Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich sounded a little like former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders when he said Monday that the presidential debate schedule may have been rigged to help Hillary Clinton.

Fox News host Greta Van Susteren asked the Trump surrogate Monday night if the debates, which coincide with National Football League games, were scheduled at inopportune times so fewer people watch.

"I don't know if it's rigged but it's stupid. I mean, the highly most-watched shows in America are NFL football. Now, why would you take a presidential debate and put it up opposite NFL football? It would be like putting it opposite the Academy Awards," Gingrich said.

Gingrich, who had been among Trump's final considerations for running mate, said regardless of the schedule, Trump will put on a show when he goes head to head with Clinton.

"Everybody who pushed his buttons, 16 people pushed his buttons, they all got run over. I find Trump — and I'm a reasonably good debater — I find Trump very formidable because you have no idea what is he going to do next," Gingrich said. "It's also why he gets really good ratings. It's like watching reality TV. People tune in to watch the car wreck."

The debates are set for Sept. 26 in Hempstead, N.Y.; Oct. 4 in Farmville, Va.; Oct. 9 in St. Louis, Mo.; and Oct. 19 in Las Vegas, Nev.