CNN's Manu Raju got a really gross surprise during a broadcast, courtesy of the decade that never stops sending us the worst possible things to deal with year-by-year.
Raju was getting ready to do a live shot from the Capitol when he felt a very very large cicada crawling on the back of his neck.
He pulled it off with a string of expletives that honestly, we can't blame him for.
Had an unwelcome visitor try to crawl into my live shot earlier.pic.twitter.com/Pu68z0cWSN— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1622151656
I get it! In Ohio the cicadas are HORRIBLE!pic.twitter.com/IWWRSEzjNB— VoteBlueOh (@VoteBlueOh) 1622151973
If this had happened to me, all of my last words would have been bleeped because after letting out a string of cursewords that would make a sailor blush I would have dropped dead.— \ud835\udd3e\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd6a\ud835\udd56\ud835\udd63 \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd60\ud835\udd66 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83e\uddda\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89 (@\ud835\udd3e\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd6a\ud835\udd56\ud835\udd63 \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd60\ud835\udd66 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83e\uddda\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89) 1622154457
Welcome to the \u201cField Reporter freaks out on bug\u201d club. At least you didn\u2019t swallow it. pic.twitter.com/xqx7OOdymX— JerriLynn (@JerriLynn) 1622154418
They\u2019re all over the place...I took the following video at @ArlingtonNatl last week...pic.twitter.com/bpjUNQLGRO— Dan Hogan (@Dan Hogan) 1622159866
What we can't help but ask is: why did nobody tell Raju that the cicada was crawling up toward his face in the first few seconds of the clip before it crawled onto the back of his neck?
LOL, Manu! I have to say you really kept your cool. I think many other folks would have been like that Florida weatherman who saw a cockroach and flipped out!\n\nThose cicadas are no jokes.pic.twitter.com/mcGEmZuq2q— Russell Drew (@Russell Drew) 1622153688
My nightmare.— Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlan Collins) 1622152393
Does everyone who works with you hate you? Why would no one point out the giant nightmare bug as it CRAWLED TOWARD YOUR FACE?— not productive (@not productive) 1622152885
It\u2019s gonna come down to you vs @abbydphillip (lizard attack in Florida) vs. @joejohnscnn (a rodent of some kind outside the White House) for best live shot animal moment.— Elie Honig (@Elie Honig) 1622151999
I know it wasn't funny but I couldn't help it I would have took off running and screaming. So You did good, just a few *bleeps*.— Carol Niner (@Carol Niner) 1622166802
Cicadas spend the first 17 years of their lives underground, but after that, they emerge to breed and lay eggs.
They're infamous for their croak-like screaming sounds that can travel long distances. This particular group of Cicadas are called "Brood X," and are endemic to the Eastern United States.
The last time they emerged was in 2004.
You could have had a perfect interview with a Brood X member. Can\u2019t get that again for another 17 years.— nell walton (@nell walton) 1622221065
It was clearly visible why didnt anyone tell you! Lol. I would be pissed. Hahahahaa— Bobbie R (@Bobbie R) 1622152252
Manu reacted like it was Mitch McConnell crawling on him— Singh, MD \ud83c\udf0a (@Singh, MD \ud83c\udf0a) 1622154000
the bleeping is a nice touch— Brian Stelter (@Brian Stelter) 1622153218
And I thought Marjorie Taylor Greene was the worst thing you could come into contact in Washington D.C. Yikes!— Michael Oneil (@Michael Oneil) 1622161497
Honestly, Raju was more professional than we would have been if we felt a giant bug crawling on our back.
Happy 17-year-cicada year to everybody who most certainly does not want to celebrate.
@mikejstarks/Bluesky
@kidringo/Bluesky
@westieworld/Bluesky
@mztee8107/YouTube
@KarenPost-n7/YouTube
@h17636/YouTube
@drandrealove/Bluesky
@thebulwark/Bluesky