Argumental

Lore & Background

The show was originally chaired by journalist John Sergeant, whose post-journalistic career was rising partly due to his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. He was joined by team captains Marcus Brigstocke, host of The Late Edition, and comedian Rufus Hound. Each captain was accompanied by a guest panellist, including Jimmy Carr, Sue Perkins, Reginald D. Hunter, Phill Jupitus, Charlie Higson, Johnny Vegas, Lucy Porter, Dara Ó Briain, Sean Lock, and Frankie Boyle. From the 2011 series, Rufus Hound replaced John Sergeant as presenter, while Seann Walsh and Robert Webb took over as team captains, coinciding with a revamp of the show's set and graphics.

Reader's Guide

Each episode comprises a series of rounds where teams debate topics such as 'recycling is a waste of time' or 'the Royal Family serve no purpose', aiming to be amusing. The studio audience votes by holding up red or blue paddles, and the team winning the most rounds wins. Rounds include Classic Debate, Visual Aids (incorporating unseen slideshow pictures), Flip-flop (alternating for and against a motion on a buzzer), That's a Brilliant Idea (arguing for a nonsensical statement), Popular Culture round (featuring a life-sized cut-out or real person), and Final Picture round (inventing motions for pictures). The show's significance lies in its improvisational format and its success in reaching a broad audience, becoming UKTV's most successful commission. Its legacy includes a shift in hosts and captains, and occasional broadcast on BBC Two.

Did You Know?

• The show's working title was 'Whose Side Are You On?'.
• Four episodes from the first series aired on BBC Two.
• The Flip-flop round does not appear in every episode.
• In the Popular Culture round, past celebrities represented by cut-outs included Piers Morgan, Victoria Beckham, and Simon Cowell.