Behind the Scenes of Fox News’ ‘The Five’: Liberal Host Says Co‑hosts Check In After On‑Air Spats

It’s been fifteen years since Fox News tossed a temporary panel show together, and “The Five” has somehow become the most‑watched program on cable. What most viewers don’t see, however, is the quiet camaraderie that follows the daily shouting matches.

Liberal voice Jessica Tarlov, who’s been sitting at the table since 2022, told the Daily Express that after a particularly sharp exchange she’ll often get a private call or text from co‑hosts Jesse Watters or Greg Gutfeld. “We’re all in regular contact,” she said, noting that when something “upsets” her, she’ll talk it through with Greg or Jesse, and they’ll make sure she’s okay.

It sounds almost familial – like a Thanksgiving dinner where the “crazy uncle” is the right‑wing commentator you love to argue with. Former White House press secretary Dana Perino, one of the show’s original rotating panelists, recalled how the program was meant to be a short‑term fix. She got the call while waiting for luggage at Dulles and never imagined she’d end up living in New York and becoming part of the daily political “family dinner.”

Today, “The Five” pulls in roughly 3.8 million viewers, routinely beating its CNN and MSNBC rivals. The formula remains simple: four conservatives and one liberal dissect the day’s headlines, then do it all over again tomorrow. Tarlov says her role is to bring a different point of view to a largely right‑leaning audience. “I have the coolest job in media for a liberal,” she laughs, adding that she hopes viewers see how “messy” American politics really is.

Even when the show needed a stand‑in for Watters just yesterday, the behind‑the‑scenes support didn’t skip a beat. Tarlov explains that these “check‑ins” keep the tension from spilling over into personal animosity, turning what looks like a combative debate into a relatively respectful – if often noisy – conversation.

In an era when political talk shows are frequently painted as hostile battlegrounds, the off‑camera friendliness on “The Five” offers a subtle reminder: even the most outspoken pundits can look out for each other when the cameras stop rolling.