The Great Debate (Canadian TV series)

The Great Debate is a Canadian television series that featured debates between pairs of panelists over a given subject. It was first shown on Global Television Network in 1974, and later broadcast by CHCH-TV from Hamilton, Ontario. The series was produced intermittently until 1983.

The Great Debate
Genretalk show/debate
Presented byPierre Berton
Country of origin Canada
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerElsa Franklin
Running time30-60 minutes
Release
Original networkGlobal
CHCH-TV
Original release10 January 1974 (1974-01-10) –
1983 (1983)

Format

Pierre Berton was the host and moderator of a televised debate between two guests who argued about a given proposition. A studio audience of approximately 200 people voted for or against the proposition at the start of the program, and again at the end after the debate to gauge the influence of the debators' arguments.[1]

Production

The Great Debate was produced by My Country Productions, co-owned by series producer Elsa Franklin and Berton.[2]

It was one of the first series broadcast on the fledgling Global Television Network. However, the broadcaster encountered financial distress within months of its debut and owed My Country Productions $48,000. Global offered unsecured creditors such as program producers a short-term 25% payment. Berton, however, proceeded to pay guest debators personally, in full for their appearance and travel.[3]

Global renewed The Great Debate for a second season beginning late 1974.[4] CHCH-TV picked up The Great Debate from Global for its third, 1975-76 season, and aired these in the Tuesday 10 p.m. time slot.[5]

Episodes

1974: first season
No. Resolution In favour Opposed Original air date Notes
1 Violence is acceptable as a political weapon in a democracy Pierre Vallières John Laird 10 January 1974 The motion was overwhelmingly rejected by the studio audience.[6] Robert Lemieux and John Taylor were originally scheduled as debators.[7]
2 The energy crisis is a hoax perpetrated by the major oil companies Ralph Nader Darcy McKeough 17 January 1974 [8]
3 Hockey is no longer a sport Bruce Kidd Howie Meeker 24 January 1974 [9][10]
4 Professional prize fighting should be outlawed Dick Beddoes George Chuvalo 31 January 1974 [11]
5 Astrology is a valid science Katherine De Jersey Lord Soper 7 February 1974 [12]
6 Canadian nationalism is self-destructive Eliot Janeway Eric Kierans 14 February 1974 [13]
7 Prisons should be reserved for those who have committed crimes of violence Jessica Mitford Desmond Morton 21 February 1974 [14]
8 The health food craze is a rip-off Gloria Swanson Seymour Halpern 28 February 1974 [15]
9 Marriage is obsolete Jim Moran Diana Dors 7 March 1974 [16]
10 The gods from outer space theory is a fantasy Ruth Tringham Erich von Däniken 14 March 1974 [17]
11 The police should be abolished Jimmy Breslin David Toma 21 March 1974 [18]
12 (Academy Awards topic) 28 March 1974 [19][20]
13 Man cannot live without god. Malcolm Muggeridge Charles Templeton 4 April 1974 [21][22]
14 The monarchy should be abolished William Hamilton George Brown 11 April 1974 [23]
15 (repeat of 24 January 1974; hockey) 18 April 1974 [24]
16 (no detail available) 25 April 1974 [25]
17 There is no scientific proof that ESP exists. Daniel Cohen J. B. Rhine 2 May 1974 [26]
18 Virginity is a priceless asset Wendy Robin Albert Ellis 9 May 1974 Robin was president of the Virgin Liberation Front.[27][28]
19 Freedom of speech is a danger to society David DePoe Irving Layton 16 May 1974 DePoe was with Students for a Democratic Society[29]
20 There should not be a graduated income tax William F. Buckley, Jr. René Lévesque 23 May 1974 [1][30]

1974-75: second season

These episodes were listed as broadcast on Global Television, broadcast Thursdays and repeated Sundays.

No. Resolution In favour Opposed Original air date Notes
1 (season debut) 5 September 1974 [31]
2 Bilingualism is unworkable. Jacques Parizeau George Springate 12 September 1974 [32]
2 Canada should legalize abortion on demand Henry Morgentaler Heather Morris 19 September 1974 [33][34]
3 26 September 1974
4 3 October 1974
5 10 October 1974
6 Nuclear reactors are necessary Edward Teller Gordon Edwards 17 October 1974 [35]
7 The west should separate from Canada. Milt Harradence Réal Caouette 24 October 1974 [36]
8 Playgirl magazine corrupts women. Alan Abel as "Martin Swaig, Jr." Marin Scott Milam 31 October 1974 Swaig was ostensibly head of the US office of media communications, Scott Milam was editor of Playgirl.[37] However, Swaig was revealed to be satirist Alan Abel who was conducting a hoax on his opponent.[38]
9 The Nixon-Ford pardon and tapes agreement violates the US Constitution. I. F. Stone John McLaughlin 7 November 1974 [39]
10 The inflation crisis demands price and wage control. Myron Sharpe David Lewis 14 November 1974 [40]
11 21 November 1974
12 Women's liberation is destroying society. George Gilder Germaine Greer 28 November 1974 [41]
13 Credit cards do more harm than good. Arthur Hailey Robert M. MacIntosh 5 December 1974 Hailey was an author; MacIntosh was president of the Bank of Nova Scotia[42]
14 12 December 1974
15 Prostitution should be legalized 19 December 1974 [43]
16 Interracial marriage will benefit mankind. David Suzuki Roy Innis 26 December 1974 [44]
17 2 January 1975
18 9 January 1975
19 Living together before marriage is a dangerous experiment 16 January 1975 [45]
20 Having children should be controlled by law 22 January 1975 Moved to Wednesdays[46]

1975-76: third season

These episodes are listed as broadcast on the series new flagship station, CHCH-TV, Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

No. Resolution In favour Opposed Original air date Notes
1 That Exercise is a Waste of Time Minnesota Fats Ed Allen 9 September 1975 [47]
2 Public service strikes should be outlawed 16 September 1975 [48]
3 Mercy killing is justified 23 September 1975 [49]
4 The Bermuda Triangle mystery defies natural explanation 30 September 1975 [50]
5 7 October 1975 [51]
6 The Bermuda Triangle mystery defies natural explanation 14 October 1975 Repeat of 30 September 1975[52]
7 Movies should return to the happy ending 21 October 1975 [53]
8 Dieting is useless 28 October 1975 [54]
9 Ghosts exist 4 November 1975 [55]
10 Modern birth control advocates are using women as guinea pigs 11 November 1975 [56]
11 Violence on the screen is psychologically damaging 18 November 1975 [57]
12 Capital punishment must be abolished 25 November 1975 [58]
13 Divorce cases don't belong in the courts 2 December 1975 [59]
14 History is bunk 9 December 1975 [60]
15 Zionism 16 December 1975 Irving Layton vs. Sam Hadaur[61]
16 The Christian religion has become inadequate 23 December 1975 [62]
17 Homosexuals should have full civil rights 30 December 1975 [63]
18 7 January 1976 Moved to Wednesday evenings[64]
19 Good breeding is still an asset 14 January 1976 [65]
20 Canadian nationalism is dangerous 21 January 1976 [66]
21 Intelligence is genetically inherited 28 January 1976 [67]
22 The 1976 Olympic Games should be abandoned 4 February 1976 [68]
23 Kids today have it too soft 11 February 1976 [69]
24 Hunting is not a sport 18 February 1976 [70]
25 The American dream has become a nightmare 25 February 1976 [71]
26 Car racing is a bloody sport 3 March 1976 [72]
pre-empted 10 March 1976 [73]
27 17 March 1976 [74]
28 24 March 1976 [75]
29 Repeat of mercy killing episode 31 March 1976 [76]
30 Man should be master in the home 7 April 1976 [76]
31 There should be total gun control 14 April 1976 [77]
32 Repeat of Bermuda Triangle episode 21 April 1976 [78]
33 Repeat of Movies should return to the happy ending 28 April 1976 [79]
pre-empted for movie 5 May 1976 [80]

1976-77: fourth season

The series was broadcast on CHCH-TV on Fridays at 8 p.m. Topics in this season included apartheid and lotteries.[81][82]

1977-83: later episodes

The following episodes are on file with Library and Archives Canada:[83]

Resolution In favour Opposed Original air date Item number (ISN) Production date
Television is a destructive force in society Mackenzie Porter Peter Ustinov 30143 (unknown)
Sexual offenders should be castrated William Mackie (lawyer) Simma Holt 30146 22 April 1977
Sports is a masculine rite Abby Hoffman Alan Eagleson 30144 18 September 1977
Homosexuals should not be allowed to teach David Gauthier (chair, University of Toronto Philosophy Department) Dr John Lee (associate professor of Sociology, University of Toronto Scarborough College) 30145 18 September 1977
Involuntary commitment of mental patients violates their rights Dr Thomas Szasz (psychiatrist) Dr Derek Miller 30147 16 October 1977
There is a need for a coaches' union Alan Eagleson Dick Beddoes 30148 28 October 1977
Traditional train power is obsolete Julius Lukasiewicz Walter Steward 30149 28 October 1979
The Pope's theology belongs to the Dark Ages Dr Kathryn Morgan Dr Gregory Baum 30151 30 October 1979
Promiscuity in a woman is acceptable and desirable Eleanor Wright Petrine Joan Sutton 30152 30 October 1979
Nuclear generating stations are necessary and should be constructed Jon Gilbertson Norman Rubin 30153 17 November 1979
A North American common market would be the end of Canada Bob Rae John Belanger 30154 17 November 1979
Total disarmament is both possible and desirable Nicolas Parissi Geoff Buerger 30155 17 November 1979
The medical establishment is inhibiting cancer research Peter Barry Chowka Dr Emil Freireich 30156 18 November 1979
Traditional masculinity victimizes men Dr Herb Goldberg George Gilder 30157 18 November 1979
Teachers have the right to strike Margaret Wilson Dr Stewart Smigh 30158 18 November 1979
Strike breaking should be outlawed Terry Meagher David Somerville 30159 20 November 1979
The permissive society has been the worst disaster to hit democracy since Hitler Sir Edwin Leather Maryon Kantaroff 30160 20 November 1979
Modern medicine is geared for killing rather than healing Dr Robert Mendlesohn Dr Stuart Klein 30161 29 November 1979
Newspapers should be independent of all other business interests Charles Lynch Charles Templeton 30165 February 1981
The West should separate Elmer Knutson Jack Horner 30162 3 February 1981
Modern cults are dangerous to society Jane Hawtin Bart Testa 30163 3 February 1981
Literary critics are irrelevant and irresponsible Richard Rohmer Lister Sinclair 30164 3 February 1981
All tobacco advertising should be banned Garfield Mahood Don Coxe 30166 4 February 1981
Labour unions are destructive to the economy Frank Oberle Desmond Morton 30167 7 February 1981
Rent controls are necessary Frank Drea Basin Kalymon 30168 9 February 1981
Writers' sources should be privileged and protected by law Harold Horwood Barbara Amiel 30169 9 February 1981
Women should not marry Betty Jane Wylie Catherine McKinnon 30170 10 February 1981
The family is being bombarded unnecessarily by professionals Ed Shorter Doug Barr 30171 10 February 1981
It is more rewarding to be short than tall Ben Wicks Michael Magee 30172 10 February 1981
Socialism holds more promise for the future than capitalism Richard Johnston James Taylor 30173 17 November 1981
The Bachelor of Arts degree is of no earthly use to anybody Arnold Edinborough Harold Kaplan 30174 17 November 1981
More sex education is needed Laura Sabia Ken Campbell 30175 17 November 1981
Chemical additives make food dangerous Dr Ross Hume Hal Dr George Fleishmann 30176 18 November 1981
Movies that depict the sexual exploitation of minors should be censored Elwy Yost Ron Base 30177 18 November 1981
Canada needs stronger military defense Brig Gen Steven Andrunyk Dr Norman Alcock 30178 18 November 1981
Human rights acts jeopardize civil liberties and human rights George Jonas Ian Scott 30179 24 November 1981
There is more fakery than science to para psychology Henry Gordon Howard Eisenberg 30180 24 November 1981
In the present context monetarism is bunk Paul Hellyer Prof Michael Parkin 30181 24 November 1981
Paid maternity leave is every woman's right Grace Hartman Larry Solway 30182 25 November 1981
Television evangelists are dishonest and deplorable Tom Harpur Rev Gerald Morgan 30183 25 November 1981
Women should marry younger men Annabelle King Sam Solecki 30184 25 November 1981
The Kent Commission proposals are a threat to freedom of the press Bill Heine Tom Kent 30192 1982?
Society is overpoliced Jack Gemmell David Humphrey 30185 23 March 1982
Equal rights for women in the workforce should be law Dierdre Gallagher Claire Hoy 30187 23 March 1982
Legal abortion is a woman's right Marian Engel Laura McArthur 30188 23 March 1982
The prison system brutalizes and creates monsters Dr Daniel Paitich Robert McGee 30189 23 March 1982
All children have a right to public day care Pat Schultz Frank Drea 30190 24 March 1982
There should be compulsory retirement Dennis Braithwaite Ross Stevenson 30191 24 March 1982
Public taxes should go to the school of your choice Lyle McBurney Doug Little 30193 30 March 1982
Metric conversion is mandatory madness Bob Runciman Gerry McCauley 30194 30 March 1982
Scientific evidence better supports creation than evolution Dr Walter Brown Dr Peter Moens 30195 31 March 1982
Totally nude spectator sports should be banned Carol Ruddell Claire Berstein 30196 31 March 1982
Marijuana should be legalized Edmond Brown Dr Andrew Malcolm 30197 31 March 1982
Surrogate motherhood should be a right Jerald Bain Dr Suzanne Scorsone 30198 24 October 1982
Fear of crime is media induced Barrie Zwicker McKenzie Porter 30199 26 October 1982
Faith healing is a hoax Dr Howard Seiden Tom Harpur 30200 26 October 1982
Modern medicine is too expensive Dr Harding Le Riche Dr Mark Baltzan 30201 27 October 1982
The American political system is superior to the Canadian system Charles Templeton William Kilbourn 30202 27 October 1982
Lawyers should be allowed to advertise 30203 27 October 1982
Doctors should have the right to harvest transplant organs Dr John Dossetor Prof William Harvey 30204 2 November 1982
Canada does not need the Guardian Angels William McCormack Lisa Sliwa 30205 2 November 1982
The Western world should arm space Nicholas Stethem Prof John Polanya 30206 2 November 1982
We should revive the failure system in schools Mark Holmes Don Rutledge 30207 3 November 1982
Canada should prosecute war criminals Irwin Cotler Harold Levy 30208 3 November 1982
National security takes precedence over personal privacy John Starnes Alan Borovoy 30210 3 November 1982
Canada should abandon multiculturalism Richard J Needham James Fleming 30211 18 January 1983
Children's aid societies have too much power Cyril Greenland George Caldwell 30212 18 January 1983
Corporate bailouts bankrupt the economy Jack Carr James Gillies 30213 18 January 1983
Criminals should not profit from their pens Kildare Dobbs George Jonas 30214 19 January 1983
Violence is a viable political weapon Desmond Ellis Murray Thomson 30215 19 January 1983
The peace movement is a subversive force Lubor J. Zink Clarke MacDonald 30216 19 January 1983
God is not omnipotent Russel Legge James Olthuis 30217 25 January 1983
Homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children John Lee Blair Shaw 30219 25 January 1983
The arts must be subsidized Lister Sinclair Maryon Kantaroff 30220 25 January 1983
Everyone has a right to a job Bob Rae Dr John Crispo 30222 26 January 1983

Reception

During its initial month, The Great Debate gained a 3% share of the BBM television ratings, competing unfavourably to CTV which earned a 31% share for The Streets of San Francisco.[84] By mid-1974, the show's ratings increased to 201,000 viewers from 106,000 within a three-week span.[85]

References
  1. Buckley, William F., Jr. (30 May 1974). "Canada's experimental TV Debates". St. Petersburg Times. p. 24A. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. "My Country Productions fonds [moving images]". Library and Archives Canada. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. Bennett, Ray (13 June 1974). "Berton pays off". Windsor Star. p. 34. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  4. Kirby, Blaik (9 August 1974). "Global lineup stresses news, films". The Globe and Mail. p. 17.
  5. Kirby, Blaik (18 August 1975). "Television: Curtis a winner as con man, but Doc a dud". The Globe and Mail. p. 15.
  6. Penn, Frank (11 January 1974). "Glad or mad about Global". Ottawa Citizen. p. 21. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  7. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 10 January 1974. p. 38.
  8. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 17 January 1974. p. 36.
  9. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 24 January 1974. p. 42.
  10. Bennett, Ray (23 January 1974). "Two new shows for Berton". Windsor Star. p. 28. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  11. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 31 January 1974. p. 38.
  12. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 7 February 1974. p. 40.
  13. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 14 February 1974. p. 44.
  14. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 21 February 1974. p. 30.
  15. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 28 February 1974. p. 34.
  16. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 7 March 1974. p. 46.
  17. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 14 March 1974. p. 46.
  18. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 21 March 1974. p. 52.
  19. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 28 March 1974. p. 44.
  20. "TV Times". The Gazette. Montreal. 23 March 1974. p. TV 27. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  21. "TV listings". Ottawa Journal. 30 March 1974. p. TV 35.
  22. "TV Times". The Gazette. Montreal. 30 March 1974. p. TV 27. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  23. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 11 April 1974. p. 46.
  24. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 18 April 1974. p. 52.
  25. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 25 April 1974. p. 50.
  26. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 2 May 1974. p. 46.
  27. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 9 May 1974. p. 50.
  28. Smith, Howard (22 April 1971). "The American Virgin Liberation Front!". Village Voice. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  29. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 16 May 1974. p. 52.
  30. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 23 May 1974. p. 48.
  31. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 5 September 1974. p. 42.
  32. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 12 September 1974. p. 42.
  33. "Sunday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 20 September 1974. p. T6.
  34. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 19 September 1974. p. 46.
  35. "Thursday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 11 October 1974. p. T10.
  36. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 24 October 1974. p. 38.
  37. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 31 October 1974. p. 52.
  38. Penn, Frank (1 November 1974). "Truth takes another TV beating". Ottawa Citizen. p. 57. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  39. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 7 November 1974. p. 46.
  40. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 14 November 1974. p. 56.
  41. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 28 November 1974. p. 58.
  42. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 5 December 1974. p. 56.
  43. "Thursday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 13 December 1974. p. T10.
  44. "TV programs and highlights". Ottawa Journal. 26 December 1974. p. 60.
  45. "Thursday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 10 January 1975. p. T10.
  46. "Wednesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 17 January 1975. p. T5.
  47. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 5 September 1975. p. T8.
  48. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 12 September 1975. p. T8.
  49. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 19 September 1975. p. T8.
  50. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 26 September 1975. p. T8.
  51. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 3 October 1975. p. T8.
  52. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 10 October 1975. p. T8.
  53. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 17 October 1975. p. T8.
  54. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 24 October 1975. p. T8.
  55. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 31 October 1975. p. T8.
  56. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 7 November 1975. p. T8.
  57. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 14 November 1975. p. T8.
  58. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 21 November 1975. p. T8.
  59. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 28 November 1975. p. T8.
  60. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 5 December 1975. p. T8.
  61. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 12 December 1975. p. T8.
  62. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 19 December 1975. p. T8.
  63. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 25 December 1975. p. T8.
  64. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 2 January 1976. p. T9.
  65. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 9 January 1976. p. T9.
  66. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 16 January 1976. p. T9.
  67. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 23 January 1976. p. T9.
  68. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 30 January 1976. p. T9.
  69. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 6 February 1976. p. T9.
  70. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 13 February 1976. p. T9.
  71. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 20 February 1976. p. T9.
  72. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 27 February 1976. p. T9.
  73. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 5 March 1976. p. T9.
  74. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 12 March 1976. p. T9.
  75. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 19 March 1976. p. T9.
  76. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 26 March 1976. p. T9.
  77. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 9 April 1976. p. T9.
  78. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 16 April 1976. p. T9.
  79. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 23 April 1976. p. T9.
  80. "Tuesday (TV listings)". The Globe and Mail. 30 April 1976. p. T9.
  81. "TV listings". Globe and Mail. 1 October 1976. p. T4. Apartheid topic.
  82. "TV listings". Globe and Mail. 8 October 1976. p. T4. "Lotteries promote greed and are harmful"
  83. "Accession number 1986-0586". ArchiviaNet: Film, Video and Sound. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  84. Bennett, Ray (2 March 1974). "Global hurting". Windsor Star. p. 41. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  85. Bennett, Ray (11 April 1974). "Saving Global TV". Windsor Star. p. 26. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.