In a move that has sent shockwaves through Fox News and ignited a social-media firestorm, Johnny Joey Jones has officially stepped into Jessica Tarlov’s seat on The Five, marking one of the boldest, loudest, and most unpredictable shake-ups the network has rolled out in years. While Fox has navigated staffing changes before, this one hit differently — not just because of the personalities involved, but because of the speed, timing, and the stunning on-air confirmation that followed.

For longtime fans of the show, the energy shift was immediate. For industry insiders, the aftershocks could last for months.

And for Greg Gutfeld — The Five’s reigning wildcard and resident show-disruptor — this dramatic switch appears to be only the beginning.

A Switch No One Saw Coming

When Johnny Joey Jones first appeared at the top of the broadcast, leaning comfortably into the panel’s circular desk with an unmistakable grin, viewers on X (formerly Twitter) erupted instantly. Comments poured in at a pace that rivaled national political moments:

“This is the FOX SHAKE-UP of the decade!”

“Johnny brings a whole new energy — this is WILD.”

“Tarlov gone? Gutfeld cooking something BIG…”

By the time the first commercial break hit, Jones’ name was trending in the top five nationwide.

Jessica Tarlov’s absence, while not entirely unexplained — she has been on maternity leave in real life — became the center of rapid speculation, memes, hot takes, and split-screen edits comparing the panel’s old dynamic to the new one.

But what truly detonated the situation was not the switch itself…

It was what Greg Gutfeld said next.

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Greg Gutfeld Drops the Bombshell On-Air

Midway through the episode, after a fiery discussion on border security, Gutfeld leaned back in his chair, smirked, then locked eyes with the camera in the way only he can. Most viewers assumed he was about to crack a joke.

Instead, he dropped a line that sent the entire panel — and the internet — into a frenzy:

“If you think this is the only change coming, just wait.”

Dana Perino looked startled.
Harold Ford Jr. raised an eyebrow.
Judge Jeanine froze mid-sip of coffee.

Johnny Joey Jones — the newest member of the table — just smiled knowingly.

It was a classic Gutfeld moment: half-serious, half-sarcastic, but unmistakably intentional. And audiences understood exactly what it meant:

More changes are coming. Big ones.

Inside the Decision: Why Johnny Joey Jones?

Jones has long been a favorite among Fox News viewers — charismatic, sharp, relatable, and unafraid to mix humor with blunt straight talk. His background as a Marine EOD technician who survived life-changing injuries in Afghanistan gives him a rare combination of credibility and emotional weight.

Producers reportedly believe he brings three powerful factors to the table:

1. Veteran Authority

The Five thrives when its personalities clash in unpredictable ways. Johnny’s presence adds grounded national-security perspective that neither Ford nor Gutfeld typically covers with the same lived experience.

2. Chemistry With the Cast

Johnny has guest-hosted many times before — and clips of him sparring playfully with Gutfeld and Judge Jeanine consistently get millions of views. Insiders say they wanted to bottle that chemistry and turn it into a daily asset.

3. Audience Magnetism

He trends. Often.
And right now, Fox wants heat — not just ratings, but cultural momentum.

Replacing Jessica Tarlov, the show’s liberal counterweight, with someone as direct and unapologetically conservative as Jones… well, let’s just say producers weren’t aiming for subtlety.

Where Is Jessica Tarlov in All This?

While the internet speculated everything from contract battles to secret feuds, insiders say Tarlov’s leave wasn’t the story — the timing of Jones’ takeover was.

Here’s what multiple off-air staff reportedly confirmed:

The switch had been “planned quietly but very intentionally.”

Gutfeld personally pushed for Johnny as a long-term panelist.

Tarlov is still expected to contribute in the future — but not necessarily in the same role.

Gutfeld has a long history of shaping the tone of The Five, and this move suggests he’s preparing the show for a new phase — one that leans harder into humor, debate, and unpredictable, personality-driven moments.

The Viewers React: Shock, Praise, Outrage — and Curiosity

Within minutes of the announcement, fan camps formed across social media.

Team Johnny:

Supporters praised his military background, humor, directness, and “no-nonsense” style:

“Jones brings the fire. The Five needed this!”

Team Tarlov:

Others defended Jessica, calling her the critical balance that kept the show challenging:

“You need a liberal voice on the panel. Otherwise it’s just an echo chamber.”

Team Gutfeld Chaos:

And then there were the viewers who live for Greg’s unpredictability:

“GUTFELD STRIKES AGAIN. This dude runs that show.”

One thing was clear:
The buzz was bigger than any single personality.
It was the shock factor — the sense that Fox News was changing direction in real time.

Is a Prime-Time Revolution Coming?

Industry analysts took Gutfeld’s cryptic tease seriously. His prime-time show Gutfeld! already dominates late-night ratings, and he has openly joked about “taking over prime time completely.”

With Jones joining the panel, some speculate Fox is testing a new formula:

Larger-than-life personalities + veteran credibility + comedic chaos = TV gold

Several theories are already circulating among insiders:

Theory 1: Gutfeld May Be Building a Larger Political-Comedy Empire

He’s hinted at expanding his role over the last year. Bringing Jones onto The Five could be step one.

Theory 2: The Five Might Be Preparing for a Major Format Refresh

More rotating hosts. New segments. Maybe even live audience episodes.

Theory 3: Fox Could Be Positioning Johnny Joey Jones for Bigger Roles

His popularity isn’t shrinking — it’s snowballing.

A veteran-turned-host with a massive social following?
That’s marketable.
That’s promotable.
That’s prime-time material.

Behind the Scenes: How the Staff Reacted

Several production assistants — speaking anonymously — reportedly described the studio atmosphere as:

“Stunned but excited.”

“Chaotic in a fun way.”

“Exactly what Gutfeld wanted.”

One insider said:

“Greg has been talking about energy for months. He wanted more spark, more grit, more unpredictability. Johnny was the obvious choice.”

Another added:

“This wasn’t a demotion for Jessica. It was an evolution for the show.”

Still, plenty of staff were shocked by the timing. Most assumed Jones would fill in occasionally, not take over the seat outright.

What Comes Next?

The biggest question now is simple:

Is this temporary… or permanent?

Fox has not released a formal long-term statement.
Gutfeld hasn’t clarified anything — because he never does.
And Jones himself simply tweeted:

“Glad to be here. Let’s get to work.”

Short, clean, powerful.
Exactly the kind of message that amplifies the mystery.

A Network Alive Again

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny one thing:

Fox News hasn’t seen this kind of electricity in years.

The Five — once a reliably high-rated but predictable panel show — suddenly feels combustible again. The tension is real. The humor sharper. The debates heavier. And the unpredictability? Off the charts.

Johnny Joey Jones may be the new face of the show…
But Greg Gutfeld is still the architect behind the curtain.

Whatever they’re building together?

It has already shaken the network to its core.

And based on the reactions pouring in from millions of viewers…

This is only the beginning.