“Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings sent his Instagram followers into a frenzy after posting images of scary creatures at his Washington state home, prompting some fans to urge him to abandon his residence entirely.
The first unsettling image appeared on Friday, August 22, 2025, when Jennings shared a photograph showing what initially appeared to be decorative wallpaper featuring various fruits and plants. Upon closer inspection, viewers discovered a massive spider, several inches long, lurking in the corner of his sliding door. Jennings captioned the post, noting the duality of Washington state, explaining that blackberry season is typically followed by giant house spider season.
The game show host included a second photograph providing a close-up view of the arachnid, which amplified fans’ reactions across social media platforms. The spider’s substantial size and prominent placement near his home’s entrance generated immediate commentary from followers.
Fan reactions ranged from genuine concern to humorous suggestions for relocation. One follower indicated that they would list the house immediately upon discovering such a creature. Another commenter described experiencing a jump scare, explaining they had been admiring the wallpaper pattern when the spider suddenly became visible in the frame.
Multiple viewers expressed shock at the spider’s dimensions. Some fans appreciated the aesthetic elements of Jennings’ home decor while simultaneously expressing distaste for the eight-legged visitor. Others criticized the television personality for including a close-up shot without providing advance warning to sensitive viewers.
The insect-related content continued the following day, Sunday, August 24, when Jennings posted another startling image featuring a praying mantis that had positioned itself on his beach towel. The large insect was perched on his red, white, and blue striped towel as the “Jeopardy!” host enjoyed a waterfront view with boats visible in the background.
Jennings accompanied the praying mantis photograph with a caption referencing the insect as a stowaway at the beach, making a humorous allusion to the female praying mantis’ notorious mating behavior. He jokingly suggested the creature “might f around and bite off her husband’s head later,” referencing the species’ well-documented tendency for females to decapitate their male partners during reproduction.
The second insect post generated additional negative feedback from followers who had not anticipated such content from the television personality’s social media accounts. One fan characterized the posts as “nightmare fuel,” indicating that this was not the type of content they had expected when following Jennings’ account.
Another follower expressed continued disgust with the insect imagery, while a third commenter suggested Jennings was being particularly bold with his social media choices. The reaction demonstrated a clear division among his audience regarding acceptable content for his platform.
The incident represents a departure from Jennings’ typical social media activity, which often includes commentary on various topics and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his television work. Previously, he has used his platforms to share thoughts on political matters and developments in the entertainment industry.
Washington state’s climate and geography create favorable conditions for large spider populations, particularly during late summer months when temperatures and humidity levels support increased insect activity. The timing of Jennings’ posts corresponds with the typical seasonal emergence of house spiders in the Pacific Northwest region.
Both species featured in Jennings’ posts represent common species found throughout Washington state during the late summer months. Giant house spiders typically seek indoor shelter as temperatures begin dropping, while praying mantises remain active in outdoor environments through early fall periods.
Jennings lives near Seattle, Washington, with his wife and two children.
