Understanding the lineup of Fox News channel's popular late-afternoon roundtable requires looking closely at the individuals driving its daily broadcasts. The Five features a mix of conservative commentators and alternating liberal perspectives discussing political headlines and cultural trends. Since its inception in 2011, the format has relied on sharp friction, banter, and distinct ideological viewpoints to capture massive cable television audiences.
The current permanent and rotating lineup includes seasoned journalists, former government officials, and legal analysts who shape each segment. Examining who they are, how they arrived at the desk, and what experiences inform their commentary provides a clear picture of the show's structure.
Permanent Hosts of The Five
The backbone of the program consists of daily anchors who maintain consistency across the broadcast week. Each brings a distinct media background that influences the group's dynamic.
Greg Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld has served as a core co-host since the show launched in 2011. Known for combining sharp cultural critique with deadpan humor, he also anchors his own late-night weekend and weekday programs on the network. Before his television career, Gutfeld worked extensively in print journalism, editing publications like Maxim and Men's Health. His commentary on The Five routinely targets media bias, cultural orthodoxies, and progressive political strategies.
Dana Perino
Dana Perino brings executive branch experience to the roundtable, having served as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush. She joined The Five at its inception and co-anchors the daytime news program America's Newsroom. Perino generally functions as a measured conservative voice on the panel, frequently offering strategic insight into legislative mechanics, foreign policy decisions, and electoral polling trends.
Jesse Watters
Jesse Watters rose to prominence through his ambush-style field interviews for The O'Reilly Factor before earning a permanent seat on the roundtable. He currently hosts a prominent primetime hour on the network. Watters uses his segment time to target institutional overreach, economic struggles, and administrative policies, maintaining a populist conservative stance that resonates strongly with the program's core demographic.
Emily Compagno
Emily Compagno joined the permanent daily anchor team, bringing a legal and analytical perspective to the desk. A former criminal prosecutor and federal attorney, Compagno previously co-hosted the daytime discussion show Outnumbered. Her commentary frequently centers on criminal justice legislation, constitutional questions, public safety debates, and civil litigation affecting everyday Americans.
Alternating Liberal and Moderate Co-Hosts
To maintain the debate format central to the show's premise, the remaining seats rotate among regular contributors who represent center-left or independent perspectives.
Jessica Tarlov
Jessica Tarlov serves as a primary liberal voice on the panel. As a Democratic strategist and institutional researcher, she frequently defends current administration policies and challenges conservative talking points directly. Her background in public policy and political management allows her to dissect legislative proposals from a progressive framework during heated panel exchanges.
Harold Ford Jr.
Harold Ford Jr., a former Democratic congressman representing Tennessee, occupies a moderate seat on the roundtable. Ford often takes centrist or bipartisan stances, frequently breaking with party orthodoxy to agree with conservative co-hosts on economic issues, fiscal responsibility, or defense matters. His legislative background shapes his pragmatic approach to current events.
Historical Lineup Changes
The program has experienced several notable roster shifts since replacing Glenn Beck's former time slot. Early contributors included Bob Beckel, Eric Bolling, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Andrea Tantaros, all of whom departed the network amid various career moves or internal controversies.
Later, journalist Juan Williams provided a steady liberal viewpoint for a decade before stepping down when production returned to the New York studio following pandemic-era remote broadcasts. Geraldo Rivera also held a seat before leaving the network following on-air disagreements. More recently, Jeanine Pirro departed the desk after being appointed to a federal legal post, paving the way for further structural adjustments to the daily panel.
Production Impact and Ratings Success
The program's format breaks from traditional single-anchor news broadcasts by simulating a high-stakes dinner table discussion. According to industry reports tracked by outlets like Variety, roundtable talk formats often outdraw traditional cable news hours due to their conversational pacing and emotional resonance.
The interplay between hosts depends heavily on contrasting personal histories. Perino's executive background contrasts with Gutfeld's satirical background, while Watters' populist focus pairs against Tarlov's data-driven defense of liberalism. This deliberate friction keeps viewer engagement high throughout the broadcast hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current daily hosts of The Five?
The core daily lineup features Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Emily Compagno, alongside rotating liberal commentators like Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr.
When did The Five premiere on Fox News?
The program debuted in July 2011, initially launched as a temporary replacement for Glenn Beck's afternoon time slot before becoming a permanent fixture.
Why do the liberal seats rotate?
The show utilizes alternating co-hosts to bring diverse center-left and moderate perspectives to the desk, allowing different commentators to address specific news cycles.
Where is the show filmed?
Production takes place at the Fox News headquarters studios located in New York City.
