I think one of the most useless and unnecessary things in politics in this country are the hearings on capitol hill. I don't recall ever watching one worthwhile, and each one is just an appalling display of how we should *not* be questioning people on live television. Every hearing is a mixture of political grandstanding and partisan talking points being rammed down the throat of the audience. They do nothing but divide unintelligent people who are emotionally attached to politics and get a jolt of energy watching a 2-minute "smackdown" video on social media after the hearing.
Having these hearings be conducted in a format of a long interview, like a podcast, would be far more beneficial and useful. The 5-minute format of highly partisan people asking questions solely in an effort to create individual attention and support for themselves while they talk over and don't let the person they're asking questions, actually answer them, is beyond stupid.
Every single one of these hearings is a dog and pony show and has been this way for as long as I can remember.