You’re flipping through the channels on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and there they are. The couch. The bright studio lights. The mix of hard news and "wait, did they really just say that?" banter. If you've been watching lately, you’ve noticed the Fox Friends Weekend cast looks a bit different than it did a few years ago. It’s a specific vibe. While the weekday crew feels like a high-speed commuter train, the weekend team is more like a backyard barbecue where someone eventually starts arguing about tax policy.
It’s loose. It’s loud.
Currently, the core trio anchoring the show consists of Pete Hegseth, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Will Cain. They aren't just reading teleprompters; they’re essentially the faces of the network's weekend identity.
Meet the Current Fox Friends Weekend Cast
Let's get into the weeds of who these people actually are.
Pete Hegseth is the veteran of the group, literally and figuratively. He’s an Army National Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. That military background isn't just a footnote; it defines his entire broadcasting persona. He’s the guy who pushes the "pro-vet" and "anti-woke military" narratives harder than almost anyone else on the network. You’ve probably seen him at various Fox Nation events or hosting the Patriot Awards. He’s been a staple of the show since 2014, starting as a contributor before moving into the big chair.
Then there’s Rachel Campos-Duffy. If she looks familiar and you aren't a regular Fox viewer, you might be remembering the 90s. She got her start on The Real World: San Francisco. It’s a wild career arc—from MTV reality star to a leading voice in conservative Hispanic politics. She joined the permanent Fox Friends Weekend cast in 2021, replacing Jedediah Bila. She brings a very specific "mom of nine" energy to the show, frequently discussing family values, education, and faith.
Will Cain is the relative newcomer, though he feels like he’s been there forever. He jumped over from ESPN in 2020. That sports background is obvious. He approaches political debates like he’s breaking down a blitz on Monday Night Football. He’s often the one playing the "common sense" card or diving into the more philosophical side of libertarian-leaning conservatism.
Why the Chemistry Matters (and Why It Sometimes Breaks)
The magic of any morning show—whether it’s Today or Fox & Friends—is the chemistry. If the hosts hate each other, the audience feels it through the screen. With this specific trio, the energy is surprisingly high-octane.
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They argue. A lot.
Unlike the weekday crew (Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, and Brian Kilmeade), who have a very polished, rhythmic flow, the weekend group feels more unscripted. They’ll frequently talk over one another or go on long tangents about what they did Friday night. It’s designed to feel like you’re sitting in the room with them. This "friendship" is the engine of the show's ratings.
But it’s not just the main three. You have to look at the rotating cast of contributors who fill the gaps. People like Rick Reichmuth, the meteorologist who’s been with the network forever, or various revolving news anchors who handle the "top of the hour" updates. These folks keep the show grounded when the main hosts get too deep into the opinion weeds.
The Evolution of the Saturday Couch
The Fox Friends Weekend cast has seen plenty of turnover. Remember when Alisyn Camerota was the face of the weekend? She’s over at CNN now. Or Anna Kooiman, who moved to Australia? The show has always been a bit of a talent incubator for Fox.
When Jedediah Bila left in early 2021, there was a lot of speculation about the direction the show would take. Bila was often the "odd one out" on the panel, frequently clashing with the more staunchly pro-Trump segments. When Campos-Duffy took the seat, the show shifted. It became more ideologically aligned. There's less internal friction now, which some viewers love and critics point to as a sign of an echo chamber.
It’s worth noting that the show doesn't just happen in New York. One of the biggest draws for the weekend audience is the "Breakfast with Friends" segments.
They take the show on the road.
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They go to diners in South Carolina, Georgia, or Ohio. This is where the cast really shines in the eyes of their fans. They’re shaking hands, eating pancakes, and letting "real Americans" voice their concerns. It’s a brilliant production move. It makes the Fox Friends Weekend cast feel accessible in a way that evening stars like Jesse Watters or Sean Hannity aren't.
The Production Behind the Personalities
You don't just show up and talk for three hours. The show starts at 6:00 AM ET, which means the cast is in the building by 4:00 AM.
There’s a massive team of producers, bookers, and writers who are scouring the internet for "outrage" clips or feel-good stories about local heroes. The weekend show tends to lean heavier on culture war topics than the weekday version. While the weekday show has to cover the opening of the markets and heavy DC legislation, the weekend crew has more room to breathe. They talk about movies, grilling, sports, and "lifestyle" news.
Honestly, the "lifestyle" part is often a Trojan horse for deeper political messaging. A segment about a school board meeting in Virginia can quickly turn into a twenty-minute deep dive into national education policy.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
People often think the weekend hosts are "second string."
That’s just wrong.
The ratings for the weekend show often beat out the weekday morning programs on other major networks. It’s a massive revenue generator for Fox. Because the weekend audience is often more relaxed and tuned in for longer stretches, the advertisers are different. You see more pharmaceutical ads, more "patriotic" apparel brands, and more insurance companies.
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Another misconception? That they aren't "real" journalists.
While the show is firmly in the "opinion and talk" category, the cast members do have significant backgrounds. Will Cain has a law degree from the University of Texas. Pete Hegseth has degrees from Princeton and Harvard. They know what they’re doing. They’ve leaned into the "everyman" persona because it sells, but don't mistake the casual tone for a lack of preparation.
How to Follow the Cast Beyond the Show
If you can't get enough of them on Saturday and Sunday, they all have side hustles.
- Will Cain hosts The Will Cain Show on Fox News Audio.
- Rachel Campos-Duffy co-hosts the From the Kitchen Table podcast with her husband, Sean Duffy (who is also a Fox contributor and former Congressman).
- Pete Hegseth writes books. A lot of them. His latest titles usually debut at the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
They are essentially a 360-degree media brand at this point.
What to Watch For Next
The landscape of cable news is shifting. With the 2026 election cycles and the constant churn of the news cycle, the Fox Friends Weekend cast is likely to stay stable for a bit. They’ve found a winning formula with Hegseth, Campos-Duffy, and Cain.
However, keep an eye on the guest hosts. Whenever one of the big three takes a vacation, Fox uses that opportunity to audition new talent. You’ll see people like Lawrence Jones (who used to be a weekend staple before getting his own weekday show) or Joey Jones stepping in. These are the names that will eventually fill those seats if someone decides to move on to primetime.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your weekend viewing, pay attention to the "sidebar" conversations. That’s usually where the most viral moments happen. Whether it’s a heated debate about the latest Disney movie or a heartfelt story about a veteran, the weekend crew thrives in the unscripted moments between the news blocks.
To stay updated on the specific daily lineups, the best bet is checking the official Fox News schedule or following the hosts on X (formerly Twitter). They usually post their "big" segments the night before.
Actionable Insights for the Viewer
- Check the Lineup: If you’re looking for a specific host, remember they rotate occasionally for holidays. Follow their social media for "live from the diner" announcements.
- Engage with the Segments: The "Breakfast with Friends" segments often take viewer suggestions. If you have a local spot that represents your community, reach out to their production team via the Fox News website.
- Context Matters: Distinguish between the "hard news" updates at the top of the hour and the "opinion" segments on the couch. Both are part of the show, but they serve different purposes.
- Explore Fox Nation: Much of the extended content from the Fox Friends Weekend cast, including Pete Hegseth's documentaries, is moved to the Fox Nation streaming service.