Spencer Pratt finally had a chance to confront LA Mayor Karen Bass on the debate stage on Wednesday evening, delivering an impassioned performance that could change the shape of the race.

The reality TV star and Palisades Fire victim channeled months of frustration with the city and the state into an effective effort at the Skirball Cultural Center, in a debate moderated by NBC 4 and Telemundo 52.

The moderators tried to restrain him from the beginning, nervously warning against “name-calling” and then scolding him when he called Bass a “liar”, after she said some of his claims were “inaccurate.”

They treated him like the beggar at the feast, the commoner at the royal table, like he didn’t belong.

It didn’t matter. Pratt was the strongest personality on the stage. And — in the biggest surprise at all — he looked solid, like a big-city mayor, with expertise beyond the devastating fire that motivated him to run.

On the left, Bass also took hits from socialist City Council member Nithya Raman. Raman made the case that Bass has failed to deliver for LA, especially on housing. But she struggled to suggest alternatives, and fumbled when asked to explain some of her more controversial votes on the city council.

The mayor, who has the support of the city’s powerful public sector unions, looked the part of the embattled incumbent — projecting a sense of authority, but constantly on the defensive.

She pointed to modest declines in the number of homeless people living on the street, as well as a drop in crime. She admitted failures in the fire, though she tried to deflect blame to the fire chief she fired.

Pratt has gained momentum in recent weeks, using a series of widely-praised ads to generate online buzz and fundraising. One ad shows Bass’s comfortable home, then Raman’s — and then a trailer on the ruins of what used to be his house in Pacific Palisades.

Wednesday’s debate gave him an opportunity to deliver on those attacks in person. It was a confrontation months in the making — and it delivered on expectations.

One particularly memorable exchange occurred over how to save Hollywood, given the flight of production from the city. Bass talked about making permits easier to get; Raman talked about how her husband is involved in the industry. Pratt slammed both of them for what he described as their complacency, saying they’d already had their chance, and had done nothing: “These two politicians have failed Hollywood, times one thousand.”

In honor of the 2028 Olympics in LA, and in lieu of letter grades, here are the medal performances:

Gold: Spencer Pratt You knew he would talk about Karen Bass’s failure in the fire. But what impressed most was his fluency with other issues, from crime to housing. He was spiky and witty without (usually) being rude, and at times was deferential to his opponents. Pratt also set aside his trademark scruffy social media appearance for a clean-shaven look with a suit, no tie — the right look for the job interview. He brought an energy and intensity to the stage that made it clear he is the candidate for change in LA.

Silver: Karen Bass Bass used the experience of office to her advantage. She admitted shortcomings, but also showed that she has a command of the way the city works, even if she didn’t offer any solutions to the problems it faces. She was unfazed by the attacks that came from both sides, and — wisely — focused her attacks on Raman, knowing that she has a better chance in the general election against a Republican. But she may also regret that choice, since it gave Pratt an opening to make his case.

Bronze: Nithya Raman The city council member appeared overwhelmed. She struggled to convey a sense that she is up to the job, and did not even offer a clear rationale for running. Many of her responses to questions simply repeated complaints about the city without offering new ideas. To the extent she discussed policy, she backed unpopular proposals, such as densification, or was forced to defend some of her past radical voters, such as opposing an ordinance to ban homeless encampments near schools.

Joel Pollak is the opinion editor of the California Post.