The contrived Dole-Clinton verbal spats on television have not measured up to the Kilpatrick-Alexander original.

The concept sounded good enough: Weekly “debates” between a former Senate leader and an ex-president of the United States. But now it appears the “point-counterpoint” face-offs between Bob Dole and Bill Clinton haven’t made any electronic or viewership waves and will be terminated after the initial 10-week run is completed.

It is understood CBS officials first wanted Rush Limbaugh to provide the counterpoint to Clinton, but Clinton or his advisers said they would not participate in the made-for-TV gimmick if Limbaugh was to be his verbal opponent — thus the invitation to Dole.

Some years ago, the Sunday night “60 Minutes” news magazine of CBS featured some lively, enlightening and entertaining clashes between aggressive newspaper columnists James Kilpatrick and Shana Alexander. Often the verbal clashes produced more heat than light, but they were entertaining and popular. And the principals were veterans in the field of purveying news and analysis.

In this age of enchantment with sequels, somebody at CBS decided it might be well to revive that format and have the sharp-tongued Dole and the glib Clinton go back and forth on various issues. A match made in TV heaven, right?

The two-minute segments on Sunday night first drew great media attention. There was understandable sparring at first and then things began to get a little edgier. But the general opinion, particularly in the CBS front office, is that the showdowns have not produced the hoped-for electricity.

Some considered the measured exchanges too civilized, with too much attention paid to political correctness. Such issues as tax cuts, the United Nations and the U.S. military plan in Iraq have been bandied about. But almost always, the points and counterpoints have been quite predictable, wholly commensurate with what might be expected of the conservative and liberal views of the “debaters”.

Don Hewitt, the driving force behind “60 Minutes” for many years, has declined to comment. CBS News president Andrew Heyward said, “There has been no discussion about anything beyond the 10 we committed to, and I guess when we’ve done the 10 we’ll certainly take a look.”

The Clinton-Dole spats, therefore, seem to be on the verge of cancellation. Again, their remarks have been too predictable. Thus we have another example of how more often than not the originals on television, such as the Alexander-Kilpatrick bouts, seldom can be equaled, let alone topped.

The same applies to films and TV dramas and sitcoms. It’s not often that producers can go home again. Are they running out ideas for new fare?