“Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings sent his Instagram followers into a frenzy after posting photographs of giant insects at his Washington state home over the weekend, prompting some fans to suggest he should abandon his residence entirely.
The first unsettling post appeared on Saturday, August 23, featuring what appeared to be an innocuous image of fruit-patterned wallpaper. However, closer inspection revealed a massive house spider lurking in the corner of Jennings’ sliding door. Jennings captioned the post: “The duality of Washington state. Blackberry Season is always followed in very short order by Giant House Spider Season.”
The 51-year-old game show host included a second photograph showing a close-up view of the arachnid, which appeared to measure several inches in length. Fan reactions were swift and dramatic, with many expressing genuine alarm at the size of the creature. One follower indicated they would be listing their house immediately if faced with such a visitor, while another described experiencing a jump scare after initially admiring the wallpaper pattern.
Comments flooded the post as fans shared their shock and disbelief. Multiple followers expressed amazement at the spider’s enormous size, with some noting they appreciated the decorative wallpaper but definitely not the eight-legged occupant. Several commenters criticized Jennings for posting the close-up image without warning, with one suggesting the content required a trigger warning for arachnophobic viewers.
The insect encounters continued the following day when Jennings shared another startling image on Sunday. This time, the “Jeopardy!” host posted a photograph of a large praying mantis that had landed on his beach towel during a seaside outing. The insect was perched on Jennings’ red, white, and blue striped towel as boats passed by in the background.
Jennings accompanied the praying mantis photograph with a humorous caption referencing the female insect’s notorious mating behavior. He joked about the possibility of the mantis decapitating its husband’s head later, alluding to the well-known fact that female praying mantises often behead their male partners during reproduction.
While the praying mantis post generated less intense reactions than the spider photographs, fans still expressed their displeasure with the unexpected content. One follower indicated this was not the type of material they had signed up to see, describing it as nightmare fuel. Another commenter simply responded with disgust, while a third suggested Jennings was being particularly adventurous with his social media choices.
The insect posts marked an unusual departure from Jennings’ typical Instagram content, which often features commentary on various topics and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his hosting duties. The trivia champion frequently uses his social media platforms to engage with fans and share personal observations about everything from current events to regional phenomena in his home state.
Washington state residents are familiar with the seasonal appearance of large house spiders, which typically emerge in late summer as temperatures begin to cool. These arachnids often seek shelter indoors, leading to startling encounters for homeowners who discover them lurking in corners, doorways, and other secluded areas.
The incident demonstrates the power of social media to create unexpected viral moments, even from television personalities known for their intellectual pursuits rather than shock value. Jennings’ decision to document and share his encounters with oversized insects generated hundreds of comments and widespread discussion among his follower base.
Despite the negative reactions from some fans, others defended the host’s right to share content from his personal life.
Several supporters indicated they appreciated his willingness to document the realities of Pacific Northwest living, including the less pleasant aspects like encountering large spiders and insects during certain seasons.
The posts also highlighted regional differences in wildlife encounters, with many followers from other parts of the country expressing amazement at the size of insects commonly found in Washington state. Some commenters shared their own experiences with large spiders and insects in their respective regions, creating an impromptu discussion about regional wildlife variations across the United States.
From 2021 until 2023, Jennings was a permanent co-host of “Jeopardy!” alongside Mayim Bialik, after which he became the primary host.
Jennings is married to Mindy Jennings (since 2000). They have one son, Dylan, and one daughter, Caitlin. They live near Seattle, Washington.
