Morning cable news thrives on familiar faces, yet few programs have experienced as many lineup shifts as Fox & Friends. Since its debut on the Fox News Channel back in February 1998, the flagship morning show has rotated numerous anchors, co-hosts, and meteorologists through its studio. Understanding who sat on the couch years ago explains how the franchise built its long-term brand identity.
The Original 1998 Lineup and Early Years
When the program launched on February 1, 1998, the initial weekday team consisted of Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, and E.D. Hill.
- Steve Doocy: A foundational fixture of the franchise for nearly three decades, anchoring the morning broadcast with lighthearted banter and cooking segments.
- Brian Kilmeade: A core original host known for his sports background and fast-paced headline reads.
- E.D. Hill: Co-hosted the weekday edition until 2006, bringing a hard-news background to the early morning hours before moving to other slots within the network.
This trio established the conversational, opinion-driven morning format that set the tone for conservative cable news programming.
Major Weekday Co-Host Transitions
As the show grew in ratings dominance, several high-profile departures and arrivals reshaped the weekday desk.
The Gretchen Carlson Era (2006–2013)
When E.D. Hill departed in 2006, Gretchen Carlson stepped into the weekday co-host role. Pairing with Doocy and Kilmeade, Carlson brought a background in classical violin and journalism to the sofa. She remained a fixture of the morning broadcast until 2013, when she transitioned to her own afternoon program on the network.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Tenure (2013–2015)
Following Carlson's exit, former The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck joined the weekday team in September 2013. Hasselbeck brought daytime talk show experience to the network until late 2015, when she announced her retirement from television to focus on her family. Her departure cleared the way for Ainsley Earhardt, who joined the weekday desk in early 2016 and remains a primary anchor today alongside Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones.
The Evolution of Weekend Hosts
While the weekday broadcast has enjoyed relative stability with its core anchors, the weekend edition—originally launched to capture Saturday and Sunday morning audiences—has seen a revolving door of prominent media personalities.
- Kiran Chetry and Greg Kelly: Served among the early weekend anchors during the mid-2000s.
- Tucker Carlson: Co-hosted the weekend edition from 2012 to 2016 before transitioning to his evening prime-time slot.
- Pete Hegseth: Anchored the weekend broadcast for years before leaving the network to enter public service.
- Anna Kooiman and Abby Huntsman: Both held prominent weekend co-hosting roles during the 2010s before pursuing other media opportunities.
Behind the Weather Desk: Meteorological Changes
Weather reporting has always been an integral part of the morning rundown, anchored for over two decades by Janice Dean. Dean became a beloved fixture for viewers, frequently reporting on national weather patterns while openly documenting her personal battle with multiple sclerosis. Other meteorologists, such as Maria Molina and Rick Reichmuth, also filled vital reporting roles on both weekday and weekend broadcasts over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the longest-running hosts in the history of the show?
Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade hold the record for longevity, both joining the program at its inception in 1998. Doocy transitioned from daily co-hosting to special projects, while Kilmeade continues to anchor the weekday broadcast.
Why did Gretchen Carlson leave the morning show?
Gretchen Carlson left the weekday team in 2013 to host her own eponymous daytime show on the network, shifting away from the three-hour morning format.
Who replaced Elisabeth Hasselbeck when she retired?
Ainsley Earhardt stepped into the weekday co-host role in early 2016 following Elisabeth Hasselbeck's departure in late 2015.
Is the original 1998 cast still broadcasting together?
No. While Brian Kilmeade remains a weekday anchor, and Steve Doocy transitioned to special projects, original co-host E.D. Hill departed the network years ago.
