This story is part of 2020 elections, CNET's coverage of the November vote preparations.
The chaotic first presidential debate last week was like nothing political commentators had seen before, and some compared it to one Real housewives fight, but it was quieter Wednesday night when Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris competed in their battle first and only debate.
But there have been many heated moments when the two clashed over everything from the coronavirus pandemic to the economy, climate change and the Supreme Court. And one particularly lively moment was noticed thanks to a fly that landed on Pence's head.
While Pence didn't seem to notice the visitor in his hair, you can bet social media did. The fly went viral instantly, grabbing numerous Twitter accounts, including Pence's Hair Fly, Pence Fly and Mike Pence Fly - even got a three-picture deal from Universal, joked Paul Feig, Director Bridesmaids, The Heat and Ghostbusters: ATC.
C-SPAN even thought the moment was viral enough to upload to YouTube. The fly sits there for a long time.
Buzzy jokes
"I think the fly just won the debate" said a Twitter user. Said another "Vice President Pence, your time is up and you have a fly on your head."
Biden mans the swatter
Even Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden joined in the flying fun, posing with a fly swatter and asking for donations for the campaign. "Throw in $ 5 to get this campaign going." Read a tweet from his official Twitter account.
His campaign store soon started selling a fly swatter with the words "Truth Over Flies" and "Biden Harris" on the handle.
Other politicians were also enthusiastic. "The deep state caused an error with @VP" Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, tweeted. "Illegal espionage has really gotten out of hand."
The deep state planted a beetle @VP. Illegal espionage has really gotten out of hand.
- Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 8, 2020
Sports stars saw it
Professional athletes, including NBA stars and others, also noticed this.
"Shoutout to the fly," wrote Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.
Real or role?
Some people actually thought the fly landed on their own computers or televisions.
"I almost cracked my damn television when I tried to turn that thing off," wrote one Twitter user.
Tonight we can all agree that we were all like this during the debate - is that a fly on my TV / laptop screen, or is it actually in Mike Pence's hair. #flywillvote
- Vanessa McGrath (@ Vanessa4Philly) October 8, 2020
Live from the head of the veep
Many people thought of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and how its writers could turn the fly into a sketch. Some wanted Jeff Goldblum, star of the scary 1986 science fiction film The Fly, to take on the lively role, while others wanted SNL actor Pete Davidson in the role.
"I hope SNL gets Jeff Goldblum to play the fly on Pence's head," wrote a Twitter user.
"I name it now," wrote another. "If SNL coldly opens this debate, the guy who plays pence has a contact lens to make his eye completely red and the fly is played by Pete Davidson."
I'm calling it now. If SNL coldly opens this debate, the guy who plays pence has a contact lens to make his eye completely red, and the fly is played by Pete Davidson pic.twitter.com/OmJe918OPA
- Bryan DeMuria (@BryanDemuria) October 8, 2020
The madness of debate is far from over. Two more presidential debates are planned, one on October 15 and one on October 22.
