You’ve probably seen the roundtable—the iconic set where five people yell, laugh, and somehow manage to steer the most-watched show in cable news history. The Five isn't just a program; it's a phenomenon that has defied every rule of television logic since 2011. But if you’ve tuned in lately, you might have noticed the chairs look a little different. Change is constant in the TV world, and the hosts of the five on fox news are no exception to that rule.
Keeping track of who is sitting in which seat can feel like a full-time job. Honestly, the lineup has seen more shifts in the last year than most viewers realize. Some faces are permanent fixtures, while others have moved on to high-stakes government roles or solo primetime slots.
The Core Four: The Heavy Hitters Still at the Table
Basically, the show relies on a specific chemistry. You need the jokester, the policy wonk, the firebrand, and the moderator. Right now, in early 2026, the backbone of the show remains remarkably steady despite the chaos of the news cycle.
Greg Gutfeld is still the undisputed "King of Late Night" who somehow pulls double duty. He’s the one usually cracking jokes that make half the panel cringe and the other half lose it. In fact, he just announced a massive 2026 "Gutfeld Live" tour, proving that his brand of libertarian-leaning snark is more popular than ever. He isn't going anywhere. He's the guy who keeps the show from becoming a dry policy lecture.
Then there’s Dana Perino. If Gutfeld is the class clown, Perino is the valedictorian. As a former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, she brings a level of institutional knowledge that’s hard to beat. You've likely seen her balancing her duties on America’s Newsroom with her 5 p.m. slot. She’s often the "mom" of the group, trying to get everyone back on track when a debate about tax policy devolves into an argument about Greg's shoes.
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Jesse Watters has arguably seen the biggest meteoric rise of any host. He started as the "Watters’ World" guy doing man-on-the-street interviews and is now a primetime powerhouse. Even with his own solo show at 8 p.m., he remains a staple on The Five. His style is unapologetically bold, and he plays the role of the provocateur perfectly.
The Big Exit: Where is Judge Jeanine Pirro?
One of the most frequent questions people ask lately is about the "Judge." If you haven't seen her in her usual seat, there is a very big reason why. Jeanine Pirro officially left the network on May 8, 2025.
She didn't just retire or move to a different channel. She was tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Since then, she’s been in the headlines for a totally different reason—leading high-profile federal prosecutions in Washington D.C. It’s a massive career shift that took her from the Fox News studio to the federal courthouse. Seeing her name in legal filings rather than on a TV chyron is still a bit jarring for long-time viewers.
The Liberal Rotation: Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr.
The "fifth seat" has always been the most interesting part of the dynamic. This is the spot reserved for the liberal voice, the person tasked with defending Democratic policies in a room full of conservatives. It's a tough gig.
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Jessica Tarlov has emerged as the primary voice for the Left. She’s a PhD-holding strategist who isn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with Watters or Gutfeld. She recently shared a lot of her personal life on air too, including the birth of her second daughter, Teddy, in 2024. She brings a specific data-driven approach that often catches the other hosts off guard.
When Tarlov isn't there, you’ll usually see Harold Ford Jr. He’s a former Congressman from Tennessee and brings a much more centrist, "Blue Dog" Democrat vibe to the table. He’s generally more well-liked by the conservative hosts because he looks for common ground, whereas Tarlov is more comfortable being the "lone dissenter."
Why the Lineup Matters More Than Ever
Most people get it wrong when they think The Five is just about politics. It’s actually about personality. The hosts of the five on fox news are successful because they feel like people you’d actually sit and have a drink with—even if you disagree with every word coming out of their mouths.
- Ratings Power: The show consistently pulls in over 3 million viewers.
- Chemistry: You can’t fake the way these guys interact; it's genuine.
- Format: The "One More Thing" segment at the end is often the most-watched part of the hour because it humanizes the hosts.
The departure of Pirro has certainly shifted the energy. Without her fiery monologues, the show feels slightly more focused on the banter between Gutfeld and Watters. Fox has used a variety of guest hosts to fill that void, often pulling in people like Katie Pavlich or Emily Compagno to keep the conservative balance in check.
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The Future of the Show
So, what should you keep an eye on? Rumors always swirl about whether Watters can keep up the pace of doing two major shows a day. For now, he seems to thrive on the chaos. Gutfeld's tour schedule might take him away from the desk occasionally, so expect to see more of the "bench" players like Lawrence Jones or Shannon Bream filling in.
The main takeaway is that while the faces in the chairs might shift due to political appointments or new contracts, the formula stays the same. The "five" will always be a mix of debate, humor, and a little bit of theatricality.
If you want to stay up to speed, the best thing to do is watch for the guest host announcements each Monday. It’s usually a good indicator of who the network is grooming for a permanent seat. Pay attention to the chemistry during the "One More Thing" segment—that’s usually where you can tell if a guest host is actually going to stick around for the long haul.
Actionable Insights for Viewers:
- Check the official Fox News schedule daily, as the "fifth seat" and rotating guest hosts are often confirmed just hours before broadcast.
- Follow the hosts on social media (specifically X) for behind-the-scenes updates on why certain hosts might be missing from the desk for a week.
- Watch for "Best Of" episodes during holiday weeks, which are pre-taped and don't feature the live breaking-news reactions the show is known for.