You’ve seen the table. Five chairs, five distinct personalities, and a level of cross-talk that would make a Thanksgiving dinner feel like a library. The Five on Fox News is weirdly bulletproof. Even as cable news cycles through faces like a seasonal wardrobe, this 5 PM ET block has somehow become the most-watched show in all of cable news.
Honestly, it shouldn't work. It’s a roundtable format that’s been copied a dozen times, yet the chemistry of the Fox News the five hosts remains the secret sauce that keeps the ratings at 4 million-plus viewers. But who exactly is sitting in those chairs right now?
If you haven’t tuned in lately, things look a little different. The "Judge" is gone to Washington, the liberals are rotating, and Greg Gutfeld is still... well, Greg Gutfeld.
The Core Four: The Permanent Faces of The Five
For a show to feel like a "family," you need people who don't leave. Right now, the show is anchored by four primary conservatives who bring very different vibes to the table.
Dana Perino: The Voice of Reason
Dana Perino is basically the adult in the room. As a former White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush, she’s the one who actually knows how the gears of government turn. While some of her co-hosts are there to throw haymakers, Dana usually leans into the policy side.
She’s also arguably the busiest person at the network. Between co-anchoring America’s Newsroom in the mornings and her Perino on Politics podcast, she’s become the "Main Street" face of the channel. She’s the one who mentions her dog, Jasper (RIP) or Percy, and keeps the conversation from devolving into a total shouting match.
Greg Gutfeld: The King of Late Night
Greg Gutfeld is the wildcard. He’s the only person who can transition from a monologue about urban decay to a joke about a squirrel in three seconds flat. Since his show Gutfeld! moved to the 10 PM slot and started beating the network late-night giants, his influence on The Five has only grown.
He plays the "satirical libertarian" role. He isn't always a Republican cheerleader, which actually makes him more interesting to watch. He’s there to mock the "absurdity" of modern culture, and he usually does it with a smirk that suggests he’s in on a joke the rest of us haven't heard yet.
Jesse Watters: The Populist Prince
Then there's Jesse Watters. If you remember "Watters’ World," you know his style. He’s leaned heavily into his role as the 8 PM primetime host, but he hasn't given up his seat at the 5 PM table.
Watters brings a sort of "guy at the bar" energy. He’s sarcastic, he’s pointed, and he loves to needle the liberal co-host. He’s the one most likely to bring up a viral TikTok or a bizarre local news story and turn it into a metaphor for why the country is falling apart.
The Empty Chair? What Happened to Judge Jeanine?
This is the big change for 2026. For years, Jeanine Pirro was the fiery presence in the middle. But in a move that surprised some but made total sense to others, she left the show in May 2025.
She didn't just retire. She was tapped by President Trump to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Since being confirmed by the Senate in August 2025, she’s been trading the TV studio for the courtroom. It’s a massive shift, and the show has had to adapt to her absence by leaning more into its guest rotation and the existing core group.
The "Liberal Seat": A Rotating Battleground
The show’s format requires a "counter-puncher." Usually, this is someone who knows they are going to be outnumbered 4-to-1. It’s a tough gig. You have to be thick-skinned and fast on your feet.
Jessica Tarlov is the most frequent occupant of this chair. She’s a Democratic strategist who actually brings data to the fights. What makes the dynamic work is that she doesn’t just roll over. She frequently goes head-to-head with Gutfeld or Watters, and despite the on-screen bickering, there's a clear "we’re all in the same club" vibe behind the scenes.
When Jessica isn't there, you’ll usually see:
- Harold Ford Jr.: The former Tennessee Congressman. He’s more of a centrist, "Old Guard" Democrat who focuses on bipartisan optics.
- Kevin Walling: A regular contributor who often takes the brunt of the "woke" critiques from the other four.
Why The Five Dominates the Ratings
It's 5 PM. Most people are just getting home or finishing up their workday. They don't necessarily want a dry recitation of the day’s headlines. They want to hear people they "know" talk about the news.
The Five feels like a podcast that happens to be on television.
According to Nielsen data from late 2025, the show averaged over 4 million viewers. That’s insane for a non-primetime slot. It’s beating broadcast evening news shows on ABC and CBS in certain demographics.
Why? Because it’s predictable.
You know Gutfeld will be snarky. You know Dana will be prepared. You know Jesse will be provocative. In an era where "news" feels like a constant firehose of anxiety, there’s something comforting about the ritual of these five (well, four plus a guest) sitting around a table and arguing.
Real-World Impact and Controversy
It’s not all jokes and high ratings, though. The show is a lightning rod. Because the format is so loose, the hosts often say things that go viral for the wrong reasons. Whether it's Jesse Watters’ comments on Greenland or Gutfeld’s takes on international conflicts, the show is a frequent target for media watchdogs.
But here's the kicker: the controversy only seems to help. Every time a clip goes viral on X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok, it just drives more eyes to the 5 PM broadcast.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you’re trying to keep up with the shifting landscape of cable news, here is what you need to know about the current state of the show:
- Check the Liberal Chair: If you want a more "fiery" debate, look for days when Jessica Tarlov is on. If you want a more subdued, policy-heavy hour, Harold Ford Jr. is usually the guy.
- The "Judge" Factor: Don't expect Jeanine Pirro back anytime soon. Her role in the Trump administration is a full-time, high-stakes legal position. The show has effectively moved on to a "Core Four" plus rotating guests model.
- Timing is Everything: The show often tapes early or goes live depending on the news cycle. If there's a major breaking event, expect the banter to die down and Dana Perino to take the lead.
- DVR the Monologue: If you only have five minutes, watch Greg Gutfeld’s opening. It’s usually a distilled version of the conservative/libertarian talking points for the next 24 hours.
The success of Fox News the five hosts isn't about being "right" or "wrong" on the issues. It’s about the fact that they’ve built a show where the audience feels like they’re part of the conversation. In 2026, that kind of loyalty is the only currency that matters in media.