By Peter Wilson, Political Writer
Phil Goff charmed the worm and on the basis of a wriggly line across the bottom of TV screens beat John Key in a live debate on Monday night.
TV3's only leaders debate featured "the reactor" which was controlled by an audience of 65 uncommitted voters who could drive it up or down to show their approval or disapproval of what was being said by the Labour leader and the prime minister.
Carefully controlled by broadcaster John Campbell, it was a fireworks-free zone as the leaders took turns answering questions - with the worm judging their answers.
It liked Mr Goff's call for equal education for all and his complaints about the growing inequality gap, and spiked on raising the minimum wage.
It didn't like Mr Key comparing New Zealand with other countries and was unimpressed with his explanation that the global recession had been difficult to deal with.
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Quoting Treasury figures was a definite turn off and that drove Mr Key down as well.
It scored them even on keeping Kiwibank in New Zealand hands - but only after Mr Key had promised it wouldn't be sold on his watch which he had said before but seemed to surprise the worm controllers.
Mr Goff's biggest strike should have been asset sales but he didn't make the most of it.
Mr Key countered well with his assertions that the government would retain majority control and the money would be used to good effect.
It wasn't at all convinced about Mr Key claiming Epsom voters were free to vote for whoever they wanted, after Campbell had explained the stitch-up National was trying to organise in the electorate.
And it didn't like either of them talking about ACT or Winston Peters.
It favoured firm answers and neither leader got away with fudging their answers.
Monday night's debate was the only one that will use the worm.
The fourth and last debate will take place on TV One on Thursday night.
NZN