You are correct on all points. Why we need debates, because that is what the WWE Media spectacle demands.
Our national electorate needs to be coaxed away from their preferred escapist distractions, (any & all sports to wager on), so seeing the big orange sweaty guy receive a Kamala 'Brainbuster' throw does the trick.
It's like a toddler feeding game.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8JorD9n/
Harris/tRUMP Nielsen's estimate 67 million
https://www.statista.com/chart/23075/estimated-tv-viewership-of-presidential-debates/