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How to Win the TV Debate
With Britain's first-ever political leaders' television debate imminent, award-winning reporter Michael Cockerell uncovers what it's like to take part in these contests and how leaders try to win them. He tells the inside story of why it has taken so long for such debates to arrive in the UK. The programme features candid interviews with US Presidents and their advisers on the tricks of the debate trade. Blending new film and behind-the-scenes footage, some never seen before, it's a tragicomic tale of high politics and low cunning. From John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon through to Barack Obama, candidates are seen being prepared for their debates, then in the sometimes funny, sometimes disastrous results on live television. Cockerell shows why for our would-be next Prime Ministers - Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg - the three debate stages across Britain will be what one former US President calls 'Tension City'.
Cast
Cast

Michael Cockerell
Self - Presenter

Neil Kinnock
Self

Charles Kennedy
Self

Michael Dobbs
Self

Don Hewitt
Self

Richard Nixon
Self (archive footage)

John F. Kennedy
Self (archive footage)

Robin Day
Self (archive footage)

Nikita Khrushchev
Self (archive footage)
Ted Sorensen
Self
Ted Rogers
Self
Bill Wilson
Self

Pat Buchanan
Self

Pierre Salinger
Self (archive footage)

Harold Wilson
Self (archive footage)
Alec Douglas-Home
Self (archive footage)

Edward Heath
Self (archive footage)
Lady Falkender
Self (archive footage)

Jimmy Carter
Self (archive footage)

David Gergen
Self
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