If you turn on Fox News at 5:00 PM Eastern, you're watching The Five, one of the most-watched cable news programs in the United States. The current lineup features conservative mainstays Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Emily Compagno, alongside rotating liberal voices like Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. Understanding who occupies these seats matters because the show consistently dominates ratings, often outperforming prime-time blocks on competing networks and driving conservative media narratives nationwide.
The structure relies on a mix of permanent conservative anchors and alternating progressive co-hosts to spark sharp debates on daily headlines, culture wars, and economic policies. Keeping track of who is on the desk can be challenging due to recent departures and roster shifts. This breakdown details the permanent members, the rotating seats, and the structural dynamics that keep the show at the top of the ratings.
Core Conservative Hosts
Four permanent conservative co-hosts anchor the desk Monday through Friday. They provide the ideological foundation for the program's primary viewpoints.
Greg Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld has been a staple of the show since its launch in 2011. Known for his sharp, satirical commentary and quick punchlines, he balances heavy political analysis with pop-culture critiques. Beyond this roundtable, he hosts his own late-night comedy-talk program, Gutfeld!, making him a major multimedia force within the network. For another angle on this event, see the latest coverage from Reuters.
Dana Perino
Dana Perino brings a measured, policy-focused approach to the discussion. Serving as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush before transitioning to television, she also co-anchors America's Newsroom. Her commentary often centers on institutional norms, legislative mechanics, and diplomatic strategy, providing a steady counterpart to more abrasive remarks at the table.
Jesse Watters
Jesse Watters joined the permanent daily rotation in 2017, bringing an energetic, populist style honed during his years running ambush interviews on The O'Reilly Factor. He hosts Jesse Watters Primetime in the 8:00 PM hour, and his contributions on the afternoon program frequently lean into cultural grievances, media criticism, and economic populism.
Emily Compagno
Emily Compagno stepped into a permanent seat on the daily desk, bringing her legal background and previous experience as a co-host of Outnumbered to the afternoon broadcast. She frequently analyzes criminal justice developments, legal battles involving high-profile figures, and constitutional issues while maintaining a sharp conservative perspective.
The Rotating Liberal Seats
To maintain the debate format, the remaining chairs are filled by rotating liberal or center-left contributors who push back against the conservative consensus.
Jessica Tarlov
Jessica Tarlov serves as a primary liberal voice on the panel. As a Fox News contributor and political strategist, she frequently finds herself defending Democratic policies, the Biden or subsequent administrations, and progressive viewpoints against sharp pushback from the rest of the desk. Her ability to hold her ground during heated arguments makes her a central fixture of the broadcast.
Harold Ford Jr.
Harold Ford Jr., a former Tennessee congressman, occupies a more moderate, center-left seat at the table. Rather than taking hardline progressive stances, he often looks for bipartisan compromises or critiques Democratic strategies from a centrist perspective. This approach occasionally puts him at odds with both his more liberal peers and the conservative majority.
Recent Roster Changes and Departures
The desk has undergone significant changes over the years. Understanding the evolution of the cast helps explain why certain dynamics exist today.
- Jeanine Pirro: A longtime fixture of the co-hosting lineup, Pirro departed the network after being nominated to serve as a U.S. Attorney.
- Geraldo Rivera: Rivera left the network following a series of on-air disagreements with co-hosts like Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters, concluding a multi-decade television career.
- Juan Williams: Williams served as the primary liberal counterweight for a decade before stepping down from the physical desk setup to remain based in Washington, D.C., permanently changing how the show handled its progressive representation.
For more context on the network's broader lineup, you can review details on Fox News.
Why the Lineup Matters for Ratings
The chemistry between these specific personalities dictates the program's success. Unlike traditional news broadcasts that rely on a single anchor reading teleprompters, this roundtable mimics a real-world dinner table argument. Spontaneous jabs, interruptions, and genuine friction generate viral clips shared widely across social media platforms.
Advertisers and network executives track these interactions closely. Because the afternoon hour serves as a bridge between daytime news reporting and prime-time opinion blocks, keeping viewers engaged during this slot influences the entire evening audience retention curve. When the cast shifts, audience numbers fluctuate based on how well the new chemistry resonates with loyal viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the permanent daily hosts of the show?
The permanent lineup consists of Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Emily Compagno, joined by alternating liberal co-hosts.
Is the show broadcast live every day?
Yes, the program airs live Monday through Friday at 5:00 PM Eastern from the network's New York City studios, though major breaking news events occasionally prompt schedule adjustments.
How are the liberal viewpoints chosen for the panel?
The network uses a rotation of regular contributors—primarily Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr.—to fill the designated seats meant to challenge conservative arguments.
Where else can I watch these hosts on television?
Most of the daily co-hosts manage additional programs. Greg Gutfeld hosts Gutfeld!, Dana Perino co-anchors America's Newsroom, and Jesse Watters hosts Jesse Watters Primetime.
