At some point, the endless cycle of televised Republican presidential debates will have to end. After that, public affairs junkies will simply have to make do with the partisan shouting matches that dominate the Sunday news talkers.

Or will they?

Former Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has prepared a pilot for Maryland Public Television called “The Whole Truth with Arlen Specter.” Craig Snyder, a producer and a former chief of staff for Specter, pitched the show as a forum for those interested in “presenting their case in more than sound bites and bumper stickers.”

In the pilot — airing this Friday at 8 p.m., ex-Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) join Specter for a legalese-laden, very collegial analysis of campaign finance reform, political speech and the stream of corporate money flowing in/around/throughout Capitol Hill.

Bayh’s take: “People aren’t for sale … but it does corrupt the political system.” Hmm.

Snyder said they’re in the fundraising phase now but added that he’s “very hopeful [the show] would be in production and on national air by summer.”

Assuming they do get picked up for a 13-episode season, the producers are mulling such topics as health care reform, government spending and the Middle East.