The Five is celebrating a major milestone, and one of its current co-hosts is looking back on what has helped make the long-running Fox News program a success.
The daily talk show marks its 15th anniversary on July 21, reaching a landmark that few television programs achieve. Since its debut in 2011, The Five has built its format around a panel featuring conservative voices alongside a liberal commentator, creating lively discussions on politics and the day’s biggest headlines.
For Jessica Tarlov, who joined the program as a co-host in 2021, the show’s lasting success comes from its willingness to include different perspectives while encouraging honest conversation.
Jessica Tarlov Shares Her Perspective
In an interview with People, Tarlov reflected on what she believes has allowed The Five to continue attracting viewers after more than a decade on the air.
She said the show’s ability to reach audiences in different ways has played an important role in its popularity, particularly as clips circulate across social media platforms.
According to audience figures provided by Fox News and cited by People, The Five is currently the highest-rated daily cable news program among Democratic viewers, attracting 765,000 viewers from the party and one million independent viewers, while also maintaining a strong conservative audience.
Tarlov, who first joined Fox News as a contributor in 2017 before becoming a co-host four years later, said the program offers viewers different ways to engage with political discussions.
“I have the coolest job in media for a liberal, just hands down,” she told People.
She also said her goal is for viewers to see the show as a reflection of the complexity of modern American political life rather than a conversation built around only one viewpoint.
Respect Beyond Political Differences
While spirited debates are a regular part of The Five, Tarlov explained that the relationships among the co-hosts extend beyond what viewers see on television.
The current panel includes Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld, who have been part of the program since it launched in 2011, along with Jesse Watters and Harold Ford Jr. Ford shares the show’s liberal role with Tarlov, following former co-host Juan Williams.
Speaking about her interactions with her colleagues, Tarlov said there is a genuine willingness to communicate when disagreements arise.
She explained that she has spoken with both Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters about moments that have been upsetting, adding that Gutfeld has also checked in with her following difficult exchanges that happened on air.
According to Tarlov, those conversations reflect an environment where different viewpoints can be discussed openly while maintaining mutual respect.
She also said she makes a conscious effort to understand how her conservative colleagues view issues and believes that approach is returned by them “99 percent of the time.”
A Message Beyond Television
For Tarlov, the value of The Five goes beyond political debate.
She told People that she hopes the program demonstrates something many Americans would like to see more often in everyday life—the ability for people with opposing beliefs to maintain meaningful relationships.
Tarlov said she believes it is possible for individuals who see the world differently to listen to one another, express their opinions openly and still find common ground.
As The Five reaches its 15th anniversary, Tarlov’s reflections offer a look at the relationships behind one of Fox News’ longest-running programs and the role she believes respectful conversation continues to play in its enduring success.
