KTLA 5 reporter Rachel Menitoff remained professional during a live broadcast in Sherman Oaks, California, when a large flying cockroach landed on her and crawled across her neck and chest. The incident occurred while she was reporting on an extreme heat alert in the area.
Menitoff, a Los Angeles field reporter, continued her report without interruption, though her eyes visibly widened as the insect moved over her. The cockroach eventually jumped onto her microphone before flying away. Colleagues and viewers praised her composure, with many expressing they would not have handled the situation as calmly.
Behind-the-Scenes Reaction
After the live segment ended, an off-air clip showed Menitoff putting down her microphone and brushing the insect off her skin. She later described her thought process during the incident, saying she focused on completing the report before addressing the pest. 'I said to myself, ‘Just get through this moment and then kind of shake it off,’' she explained in a KTLA interview.
Colleagues' Responses
KTLA 5 anchors and reporters, including Megan Henderson and Eric Spillman, commended Menitoff’s professionalism. 'She kept her cool. There’s no way I would have been able to keep going,' Henderson said. Spillman added, 'I have to hand it to her, she was really calm.' Meteorologist Kirk Hawkins joked that the incident would cause 'nightmares about flying cockroaches.'
Social Media Reaction
Viewers and peers took to social media to praise Menitoff’s handling of the situation. One Facebook user wrote, 'How did she not even flinch? I would have thrown the microphone and screamed a bloodcurdling scream and run off into the street.' Others noted their relief when the cockroach jumped onto the microphone instead of crawling further into her clothing.
Heatwave Context
Menitoff’s report highlighted the ongoing heatwave in the region, noting that overnight temperatures were not dropping significantly, leading to less recovery time from daytime heat. The presence of the cockroach was attributed to the warm conditions, as these insects are attracted to heat.