dx FOX NEWS ERUPTS: Jessica Tarlov OUT, Sandra Smith IN — The Five’s Shake-Up Leaves Fans Speechless!
Fox News Rocks the Cable World: Sandra Smith Steps In as Jessica Tarlov Exits ‘The Five’
NEW YORK – September 22, 2025 – The confetti of cable news rarely falls without drama, but Friday’s announcement from Fox News hit like a plot twist in a prime-time thriller. At the stroke of 4 p.m. ET, during a live taping of America’s Newsroom, network brass revealed that Sandra Smith, the poised co-anchor known for her razor-sharp market insights, would assume the rotating liberal-leaning co-host slot on The Five. Her predecessor? Jessica Tarlov, the fiery Democratic strategist whose verbal jousts had become the show’s signature spice. Effective immediately, Smith joins the ensemble of Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, and Harold Ford Jr., marking the latest seismic shift in Fox’s daytime juggernaut.
The reveal unfolded with classic Fox flair: Gutfeld, ever the provocateur, quipped on air, “Sandra’s joining us – finally, someone who can debate without needing a safe space!” The studio erupted in laughter, but off-camera, the move has ignited a powder keg of speculation. The Five, which draws an average of 3.2 million viewers nightly – outpacing CNN and MSNBC combined – thrives on its combustible mix of conservative camaraderie and ideological sparring. Tarlov’s departure, after four years as the panel’s progressive firebrand, leaves a void that’s as much about chemistry as politics.
Tarlov, 41, a Princeton alumna and daughter of psychoanalyst Mark Tarlov, first subbed on the show in 2021 before earning a permanent perch. Her tenure was a masterclass in contrasts: quick-witted takedowns of Gutfeld’s barbs, impassioned defenses of Democratic policies, and viral moments like her 2023 evisceration of “woke capitalism” that racked up 15 million X views. But not all was smooth sailing. Insiders point to escalating tensions – including a heated 2024 exchange with Watters over election integrity – and Tarlov’s maternity leave in April 2025, during which she guested on The View and sparked rumors of a network jump. “It was time for a refresh,” a Fox executive told Variety anonymously. “Jessica’s energy was electric, but the panel needed evolution, not revolution.”
Tarlov’s farewell was characteristically graceful. In a network statement, she said: “Four years on The Five was a whirlwind of ideas, laughs, and yes, a few raised voices. I’m grateful for the platform and thrilled to pivot to new projects at Fox, including expanded digital contributions and a potential solo special.” Whispers suggest she’s eyeing a contributor role on Special Report with Bret Baier, where her policy chops could shine sans the roundtable roar. Fans flooded X with tributes: “Jessica, you slayed those echo chambers – go conquer the world!” tweeted @LibWatchDC, amassing 8,000 likes. Yet, conservative corners cheered: “Finally! Tarlov’s snark was exhausting,” posted @FoxFan47, echoing a sentiment that’s trended #ByeJessica under 50,000 posts.
Enter Sandra Smith, 44, the Baton Rouge-born former futures trader whose Fox tenure dates to 2007. Co-anchor of America’s Newsroom since 2018, Smith has guest-hosted The Five sporadically, earning plaudits for her measured tone and bipartisan appeal. “Sandra’s not ‘liberal’ in the Tarlov mold – she’s centrist, fact-driven, like a Wall Street analyst dissecting a scandal,” notes media watcher Brian Stelter, formerly of CNN. Her addition, per the announcement, aims to “broaden the dialogue while maintaining the show’s unfiltered edge.” Gutfeld teased in a post-announcement monologue: “Sandra won’t cry when I win an argument – progress!” Smith’s resume bolsters the bet: Emmy-nominated for her 2022 midterm coverage, she’s covered everything from crypto crashes to Capitol riots with unflappable poise.
The timing is no coincidence. The Five has weathered changes before – Jeanine Pirro’s May 2025 exit to serve as Trump’s U.S. Attorney for D.C., Geraldo Rivera’s fiery 2023 departure – yet ratings have soared 12% year-over-year, per Nielsen. Fox CEO Suzanne Scott, navigating a post-2024 election landscape where Trump 2.0 dominates headlines, is recalibrating for “deeper, more substantive clashes,” sources say. With midterms looming in 2026, Smith’s financial acumen could pivot debates toward economy and trade, diluting the culture-war intensity that defined Tarlov’s era. Analysts like Lauren Hicks of Media Insights predict a “net positive”: “Tarlov polarized; Smith unifies without boring. Expect 5-7% viewer uptick among independents.”
Not everyone’s popping champagne. Progressive outlets decried the swap as “Fox’s diversity dodge,” with The Nation labeling it a “rightward lurch disguised as balance.” On X, #StandWithJessica surged, with users like @DemVoiceNow venting: “Tarlov was the gut check we needed – Smith’s just another suit.” Conservative backlash? Minimal, save for purists griping that Smith’s “squishy centrism” softens the edge. Behind the scenes, the shift underscores Fox’s broader 2025 churn: Will Cain’s January takeover of the 4 p.m. slot, weekend revamps elevating Kayleigh McEnany, and the axing of MediaBuzz to prioritize opinion over critique.
For Tarlov, the pivot is personal too. Balancing motherhood with on-air intensity, she hinted at a book deal on progressive media myths. Smith, meanwhile, relishes the upgrade: ” The Five is cable’s town hall – I’m excited to listen, learn, and occasionally drop a truth bomb,” she told People. As the panel reconvenes Monday, one thing’s clear: In Fox’s arena, change isn’t just inevitable – it’s the show.
The ripple effects? A potential domino for rivals. MSNBC eyes Tarlov for a counter-slot; CNN scouts Smith alums for crossovers. But for now, The Five marches on, its formula tweaked but unbroken. Will Smith’s cool calculus cool the chaos, or kindle new fires? Tune in at 5 p.m. – the revolution will be televised
