
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'.

4 Little Girls
1997

The Godfather Family: A Look Inside
1990

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars
2012

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
2006

What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
2018

And the Oscar Goes To...
2014

Titanic: 20 Years Later with James Cameron
2017

The Unknown Known
2013

David Bowie: Five Years
2013

Champs
2015