The latest Republican debate was a train wreck before it had even begun as the conservative candidates, and potential future leaders of the free world, struggled to follow a simple staging cue: when your name is called, walk out.
The GOP candidates started banking up in the wings, knocking shoulders and sharing awkward smiles as the televised debate went live on US channel ABC in the lead-up to the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday (AEST).
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made it to his podium without incident, striding onto the stage when his name was called by co-hosts Chris Muir and Martha Raddatz.
But second cab off the rank, Dr Ben Carson, missed his cue and was left standing at the edge of the stage, hands folded in front of him, waiting patiently.
A stage manager just visible behind a blue curtain tells Carson to "go, go, go, go", but as he takes a step forward Muir calls on the third candidate, Texan senator Ted Cruz.
Carson stops in his tracks and allows a bemused Cruz to pass by.
The stage manager's head peaks around the curtain again. His disembodied arm waves Carson forward, but it's too late.
"Businessman Donald Trump!" co-host Raddatz bellows.
It's a good six seconds before Trump appears, stepping gingerly behind Carson in the wings.
The two candidates, stuck in no-man's-land, act like two uncovered landmines, easily dodged by junior Florida senator Marco Rubio.
Recognising his opponents' error, Rubio strides onto stage as Trump and Carson look on.
The two are soon joined in no-man's land by a hesitant governor Jeb Bush, who appears to be contemplating whether to duck back behind the blue curtain or to push on.
Then he makes a dash for it: with a shoulder-shrug and one eyebrow raised, Bush glides past Trump, patting his opponent on the arm before taking his place on stage.
But the streak stops at two, when Ohio governor John Kasich misses his cue, leaving three lonely podiums on stage as Raddatz announces: "Ladies and gentlemen, your Republican candidates".
Realising the debate was missing a few men, the hosts call on Carson and Trump in quick succession, and again Trump misses the cue.
But wait, who's that behind him? Kasich has emerged from the blue curtain.
It takes the hosts three attempts to get Trump on stage, Kasich waiting behind him.
"Where's Kasich," Christie asks, noticing they're still one candidate short, before welcoming the governor to his podium, completing the set.
The moderators blamed the candidate's popularity for the mishap, saying the cheers from the crowd drowned out their announcements.
After the debate, Carson blamed ABC's stage management for the confusion.
"ABC News has admitted there were sound issues. We couldn't hear very well backstage, so I was just waiting to hear my name," he told reporters.
When asked why he didn't follow the directions of the stage manager when he was told to walk on stage, Carson said ""They said go out when you hear your name and I didn't hear my name".
You can watch the entire debacle here:
