TVSquad

Click below for our live debate blog!

9:21: You can vote for the debate winner at nbc.com and visit each nominee's campaign site.

9:00: I think Vinick/Alda won. What do you think?

8:58: Now, if NBC wants to take this whole "real debate" thing all the way, they should have Chris Matthews on MSNBC after the show, with experts and pundits talking about the debate and who won/lost! 

8:55: Alda shakes Smits' hand this time.

8:54: Vinick's closing statement: comes across stronger, talks about issues more. Or maybe it's just that Alda is such a good actor.

8:53: Santos' closing statement: Nice, personal, yet generic.

8:51: Vinick won't take the pledge to never go to war for oil.

8:50: Some of these outbursts seem a little too "big" for a debate, but we have to remember that this is still an episode of a weekly TV series and they have to progress the story along, and show bits of each character. It's still a script, and they're doing/saying these things for a reason. 

8:49: Hey, they brought up the Prius and Hollywood! Ha!

8:47: People get to taste the Grand Canyon? Wow. Must be part of their new virtual tour.

8:46: Let's hear it for the Grand Canyon!

8:45: Oh, a little uncomfortable moment there with Alda's screaming...

8:40: There's a T-shirt: Abraham Lincoln: The Liberal Republican 

8:35: Wait, Las Vegas has an episode with the regular cast in the 60s? Is this a dream sequence or did Josh Duhamel find a time machine in one of the casinos?

8:33: Is this a live commercial for American Express?

8:31: I have to admit, they're bringing up some great points that real debates should get into.

8:29: Now Alda has a mic and is walking around...I sense an American Idol-ish duet coming up...

8:25: Santos takes the mic and walks toward the audience...I wonder if Smits earlier stumbling was planned in the script, so he'd look more at ease with a mic up close?

8:23: Heh...Vinick just said "Google It."

8:22: Rather unrealistic yelling from the audience. I half expect someone to yell "hear, hear!" or "harumph!" 

8:20: Oh oh: Vinick doesn't like Head Start. Hey, I was a part of that!

8:18: Nice job on the set and the camera angles.

8:16: I'm waiting for Alda to say "Smits" instead of "Santos" or Smits to say "Alda" instead of "Vinick."

8:14: For your consideration, Forrest Sawyer for Best Guest Appearance in a Drama...

8:10: This is Forrest Sawyer's finest performance ever! I wonder if he knew he'd have to "act" as well as moderate?

8:09: Ellen is still talking...

8:08: Why do they have Ellen "hosting" this? It takes away from some of the realism of the episode, regardless of how funny she is (and she is funny).

8:08: Hey, is there a live band playing the show's theme song in the auditorium?

8:07: Vinick wants a real debate...Sawyer says no...Santos worried about a filibuster...but Santos agrees...a real debate!

8:06: My God, I honestly thought Alda was having a stroke there...

8:05: Live NBC News logo in the lower right corner...nice touch.

8:04: Forrest Sawyer didn't tell anyone the questions? Even the writers?

8:03: Alda didn't walk over to shake hands...was that Alda forgetting or Vinick doing it on purpose?!

8:02: Very clever opening. Forrest Sawyer is in the background talking to the audience, but they're backstage focusing on Vinick and Bruno. And it doesn't have that live "videotape" look, it's more like film. Hopefully the debate will "look" live.

8:00: Ellen DeGeneres is going to debate Alan Alda? Oh, she's the host.

7:59: Damn! The Simpsons Halloween ep is on too! Must...rush...to...VCR...

7:49: I think this is a shortened Dateline and the West Wing will start on time. Of course, I just ate an entire bag of nachos covered in cheese, so my thought process might be a little off.

7:45: Make sure you get your comments ready and add your thoughts in the comments section below! Are you a Santos supporter or a Vinick supporter? 

7:32: OK, so auto racing went past 7pm...will The West Wing still start at 8?