In a CNN-hosted showdown devoid of a studio audience but loaded with mute buttons, Biden and Trump will spar in their first 2024 presidential debate on June 27, promising uncut drama at 9 p.m. ET.

In a bid to keep the debate more organized than a herd of feral cats, CNN has laid down the law with strict guidelines: no studio audience, mics cut when time's up, and a shiny red mute button at moderators' disposal to silence interrupting candidates. Hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the 90-minute verbal joust is set to influence the presidential race significantly, as both Biden and Trump attempt to out-debate each other in a format designed to minimize chaos. With their entourages ready in the spin room and no notes allowed, it's shaping up to be a political cage match like no other.

The choice of moderators couldn't be more fitting, with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash renowned for their ability to ask probing questions that can trip up even the most seasoned politicians. Their skills will be put to good use as they navigate the razor-thin line between allowing the candidates to speak and ensuring a semblance of order is maintained.

In the absence of a live audience, it'll be just the candidates, the moderators, and the myriad of viewers tuning in across multiple networks. This stripped-down approach might help keep distractions to a minimum, though one wonders if the mute button will be the true star of the evening. After all, anyone who witnessed their previous debates knows that staying on topic and within time limits isn’t either candidate's forte.

The campaigns have both taken the preparations seriously. President Biden secluded himself at Camp David with his top aides, probably making it the best-behaved camp retreat in recent history. Meanwhile, Trump opted for policy discussions with his advisers—a choice that suggests he’s aiming to appear more focused this time around.

Given the rules that have been put in place—no prepared notes and no consulting with campaigns during breaks—both candidates will have to rely on their wits and recall. This might be the real test, considering the occasional verbal wanderings each has been known for. Oddly, this might work in their favor; everyone loves an impromptu zinger.

CNN's decision to host the debate at their Atlanta studios ensures that the event will have a high production quality, even if the live audience’s gasps, cheers, and jeers will be conspicuously absent. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Without an audience to play to, we might get a clearer sense of each candidate's policies, unswayed by the immediate feedback loop of applause meters.

Both candidates qualify under CNN's debate requirements by being on enough state ballots to theoretically hold a chance of winning the 270 electoral votes needed for victory, and by polling at least 15% in four separate national polls. With this baseline of credibility established, the stage is set for verbal fireworks—hopefully not the kind that require a fact-checking fire extinguisher.

Trump will have backup from Sen. Tim Scott, while Biden will have the unwavering support of First Lady Jill Biden. After the dust settles, their entourages will join them in the spin room to try to make sense of whatever just happened. Expect spin doctors to earn every penny of their fees that night.

There's a lot riding on this debate. With the 2024 general election looming, undecided voters will be watching closely to see who they might trust with the next four years of leadership. Or, at the very least, to see who can complete more coherent sentences without veering off into tangent land.

And while the candidates will be doing their utmost to sway public opinion, take heart in knowing that somewhere in the studio, a mute button awaits its moment of glory. In this ring, even a small button can wield tremendous power.