Regarding the audience, fortunately NBC is trying to take this debate seriously and have "asked" the audience not to react in any way to questions or answers.
not allowing audience response is like putting plastic bags over the teabaggers heads. NBC finally is allowing an actual debate without a bunch of cheerleaders for each team. Cool. Without a laugh track or cues as to when there is approval, non-thinking automatons have no idea what to do. My guess is that most of them fell asleep on their Barcaloungers a long time ago, as if they can't be part of their club they might have to actually think. Sleep is easier.