This is a solid format - a panel of politicians, academics and other notable people debate various topics and field questions from the audience - but success on any given night depends on the selection and chemistry of the panellists. Politicians are particularly tricky in these open forums, as they try to show their human side while sticking to the party line. Get too chummy with the opposition and you might say something you'll regret; be too much the politician and you'll come across as a soulless automaton. For others, the danger lies in straying too far from your area of expertise and sounding like an idiot.

Last week was always going to be a safe bet, with professional provocateur Germaine Greer, conservative columnist Greg Sheridan and former NSW premier Bob Carr going head to head. This week host Tony Jones may have to work a bit harder with Labor minister Anthony Albanese, shadow attorney-general George Brandis and Bob Hawke's squeeze, Blanche D'Alpuget.