What Was The Five and Who Were the Original Hosts
The Five launched on Fox News Channel in July 2011 as a live panel debate show built around five main anchors who rotated through the hour. The original core lineup reflected the network’s effort to blend talk-driven politics with prime-time punditry. This overview explains who started on the show, how the format worked, key evolutions over time, and what defined its tone and structure, relying on verifiable network information and contemporaneous reports.
Premiere Lineup and Original Conception
When The Five debuted on July 11, 2011, it was presented as a conversational panel show rather than a traditional anchor-driven newscast. The format emphasized debate among a rotating set of commentators, though certain personalities were central from the outset. The original configuration leaned heavily on existing Fox News talent who were already well known for their distinctive on-air voices and political perspectives.
Core Original Hosts
The following personalities were part of the show from or very near its premiere in 2011, forming the recognizable nucleus of The Five in its early years.
- Greg Gutfeld – Longtime Fox News host and editor-in-chief of Gutfeld!, brought satire and countercultural commentary to the panel.
- Andrea Tantaros – Co-host of The Five through much of its early run, known for pointed political questions and on-air sparring.
- Bob Beckel – Former Democratic operative and longtime political commentator, representing the liberal perspective on the panel.
- Eric Bolling – Financial and political commentator, often focused on market angles and institutional critique.
- Mona Charen – Columnist and policy analyst, contributing conservative viewpoint and policy depth to panel discussions.
Together, these five names defined the show’s early identity, even as rotating guests and substitute hosts occasionally filled in. Over time, the precise cast changed, with some hosts departing or reducing their involvement while new regulars were introduced.
Original Format, Time Slot, and Branding
The Five aired live at 5 p.m. ET, a deliberate placement between afternoon news and prime-time opinion programming. This positioning encouraged a loose, conversational style that blended news recaps, opinion, and occasional heated debate. The set, graphics, and music were designed to feel energetic and accessible, consistent with other prime-time shows on the network but with a more panel-centric focus.
Key Structural Elements
- Live, one-hour format with limited commercial interruption compared to some other prime-time shows.
- Panel segments that encouraged sparring, with opening statements and recurring debate features.
- Rotating mix of permanent panelists and frequent guest contributors, allowing for topical flexibility.
- Emphasis on conflict and contrast, which aligned with expectations for prime-time political talk at the time.
Notable Changes and Departures Over Time
As with many long-running opinion programs, The Five experienced several personnel shifts in its first decade on air. Some original hosts reduced their schedule or left for other opportunities, while new voices joined to reflect evolving editorial priorities and audience tastes. These changes were driven by a mix of personal career moves, contract decisions, and network strategy.
Departures and Adjustments
Andrea Tantaros and Bob Beckel were among the early faces who eventually departed the show, though both remained visible in other Fox News roles for periods. Eric Bolling also transitioned out of the program as his role at the network shifted. In parallel, others such as Jesse Watters and Katie Pavlich appeared more frequently as substitute or recurring contributors, expanding the roster beyond the original five namesake hosts.
| Name | Role on The Five | Original Tenure | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Gutfeld | Host / Panelist | July 2011 onward | Network announcement, on-air credits |
| Andrea Tantaros | Co-host / Contributor | 2011 to early 2010s | Network schedules, contemporaneous reports |
| Bob Beckel | Co-host / Liberal voice | 2011 to mid-2010s | Network press releases, on-air credits |
| Eric Bolling | Co-host / Financial contributor | 2011 to mid-2010s | Network schedules, trade reporting |
| Mona Charen | Panelist / Conservative analyst | 2011 onward (variable schedule) | On-air credits, columns |
Distinguishing the Original Five from Later Lineups
As The Five continued, the term “original” took on two meanings: the hosts who started the show in 2011, and the conceptual five-person panel that the brand still suggested even as the roster changed. Later years saw different combinations appear regularly, including guests and substitute hosts who became central to the show’s identity. Understanding this distinction is important when reading retrospective references or comparing eras of the program.
Quick Comparison: Early Core vs. Common Later Faces
- Original anchors: Gutfeld, Tantaros, Beckel, Bolling, Charen.
- Common later regulars: Jesse Watters, Katie Pavlich, Dana Perino, Jeanine Pirro, Mark Levin (occasional).
- Note: The show has cycled hosts over time; the term “originals” most accurately refers to those present in the 2011–2015 window.
Context Within Fox News Prime-Time and Audience Impact
The Five occupied a distinctive space in the Fox News prime-time lineup, positioned as a slightly more conversational and panel-oriented alternative to the network’s predominantly solo anchor format. Its success relied on chemistry among the five presenters as well as the network’s broader political coverage strategy. Original segments, recurring bits, and headline debates helped the show maintain strong ratings through the 2010s and into the 2020s, even as hosting patterns continued to evolve.
Summary of Original Lineup and Lasting Legacy
The original hosts of The Five set the tone for a panel-driven prime-time program that emphasized debate, personality, and topical commentary. Greg Gutfeld, Andrea Tantaros, Bob Beckel, Eric Bolling, and Mona Charen formed the nucleus at launch in 2011, representing a mix of conservative, Democratic, and libertarian perspectives. Though the roster changed in the years that followed, their role in establishing the show’s format and identity remains well documented in network announcements and contemporary coverage. For reference, verified details about the original cast are drawn from Fox News press materials, on-air credits, and reputable media reporting.