If the insect world has a ‘hot list,’ bed bugs are at the top. They are the most talked about, Googled, and feared of the creepie crawlies.
(They’re like Lindsay Lohan…but with better spin control.)
So I was surprised to discover how under-utilized bed bugs have been in movies, television and books. Did we just realize how gross and scary these mattress mites are?
I can only find one movie featuring the critters on imdb.com — aptly titled “Bed Bugs” — and it’s a 17-minute short produced in 2006, years before the recent hysteria, seemingly fueled by a combination of increased international travel and — shall we say — inconsistent hygiene.
But now that people are totally spooked — ripping back the sheets at the finest hotels and even checking theater seats for ‘lint that moves’ — I think it’s time to step up the infiltration of bed bugs in pop culture as well.
We need bed bugs as…
- spokes critters on Hallmark greeting cards
- cartoon villains on Saturday morning TV
- main characters in children’s books
- monsters in horror films — perhaps the next “Saw” movie?
- or even as sidekicks for Ryan Seacrest. (Hey — “American Idol” can’t get much worse, right?)
The possibilities are endless! Everyone in the creative community can do their part.
(If only Lindsay’s career had as many avenues for success…)
