When Fox News launched The Five in July 2011 to fill the evening slot left by Glenn Beck, few industry insiders expected a rotating panel of commentators to dominate cable news ratings for over a decade. Yet, the 5:00 PM ET hour has consistently beaten competing networks, driven largely by the chemistry, clashes, and distinct personalities of its on-air lineup. Understanding who sits at the desk requires looking past standard publicity photos to see how the current roster functions, why past members left, and what makes the dynamic tick.
The current permanent panel features a mix of conservative mainstays and prominent liberal voices. The daily lineup includes Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Emily Compagno, alongside alternating liberal co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. Together, they debate major political headlines of the day, balancing sharp ideological disagreements with lighthearted banter.
The Current Daily Cast of The Five
Every member of the desk brings a specific background to the broadcast, shaping how political stories are framed and argued during the hour.
Greg Gutfeld
As a foundational host since the show's inception in 2011, Greg Gutfeld provides a libertarian-leaning, satirical perspective that often cuts through conventional political talking points. Beyond his role on the panel, he anchors the late-night program Gutfeld! His commentary relies heavily on media criticism, cultural observations, and deadpan humor, making him a central figure in defining the show's unpredictable tone.
Dana Perino
Serving as the stabilizing, institutional anchor of the program, Dana Perino has co-hosted since day one. Drawing on her experience as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, she offers measured political analysis and frequently acts as a moderator when debates between her co-hosts escalate. She also serves as co-anchor of America's Newsroom.
Jesse Watters
Jesse Watters joined the permanent daily panel in 2017, bringing a populist, conservative viewpoint styled after his signature ambush reporting and primetime sensibilities. As the host of Jesse Watters Primetime, his contributions to the panel heavily center on national security, immigration, and institutional accountability, often sparking direct clashes with the show's liberal counterweights.
Emily Compagno
Emily Compagno stepped into a permanent co-hosting role, bringing a legal and analytical perspective to the desk. Having previously served as a regular guest co-host and a co-host of Outnumbered, her background as a former criminal prosecutor and attorney allows the panel to break down complex legal cases, Supreme Court rulings, and judicial nomination battles with structural clarity.
The Liberal Perspective: Alternating Co-Hosts
A core structural element of the program is its ideological friction, maintained by featuring prominent liberal voices who face off against the conservative majority.
Jessica Tarlov
Jessica Tarlov serves as a primary liberal voice on the panel. As a Fox News contributor and executive at a public relations firm, she frequently shoulders the responsibility of defending Democratic policies, progressive viewpoints, and the Biden administration against unified conservative pushback. Her sharp delivery and deep data retention frequently turn routine segments into tense, high-stakes debates.
Harold Ford Jr.
Harold Ford Jr., a former Democratic congressman from Tennessee, provides a more moderate, centrist liberal viewpoint. His approach focuses on bipartisan compromise and economic pragmatism, often finding areas of agreement with his conservative colleagues while maintaining a distinct center-left lens on legislative battles.
Notable Former Cast Members and Departures
Over its multi-season run, the show has seen several high-profile lineup changes due to career shifts, internal network restructuring, and controversies.
- Juan Williams: A staple of the original 2011 lineup, Williams served as the primary liberal counterweight for a decade. He departed the physical desk in 2021 after broadcasting remotely from Washington, D.C., during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Jeanine Pirro: Joining the permanent rotation in 2022, Pirro brought a prosecutorial, fiery conservative style to the 5 PM hour until her departure in May 2025 following her appointment as a U.S. Attorney.
- Kimberly Guilfoyle & Eric Bolling: Both were original co-hosts from the 2011 launch team who departed the network amid changing career paths and corporate investigations during the late 2010s.
- Geraldo Rivera: Joined the rotating liberal seat in 2022 before a public exit in 2023 following mounting on-air policy disputes with conservative co-hosts.
For more details on historical programming shifts, you can read the Wikipedia Entry on The Five.
Common Mistakes When Analyzing Panel Dynamics
Viewers and commentators often misinterpret how cable news panel shows operate. Avoiding these analytical pitfalls provides a clearer picture of why the show succeeds.
- Assuming scripted hostility: While the ideological disagreements are genuine, the off-air relationships among the cast members are famously collaborative. Viewers often mistake sharp on-air debates for personal animosity.
- Overlooking the moderator role: Dana Perino and senior producers carefully manage speaking time to ensure that the liberal co-hosts receive adequate time to defend their positions, preventing the hour from turning into a one-sided echo chamber.
- Treating guest slots as permanent: The show frequently tests rotating contributors before making permanent seating adjustments, meaning audience reactions heavily influence long-term talent retention.
To track ongoing schedule updates and press releases directly from the network, check the Fox News Press Room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Five filmed?
The program is broadcast live from Studio M at Fox News headquarters in New York City.
How long has the show been on the air?
The program premiered on July 11, 2011, originally created as a temporary replacement before becoming a permanent fixture of the network's weekday lineup.
Who decides the daily topics?
An editorial team selects the day's top news stories across politics, culture, and media, but the hosts retain significant freedom to steer unscripted conversations based on breaking developments.
Are the debates completely unscripted?
While the rundown of news stories is predetermined, the opinions, interruptions, and direct rebuttals are entirely unscripted, which accounts for the show's spontaneous tone.
