The Debaters

Follow The Debaters
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

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.

CBC Radio


    • May 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 148 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Debaters podcast is a delightful show that harkens back to the glorious CBC radio days of the early 1980s and the Royal Canadian Air Farce. As a listener who fondly remembers those times, this podcast brings me back to my university days in Montreal and I am incredibly lucky to be able to access it via the Internet. Dear Canada, thank you for your brilliant contributions to humor.

    One of the best aspects of The Debaters is its light approach to arguments. The pros and cons presented by the debaters are all artfully crafted to tease out the funniest shades of a topic without being too corny, (for the most part). This creates an atmosphere of lightheartedness where listeners can simply enjoy themselves and have a good laugh. The comedic timing and delivery of both the host, Steve Patterson, and the debaters themselves are spot-on, resulting in thoroughly enjoyable episodes that sometimes even leave me side-splitting with laughter. It's clear that each episode is carefully curated to provide maximum entertainment value.

    While The Debaters podcast has many terrific elements, there are a few aspects that could be improved upon. Occasionally, some of the debates can become predictable or rely too heavily on common stereotypes. While this doesn't happen often, it can make certain episodes feel less fresh or exciting compared to others. Additionally, at times it feels like some debates could benefit from more in-depth analysis and exploration of the topics at hand. A bit more substance in these instances would elevate the show even further and add an extra layer of engagement for listeners.

    In conclusion, The Debaters podcast is definitely worth a subscription for any comedy fan looking for a dose of light-hearted humor. Its ability to bring back nostalgic memories while still feeling relevant and entertaining today is truly remarkable. Despite some minor flaws in certain debates, overall this show delivers consistent laughs and showcases the brilliance of Canadian comedy at its finest. Give it a listen and prepare to be entertained.



    More podcasts from CBC Radio

    Search for episodes from The Debaters with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Debaters

    Which is better: Plastic or paper? And are you nobody until somebody hates you?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 35:21


    We decide if plastic beats paper and whether being hated has its benefits.Featuring: Ivan Decker, Martha Chaves, Nikki Payne, and Bruce Clark.

    Should you raise your family in Winnipeg? And is compromise the best solution?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 37:42


    When it comes to raising kids, does Winnipeg win? And is compromise a happy ending?Featuring: Chad Anderson, Lara Rae, Courtney Gilmour, and Jon Dore.

    Does nothing beat a day at the ballpark? And is Toronto the worst city in Canada to commute in?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 37:06


    It's a homerun when we talk about a day at the baseball stadium, and whether commuting in Toronto is enough to drive you up the wall.Featuring: Patrick Dussault, Simon Rakoff, Isabel Zaw-Tun, and Don Kelly.

    Do butter tarts beat Nanaimo bars? And is there no shame in quitting?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 35:10


    Which Canadian confection are you sweet on: Butter tarts or Nanaimo bars? And do quitters never win?Featuring: Deborah Kimmett, Jon Steinberg, Graham Chittenden, and Leonard Chan.

    quitting butter no shame nanaimo jon steinberg which canadian butter tarts nanaimo bars graham chittenden
    Shh! Is silence golden? Does a smoothie make a meal?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 36:33


    We decide if quiet is something to treasure, and whether a smoothie is meal-worthy.Featuring: Yumi Nagashima, Charlie Demers, Katie-Ellen Humphries, and Gavin Clarkson.

    Do billionaires have it harder than millionaires? And is there always something happening in Barrie, Ontario?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 34:24


    Which wealth bracket has it worse: Billionaires or millionaires? And we decide if Barrie, Ontario is the place to be!Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Don Kelly, Chris Quigley, Courtney Gilmour.

    Gulp, we're going there - should Canada be the 51st state?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 27:46


    In a debate that needed its own full episode, the elbows go up and the gloves come off when two of our favourite debaters take on Canada becoming the 51st state.

    Are rings better than bracelets? And is it always great to be a trailblazer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 35:46


    Which jewels rule: rings or bracelets? And being a trailblazer is great…right?Featuring: Graham Clark, Heidi Brander, Faris Hytiaa, and Lara Rae.

    Today's debates! Should Americans move to the Maritimes? And does going to the dentist rule?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 27:35


    We debate if Americans should relocate to Canada's East Coast, and whether a trip to the dentist is anything to smile about.Featuring: Jay Malone, Nikki Payne, Mayce Galoni, and Matt Wright.(Originally recorded in September 2017)

    Today's debates! Should we all do pottery? And love lineups?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 34:36


    It's a throwdown when we decide if everyone should take up pottery. Then, should we all love lining up? We get down to the pros and cons of this social practice.Featuring: Jacob Samuel, Brittany Lyseng, Abdul Aziz, and Ryan Williams.

    Virtual Meetings vs. In-Person Meetings & Volunteering

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 33:03


    We decide whether meeting on Zoom beats brainstorming in the boardroom, plus we debate the virtues of volunteering. Volunteering — should everyone do it? Featuring: Peter Brown, Julie Kim, Maddy Kelly, and Charlie Demers.

    Children vs. Parents: Who is Smarter? & Talent Shows

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 35:12


    Are children smarter than their parents? Ivan Decker and Syd Bosel decide who wears the smarty-pants in their households. Then, does nothing beat a talent show? Sean Lecomber and Canada's Got Talent finalist Sterling Scott bring more than the same old song and dance when they go toe-to-toe on this topic.

    Breakup Songs & Hard Rock Cafe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 35:32


    Do breakup songs rule? This Valentine's weekend, Anesti Danelis and Jan Caruana hit all the right notes when it comes to these tragic tunes. Then, are Hard Rock establishments worth a visit? Elvira Kurt and Kyle Brownrigg make memora-believers of their Ottawa audience when they discuss this famed franchise.

    Hawkins Cheezies & Conspiracy Theories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 35:14


    Are Ontario's own Hawkins Cheezies king of the chip aisle? It's crunch time when Deborah Kimmett and Sean Cullen debate this delight. Then, should conspiracy theories be indulged? Don't miss Nathan Macintosh and Chris Locke's illuminati-ing takes on this topic.

    1916: Fake Meat & Scuba Diving

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 27:35


    In this meaty episode from Season 14, Rob Bebenek and Dave Hemstad air their beefs on plant-based meats. Then, Elvira Kurt and Hunter Collins take the plunge when they discuss scuba diving.(Originally recorded in October 2019)

    1915: Baby Showers & Winter in Alberta

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 33:51


    Erica Sigurdson and Dakota Ray Hebert rattle each other's nerves when they decide if baby showers are great. Then, does nothing beat winter in Alberta? Brittany Lyseng and Ola Dada break the ice on this seasonal subject. 

    babies baby showers erica sigurdson
    1914: Canada's National Anthem & Everything Happens for a Reason

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 35:56


    Jon Steinberg and Ali Hassan compete for their Ottawa audience's true patriot love when they decide if Canada has the best national anthem. Then, Courtney Gilmour and Nour Hadidi are masters of their own destiny when they debate if everything happens for a reason.

    1913: Left vs. Right & Christmas Markets

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 35:22


    Is left superior to right? David Pryde and Derek Seguin do right by their Ottawa audience during this divergent debate. Then, Kate Davis and Ron Sparks turn the yule-tide when they discuss if Christmas markets are a holiday must.

    1912: Pickup Trucks & The Customer is Always Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 37:20


    Is the pickup truck the best type of vehicle? Katie Ellen-Humphries and Dan Taylor refuse to Dodge the question when they hit the road with this topic. Then, laughs are in store when Yumi Nagashima and Faris Hytiaa decide if the customer is always right.

    1911: Move for Love & Jack of All Trades vs. Master of One

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 37:33


    Isabel Zaw-Tun and Paul Myrehaug think outside the box when they debate if it's always great to move for love. Then, Chad Anderson and Graham Chittenden go steel toe-to-toe on whether being a jack of all trades is superior to being a master of one.

    jack of all trades chad anderson master of one paul myrehaug graham chittenden
    1910: Never Hold a Grudge & Kitchen Party vs. Shed Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 35:41


    It's the ultimate grudge match when Elvira Kurt and Arthur Simeon decide if you should never hold a grudge. Then, East Coast comedians Ryan Dillon and Nikki Payne refuse to play second fiddle when they debate if kitchen parties are superior to shed parties.

    1909: Wine Appreciation & E-Bikes and E-Scooters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 27:35


    To honour the passing of Edmonton's wonderful and hilarious Kathleen McGee, The Debaters is re-airing one of her memorable debates from 2021. Featuring Kathleen McGee, Erica Sigurdson, Peter Brown and Ryan Williams in East Vancouver.

    1908: It's Not Okay to Ignore the News & Windows vs. Doors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 36:59


    Charlie Demers and Lisa Baker are anything but fake when they discuss if it's okay to ignore the news. Then, are windows superior to doors? Graham Clark and Charles Haycock tear a weather-strip off each other in this architectural argument.

    1907: Butter vs. Margarine & Newfoundland Time Zone

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 35:55


    Is butter better than margarine? Derek Seguin and Matt Wright churn out jokes in a battle for the superior spread. Then, Nour Hadidi and Hisham Kelati get in the zone when they decide if Newfoundland has the best time zone.

    1906: Boston Pizza & Long Weekends

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 35:36


    There's no topping Ivan Decker and Maddy Kelly debating Canadian restaurant chain Boston Pizza. Then, Abdul Aziz and John Hastings are weekend warriors when they decide if long weekends are overrated.

    1905: Kids on Social Media & Stripes vs. Polka Dots

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 34:38


    Myles Anderson and Sean Lecomber troll with the punches when they discuss whether kids should use social media. Then, are stripes superior to polka dots? Rob Pue and Kathleen McGee refuse to be clothed-minded with their patter on these patterns.

    1904: Staycations & Partner with More Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 38:39


    Patrick Ledwell and John Sheehan bring it home when they discuss if a staycation is the best type of vacation. Then, This Hour Has 22 Minutes's comedy couple Chris Wilson and Stacey McGunnigle are in good company when they go head-to-head on whether it's okay for one partner to have more success than the other.

    1903: Audiobooks vs. Books & The Ballet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 34:39


    Matt Falk and Lara Rae are not on the same page when they discuss if audiobooks are superior to books. Then, DeAnne Smith and Courtney Gilmour are on pointe when they go toe-to-toe on whether nothing beats a night at the ballet.

    The Debaters Introduces: Personal Best Season 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 39:18


    Personal Best is a podcast that celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week they help ordinary people work through the little things they'd never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine alone at a fancy restaurant or getting less awkward at handshakes. Let them be your self-improvement sidekicks! More episodes from the brand new season of Personal Best are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/LenrN6rP

    1902: Atlantic Ocean vs. Pacific Ocean & Growing Up Poor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 38:03


    Matt Wright and Charlie Demers make waves in St. John's, Newfoundland when they discuss if the Atlantic Ocean is superior to the Pacific Ocean. Then, Bree Parsons and Nikki Payne bring a wealth of wit when they decide if growing up poor makes you a stronger person.

    1901: Coke vs. Pepsi & Family Doctors

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 36:43


    It's the premiere of The Debaters' 19th season and this is one for the bever-ages! Dave Hemstad and Lisa Baker are in Newfoundland trying to burst each other's bubble when they decide if Coke is superior to Pepsi. Then, are family doctors overrated? Clifton Cremo and Martha Chaves checkup on these medical professionals.

    The Debaters Introduces | Olympic FOMO: Canada's Golden Girls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 14:47


    Olympic FOMO is your daily Olympics recap, in 20 minutes or less. Besties Mark and Jem go behind-the-scenes bringing you the wins, losses, and hot goss from the Athlete's Village. They've got next-level access to Paris 2024 so you never have FOMO (fear of missing Olympics) again.More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/rlvpfX3q

    1833: Maple Syrup vs. Honey & Sleepovers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 38:50


    The Debaters' season finale episode is creating a buzz! Charlie Demers and Derek Seguin sweet talk the audience when they debate if maple syrup is superior to honey. Then, Henry Sir and Erica Sigurdson are ready for a pillow fight when they discuss if nothing's more fun than a sleepover.

    1832: Day at the Beach & Mosquitoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 34:52


    Deborah Kimmett and Myles Anderson make waves when they discuss if there's no better day than a day at the beach. Then, are mosquitoes the most annoying insect? Pete Zedlacher and Rob Bebenek get under each other's skin when they take on these bothersome bugs.

    beach mosquitoes myles anderson pete zedlacher
    1831: Never Too Late to Get Divorced & Convenience Stores

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 34:57


    Bruce Clark and Clare Belford go their separate ways on whether it's never too late to get divorced. Then, Graham Clark and Julie Kim avoid knee-jerky reactions when they decide if nothing beats a convenience store.

    1830: Generation X & Angels vs. Ghosts

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 37:00


    Derek Seguin and Chad Anderson grow the generation gap when they discuss if Gen Xers are the best age group. Then, Hisham Kelati and Kathleen McGee have a spirited debate on whether angels are superior to ghosts.

    1829: Belts vs. Suspenders & Move to Hamilton

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 34:47


    Elvira Kurt and Graham Chittenden have no time to waist when they discuss if belts are superior to suspenders.  Then, should everyone move to Hamilton? Gavin Stephens and Ron Sparks bring the Hammer down on each other in their debate for this Ontario city.

    hamilton ontario hammer belts suspenders gavin stephens graham chittenden ron sparks
    1828: After-School Jobs & Cousins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 33:34


    Joe Pillitteri and Courtney Gilmour's arguments are anything but uniform when they decide if every kid should have an after-school job. Then, can you have too many cousins? Arthur Simeon and Jackie Pirico decide if it's all relative.

    1827: Law & Order & Learn a New Language

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 36:43


    Is Law & Order the greatest TV show of all time? With the recent release of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Kate Davis and Sean Cullen are taking this series to court. Then, Hunter Collins and Marito Lopez are sharp-tongued when they debate the current ease of learning a new language.

    1826: Spending vs. Saving & Taylor Swift Fans

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 37:17


    Is spending superior to saving? Dave Hemstad and Jon Steinberg account for themselves in this budgetary battle. Then, Nour Hadidi and Don Kelly fan the flames when they decide if Taylor Swift has the world's greatest fans.

    1825: Movies are Too Long & Pickleball

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 37:22


    Greg Morton and Kyle Brownrigg get reel when they discuss if long movies are a shortcoming. Then, Deborah Kimmett and Ali Hassan follow through on their arguments when they debate if pickleball is the sport of the future.

    1824: Cashier vs. Self-Checkout & Own a Boat

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 36:13


    In this priceless episode from Season 14, Nikki Payne and Patrick Ledwell push each other's buttons when they compare cashiers to self-checkout machines. Then, Sean Cullen and Graham Chittenden deliver waves of laughs in their debate on owning a boat.

    Claim The Debaters

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel