Leadership Changes at The Five
Fox News is shuffling its daytime lineup. Emily Compagno, a known face on the network’s early-afternoon program Outnumbered, will join the network’s flagship roundtable show The Five as a permanent co-host. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott announced the move this Monday, confirming that Compagno will take over the fourth seat on the panel. This chair has remained vacant or filled by rotating guests since Jeanine Pirro departed last year to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Compagno starts her new role on September 8. She will sit alongside existing regulars Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, and Jesse Watters. The panel also includes alternating co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford, Jr., who provide a liberal perspective on the topics of the day. This move signals a desire by network executives to lock in a permanent rotation ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
The Significance of the Show’s Format
Any alteration to the roster of The Five carries weight. The program has held the top spot in cable news ratings for 19 consecutive quarters. It consistently draws more viewers than many primetime shows. Launched in 2011, the show originally functioned as a platform for contributors who lacked dedicated airtime. Over the last decade, it has evolved into a career milestone, with some co-hosts using the exposure to secure other projects within the network.
Scott has long emphasized that the show’s success relies on the chemistry between the hosts. In 2019, she noted that the program mirrors how friends and family debate politics and culture in their own lives. She argued that the ability for the hosts to disagree sharply during a segment but remain friendly off-air is a core reason for the show’s longevity. By adding Compagno, the network aims to maintain that specific balance.
Professional Background and Future Outlook
Compagno joined Fox News in 2018. Before her television career, she worked as a criminal defense attorney and spent time as a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. Her current portfolio at the network includes hosting duties on the streaming service Fox Nation and a podcast centered on true crime. Her background from a military family often informs her perspective during political discussions.
Her arrival comes at a time of increased scrutiny for the network. Observers are tracking the future of her predecessor, Jeanine Pirro, following reports of friction with the Trump administration regarding federal projects on the National Mall. Meanwhile, the broader cable news sector is preparing for the 2026 midterms. These election cycles typically drive spikes in viewership, and Fox News sees this roster change as a way to capitalize on that interest. Compagno stated she is honored to join the team and views the show as a top-tier opportunity in television.