A comedy of errors.

[Workingman]

Otherwise known as TV election debates. Another floundering American import.

There will now be seven leaders taking part, and possibly nine if Sinn Fein and the DUP go to court, or maybe 11 if the SDLP and Alliance take part. Then again some might not turn up when invited so the debat will have empty chairs. Then there is a supposed head-to-head between Cameron and Milliband, assuming one or the other or both don't fail to show.

And these sound-bite fests matter?

There is no law saying that these things have to take place, and certainly not one forcing anyone to watch them; there might be brass rubbing or embroidery on some other channels.

[cromwell]

And these sound-bite fests matter?

Quite. Some BBC wonk was saying excitedly tonight that these debates "dominated the last election campaign". Did they?

I couldn't say, I didn't watch any of them last time and you'd have to pay me to watch them this time!

[Workingman]

Can you imagine these with seven, or more, taking part? What sort of detail can we expect on any subject in an hour?

Another BBC wonk said that the broadcasters had bent over backwards "possibly at the expense of an engrossing spectacle for viewers". Engrossing! What planet are these people on?

[Suff]

They would love to think they are essential to determining the course of the election.

As I recall, the debates during the independence referendum in Scotland, moved the whole debate more and more into the Yes camp. Finally trumped by the three stooges who rushed up to Scotland in a panic and promised the earth and are now delivering a few pebbles and a chunk of unwanted rock.

I'm ignoring much of it.

[Aggers]

I doubt if I shall watch any of these 'debates'.

I've already made my mind up regarding how I shall vote, so as far
as I'm concerned, they are wasting their time. I'm sick of politics.

[TheOstrich]

I didn't watch them last time and I won't this time either. They wouldn't sway my opinion, they would only drive me into a state of apoplectic fury.

The BBC News, I think it was, actually used a short clip from "Borgen" (the Danish political thriller) to illustrate how "engrossing" these debates are. Total blurring of fact and fiction!

[cromwell]

They would love to think they are essential to determining the course of the election.

Yes, I think this is true. TV people will not be slow to talk up the importance of TV.

[Suff]

Yes, I think this is true. TV people will not be slow to talk up the importance of TV.

They already are...