Fox News might keep debate candidates in line using the Cleveland Cavaliers' shot-clock buzzer

(Image credit: Facebook.com/Cavs)

Fox News has already tipped its hand in saying they have a "secret plan" for keeping Donald Trump on track at the Republican debate tonight — but could they be referring to the Cleveland Cavaliers' shot-clock buzzer?

For reference, here is LeBron James beating the same buzzer the candidates might be up against — it's that annoying buzz about 10 seconds in:

"Listen, [Trump is] going to be treated like everybody else," Fox News host Bret Baier told Politico yesterday in an interview. "We're going to treat every candidate the same. Everybody is going to know all the rules going in; there is going to be a sound at the end of their time — it won't be a pleasant sound."

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Conveniently, the Republican debate will be held in the Cavs' own Quicken Loans Arena, the buzzer's home turf. The New York Times has the scoop:

To keep the debate on schedule, the Fox team was also discussing a possible alternative to the usual gentle ding sound that signals that a candidate's time has expired: the actual shot-clock buzzer used during Cleveland Cavaliers basketball games, which are played at the same arena."You could make it about synergy in that arena: Use the very same buzzer that LeBron James hears on the court when the shot clock runs out,” said Mr. Baier, who had come up with the idea over dinner Tuesday night at a local bistro. ("I was inspired," he said with a smile, "by a beer.") [The New York Times]

We'll see if the buzzer makes its debate debut tonight.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.