The Wellspring

When I was on the ABC Advisory Council, we talked a number of times about Difference of Opinion, the ABC’s public affairs panel discussion series, hosted by Jeff McMullen. I always thought the series was rather dull and ugly, with McMullen’s reluctance to engage an enthusiastic live audience particularly frustrating. This was especially apparent when comparing Difference of Opinion to SBS’s Insight, hosted by Jenny Brockie, who I find far more interesting and skilled at involving the audience.

This Thursday, a new show, Q & A, hosted by the wonderful Tony Jones (of Lateline) will begin. It’s not billed, specifically, as a replacement for Difference of Opinion, but it surely must be so: Q & A’s format is similar (though now aired live) and it will occupy the same timeslot (9:30pm).

Apart from airing live - which the show’s producers say will prevent “editing for the convenient soundbite”, the evolution seems to be in involving the audience far more intimately: questions to the panel can be sent by SMS or through the website, and if you’re in Sydney on a Thursday evening, you can be part of the studio audience. I get the sense that the show will be driven far more by audience questions, rather than the moderation of the presenter. The producers say, “Now we don’t want the same old talking heads….basically if you have an opinion and you feel comfortable talking on camera, you’re in the audience. Energetic and opinionated - Q & A brings Australia’s egalitarian and larrikin spirit into the studio - with your help.”

Cool!

Q & A kicks off this Thursday, 22 May 2008 at 9:30pm on ABC 1, (with a discussion with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, no less!).