The Debaters
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
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.
Location:
Canada, ON
Networks:
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Description:
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.
Twitter:
@CBCradio
Language:
English
Contact:
The Debaters CBC Radio P.O. Box 4600 Vancouver, BC V6B 4A2 416-205-3700
Email:
cbcinput@cbc.ca
Episodes
Is a mullet better than a perm? Should we all be prepping for doomsday?
1/8/2026
We’re bringing shear brilliance when mullets take on perms, then, be prepared to laugh when we discuss if everyone should become a doomsday prepper.
Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Laurie Elliott, Martha Chaves, and Paul Myrehaug.
Duration:00:35:19
Do candles deserve more appreciation? And is Tom Cruise the greatest movie star?
12/18/2025
We’re waxing on about the pros and cons of candles, we feel the need for speed when we ask if Tom Cruise really is the Top Gun.
Featuring: Jon Steinberg, Jan Caruana, Adam Cawley, and David Pryde.
Duration:00:37:38
Does every home need a landline? Is Saint John superior to St. John’s?
12/11/2025
We’re getting dialed in with a debate on landline phones. Then, we’re pitting two easily confused cities against each other - it’s Saint John, New Brunswick versus St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Featuring: Matt Wright, Nikki Payne, James Mullinger, and Peter White.
Duration:00:37:51
Should snowball fights be banned? And is 60 the new 40?
12/4/2025
We’re right on target with a debate on snowball fights, then, it’s an ageless discussion on whether 60 is the new 40. Note, for all you keen Debaters fans, this is one from our vaults!
Featuring: Derek Edwards, Dave Hemstad, Mike Wilmot, and Deborah Kimmett.
Duration:00:27:35
Are night owls superior to early birds? Does dogsledding bring the excitement?
11/27/2025
It’s never too late for night owls to take on early birds, then, we decide if dogsledding is paws-itively thrilling.
Featuring: Don Kelly, Yumi Nagashima, Graham Clark, and Jenny Hamilton.
Duration:00:34:57
Is pool superior to darts? Does nothing beat growing up on PEI?
11/20/2025
Right on cue, we’re pitting pool against darts. Then, two Prince Edward Islanders go potatoe-to-toe on whether their home province is the best place to grow up.
Featuring: Kelly Taylor, Clare Belford, Meg MacKay, and Patrick Ledwell.
Duration:00:36:32
Is having a plan superior to winging it? Are small airports a delight?
11/6/2025
We’re deciding if it’s better to plan ahead or play it by ear, and if we should all get on board with small airports.
Featuring: Nour Hadidi, Graham Chittenden, Shawn Hogan, and James Mullinger.
Duration:00:34:21
Are high school friends the best friends you'll ever have? And are nosy neighbours better than noisy neighbours?
10/30/2025
We’re deciding if high school friendships are forever, then, it’s no time to be a fencesitter when we debate whether a nosy neighbour beats a noisy neighbour.
Featuring: Charlie Demers, Heidi Brander, Lisa Baker, and Derek Seguin.
Duration:00:36:06
Are podcasts superior to music? Are date nights the key to a good relationship?
10/16/2025
It's full stream ahead when we pit podcasts against music. Then, we go to town on whether date nights should be crucial to every couple.
Featuring: Erica Sigurdson, Myles Anderson, Kyle Brownrigg, and Kate Davis.
We value your input. Fill out our listener questionnaire here!
Duration:00:32:29
Should curling be Canada’s national sport? Is Canada's Thanksgiving better than America's?
10/9/2025
We’ve got a stone cold debate on whether curling should be Canada’s national sport. Then, who dishes out a better Thanksgiving, Canadians or Americans?
Featuring: John Cullen, Elvira Kurt, Clifton Cremo, and Nathan Macintosh.
Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!
Duration:00:39:38
Is meeting the parents important? And is Victoria, BC cool?
10/2/2025
We’re deciding if meeting the parents is a major milestone, and whether Victoria, BC has the cool factor.
Featuring: Syd Bosel, Abdul Aziz, Ivan Decker, and Katie-Ellen Humphries.
Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!
Duration:00:37:36
Does Velcro beat laces? Do dress codes at work matter?
9/25/2025
We have a fasten-ating debate on Velcro vs. laces, then, we get down to business when we discuss dress codes at work.
Featuring: Lisa Baker, Sean Cullen, Chad Anderson, and Brittany Lyseng.
Duration:00:35:02
Is wireless better than wired? And do you actually need a driver’s license?
9/18/2025
We’re deciding if Bluetooth just makes you blue, and if everyone should be driven to get a driver’s license.
Featuring: Arthur Simeon, Matt Falk, Jackie Pirico, and Derek Edwards.
Duration:00:34:40
Should married couples renew their vows? And is living up North worth it?
9/11/2025
We’re deciding if it makes sense to say “I do” all over again, and whether we should give living in the North the cold shoulder.
Featuring: Charlie Demers, Erica Sigurdson, Gavin Clarkson, and Quincy Thomas.
Duration:00:34:36
Is 20 Years a long time? And do names need to have meaning?
9/4/2025
It’s the premiere of our 20th season! So we’re asking: Is 20 years a long time? Then, what’s in a name? We’re deciding if these signifiers need significance.
Featuring: Derek Seguin, Lara Rae, Ola Dada, and Wes Borg.
Duration:00:35:38
20 Years of Debates: An Anniversary Special!
9/2/2025
For the start of our 20th season, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes interview with our host Steve Patterson and Richard Side, creator of The Debaters! We'll be bringing you some of our most unforgettable debates, hearing from your favourite comedians, and getting the facts behind the funny!
Duration:00:35:21
Are shopping carts better than baskets? And is an invitation to the cottage the secret to summer fun?
6/19/2025
Our season finale episode is a grocery grudge match and a real re-treat!
Featuring: Matt Wright, Jan Caruana, Laurie Elliott, and Tamara Shevon.
Duration:00:37:04
Which is better: Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? And do coaches matter?
6/12/2025
We’re pitting parental holidays against each other, and deciding if coaches are a make or break mentor.
Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Elvira Kurt, Emmanuel Lomuro, and Patrick Dussault.
Duration:00:35:16
Are jeans the best pants? And is food delivery easier than ever?
6/5/2025
We decide if wearing denim is a dream and whether ordering delivery is a breeze.
Featuring: Stacey McGunnigle, Myles Anderson, Graham Clark and Lachlan Patterson.
Duration:00:38:15
Which is better: Plastic or paper? And are you nobody until somebody hates you?
5/22/2025
We decide if plastic beats paper and whether being hated has its benefits.
Featuring: Ivan Decker, Martha Chaves, Nikki Payne, and Bruce Clark.
Duration:00:35:21