie Demers, Erica Sigurdson, Gavin Clarkson, and Quincy Thomas.
- Is 20 Years a long time? And do names need to have meaning?
The Debaters begins its 20th season by discussing if 20 years is a significant duration and whether names should inherently possess meaning. The episode features insights from Derek Seguin, Lara Rae, Ola Dada, and Wes Borg.
- 20 Years of Debates: An Anniversary Special!
This anniversary special celebrates 20 years of The Debaters with a behind-the-scenes interview featuring host Steve Patterson and creator Richard Side. The episode includes memorable debates and insights from favorite comedians.
- Are shopping carts better than baskets? And is an invitation to the cottage the secret to summer fun?
This episode of The Debaters features a humorous debate on the merits of shopping carts versus baskets, and the social dynamics of cottage invitations during summer. The discussion includes comedians Matt Wright, Jan Caruana, Laurie Elliot…
- Which is better: Plastic or paper? And are you nobody until somebody hates you?
This episode of The Debaters features a discussion on the merits of plastic versus paper and explores the idea that societal hate can signify importance. The debate includes comedians Ivan Decker, Martha Chaves, Nikki Payne, and Bruce Clar…