The topics are deliberately comedic, such as "Apples vs. Oranges and "Was Darth Vader a Bad Father?".

These are recorded in front of live audiences in studios, theatres and clubs across Canada.

Other comedians who have appeared on the show as debaters include Irwin Barker, Ian Boothby, Charles Demers, Gary Jones, Deborah Kimmett, Andy Kindler, Patrick Ledwell, Marc Maron, Mark Meer, Darcy Michael, Greg Proops, Lara Rae, Simon Rakoff, Dan Redican, Derek Seguin, Erica Sigurdson, Ron Sparks, Scott Thompson and Mary Walsh.

Two guests, usually stand-up comedians, are given a topical and sometimes complex matter to debate, with one serving as an advocate to the resolution while the other takes the contrary side.

In instances where the host believes the audience response indicates that they enjoyed both debaters equally, "ties" have also been declared.

"William Shatner is Canada's Greatest Actor" (Sean Cullen and Eric Peterson), and "Witches vs. Wizards" (Ron Sparks and Nikki Payne).

Both made Podyssey's list of all-time top five Debaters episodes, with Witches vs. Wizards at #1.